Congratulations to Coach Glenn Davis and his Co-Lin Wolfpack.They captured the Mississippi Association of Community/JuniorColleges South Division title last Thursday night at Booneville.That big win over the Northeast Tigers granted Co-Lin the right tohost an opening round game of the MACJC State Playoffs.

Co-Lin’s home field advantage in Stone Stadium will bring thedefending state champion East Mississippi Lions to Wesson. Kickoffis 5 p.m. EMCC was runner-up to Northwest in the NorthDivision.

In the other playoff game, unbeaten North Division championNorthwest (9-0) hosts South runner-up Gulf Coast (7-2) Saturday at2 p.m., in Senatobia. Saturday’s two winners collide Nov. 13 forthe state title.

It’s been four years since Co-Lin played for a statechampionship. It was 2006, when the Pack lost a close heart-breakerto Pearl River in the state title game played in Stone Stadium.They rebounded to beat Georgia Military College 21-0 in the SeaIsland Golden Isles Bowl Classic in Brunswick, Ga. They finished9-3 and ranked No. 6 in the nation.

Co-Lin’s current team is ranked No. 10 in the nation and sportsan 8-1 record. They are in consideration for several bowl games butfirst things first. East Mississippi boasts a high-powered, No. 1offense and Co-Lin claims the No. 1-ranked defense in theleague.

It rates as quite a game Saturday. The EMCC Lions can put pointson the scoreboard and so can Co-Lin.

We recall a conversation with Co-Lin strength coach DrewO’Daniel last summer. An air-conditioning unit worked overtime asplayers participated in an afternoon weightlifting workout.

“We might not be the biggest team but every player on our rostercan run,” said O’Daniel. “They’re strong, too.”

Davis was extremely pleased with the progress his players madeduring the summer conditioning workouts and he expressed hissatisfaction as preseason drills got under way in early August.Injuries have been kept at a minimum and the team has steadilyimproved.

The high school state playoffs kick off Friday night and severalarea teams are in action. Brookhaven Academy (10-1), the defendingMAIS Class AA state champion, opens play at home, hosting the ACCSRebels of Natchez. The Cougars, coached by Herbert Davis, shouldmake another strong run.

Moving to the MHSAA state playoffs, Lawrence County’s Cougarshost defending Class 4A state champion St. Stanislaus and a largecrowd is expected. Neighboring North Pike won the Region 7-4A crownand hosts Greene County. Port Gibson is at Forrest County AHS andSouth Pike visits Purvis.

In Class 3A, Hazlehurst’s Indians were runners-up to defendingstate champion Tylertown in the region race. Hazlehurst hosts WestMarion and is heavily favored.

Meanwhile, Franklin County is on the road at Collins andJefferson County invades Seminary. Tylertown hosts St.Patrick..

In Class 2A, Wesson’s Cobras (9-1) hope to rebound from theirfirst loss of the season when they host Newton. Region 6-2Achampion Puckett is hosting Pelahatchie in a backyard brawl. LoydStar invades Union and Madison St. Joe is at Scott Central.

The 1A, 5A and 6A final regular season games are tomorrow night.Those playoffs begin Nov. 12.

Professor Hoopla B.S., was busy cleaning the cobwebs out of hisdeer house in preparation for the fast-approaching gun season. Hislist of predictions was coated with sticky webs.

Hoopla predicted the winners of 26 games last week and got 20right. Here’s his list of weekend winners, starting with Friday’shigh school menu.

Brookhaven at Forest Hill: Panthers travel tosouth Jackson and take care of business, gaining a berth in the 5Astate playoffs. Brookhaven 24-16.

ACCS at Brookhaven Academy: Cougars step it upa notch as they enter the MAIS Class AA state playoffs. BrookhavenAcademy 36-19.

Bogue Chitto at Dexter: Bobcats encounter thehazards of playing on the road in rural Walthall County. Dexter20-14.

West Lincoln at Mount Olive: Winless Bears aredestined to go 0-for-11 in a major rebuilding season. Mt. Olive38-12.

Newton at Wesson: Cobras introduce the visitorsto smash-mouth defense. Wesson 21-6.

Loyd Star at Union: Hornets make a long ridefor this 2A playoff test and lose a close one. Union 32-26.

West Marion at Hazlehurst: Indians go on thewarpath and win big., Hazlehurst 44-18.

Franklin County at Collins: Bulldogs will haveto be lucky and good to win on the road. Collins 19-8.

In other area action, Jefferson County over Seminary 22-21,Stone over McComb 35-15, North Pike over Greene County 36-10,Purvis over South Pike 29-12 and Tylertown over St. Patrick39-21.

Saturday’s collegiate results.

East Mississippi at Co-Lin: Wolves win asqueaker over the visiting Lions from Scooba. Co-Lin 28-20.

Louisiana-Lafayette at Ole Miss: Rebels reboundagainst the Ragin’ Cajuns. Ole Miss 31-17.

Southern Miss at Tulane: Fresh from a stunningovertime loss to UAB, the Golden Eagles work on their defense inthe Superdome. In an offensive show, Southern Miss 42-25.

Jackson State at Alabama State: Tigers mustcontinue their winning ways in the SWAC race. J-State 28-20.

In other Magnolia State action, Alcorn State over AlabamaA&M 30-20, Arkansas Pine-Bluff over Valley State 48-12, DeltaState over Ouachita Baptist 29-17, Mississippi College over TexasLutheran 24-12, and Belhaven over Cumberland 19-6.

Millsaps and Mississippi State have open dates to enjoy theirwinning records.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com