BOGUE CHITTO – The quest for the Class 1A state footballchampionship begins Friday night for the Bogue Chitto Bobcats.Bogue Chitto, the Division 7-1A runner, visits Division 5-1Achampion Lake in the first round of the state playoffs. Kickoff isset for 7:30 p.m.

Division 7-1A champ Dexter (8-3) is hosting Division 5-1runner-up Scott Central (6-4).

Coaching the 5-6 Bogue Chitto Bobcats is Carl Cole. The 6-4 LakeHornets are coached by Steve Nelson.

“They (Lake) show a lot of formations,” said Cole. “They do alot of things on offense. They’re a good, strong running team witha lot of misdirection plays.

“Defensively, their front is real strong,” continued Cole.”We’ll have to come up with some ways to use our speed.”

Lake defeated defending Class 1A state champ Scott Central 35-14last Friday.

“This is one we can compete with,” Cole said. “A win means wecome back home (to host second round). Everybody starts with thesame record. They (Lake) have played solidly.”

Friday night’s starting offensive lineup for Bogue Chittoincludes Jacob Leggett, quarterback; Paul Martin, tight end; ScottEdwards, Cody Wallace, wide receivers; John Wallace, fullback;Denard Ferguson, tailback; Caleb McCaffery and Ernie Johnston,tackles; Casey McCaffrey and Lindsey Jackson, guards and AceWallace, center.

Starting on the Bobcat defense are Paul Martin and BarrettWallace at end; Ernie Johnston and Taurio Terrell at tackle;Anthony Stevenson at noseguard; Ace Wallace and John Wallace atlinebacker; Denard Ferguson and Cody Wallace at cornerback andScott Edwards and Michael Blackwell at safety.

“We need to win or we are through,” stated Cole. “We have beenthrough a lot this season. It’s a way for this team to make theirmark in football to win one (playoff game). It means a whole lotmore.”

Nelson has watched Bogue Chitto on film. He has a lot of respectfor Cole and his Bobcats.

“Bogue Chitto is real big,” said Nelson. “They throw the ballextremely well. They mix the run real well. They throw real quick.They do a great job. Bogue Chitto is big and it worries me”

Nelson says his team has been successful primarily running thefootball all season. “We run the football real good. We are afocused football team.”

One of Lake’s key players is senior tailback Artie Shaw wholeads the Hornets with over 700 yards rushing. Senior quarterbackJake Nester has passed for over 500 yards in eight games aftermissing the first two games of the season because of an injury.

“We’ve had to battle injuries since the first game,” Nelsonexplained. “We are playing pretty good football right now. We’regoing to have to play well. There are no more gimmes.”