After spending three weeks on the road, the Bogue Chitto Bobcatsreturn home to Troy Smith Field Friday night for a key Region 4-1Atest with the Biloxi Mercy Cross Crusaders.

In other Lincoln County action, Brookhaven entertainsMendenhall, Enterprise invades Salem, Loyd Star travels to McLaurinand Mt. Olive is at West Lincoln.

Bogue Chitto is coming off a 40-15 win over Gulfport St. Johnwhile Mercy Cross stuffed Stringer 41-21 in a pair of Region 4-1Agames last Friday.

“Mercy Cross (3-1) is a real good football team,” said BogueChitto head football coach Gareth Sartin. “They alternate three orfour really good backs to keep them fresh. They are good size onoffense and defensive lines.

“They are a smash-mouth team,” continued Sartin. “They try torun over you on offense, nothing real fancy. It should be a goodgame. After three straight road games, we are finally back at home.This is a big district game for us. It will be a tough game.”

Sartin’s Bobcats (2-2) have won two straight games after twonarrow losses to start the season. They are unbeaten in Region4-1A.

In the win over St. John, quarterback Seth Avants rushed thefootball 13 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. Avants completed 7of 11 passes for 103 yards and a TD. Dontae Ratcliff finished with187 all purpose yards.

Scotty Brown led the Bogue Chitto defense with 11 tackles. Brownwas this week’s DAILY LEADER Defensive Player of the Week.

Last season, Mercy Cross dumped Bogue Chitto 26-6.

Enterprise is coming off a 35-7 loss at thehands of Mt. Olive (3-1) who is ranked No. 7 in this week’s Class1A Prep Poll. Under Coach Roe Burns, the Yellow Jackets are 1-3 onthe season.

Salem (1-3) won its first game of the season last week with a20-7 win over Region 4-1A rival Dexter.

“Salem is going to try to throw the ball,” said Enterprise headcoach Roe Burns. “Coach (Kenneth) Murphy’s boy (Garreth) is thequarterback. He is a sophomore. If they aren’t successful throwingthe ball, they run out of the shotgun, dives and adoptions out ofthe shotgun. They get in the power- I and run it.

“They are similar to us in size,” continued Burns. “Defensively,they play a 5-3. The team that wants it the most will win it. Theyhave about the same ability as us.”

In the loss to Mt. Olive, Chris Moak directed Enterprise with 18carries for 53 yards. MT Martin rushed 3 times for 21 yards.Quarterback Rodney Barker completed two passes for 80 yards.

Trey Boyd led the Jacket defense with six tackles.

Last year, Enterprise crushed Salem 47-27.

Loyd Star is back on the road this week andwill face McLaurin. Last Friday, Loyd Star fell to Mize 34-18 whileMcLaurin was shut out 26-0 by Wesson. Coach Josh Thibodeaux’sHornets are 2-2 on the season.

Scoring a touchdown each for Loyd Star in the loss to Mize wereAllen Wheeler, Jared Rogers and Garry Johnson.

Loyd Star fell by one point, 33-32, to McLaurin last season.

West Lincoln dropped a tough 48-8 decision toCathedral last week. Coach Brooks Burns Bears (0-4) gear up a toughchallenge at home against highly ranked Mt. Olive (3-1).

In last season’s battle, Mt. Olive knocked off West Lincoln34-0.