Five local schools will have home games today and Friday in Week 9 of high school football. West Lincoln will welcome the Prentiss Bulldogs to Perry Miller Field for a Thursday night special in Region 7-2A action.

In another Region 7-2A contest, the Loyd Star Hornets will celebrate their 50th year of high school football Friday night as they host the Enterprise Yellow Jackets in the annual Sting Bowl rivalry.

In Region 3-5A action, the Brookhaven Panthers travel to Laurel to take on the Golden Tornadoes.

In Region 6-4A action, the Lawrence County Cougars will invade Magnolia to battle the South Pike Eagles.

In Region 7-3A action, Franklin County is celebrating homecoming Friday as it welcomes the Port Gibson Blue Waves to Meadville. The Wesson Cobras visit Jefferson County to tangle with the Tigers.

In Region 7-1A action, the Bogue Chitto Bobcats will entertain the Lumberton Panthers at Troy Smith Field.

In a MAIS contest, the Brookhaven Academy Cougars will host the Simpson Academy Cougars at R.M. “Red” Stuard Field.

In other games of local interest, Copiah Academy visits Parklane, Hazlehurst invades Wilkinson County, North Pike hosts Richland and McComb travels to Florence.

Enterprise (3-4, 0-2),  coached by Brooks Burns, took on the defending three-time defending state champions, the Bassfield Yellowjacket, Friday and lost 53-6 in Region 7-2A football action.

This week, the Jackets will travel across Lincoln County to take on the Loyd Star Hornets.

Enterprise’s top offensive performer against Bassfield was Tanner Waldrop with 31 yards rushing on nine carries. Wesley Blazier had 21 rushing yards on six carries. Both Waldrop and Blazier averaged 10 yards on kickoff returns.

Defensively, Jakob Thames and Austin Boyte led Enterprise with three tackles each. Thames also recovered a fumble. Devin Kirtfield provided two tackles.

Loyd Star (2-6, 0-2),  led by second-year head coach Adam Cook, battled a tough Prentiss Bulldogs ball club last week and fell 58-20.

This week, the Hornets are hungry for a win as they welcome the Jackets to W.E. “Sambo” Smith Field.

Loyd Star’s top offensive performer last week against Prentiss was Parker Flowers with 108 yards rushing on 29 carries with one touchdown. Michael Harvey contributed 46 yards rushing on nine carries and had one touchdown. Patrick Price rushed six times for 36 yards. Tucker Watts had 10 carries for 29 yards.

James Beard had an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Defensively, Flowers led the Hornets with 10 tackles. Thomas Patterson contributed five stops. Konner Allen, James Beard and Bradyn Brister finished with four tackles each.

Last year, Loyd Star overpowered Enterprise 60-12 at Harry Cole Field.

My prediction: Loyd Star will clip Enterprise 42-20.