Area football fans hungering for a preview of their favoriteteams are anticipating scrimmages/jamborees set for today andFriday. This column recommends that each fan carry a canteen filledwith ice water. Don’t forget your sunglasses and wide-brimmed strawhat.

In other words, it’s hotter than a firecracker.

Brookhaven visits Loyd Star today for a controlled scrimmage,starting at 5 p.m., on W.E. “Sambo” Smith Field. It is believed tobe the first-ever meeting of the school’s football teams. It alsois the first time for the Panthers to set foot on Loyd Star’sgridiron.

Loyd Star coach Ryan Ross was anxious to give his promising teama taste of tougher competition. Brookhaven coach Tucker Peavey washappy to oblige.

Besides, it’s a short bus ride of around 10 miles to Loyd Starfrom the BHS field house. Panther fans won’t have to travel veryfar so they can save gas and put the proceeds on liquidrefreshment. No score will be kept on the scoreboard. The teamswill rotate their offensive and defensive units.

Peavey said his 60-plus member varsity has made progress thisspring. The important job is to fill vacancies caused bygraduation. Certainly, quarterback has been a priority. DuwoneHarris and Devonte Stewart, both rising juniors, are the chiefcandidates to replace graduating senior Bud Britt atquarterback.

Semmie Smith, Ole Brooks’ swift running back, will miss thescrimmage due to a pulled hamstring muscle. Smith rushed for over1,200 yards last season and was recognized as Offensive Player OfThe Year on The DAILY LEADER’s 2008 All-Lincoln County FootballTeam.

Loyd Star has some talented offensive stars returning inquarterback Joseph Shelby and running backs Tradareous Wilson andMarquis Hayes. Obviously, both coaching staffs are concerned aboutdefense, too. Defense wins football games.

A large crowd is anticipated for Friday night’s Bogue ChittoFootball Jamboree on Troy Smith Field. Joining the host Bobcats areteams from Enterprise, West Lincoln and Wesson.

According to this jamboree format, two games will be playedsimultaneously on each side of the 50-yard line. The so-calledgames are restricted to a time format, 10 minutes on offense and 10minutes on defense. The offenses will start on the 40-yard lines.Junior varsity teams will play 5 minutes on offense anddefense.

Certainly, the idea is participation. No football player enjoysstanding on the sidelines.

The jamboree schedule features Bogue Chitto versus Wesson andEnterprise vs. West Lincoln at 6 p.m.

At 6:40, Bogue Chitto plays Enterprise and Wesson meets WestLincoln.

At 7:20, Bogue Chitto tackles West Lincoln and Enterprise meetsWesson.

Bogue Chitto, coached by Gareth Sartin, made the Class 1A stateplayoffs last season. The Bobcats were led by senior quarterbackSeth Avants, recognized as Mr. Football on the DL’s 2008All-Lincoln County Team. Another Bobcat leader who graduates is2-way lineman Fred Tillman.

Enterprise and West Lincoln were both under the direction of newhead football coaches last season. Wayne Rogers of Enterprise andChris Calcote of West Lincoln believe their teams will be muchimproved.

West Lincoln quarterback Tyler Case had to miss spring practicedue to an injury. Cody Brister returns for his senior year atEnterprise.

Wesson, coached by Tommy Clopton, has a solid group ofreturnees, led by running back Jeromy Smith and lineman GregHodges.

The Lawrence County Cougars are headed for Clinton. Coach MikeDavis will send his Cougars against Clinton. Callaway and FranklinCounty also are entered. Junior varsity action starts at 4 p.m.,followed by the varsity at 6 p.m. on the 2-year-old artificialsurface.

Coach Davis has two of the top running backs in the statereturning for their senior campaign as the Cougars seek asuccessful title defense in Region 6-4A. Blessed with speed,strength and quickness, Michael Wells and Josh Cameron shouldreceive a lot of recruiting attention this summer and fall.

Franklin County, coached by Trent Hammond, will play fourquarters, splitting the action between Callaway and LawrenceCounty. A top priority is replacing all-state quarterback/safetyJamie Collins and running back Alex Smith who both signed withSouthern Miss.

Kendrick Hardy and lineman Monterio Taylor will represent LCHSin the Mississippi High School All-Star Game. Davis will assistwith the South All-Star coaching staff that is headed by Coach DoddLee of Picayune.

Representing Franklin County in the all-star game isfullback/linebacker Jordan Hunt.

State championship T-shirts, commemorating Loyd Star’s Class 2Astate fastpitch title, are now on sale. The 31-1-1 Lady Hornets,coached by Jan Delaughter, are using the promotion to help purchasechampionship rings for the players.

Shirts are $15 each. Call the school at 601-833-6714 orDelaughter at 601-754-61204 for more information.

In another ring fundraiser, the Lady Hornet 4-Person Scramble isscheduled Friday, June 5, at the Brookhaven Country Club. Entry feeis $75 per player. Registration is 8 a.m. and the scramble tees offat 9 a.m.

Contact Delaughter for more info.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O. BOX551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mail sports@dailyleader.com