Wesson’s long-awaited season opener arrives Friday night whenthe Cobras entertain the Richland Rangers. Kickoff is 7:30 inCopiah-Lincoln Community College’s Stone Stadium.

In other area action Friday night, Lawrence County hosts WarrenCentral, Hazlehurst invades Morton, South Pike visits McComb andCrystal Springs hosts Lanier. Jefferson County has an opendate.

Wesson, with nine starters back on defense, anticipates a bannercampaign under head coach Tommy Clopton. The Cobras advanced to theClass 2A state playoffs last season and finished 8-3.

Richland, coached by Lance Canoy, was a 50-8 loser to highlyregarded North Pike last Friday in its season opener.

Clopton, Wesson’s athletic director and head coach, revealed hisstating lineup for the season opener.

On offense, Matt Smith is at quarterback, Steven Jones at fullback,Kyle Cross at tailback, Austin Graham at flanker, D.J. Coleman atsplit end, Patrick Boone at tight end. The offensive line includesoffensive tackles Derrick Lyles, Tyler Hall and Brandon Box. Theguards are Zack Wilson and Mac Lowery. The center is CullenGreer.

Handling the placekicking chores is Austin Graham. Matt Smith isthe punter. Wilson is the long snapper.

On defense, the ends are Morgan Robinson and Barron Miller. Tackleis Lyles. The nose guard is Wilson.

At linebacker are Peyton Cupit, Gage Wilson and Paxton Cupit. Thecornerbacks are Coleman and Graham. The strong safety is Cross.Free safety is Smith.

“We are ready to play somebody,” said Clopton. “Our kids are eagerto line up against somebody else and see where we are.”

Clopton said Richland is “running an offense similar to us. Theirquarterback, No. 8 (Joseph Sayles), made two long runs againstNorth Pike. He has the ability to hurt you.” Sayles is a 5-foot-11,160-pound junior.

Brooke Ryan and Alex Barton are Wesson’s new team statisticiansthis season.

LCHS Hosts Vikings

The Lawrence County Cougars tackle a second straight Class 6Aopponent Friday night when the Warren Central Vikings invade CougarField. The Vikings lost 35-0 to Ocean Springs last Friday.

LCHS coach Mike Davis said his Cougars have their work cut out forthem. “Anytime a 4A school matches up with a 6A, it’s tough for us.They will be a hill to climb.”

Asked about the Vikings’ personnel, Davis said, “They have a greatrunning back (Shon Jackson) and a big, bruising fullback (AustinRoberts). They have a quarterback (Beau Wallace) who can reallysling it.”

Jackson (6-0, 180) ,Wallace (6-1, 190) , and Roberts (5-11, 225)are all seniors. In their loss to Ocean Springs, the Greyhoundscashed in three Viking turnovers early in the game.

Coach Josh Morgan directs the Vikings. He is the son of legendaryWC coach Robert Morgan.

“We have to play good defense and take care of the football,” saidDavis. “We want to keep the chains moving.”

In the season-opening, 19-7 loss at Callaway, the Cougars got oneTD and 85 rushing yards from Kendrick Hilliard. Quarterback AdamWatson completed 9 of 14 passes for 119 yards.