The 2016 high school football season has dwindled down to two or three remaining weeks.  Ever since the first game of district play kicked off for area teams, I have constantly stressed the importance of each game.

True enough, they all have indeed been important, but these remaining weeks could prove crucial to teams hoping to extend their seasons into late November.

These last few games will essentially be playoff games for those who have struggled to find their footing in division play.

Brookhaven at West Jones

After a 41-17 loss to the Laurel Tornadoes, the Panthers are in need of a win against the West Jones Mustangs.

Ole Brook (2-2 in district)  is currently tied for second place in Region 3 with South Jones and Provine, two teams they have already beaten.

The Mustangs are 1-3 in Region 3 play and will be much more desperate for a win at their house than the visiting Panthers. They dropped a close one to a Wingfield by a score of 46-41 last week.

This will likely be a low-scoring affair, as both defenses have proven to be stingy this season. Brookhaven has more weapons, though, and they should emerge the victor in a close contest.

Brookhaven 17, West Jones 10

Wesson at Franklin County

No team needs a win more this week than Wesson. The Cobras are still winless in Region 7 after a tough defeat at the hands of Jefferson County last week.

Franklin County’s situation is not as dire, but at 1-2 they can ill afford to lose any more either.

Wesson has lost its footing after a good start to the season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Bulldogs are sure to use the legs of PT 23 players De’Martre Collins and Keonte’ Bee to establish a run game. That should spell defeat for a Cobra front that has been unable to stop the run in 2016.

Wesson 14, Franklin County 34

Loyd Star at Bassfield

The Hornets finally ended their six-game losing streak with a big district win over Enterprise last week.

They face a different animal altogether this week when they hit the road to face mighty Bassfield. A win in this game would be great not only for Loyd Star’s playoff hopes, but for their program for years to come.

The Hornets (1-2 district) would love to say they beat the Yellowjackets in their last year before the consolidation with Prentiss, but realistically it is a long shot to think this one would even be competitive.

Loyd Star 12, Bassfield 48

West Lincoln vs. Enterprise

The Jackets and Bears are both already more or less eliminated from playoff contention, so this game is more about bragging rights than anything.

The county rivals are both winless in district play and with their final games coming against what many would say are superior opponents (West Lincoln faces Loyd Star, Enterprise plays Amite County) this will likely be their only shot at a district “W”.

The Yellow Jackets have a good enough run game to give the Bears troubles, while West Lincoln’s defense has surrendered more than 40 points in every game this year. Enterprise will get their first win in Region  7 play this year and run all over the Bears’ porous defense.

West Lincoln 18, Enterprise 42

Bogue Chitto vs. Resurrection

The winless Bogue Chitto Bobcats have a huge mountain to climb this week in the form of Resurrection. At 7-1 overall and 3-0 in district play, the Eagles are one of the best teams in the district and in all of 1A. The clock could be running after the half in this one.

Bogue Chitto 6, Resurrection 42

Other area games

Lawrence Co. 28, Richland 16

Hazlehurst 42, Jefferson County 20

Anthony McDougle is the sports editor for The Daily Leader. He can be contacted at anthony.mcdougle@dailyleader.com.