The Enterprise Fighting Yellow Jackets are on the road tosuccess as the Class 1A state football playoffs begin Friday night.The Jackets (6-4) face a talented and unbeaten 10-0 Puckett team onthe road. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Enterprise head coach Roe Burns is a playoff veteran but many ofhis players haven’t known the experience. The Jackets last went tothe playoffs in 2002 under former head coach Ricky Deere. They lost41-20 at Puckett and finished 7-5.

“Our kids are excited about making the playoffs,” said Burns.”Our community is excited, too.”

Burns, 58, has been coaching for over 30 years. This is hisfirst year as head coach at Enterprise, his alma mater. He andPuckett head coach Jervis Patrick both attended Copiah-LincolnCommunity College in 1966-67 and became good friends.

Puckett marched to the Region 3-1A championship. The Wolveswalloped South Leake 54-0 in last Friday’s season finale.

“Puckett has a real good defense,” said Burns. “They have goodsize at all positions and team speed.” The Wolves play a 5-3 ondefense. Puckett’s defense has only allowed 51 points in 10games.

“On offense, they run out of a Power-I set,” said Burns. “Allfour of those guys, including the quarterback, runs the ball well.Their quarterback has speed and size.

“They have about three runners like Terrell May,” Enterprise’sleading rusher. “They don’t pass the ball much.”

Burns said Puckett reminds him of Wesson, a season-openingwinner over the Jackets.

According to Burns, his team will need an outstanding game tocompete with Puckett. “If we can avoid the turnovers and get someturnovers, we have a chance. We must do better in the kicking game.We don’t cover kickoffs very well.”.

Burns said senior quarterback Blake McKee is practicing thisweek. McKee injured an ankle against Bogue Chitto last Friday whenthe Jackets won 28-18, securing the No. 4 spot in Region 4-1A.

Asked about a starting lineup, Burns listed the players. Onoffense for the Jackets. Chris Fuller is at center, Wayne Nationsat right guard, Vincent Smith and Aaron Close at right tackle, TreyBoyd and, Ky Mathis at left guard, Justin Vincent at left tackle,Brandon Smith at tight end and Zach Jackson at split end.

In the backfield, McKee is at quarterback, Drew Waldrop atfullback, Alex Powell at wingback and Terrell May at tailback.

Punting and plackekicking is Skippy Hopkins.

On defense, Vincent Smith is nose guard, Kody Sullivan attackle, Boyd and Mathis at defensive end, Brandon Smith at rushend, Nations at strong linebacker, and Waldrop at weaksidelinebacker. Chris Moak and Chris Fuller alternate at rover.

The strong safety is Bronson Russell and the free safety isMcKee. Cornerbacks are Zach Moak, Alex Powell and May.

May is the team’s leading rusher with 1,614 yards on 222 carriesand 18 touchdowns. McKee has 484 rushing yards and Waldrop has 478yards. Chris Moak has 267 yards on 31 carries.

On defense, Sullivan is Enterprise’s leading tackler with 77stops. Chris Moak has 71 tackles. Powell has intercepted 6 passesthis season. McKee has 5 pass thefts and Moak 3.

Wolves Undefeated

Patrick, a Mendenhall native, is in his second year as headcoach. They finished 5-5 last season.

Wilbert Lee (6-1, 180, jr.) starts at quarterback. Larry Pittman(5-10, 185, sr.) is the team’s leading rusher with 1,239 yards.

Also at running back is Johnathan Cameron (6-2, 180, soph.) whohas rushed for 350 yards and 9 touchdowns.

On defense, middle linebacker Johnathan Webb (6-0, 210, sr.)leads Puckett in tackles with 121 stops. Matt Willis (5-9, 170,soph.) has accounted for 8 interceptions this season.

“We are fairly young,” said Patrick. “We have four seniors, andthree that play a lot.”

Seniors on the Puckett offensive line are Webb and Jake Gregory(6-0, 270).

Kicking for Puckett is Dusty Sims. He handles punts and kicksfrom placement.

“Enterprise is pretty big and physical,” said Patrick. “Theyhave two big running backs and a good quarterback.”

Postseason memory: Burns played Puckett in theGeorgia Pacific Paper Bowl when he was head coach at Loyd Star. TheHornets posted a rain-soaked, 26-7 victory in the 1998 game playedon Lawrence County High School’s field.