The Wesson Cobras are battling for the No. 2 spot in the Region6-2A when they invade Utica Friday night to take on the Hinds AHSWar Dogs. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

In other area games, Lawrence County is at Brookhaven, Tylertownis at Franklin County, Crystal Springs is at Hazlehurst, Columbiais at North Pike, McComb is at Terry and South Pike is at JacksonBailey.

Wesson controls its own destiny. If the Cobras(7-2) can get past the War Dogs (6-3), they will be the No. 2 seedand would host a first-round state playoff game on Nov. 7. TheCobras are ranked No. 9 in this week’s Associated Press Class 2APrep Poll.

The top two teams host a first-round game. The No. 3 and No. 4teams travel in the first-round of the state 2A playoffs.

Wesson and Amite County are 3-1 in the district. Hinds AHS is2-2 while St. Andrew’s dominates the top spot at 4-0. A loss byWesson to Hinds AHS would cause a 3-way tie for second place.

St. Andrew’s (8-1) is at Madison St. Joe and Amite County (6-2)hosts Loyd Star Friday.

Wesson’s only region loss 43-40 was to top ranked St. Andrew’s.Hinds has losses to St. Andrew’s and Amite County.

Wesson head coach Tommy Clopton watched several films on HindsAHS and talked about the War Dawgs strong points.

“Hinds AHS is big, strong and fast,” said Clopton. “No. 21(Joshua King) makes them go. He is shifty. He does a good job ofmaking people miss. He’s similar to Bradford Blackmon of St.Andrew’s. They will mix up the run and the pass. They are veryadaptive to running and passing.

“Defensively, they are very physical,” added Clopton. “They’rebig and strong up front. They run to the ball well. They stuff theball real well.”

In the 24-7 win over Madison St. Joe last Friday, seniortailback Otho Smith powered the Cobra running game with 17 carriesfor 97 yards and a touchdown. Roy Williams rushed 14 times for 88yards.

On defense, Daniel Watson led Wesson with eight tackles.Finishing with seven stops each were Beau Wilson, Will Turbo andWilliams.

“It’s the last regular season game,” added Clopton. “We know weare in the playoffs. We want to end the regular season on a winningnote. We are going to have to play real well.”

In last year’s game, the Dawgs skinned the Cobras 32-15.

Franklin County’s Bulldogs (8-1) battle it outwith the Tylertown Chiefs (6-2) for first place in the Region 7-3AFriday night. Both teams are undefeated with 3-0 region worksheets.Grady McCluskey coaches the Meadville-based Bulldogs.

Franklin County is the No. 2 ranked team in the AP Class 3A PrepPoll.

The Bulldogs celebrated homecoming last week with a 47-0 routover the Wilkinson County Wildcats in region play. The Chiefsdowned Bay St. Louis 24-17 in non-region action.

“Tylertown is very good,” said McCluskey. “They have goodrunning backs and a quarterback. They are going to be a challengeto stop. Defensively, they are small and scrappy.

“They will definitely be a challenge,” continued McCluskey.”They believe they can win. It will be a good game Friday night. Weare looking forward to it. Whoever wins will be first (in theregion).”

In the win over Wilkinson Co., Alex Smith powered Franklin Co.with seven carries for 90 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Hunt rushedseven times for 47 yards and scored two TDs.

On defense, the Bulldogs got seven tackles from Bo Tillman. GaryRogers made six tackles and recovered a fumble.

Last season, Franklin County nipped Tylertown 20-14.

North Pike celebrated homecoming last Fridaywith a key 23-13 Region 7-3A win over West Marion. Coached by AdamBarron, the Summit-based Jaguars improved to 2-3 in region play and5-4 on the season.

The Columbia Wildcats (2-7, 2-3) was nipped 28-26 by South Pikelast week.

In the victory over West Marion, Nick Pittman led the Jags with117 yards on six carries. Keiron Robinson finished with 13 carriesfor 94 yards.

Columbia knocked off North Pike 21-15 last year.

McComb has the opportunity to secure the Region6-4A title and No. 1 seed if the Tigers can beat the Terry Bulldogson their home turf. McComb (7-1) leads the region with a 4-0record. Terry (8-1) comes in with a 4-1 worksheet.

McComb, coached by Randy Martin, defeated Lawrence County 33-10last Friday while Terry crushed Florence 42-14.

In this week’s AP Prep Poll, McComb is ranked No. 7 in Class4A.

Tiger senior quarterback Alonzo Harris completed 6 of 13 passesfor 57 yards and rushed the football 6 times for 25 yards for twotouchdowns. The top rusher was Lawrence’s Kendrick Hardy with 17carries for 93 yards and a TD.

In last year’s contest, Terry slipped past McComb 25-22.

Hazlehurst, the defending Class 3A statefootball champ, battles Region 6-3A and Copiah County rival CrystalSprings Friday night for the No. 2 position in the region, Bothteams are 4-1 in region play.

Hazlehurst (6-2) is ranked No. 5 in the AP Class 3A Prep Poll.The Indians, under first-year head coach Vernon Perry, poundedRegion 6-3A foe Jefferson County 37-20 last Friday.

Crystal Springs (6-3) punched out a 29-22 region win last weekover Raymond. The Tigers are coached by David Virgil.

In last season’s matchup, Hazlehurst whipped Crystal Springs42-0.

South Pike wraps up the regular season hostingwinless Jackson Bailey in non-region action. The Magnolia-basedEagles, coached by Randall Huffman, are 5-4 on the season and 4-2in Region 7-3A play.

Jackson Bailey (0-9, 0-6) fell to Richland 47-8 in Region 6-3Aaction last week.

Last year, South Pike whipped Jackson Bailey 34-6.