Football playoff fever has arrived. Numerous cases of thepigskin virus have been reported in area schools and communities.Excited students paint their faces and dance around bonfires in thechilly night air.

Pretty cheerleaders lead the familiar chants as smoke billowshigh into the night sky. Coaches and players make boastful promisesto notch another victory for the home team.

Their loud exultations are greeted with a roar and andsupportive applause of the faithful followers. Hey, this isfun!

Football fans break out their blankets, insulated underwear,wool socks, hats, gloves and heavy coats as they pack for chillyroad trips and home games. By the way, how do you get toGautier?

Whew!

Road maps are a popular item as many of the teams plot long roadtrips. Where can you find a good meal in Taylorsville?

The Second Season, also known as the state playoffs, kick offFriday night in the public and private school ranks. If you aretaking notes, the Class 1A and Class 5A teams still have one moreregular-season game Friday night before starting the playoffs.

In Class 4A, area teams like Brookhaven, Lawrence County andMcComb begin the playoffs tomorrow night. In Class 3A, defendingstate champion Franklin County is joined by South Pike, JeffersonCounty, Hazlehurst, Crystal Springs and Tylertown.

In Class 2A, Wesson is representing this area and the 8-1 Cobrasare home Friday night.

In the Mississippi Private School Association, BrookhavenAcademy is hosting Oak Forest and defending state champion CopiahAcademy makes the long drive to Prairie View, La. for Class AAopening round games.

For sure, each game provides a challenge. Upsets are the norm.There’s no shortage of enthusiasm and excitement. Good luck to allthe playoff teams.

Meanwhile, Professor Hoopla B.S. was congratulating himself fora strong showing last weekend. He picked the winners of 22 gamesand got 19 correct. Here’s a preview of this weekend’s winners,starting with Friday night’s games.

West Jones at Brookhaven: Mustangs provide astrong defensive test but the Panthers have a stronger offense.Brookhaven 20-13.

Oak Forest at Brookhaven Academy: This is knownas a revenge game and the Cougars capitalize. Brookhaven Academy27-14.

Bogue Chitto at Mount Olive: In a battle forsecond place in Region 4-1A, the Pirates have too much speed forthe Bobcats. Mount Olive 34-27.

West Lincoln at Natchez Cathedral: It’s been along season for both green-clad teams. Look for the Green Wave tocrest in D’Evereaux Stadium. Cathedral 30-14.

Scott Central at Wesson: In a major rebuildingcampaign, the Cobras have exceeded all expectations. They’re notonly lucky but good, too. Wesson 21-12.

Northeast Lauderdale at Lawrence County:Cougars appear to be hitting on all cylinders as they clear theirfirst hurdle. Lawrence County 21-12.

Franklin County at Sumrall: Bulldogs are one ofthe best No. 4 seeds in Mississippi. Franklin County 38-19.

Morton at Hazlehurst: Still smarting from anupset loss to Crystal Springs, the Indians bounce back and beat thePanthers. Hazlehurst 18-10.

In other area games, McComb should upsetNortheast Jones 21-20, South Pike should handle Purvis 14-7, andJefferson County should clip Greene County 16 -14.

Jones County at Gulf Coast: Unbeaten Bulldogsare aiming for an MACJC state championship Saturday and a possiblenational championship matchup if they can handle the Bobcats inPerkinston. Gulf Coast 27-14.

Alabama at Mississippi State: AmbitiousBulldogs are sky-high in Starkville as they seek a second straightupset of the Crimson Tide. State 28-17.

Memphis at Southern Miss: Golden Eagles facemust-win situations in their final three games if they want anotherbowl invitation. Southern Miss 24-14.

In other Magnolia State college games, JacksonState over Prairie View 32-22; Alabama A&M over Alcorn State28-14; Alabama State over Valley State 38-10; Delta State overArkansas-Monticello 41-17; Belhaven over Cumberland (Tenn.) 33-23;Millsaps over Birmingham-Southern 29-10, and Mississippi Collegeover Sul Ross State 30-14. Ole Miss has open date to get ready forLSU.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com