As the playoffs inch closer, some teams are looking to lock up a spot with a win this week.

The Brookhaven Panthers (6-3, 3-2) are currently in third place in Region 3-5A. A win Friday against Wingfield (6-3, 2-3) will guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. Wingfield is currently tied for the fourth spot with a 2-3 record in region play.

A loss Friday sets up a tie with Wingfield at 3-3 in division play heading into the final week of the regular season.

“We don’t care who we play, we just want to be in,” Brookhaven coach Tommy Clopton said after Friday’s win over West Jones. “In our region there’s not a big difference between one and four, everybody is extremely competitive. We talk about us. We don’t talk about what other people do because we control what we do and we know if we win out we will be 5-2 in the region and we will be in the playoffs. We will be glad to be in and we will go wherever they tell us to.”

Brookhaven had little trouble with West Jones. The defense gave up only 157 total yards in a 24-12 win. Freshman quarterback Byrion Robinson continues to do a solid job — he threw for 112 yards on 8-of-12 attempts Friday. He did give up one interception that was returned for a TD.

Since taking over for the injured Sevante Quinn earlier this month, Robinson is 14-of-27 for 236 yards. He’s thrown one touchdown and one interception. He’s also rushed 33 times for 81 yards.

Wingfield had little trouble with Natchez in a 42-28 win last week. Quarterback La’Andre Thomas is one of the best athletes in the state and has the potential to give Ole Brook fits.

Lawrence County (4-6, 3-1) will be in the playoffs regardless of what happens in its final regular season game. But a win over Florence Friday, the No. 1 team in Region 6-4A, could create a three-way tie for first place.

If McComb also wins Friday, all three teams will sit at 4-1 in district play.

Florence (8-2, 4-0) crushed South Pike 44-6 Friday and remains undefeated in region play. Lawrence County dispatched South Pike with similar ease a couple weeks ago with a score of 42-18.

The Cougars will be coming off a dominant performance against Richland. LC seniors Charl’Tez Nunnery and Quitten Brown put on a show in the 62-13 win. Unfortunately for the Cougars, Nunnery suffered a dislocated right elbow in the game.

West Lincoln (2-7) and Loyd Star (3-7) will battle Friday for the final playoff spot in Region 7-2A. Both teams are currently 1-3 in region play.

The Bears are coming off a 20-13 win over Enterprise. Loyd Star suffered a blowout loss to region leader Bassfield, 61-7.

Bogue Chitto (0-9) will battle Sacred Heart (5-4) Friday. The Bobcats are still looking for their first win.

Enterprise (3-6) will play Amite County (4-5) Friday but at 0-4 in Region 7-2A play, the Yellow Jackets will not make the playoffs.

It’s the same story for Wesson (4-6). The Cobras are winless in Region 7-3A play. They will battle Wilkinson County (6-4) Friday.