District races are continuing to heat up as several local and area schools are preparing for another tough challenge in their regions in Week 8 of the Friday Night Lights.

Local high school football fans will have four local home games to choose from this week as Brookhaven Academy returns home, after a long road tour, to host the Silliman Institute Wildcats. Bogue Chitto welcomes Lumberton to Troy Smith Field. West Lincoln entertains Amite County on Perry Miller Field and Loyd Star host East Marion on William E. “Sambo” Smith Field.

The teams that will on the road this week for those diehard fans, Brookhaven visits Soso to take on the West Jones Mustangs. Enterprise invades Bassfield and Wesson travels to Crystal Springs.

In other games of local interest, McComb entertains Lawrence County for homecoming. Franklin County invades Hazlehurst to take on the Indians. Copiah Academy welcomes Presbyterian Christian to Gallman. Parklane host Columbia Academy and North Pike visits Purvis.

Here is just a reminder that all games are scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

In last week prognostications, I finished once again with a 5-4 record on week seven predictions. Hopefully, I can break this routine and get it right, but don’t get wrong, I do enjoy it when our local teams come out to prove the prediction is wrong. I would like to say congratulations to Franklin County and Brookhaven Academy for their big victories last week.

Brookhaven (3-3, 0-2),  coached by Tommy Clopton, ran into a tough region opponent last Friday, falling to the Wayne County War Eagles 43-7 at King Field.

This week, the Panthers return to the road after finally coming off a month long road trip last week. Brookhaven visits Soso for a big region test against the West Jones Mustangs.

The Mustangs (4-1, 2-0), coached by Scott Pierson, galloped past Natchez 43-20.

Working in the trenches for the Panthers’ offensive line is Jordan Nations, Stephen Springfield, Wanya Morris, Maliak Powell, Jared Dillon and Brandon Rice.

BHS’s top offensive performers last week: Ken Boyd was the top rusher for Ole Brook with 14 carries for 59 yards. Tre McDaniel had 18 rushes for 53 yards.

Jon Mark Mathis completed four of 10 passes for 64 yards and ran for 10 yards on seven carries. Shaquan Richardson led all receivers with two catches for 49 yards.

Defensively, Leo Lewis powered Brookhaven with nine tackles. Ben Robinson contributed eight tackles.

Last year: West Jones knocked off Brookhaven 38-26 at King Field.

My prediction for this Friday: The West Jones Mustangs will remain undefeated in region action with a 42-21 victory.

Brookhaven Academy (3-4, 1-1), under the direction of first-year coach Blake Purvis, captured a huge 27-0 win over Simpson Academy in district 2AA action.

This week the Cougars finally returns home to R.M. “Red” Stuard Field to host the Silliman Institute Wildcats,

The Wildcats (5-2, 2-1), coached by TJ Davis, are coming off of an impressive 33-7 victory over Central Private last Friday.

BA’s top offensive performer last week was senior running back Connor Dorman with 18 rushes for 111 yards.

Defensively, Garrett Pace powered the Cougars with 11 total tackles with two stops for loss including a sack and a forced fumble. Senior Michael Fiorella and junior J.T. Cline had seven tackles apiece. Cline had one pass breakup.

Last year: The Wildcats clipped the Cougars 23-20 in Clinton, Louisiana.

My prediction for this Friday: BA is happy to be home this week, but they will experience another tough battle as the Wildcats escape with a 28-26 win.

West Lincoln (3-4, 0-1),  coached by Willie Brumfield, was hammered 58-0 last Friday by the defending state champions Bassfield Yellowjackets on Perry Miller Field.

This week, the Bears will welcome the Amite County Trojans to Flea Hop University.

The Trojans (2-5, 1-0), coached by Sedric Cain, edged the Loyd Star 30-28 last week in Lincoln County.

West Lincoln’s top offensive performers from last week were: Ty Forman completing 2 of 9 passes for 22 yards. Jade Use paced the Bears/ ground attack with 23 carries for 24 yards. Jayden Rushing contributed three rushes for 22 yards and had one catch for 20 yards.

Defensively, Matthew Allred and Charles Wayne Smith were the top tacklers for West Lincoln with 3 tackles each.

Last year: Amite County clobbered the Bears 46-14 in Liberty.

My prediction for this Friday: Amite County survives a tough battle against West Lincoln to win 24-22.

Loyd Star (2-5, 1-1),  coached by first year coach Adam Cook, suffered a heart breaking 30-28 loss to Amite County last week at William E. “Sambo” Smith Field.

This week, the Hornets are hungry for another district win as they prepare to host the East Marion Trojans.

The Eagles (3-4, 1-0), coached by Kevin Jackson, blanked the Enterprise Yellow Jackets 43-0 last week.

Loyd Star’s starting offensive linemen are Canon Travis, Bradyn Brister, Tucker Watts, Cole Moak and Cole Smith.

Loyd Star’s top offensive performers last week: Zac Arnold powered the Hornets’ rushing attack with 76 yards on 13 carries. Brett Calcote contributed 17 rushes for 56 yards.

Parker Flowers completed four-of-nine passes for 13 yards and rushed 77 yards on 13 carries.

Defensively, Peyton Flowers had another dominating performance for the Hornets leading the team with 22 tackles and a forced fumble. Parker Flowers provided 13 tackles.

Last year: East Marion blanked Loyd Star 41-0 in Columbia.

My prediction for this Friday: This will a another tough defensive battle as East Marion escape with a 35-30 victory.

Bogue Chitto (1-6, 0-5),  coached by Gareth Sartin, were destroyed by the Resurrection Eagles 69-8 last Friday.

This week, the Bobcats are hungry for a district win as they prepare to host the Lumberton Panthers at Troy Smith Field.

The Panthers (4-2, 2-2), coached by Brian Ford, suffered a bad taste in their mouth after losing to Natchez Cathedral 35-34 at D’Evereaux Stadium.

BC’s top offensive performers last week: Kobe Roberts was the top rusher with 8 carries for 62 yards. Sherman Jackson rushed 13 times for 52 yards.

Defensively, D.J. Nunnery and Bo Smithers led the team with 6 tackles apiece. Will Fauver contributed 5 stops.

Last year: BC surpassed Lumberton 17-12.

My pick for this Friday: The Panthers will hand BC another tough region loss. Lumberton 49-14.

Enterprise (0-7, 0-2),  coached by Brook Burns, is currently on a 37-game losing streak after falling to the East Marion Eagles 43-0 last Friday in Columbia.

This week, Enterprise will have a tough task ahead of them as they prepare to visit Bassfield to take on the defending state champions in a battle of Yellowjackets.

Bassfield (6-1, 1-0), under the direction of coach Lance Mancuso, thumped the West Lincoln Bears 58-0 last Friday.

Enterprise’s top offensive performer last week was senior running back Austin Coleman with 75 yards rushing on 10 carries. Wesley Blazier contributed five carries for 40 yards.

Sophomore quarterback Zach Hodges completed three of six passes for 40 yards. Cade Cangemi was the top receiver with two catches for 25 yards. Jeffrey Daniels caught one pass for 15 yards.

Defensively, Devon Kirtfield and Coleman led Jackets defense with 8 tackles each.

Last year: Bassfield destroyed Enterprise 54-0 at Harry Cole Field.

My prediction for this Friday: Bassfield will flex their muscles to claim a 58-0 shutout win over Enterprise.

Lawrence County (4-3, 0-1),  under the direction of first year head coach Jaymie Palmer, suffered a bad taste in the mouth last week after falling to the North Pike Jaguars 41-28 to start their region race.

This week, the Cougars are ready to make an impact in their division race as they invade McComb to take on the McComb Tigers.

The Tigers (4-2, 1-0), coach by Malcolm Jones, feasted the South Pike Eagles 41-0 last week.

Lawrence County’s top offensive performers last week were Quitten Brown gaining 95 yards on 20 carries. T-Tez Cole had 8 rushes for 69 yards, and caught 2 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Charl’Tez Nunnery completed 10 of 16 passes for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns. Marcus Atterberry caught 4 passes for 63 yards.

Defensively, Kemarcus Brown led the Cougars with 9 tackles. Jarius Snell provided 6 stops and Dike Tanksley collected 5 tackles.

Last year: McComb drilled Lawrence County 40-13 in Monticello.

My pick for this Friday: Lawrence County will be looking for some revenge as they plan to spoil the Tigers homecoming 42-30.

Franklin County (3-3, 1-0),  coached by first-year head coach Anthony Hart, enjoyed a great homecoming week last Friday after defeating the Wilkinson County Wildcats 40-22 in their division opener.

This week, the Bulldogs will invade Copiah County to battle the Hazlehurst Indians.

The Indians (2-4, 0-1), under the direction of head coach Todd McDaniel, won their region opener 22-20 over Wesson.

Franklin County’s top offensive performer was Bernard Selmon with a game high 132 yards rushing on 21 carries and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Denzel Allen stole the show with a historic 109-yard interception return for a touchdown. Courtney Smith also recovered a fumble and return back 59 yards for a touchdown.

Last Year:  Hazlehurst steam rolled Franklin County 41-15 in Meadville.

My prediction for this Friday: This should be an evenly matched contest as the Bulldogs escape with a 35-28 victory.

Wesson (2-5, 0-1),  coached by Ronald Greer, suffered a disappointing 22-20 loss last Friday to Hazlehurst after falling a little short in their fourth quarter rally at Stone Stadium.

This week, the Cobras will travel North up Interstate 55 to Crystal Springs to battle the Crystal Springs Tigers.

The Tigers (2-5, 0-1), coached by Stephen Rice, also suffered a 28-13 loss in their region opener last Friday.

Wesson’s top offensive performer last was senior quarterback Tyler Christmas completing 9 for 22 pass attempts for 152 yards. He also rushed for 53 yards on 15 carries.

Farrod Green was the top receiver with 4 catches for 73 yards and scored 2 touchdowns.

Defensively, Arthur Harris led the Cobras with 5 tackles. Timothy Craft, Tyler McLeod and Dartavious Dixon had 4 tackles each.

Last Year:  Wesson won an Thursday Night offensive thriller over Crystal Spring 55-53 at Stone Stadium.

My prediction for this Friday:  This will be another offensive shoot out as Wesson prevails 42-40.