Last season, Lawrence County and first-year coach Jesse Anderson made the step of returning to the playoffs after the program missed the postseason the previous year.

This season, the Cougars (6-4, 3-1) want more as they take on Lanier (5-4, 2-2) in the regular season finale. A win by LC would lock up second place in Region 6-4A behind unbeaten South Pike and allow them to host a playoff game next week.

The last two weeks have seen the Cougars take close wins over North Pike and McComb. In Lanier they’ll face a strong rushing attack that is led by sophomore Christopher Jones who is over the 1,000-yard mark on the season.

Last week Lanier lost 14-0 to South Pike.

Lawrence County senior running back Kylan Cooper comes into his final regular season game with 1,575 yards gained and 19 touchdowns scored in 2019. He’s part of a loaded 21-man senior class that has been huge in the resurgence of the program.

Region 6 is matched up in the first round of the playoffs with Region 5-4A. Mendenhall and Quitman are playing for first place in the region tonight while Newton County and Northeast Jones play with the winner finishing third and the loser finishing fourth in the division.

Kickoff in Monticello is set for 7 p.m.