The West Lincoln Bears (2-3) finish their non-region schedule with a trip to Jasper County Friday night to take on the Stringer Red Devils (4-1).

The Red Devils are the No. 5 1A team in the latest Mississippi preps Associated Press poll. Stringer is coming off a 41-21 win over Loyd Star.

West Lincoln trailed Pisgah 14-12 at halftime last week before the Dragons pulled away for a 37-12 win.

Freshman quarterback Ashtin Auttonberry threw for a season-high 48 yards, and junior running back Michael Brothern rushed for 102 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries against Pisgah. Freshman running back Enrico Price added 88 yards rushing and one touchdown.

Brothern — who also lines up at safety — racked up 15 tackles last week. Sophomore linebacker Tate Smith added 10 stops in the loss.

Stringer running back Anthony Thomas has run for 753 yards in only three games. Thomas had one carry in the opener against Bay Springs. He missed the following week, but has since posted consecutive games of 164, 296 and 281 yards. Against Loyd Star, Thomas gained 281 yards on 13 carries while scoring three touchdowns.

“They’re a good team,” said West Lincoln coach BJ Smithhart. “They can score in a hurry.”

Kickoff at Stringer is set for 7 p.m.

Story by Cliff Furr