Several area football teams have survived the first round of theMHSAA state football playoffs and will enter the second roundFriday night. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Representing the area in Class 2A is Wesson. In Class 3A areFranklin County, Hazlehurst, Jefferson County and Tylertown. InClass 4A is North Pike.

The Lawrence County Cougars (6-6) and South Pike Eagles (3-8) haveconcluded their season after being eliminated from the playoffslast week. The McComb Tigers (4-7) finished their regular-season ona losing note last Friday at Stone County.

Wesson (10-1), coached by Tommy Clopton, took care of business lastweek, crushing the Newton Tigers 42-8 at Stone Stadium on theCo-Lin campus in the opening round of the state playoffs.

The Cobras travel to Bassfield to face the Bassfield Yellow Jacketsfor the second round. Bassfield (10-2), the defending State 2Achampions, shut out Enterprise-Clarke 38-0 last week.

Clopton has watched film on Bassfield and had these comments on theYellow Jackets.

“Bassfield is a very sound and well-coached football team,” saidClopton. “They like to run many offensive schemes to fool thedefenses. They have plenty of talented players.

“Overall, we are very excited about the opportunity of playing inthe second round,” continued Clopton. “My players are excited aboutplaying the defending 2A champ, because if you want to be achampion you have got to beat the champ to get the opportunity. Weare looking forward to an exciting ballgame.”

Key players for Bassfield: quarterback Zach Hall, running backMarino Daggan, Curtis Mikell, wide receivers Larry Copeland andDeon Fairley.

Defensively, Hugh Marin, Alvin Moore, Wilbert Myers, DevontaeThompson, Jeffery Smith and James Graves

In the win over Newton, quarterback Matt Smith led Wesson’s offensewith 12 rushes for 93 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also was 4 for 6for 98 yards and a score through the air.

Steven Jones provided 15 carries for 95 yards and a Wesson score.Kyle Cross contributed 4 carries for 78 yards.

Defensively, lineman Derrick Lyles had 14 tackles for the Cobras.Morgan Robinson had 10 tackles and Payton Cupit 9. Paxton Cupit andBarron Miller had 8 tackles apiece. Matt Smith and Jacob Fischerboth had an interception.

Franklin County (5-6) will host the undefeated Forest Bearcats inLouie Mullins Memorial Stadium.

Last week, the Meadville-based Bulldogs cruised to a 27-6 win overthe Collins Tigers. Forest (11-0) steam-rolled Clarkdale49-0.

Franklin County coach Rickey O’Quinn talked about theBearcats.

“Forest has a very good team,” said O’Quinn. “They are very solidon offense and defense. They have some very talented players andplay their positions very well. Their running back and quarterbackdo a good job running their offense.”

“Our guys are excited about the opportunity of hosting the No. 1team in 3A, continued O’Quinn. “We are looking forward to ahard-fought game and hope to get the victory.”

Key Players for Forest: quarterback Matthew Evans has completed 69of 137 passes for 1,378 yards this season. He has also rushed for217 yards on 62 carries. Running back Jonthan Warnsley has rushedfor 451 on 86 carries. Tobias Lofton has rushed for 216 yards on 46carries. Wide receiver Treshawn Mitchell has caught 24 passes for432 yards and Cameron Stowers has 22 receptions for 436yards.

Defensively, Josh Pinkston, Nathan Reynolds, Fred Spivey andTreshawn Mitchell lead the Bearcats.

In the win over Collins, Milton Griffin, a 5-foot-9, 165-poundAll-State defensive back, showcased his speed on the offensive sideof the ball and special teams, accounting for 161 all-purposeyards. He returned a punt 88 yards in the first quarter to set thetone for the game.

Fullback Jimmy Barnes, a 6-1, 215-pound junior, ran for 106 yardson 25 carries. He was the first Bulldog back to break the 100-yardplateau this season.

Defensively, FC senior defensive end Jeramany Washington led theteam in tackles with 7 hits and picked off a pass for a 10-yardtouchdown return.

James Green and Jay Davis made an interception as well. Jeremy Huntadded five tackles and recovered a fumble. Jalen Washington, AndyMorris, Billy Norman and Hickingbottom each made a sack.

FC senior kicker Coleman Graves was 3-for-3 on extra-pointattempts.

Hazlehurst (10-5) will be on the road to Philadelphia to face theundefeated Philadelphia Tornadoes.

Last week, The Indians shut out the West Marion Trojans 32-0.Philadelphia (12-0) crushed Raleigh 42-20.

Key Players for Hazlehurst: On offense, Kenneth Coleman, GabrielGray, Demetrius Cain, Cornelius Crump, Leviticus Cain and JameriusJames.

Defensively, Demond Tucker, Leviticus Cain, Demetrius Cain, WilliamRamsey and Jonkill Skipper.

Key Players for Philadelphia: quarterback Latimer Smith hascompleted 80 of 139 passes for 1, 321 yards. He has also caught 28passes for 556 yards.

Running back Marquise Matthews has rushed for 1,555 yards on 195carries. Jeremy Morgan has rushed for 898 yards on 111 carries.Wide receiver Tyriq Patrick has caught 39 passes for 501yards.

Defensively, C.J. Johnson averages 12 tackles per game for theTornadoes. Kenan Williams averages 8 tackles. Dustin Sullivanaverages 6 tackles.

North Pike (11-1) coached by Chris Smith, will host another playoffhome game entertaining the Laurel Golden Tornadoes.

Last week, the Jaguars edged the Greene County Wildcats 26-22.Laurel cruised to a 41-16 victory over Florence.

Key Players for North Pike, Quarterback Revis Butler has completed86 of 149 passes for 1,868 yards. He has also rushed for 1, 245yards on 116 carries. Running back Jalen Adams has 763 yards on 111rushes. Wide receivers Tonnie Collins has caught 29 passes for 781yards. Jemerick Jordan has caught 21 passes for 554 yards.

Defensively, A.J. Jefferson averages 12 tackles a game. TariqJohnson averages 11 tackles

Key Players for Laurel, quarterback Dontrell Pruitt has completed160 of 284 passes for 2,286 yards. Running back Justin Mack hascaught 38 passes for 824 yards. Dequan Heidelberg has 464 yards on35 receptions.

Defensively, Anthony McGillberry averages 10 tackles and DefondBester 11 tackles.

In the win over Greene County, Butler completed 11 of 19 passes for250 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 81 yards on 14carries. Collins led all receivers with 3 catches for 103yards.

Defensively, Johnson led the Jaguars with 10 tackles. TarverTaylor, Aaron Barnes and Jefferson provided 8 stops apiece.