The West Lowndes Panthers provide Bogue Chitto’s unbeaten Bobcats with their first hurdle in the Class 1A state playoffs. The Panthers (5-6, 4-4) invade BC’s Troy Smith Field Friday night. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

     In other South Class1A playoff action, Natchez Cathedral visits Pelahatchie, Nanih Waiya is at Stringer and Noxapater hosts Dexter.  Bogue Chitto  (11-0,  9-0) is the No. 1 seed out of Region 4-1A and Noxapater (9-2, 8-0) is the No. 1 seed in Region 3-1A.

     Bogue Chitto coach Gareth Sartin said West Lowndes is recognized for its staunch defense. “They have an outstanding defense. They are really quick and fly to the ball.

     “We will have to do a good job of staying with our blocks and finishing strong,” Sartin continued. “They (Panthers) put eight or nine on the line of scrimmage.”

     Sartin, in his 10th season at Bogue Chitto, said No. 1 ranking among Class 1A schools and his team’s 11-0 worksheet are great accomplishments but it means nothing when the playoffs begin. They defeated the Dexter Bulldogs 32-12 last Friday in their final regular season game.

     “I told our players at the end of the ball game, ‘You are 0-0 going into the playoffs.’ There are no makeovers or second chances now. You just have to go out there and win.”

     Bogue Chitto has five seniors on the squad and all of them will start Friday night. They are split end Germie Martin, flanker Brandon Wells, tailback James Blackwell, fullback Robert Bonds and cornerback Jimmy McNulty.

     Also starting on BC’s offense are left tackle Austin Buffington, left guard Jermonte’ “Scooter” Barnes, center Marcus Moak, right guard Jermaine Blackwell, right tackle Jeremy Blackwell and quarterback Brock Roberts.

     Cameron Price handles kickoffs and field goals. Roberts punts.

     On defense, the Bobcats start James Blackwell and Zeek Perkins at end and Justin Click and Kayin Perkins at tackle. Linebackers are Jermaine Blackwell, Jeremy Blackwell and Barnes.

     Working in BC’s secondary are Kurtlyn Lyons and Dennis Rogers at safety and McNulty and Roberts at cornerback.

     On the season, Jeremy Blackwell tops BC’s tackle charts with 168 stops, including 31 hits. Jermaine Blackwell has 108 tackles, Roberts  100 tackles and James Blackwell has 86.

     McNulty’s 2 interceptions lead the secondary.

     On offense, Wells has rushed for 1,159 yards and 10 touchdowns. Roberts has passed for 1,285 yards and 20 TDs. James Blackwell has rushed for 614 yards and 11 TDs.

     Martin is the leading receiver with 43 catches for 904 yards and 15 TDs. Rogers has 19 catches for 244 yards. Wells has caught 9 passes for 152 yards.