Local football action enters Week Two

After kicking off the season last week, local football fans are still excited to see what their beloved teams have done during this week of practice in preparation for Week Two of Friday Night Lights.

Five local teams will have home games this week. The Bogue Chitto Bobcats kick things off by entertaining the Enterprise Yellow Jackets tonight in an unusual Thursday night special. In Friday night action, Brookhaven will welcome their longtime county rivals, Lawrence County, to King Field. West Lincoln hosts Sacred Heart; Wesson welcomes Sumrall to Stone Field; and Franklin County entertains North Pike.

Loyd Star to be on the road this Friday as they prepare to invade Prentiss to take on the Prentiss Bulldogs. Brookhaven Academy will also be traveling as they will visit McComb to challenge the Parklane Academy Pioneers.

In other games of local interest, McComb hosts Forest Hill and Hazlehurst travels to Taylorsville. The Copiah Academy Colonels were originally scheduled for their home opener Friday against Jackson Prep, but elected to change it to Saturday night in respect for the Patriots’ fallen football player, who passed away early this week.

All games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Bogue Chitto (0-1),  coached by Gareth Sartin, suffered a tough 55-0 loss in their season opener against the Loyd Star Hornets.

This week, the Bobcats are expected to rebound quickly as they prepare for their home opener against Enterprise.

BC’s top defensive performers last week were: Matthew Black, who led the Bobcats with five tackles, and Brandon Blackwell, Bo Smithers, Devin McEwen and Henry Thomas, who contributed with four tackles apiece.

Enterprise (0-1),  coached by Brook Burns, opened their season at home last Friday and was hammered by the Resurrection Eagles 55-0.

This week, the Jackets will go in search of an end to their 30-game losing streak as they prepare to travel six miles across the county to take on the Bobcats.

Enterprise’s top offensive performer last week was Braxton Thompson with 27 yards rushing on seven carries.

Defensively, Tanner Waldrop, Wesley Blazier and Trevor Freeman recovered a fumble each for the Jacket.

Last year: Bogue Chitto crushed Enterprise 40-16.

My prediction for this year: BC captures its first win of the season 24-16 over Enterprise.

Brookhaven (1-0),  coached by Tommy Clopton, kicked off their season with a 33-12 win over Franklin County.

This week the Panthers will be looking for another big win at home as they welcome another neighboring county rival, the Lawrence County Cougars, to King Field.

BHS’ top performer last week on offense was senior running back Tre McDaniel with 20 carries for 148 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, senior linebacker Leo Lewis was the top tackler for Ole Brook with nine tackles and a forced fumble.

Lawrence County (1-0),  under the direction of first year head coach Jaymie Palmer, started their season with some major offensive fireworks as they hammered the Wesson Cobras 59-6 last Friday.

The LCHS Cougars are looking to extend their winning streak to two games as they prepare to invade Brookhaven to battle the Panthers.

Lawrence County’s top offensive performance last week came from sophomore running back Quitten Brown. He rushed 11 times for 134 yards and scored three touchdowns. Brown also returned the Cougars season opening kickoff 95 yards to pay dirt.

Defensively, Brandon Armstrong, Cedric Rhodes, Keith Davis, Anthony Davis and Damaras Battee all had fumble recoveries for Lawrence County. Keith Davis, Laderrick McCray and Marcus Kees each intercepted a pass.

Last year: Ole Brook clobbered Lawrence County 33-0.

My pick for this year: The Panthers will win the battle of the big cats 35-28.

Loyd Star (1-0),  coached by first year coach Adam Cook, proudly placed the Possum Bowl trophy in their trophy case, after five seasons, after trouncing Bogue Chitto 55-0 last Friday.

The Hornets will be looking to continue their success this Friday as they prepare to travel to take on the Prentiss Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs, coached by Tim McNair, defeated the Crystal Springs Tigers 16-13 last Friday.

Loyd Star’s top offensive performer last week was sophomore running back Zac Arnold with eight carries for 177 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, Peyton Flowers was the top defender for the Hornets with 12 tackles.

Last year: the Hornets defeated Prentiss 13-12.

My pick for this year: Loyd Star wins 20-14.

Brookhaven Academy (0-1), under the direction of first-year coach Blake Purvis, took on a very tough Centreville Academy team last Friday, falling 49-14.

This week, they are preparing for another tough test as they visit McComb to battle the Parklane Pioneers.

The Pioneers, coached by Mike Powell, suffered a disappointing 20-7 defeat to Simpson Academy last week.

BA’s top offensive performers last week were senior quarterback Heath Hickman, who completed 14 of 26 passes for 159 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, and senior running back Connor Dorman, who rushed for 116 yards on 24 carries.

Defensively, Garret Pace led all the Cougars tacklers with eight, and junior William King chipped in four tackles and one interception.

Last year: Parklane blanked BA 23-0.

My prediction for this year: The BA Cougars will escape McComb with 23-20 win.

West Lincoln (0-1),  coached by Willie Brumfield, suffered a 50-21 loss in the Bears’ home season opener to the Salem Wildcats last week.

The Bears will be looking to rebound this week as they prepare to welcome the Sacred Heart Crusaders to Perry Miller Field.

The Crusaders did not play last Friday so they are excited and ready to start their season on the road.

West Lincoln’s top offensive performer from last week was sophomore running back Jade Use with 95 yards rushing on 13 carries and one touchdown. He also caught one pass for 43 yards and scored a touchdown.

Defensively, Liam Rutland paced the Bears with nine tackles. Lofton Sills, Chase Owen, and Use provided eight stops.

Last year: West Lincoln lost a close contest to Sacred Heart 21-20.

My prediction for this year: West Lincoln secures a 21-7 win over the Crusaders.

Wesson (0-1),  coached by Ronald Greer, will be searching for a victory this week as the Cobras prepare for their home opener against the Sumrall Bobcats at Stone Stadium located on Co-Lin campus.

The Sumrall Bobcats, coached by Shannon White, lost a 23-22 nail-biter last week to the Enterprise-Clarke Bulldogs.

Wesson’s top offensive performer was Jermaine James, who rushed five times for 44 yards. Quarterback Tyler Christmas rushed for 33 yards, and passed for 41.

Last year: Sumrall defeated Wesson 41-26.

My prediction for this year: The Cobras will enjoy some good home cooking as they beat the Bobcats 42-35.

Franklin County (0-1),  coached by first-year coach Anthony Hart, took a hard shot to the chin last Friday, losing to Brookhaven 33-12.

This week, the Bulldogs hope to turn it around as they host the North Pike Jaguars.

The Jaguars, under the direction of Chris Smith, won their season opener against Raymond 14-6 last week.

FC’s top offensive player last week was sophomore quarterback DeMartre Collins completing two-of-two passes for 70 yards.

Defensively, DeAnthony King led the Bulldogs with seven tackles. Denzel Allen registered six hits and recovered a fumble.

Last year: North Pike surpassed Franklin County 34-20.

My prediction for this year: North Pike will rely on their skilled players to beat the Bulldogs 35-10.

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