Four local schools will host games in Week 5 of high school football – Franklin County welcomes Lawrence County to Meadville, Bogue Chitto entertains Stringer at Troy Smith Field and West Lincoln hosts Pass Christian at Perry Miller Field.

Wesson will have its homecoming festivities Friday with the Cobras taking on the Raymond Rangers at Stone Stadium.

Brookhaven Academy travels to Natchez again to battle the Adams County Christian School Rebels, Loyd Star visits Scott Central and Enterprise invades Florence to battle the McLaurin Tigers.

Brookhaven (0-4) has an open date this week as it prepares for its first region test next week against South Jones.

In other games of local interest, Hazlehurst hosts Yazoo City for homecoming, Copiah Academy visits Leake Academy, North Pike entertains Columbia, McComb host Port Gibson, South Pike invades Tylertown and Parklane Academy travels to play Natchez Cathedral.

Franklin County (3-1), coached by Anthony Hart, climbed back into the win column last Friday as they blanked Loyd Star 34-0.

This week, the Bulldogs return home after a two-game road tour to host the Lawrence County Cougars at Louie Mullins Memorial Stadium.

FC’s top offensive player last week was sophomore quarterback Jacob McDaniel. He led the Bulldogs’ passing attack with 119 yards and rushed for 43 yards.

DeMartre Collins contributed 64 yards rushing on four carries and caught two passes for 88 yards.

Defensively, Gregory Queen led the Bulldogs with nine tackles. Marquavis Dunn and Dominique White provided six stops each. Chris O’Quinn and Cameron Young had five tackles apiece. Matthew Dier and Deion Buckles intercepted a pass and Azarius Colenburg recovered a fumble.

Lawrence County (3-1), under the direction of second-year head coach Jaymie Palmer, captured a big 18-8 win over the Prentiss Bulldogs last week.

The Cougars are currently riding a two-game winning streak as they prepare to visit a very tough Class 3A opponent, the Franklin County Bulldogs, in Meadville.

LCHS’ top offensive performer last week against Prentiss was junior running back Quitten Brown with 17 rushes for 96 yards. Charl’Tez Nunnery had 60 yards rushing on 20 carries, despite losing 31 yards on sacks.

Defensively, the Cougars had a great performance from linebacker T-Tez Cole, defensive tackle Brandon Armstrong and defensive end Will Thurman. The Cougar secondary, led by Mark Rhodes, Kejaun Brown, DeMarcus Brown, and Rykendrick Harness, battled well against a quality Prentiss receiving corps.

My pick: This will be a great dog and cat fight but the Cougars will prevail 24-21.