“I believe in working hard to make the state playoffs. I believein playing hard to make the state playoffs. I believe my team canmake the state playoffs.”

An excerpt from the high school football player’s creed projectsa positive attitude and a common goal. Coaches, players and fanshave a strong desire to keep on playing football when the coolbreezes of November finally arrive.

Once you have been a part of the state playoffs in Mississippi,you won’t settle for less. For several years, the Mississippi HighSchool Activities Association has made it a big easier to reach theplayoffs by sending the top four teams out of each region.

In the past, a lot of good teams stayed home or settled for theSweet Potato Bowl if they didn’t finish first or runner-up in theirrespective region. Now, some not-so-good teams are making theplayoffs, especially the No. 4 seeds.

Whoa!

There are some remarkably strong No. 4 teams in some regions.They are quite capable of upsetting No. 1s in the opening round ofthe playoffs. That’s why coaches call it the Second Season.

Now, with most of the non-region games completed, each regioncontest requires a more serious approach. While the No. 1 and No. 2teams are home for the first round, the No. 3 and No. 4 finishersmust travel. The home field advantage is worth at least a touchdownor more.

For example, Brookhaven, fresh from a gut-wrenching,last-second, 31-28 loss at McComb, faces a difficult challenge inthe weeks ahead. The Panthers (2-2, 0-1) need to win the rest oftheir region games to stay in contention for the region title. Theymust cross their fingers, control their destiny, and hope to finishNo. 2.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S., was trying to find his jacketbefore he left home to drop off his weekly list of footballpredictions. There definitely was a nip of autumn in the air earlyWednesday morning. That’s also known as football weather.

Hoopla predicted the winners of 30 games last week and stubbedall of his toes, missing 10. Still staggering from that woefulperformance, he boldly tackles this week’s menu, starting with apair of Thursday night community college specials.

Pearl River at Co-Lin: The No. 1-rankedWildcats will have their hands full for two quarters beforecranking up the offense. Pearl River 27-10.

Southwest at East Central: Bears take their newshow on the road and hit a pot hole in Decatur. East Central30-14.

Mendenhall at Brookhaven: Both teams areattempting to rebound from narrow setbacks. Give a shaky nod to thePanthers. Brookhaven 28-27.

Brookhaven Academy at Copiah Academy: TheCougars receive their first serious test of the season and escapewith a narrow win. Brookhaven Academy 21-14.

Biloxi Mercy Cross at Bogue Chitto: Bobcats arerolling on the river as they win three in a row. Bogue Chitto27-18.

Enterprise at Salem: Fighting Yellow Jacketsfind a way to win in Walthall County. Enterprise 18-14.

Mount OIive at West Lincoln: Bears meet theMcNairs and are thoroughly impressed. Mt. Olive 41-13.

Loyd Star at McLaurin: Hornets tune up fortheir region schedule by notching a road win. Loyd Star 21-12.

Wesson at Mize: Unbeaten Cobras tackle theirstrongest opponent of the young season in Smith County. Wesson26-24.

Franklin County at South Pike: In a Region 7-3Ashowdown, the Eagles show their home-field advantage but theBulldogs prevail. Franklin County 21-20.

Lawrence County at Port Gibson: After a longbus ride, the Cougars are rewarded with a region win. LawrenceCounty 49-6.

In other area games, McComb should beatFlorence 39-14, Tylertown should top North Pike 28-12, and MRAshould pound Parklane 30-19.

Saturday’s collegiate scene should go like this.

Wake Forest at Ole Miss: Demon Deacons areslowed by injuries and that should help the Rebels. Ole Miss27-20.

Mississippi State at UAB: After touringBirmingham, the Bulldogs limp home with another loss. UAB28-19.

Southern Miss at Central Florida: In a rareTuesday night contest made for TV, the Golden Eagles continue toshine. Southern Miss 28-12.

Valley State at Jackson State: How good are theTigers? Delta Devils find out in a hurry. Jackson State 38-19.

In other Magnolia State action, MississippiCollege should edge McMurray 21-17, Alabama State should sinkAlcorn State 28-10, Georgetown should sack Belhaven 29-12 and DeltaState should sink Ouachita Baptist 37-7. Millsaps has an open dateto recover from a 1-point loss.

In the SEC, Alabama over Arkansas 21-14, Auburnover Buffalo 52-6, Florida over Kentucky 33-20, Georgia overColorado 31-10, LSU over Tulane 42-9, South Carolina over FloridaAtlantic 42-7, Tennessee over Marshall 29-12, and Vanderbilt overTennessee State 38-14.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com