The second week of the high school football season was a tough one for teams in the area. Lincoln County and Brookhaven schools went 1-5, with Enterprise winning over Bogue Chitto Thursday night. The other high schools the area (Lawrence, Franklin, Wesson, Hazlehurst and Copiah Academy) fared better with a 2-3 record as Copiah and Hazlehurst won their games Friday.

Still, even in a losing effort there is much to be learned. There is still plenty of football left to be played this season. The third week of the 2016 football season features several marquee matches. It also marks the final non-district game for most teams and should serve as a final tune-up of sorts for teams as they prepare for league play.

Brookhaven vs. Lawrence County 

This is easily my pick for the game of the week for several reasons. For one, this game has developed into a rivalry as players from both teams stated it was one they were looking forward to in 2016. Second, there will be a bevy of talent on the field at Brookhaven Friday night. The Panthers have Jeffery Johnson, Jemaurian Jones, Kenneth Dixon, Primetime 23 offensive lineman Trace Clopton and Demarrell Leggett to name a few.

Lawrence County boasts five Primetime 23 players in linebacker Azar Myles, defensive back Kemarcus Brown, tight end Marcus Atterberry, quarterback Charl’Tez Nunnery and running back Quitten Brown. The Cougars are still without Brown as he recovers from an ACL injury.

The going has been tough so far for Lawrence County as they have dropped the first two games of season, games many would argue they were capable of winning.

Ole Brook is coming off a blowout loss at the hands of Northwest Rankin and will be looking to right the ship in their first true home game of the season. This one will likely be a shootout that will come down to who has the ball last.

Bogue Chitto vs. Wesson

Bogue Chitto is 0-2 on the season but there is still some cause for optimism amongst Bobcat faithful. They may have fallen to Enterprise 14-6 Thursday, but their defense put forth a great effort against a solid running game spearheaded by Marvin Butler, Darren Richardson and Tanner Waldrop. Running back Demarcus Goldbolt also had a solid night with eight carries for 68 yards. This week their defense will face a more balanced attack when Jeremy Loy and the Wesson Cobras come to town. Wesson lost a 41-35 shootout to Sumrall in which they showed serious firepower on offense.

Speedster Dell Thigpen was all over the field in the loss. He had five carries for 86 yards, four catches for 54 yards and one 46-yard touchdown pass. He also had an interception during his time playing defensive back. I would say he is the “X-factor” in this matchup. It will be a long night for the Bobcats if they do not figure out a way to keep him in check.

Loyd Star vs. Sacred Heart

Apart from a few turnovers and dropped passes that were guaranteed touchdowns, the Loyd Star Hornets played a perfect game in their 39-6 blowout win over McLaurin. Linebacker Konner Allen was the star of the show for the Hornets’ defense with three sacks and seven tackles.

The offensive effort was led by none other than Primetime 23 players Parker Flowers and James Beard. Flowers scored three touchdowns and rushed for 157 yards while Beard had 62 yards receiving and one score and a rushing touchdown. He also totaled 125 punt return yards and put Loyd Star in great field position throughout the night. Zac Arnold had a big night also, with 179 yards rushing and two scores to lead all rushers.

The Hornets will be hitting the road to face a Sacred Heart team coming off a 45-8 drubbing of the West Lincoln Bears. The Crusaders are 1-1 on the season. The two teams played to a 28-27 game, with Loyd Star winning, last year. However, Loyd Star is clicking on all cylinders on both sides of the ball. I would be shocked if the contest were close this time around.

Enterprise vs. Mt. Olive

Enterprise won a sloppy contest over Bouge Chitto on Thursday by a score of 14-6. The Yellow Jackets committed eight penalties on the night, something head coach Brooks Burns said will have to be remedied moving forward. Mt. Olive suffered a 36-20 loss to Mize last week. Both teams implement a pounding run game and have solid defenses. Expect this game to be a methodical, ground-and-pound contest.

Other games

• Brookhaven Academy vs. Centreville

The Cougars hope to end a 16-game losing streak.

• Copiah Academy vs. Trinity

At 2-0, the Colonels look to stay perfect on the season.

• Franklin Co. vs. North Pike

The Bulldogs are hoping to earn their first win of the season.

•Hazlehurst vs. Magee

Hazlehurst and Magee square off in a battle of unbeaten teams. Magee defeated Lawrence County 44-27 in the KDMC Kickoff Classic to start the season.