And then there were none.

Wesson and Bogue Chitto, the last two unbeaten football teams inthis area, absorbed their first setbacks of the season last Fridaynight. However, one loss does not a season make. Both teams stillhave a shot at winning their respective district titles but itwon’t be easy.

By contrast, some teams open their season with a setback or two,regroup and proceed to show steady improvement. They ultimatelyreach the state playoffs and bring home a state title.

As usual, Coach Tommy Clopton’s Cobras (5-1) are chasing Region6-2A powerhouse St. Andrew’s. The Saints took care of Wesson lastFriday night and not many region opponents appear capable ofstopping them.

Bogue Chitto (5-1), coached by Gareth Sartin, was manhandled bythe Stringer Red Devils last week. Stringer hung 42 points on thescoreboard and looked stout on defense, too.

The Bobcats leap from the frying pan into the fire tomorrownight, visiting the powerful Puckett Wolves (6-0). They also havebig games with Mount Olive and Pisgah on the horizon, too. Fourthplace in the 11-team region race means a state playoff berth. Butit won’t be easy.

Certainly, there is a movement under way to cut Region 4-1A inhalf. The travel time, fuel expense and loss of ticket sales arethree strikes against the current format that requires each team toplay 10 region games.

Because of the large region, several local rivalries have beeneliminated. That means a reduction in attendance and revenue. Thatequals putting a small school’s athletic department in the redink.

Naturally, the State Department of Education is requesting moretax dollars to keep the schools afloat. Will it ever end?

Meanwhile, at Wesson, basketball coaches Ron Kessler and HughWebb are polishing the gymnasium floor in preparation for theirOct. 18, basketball jamboree. Next Saturday’s basketball classicwill feature boys and girls teams from Wesson, Enterprise andCopiah Academy.

The 30-minute games will consist of two 8-minute quarters.Action tips off at 5:30 p.m., with Enterprise playing the Copiahgirls.

Back to football. Professor Hoopla B.S. was last seen skinningout a deer after a successful bow hunt. He’s considering a changein name to Robin Hoodski.

Hoopla predicted the winners of 22 games, stubbed several toesand posted a 13-9-0 worksheet. Congratulations are due the MillsapsMajors who are the last unbeaten college team in Mississippi.

Hoopla’s latest list of predictions reeked of doe scent, akapopular lure for bucks with large racks. He’ll begin his fearlessforecast with Friday night’s high school menu.

Brookhaven at Forest Hill: The Panthers have so many injuries,their sideline resembles a MASH unit. In a critical test, Panthersprevail by a whisker. Brookhaven 14-13.

Bowling Green at Brookhaven Academy: Buccaneers have numerousweapons and speed is the strongest. Bowling Green 30-28.

Bogue Chitto at Puckett: Bobcats have an opportunity to shakehands with the eventual Region 4-1A champions. Puckett 42-22.

Loyd Star at Enterprise: In the 2008 version of the Sting Bowl,Hornets visit the Fighting Yellow Jackets. The large crowdwitnesses an ambush. Enterprise 16-14.

West Lincoln at Salem: Bears have a long way to go to matchEdinburg’s record-setting 58-game losing streak. Loss No. 22arrives in Walthall County. Salem 20-19.

Madison St. Joe at Wesson: Expect the Cobras to bounce backagainst the Bruins. Wesson 28-12.

North Pike at Franklin County: Bulldogs celebrate a happyhomecoming in Meadville. Franklin County 39-13.

Mendenhall at Lawrence County: Cougars crank up their Wing-T andmarch to another lopsided victory. Lawrence County 49-12.

In other area action, Copiah Academy should stop Riverfield22-14, McComb should swamp Port Gibson 37-12, Hazlehurst shouldmash Magee 39-16, Parklane should whip Presbyterian Christian 41-14for homecoming and Crystal Springs should edge Ridgeland 16-13.South Pike enjoys an open date and a 4-0 worksheet.

Saturday’s collegiate scene should go like this, starting withtwo community college specials.

Co-Lin at Pearl River: The Wildcats knocked off Jones Countylast week and should be able to handle the Wolves. Pearl River22-10.

Southwest at Jones County: Bears carry a 2-game winning streakto Ellisville. That’s where it ends. Jones County 27-12.

Vanderbilt at Mississippi State: All signs point to an upset ofthe No. 13-ranked Commodores in Starkville. Bad luck continues forthe Bulldogs. Vandy 24-21.

Boise State at Southern Miss: Heat and humidity should be anally for the Golden Eagles who will need all he help they can get.Boise State 38-20.

In other Magnolia State college games, Arkansas-Pine Bluff overJackson State 28-18, Delta State over West Alabama 35-20, AlcornState over Valley State 18-10, Millsaps over Centre 13-3 and WestVirginia Tech over Belhaven 19-17. Ole Miss and Mississippi Collegehave open dates to promote their basketball programs.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O. BOX551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mail sports@dailyleader.com