Head football coaches Anthony Hart of Franklin County and WalterDenton of Tylertown met last Saturday morning to swap game films.It was the first step of preparation for their Class 3A South statesemifinals showdown in Meadville. They talked football for a fewminutes while sipping a cup of coffee at a local restaurant.

Denton discussed his team’s travel plans to Meadville and Hartfurnished instructions for parking and directions to the dressingroom.

Oops!

Hart was startled to read in Sunday’s newspaper that hisFranklin County team was supposed to be playing in Tylertowninstead of hosting the Chiefs. An early Monday morning telephonecall to the Mississippi High School Activities Association officein Clinton confirmed the location.

According to Larry Thomas, MHSAA director of officials, theplayoff bracket in the MHSAA sports information manual wasincorrect. Playoff information from 2003 had not been changed for2004.

A two-syllable word, “lower” had not been changed to “higher.”In other words, the higher numbered region team would host thelower numbered region team in the third round of the 2004playoffs.

Thomas said the oversight had been discovered in October and anOct. 18 memo was sent to MHSAA member schools and posted on theassociation’s web page. Hart and Denton are athletic directors attheir respective schools. Neither of them saw the memo.

For sure, Hart said he was happy to still be playing football,wherever the playoffs led his Bulldogs. Both teams are 11-1entering this big showdown Friday night.

It should be a heckuva game.

Speaking of Big Games, Brookhaven’s showdown with Wayne Countyin the Class 4A South semifinals, should draw a record crowd toKing Field. Last year a crowd estimated at 5,000-plus witnessed theevent.

If you like excitement, the state football playoffs are theplace to be.

Goff hospitalized: Former Franklin Countyfootball coach Michael Goff under went surgery for colon cancer onWednesday at Baptist Hospital in Jackson. Goff is doing well,according to a family spokesman. Please remember Goff and hisfamily in your prayers.

Hoopla preparing for deer season

Professor Hoopla B.S., dropped off his list of predictionsWednesday afternoon. He was dressed in camouflage from head tofoot, planning a dress rehearsal for the opening of Saturday’s gunseason for deer.

Hoopla predicted the winners of 17 games and got 10 right. Heblamed it on the conflict of athletic seasons.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s winners, starting with someFriday night high school specials.

Wayne County at Brookhaven: In a rematch ofClass 4A powerhouses, the Panthers realize revenge on King Field.Brookhaven 24-14.

Franklin County at Tylertown: Chiefs boast ahigh-powered rushing attack and the Bulldogs are pretty good, too.Defense will decide. Franklin County 21-14.

Hazlehurst at West Lauderdale: Indians are onthe warpath and that’s bad news for the Knights. Hazlehurst31-12.

West Jones at South Pike: Mustangs and Eaglesproduce an offensive show on Colee Field. South Pike 38-28.

Ole Miss at LSU: This could get ugly. Tigersare blooming and the Rebels are wilting. LSU 42-14.

Arkansas at Mississippi State: Razorbacks areon the rampage after smashing Ole Miss. Arkansas 37-10.

Alcorn State at Jackson State: Throw out therecord books when these archrivals collide. Braves prove to havetoo much offense for Bell’s Tigers. Alcorn State 38-19.

Southern Miss at TCU: When was the last timethe Golden Eagles lost three in a row? TCU 32-24.

In the rest of the SEC, Auburn should beatAlabama 28-13, Florida State should sink Florida 31-21 andTennessee should swamp Vanderbilt 43-7.

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