Playoff seeding is on the line as several local and area schools fight to stay alive in their region races with three weeks remaining in MHSAA regular season football action.

Local football fans will be searching for some big wins this Friday as five area schools will have home games, while other folks prepare to travel to support their favorite schools in Week 10 of Friday Night Lights.

Brookhaven welcomes Natchez to King Field. Bogue Chitto entertains Madison St. Joe on Troy Smith Field. West Lincoln host Enterprise on Perry Miller Field. Lawrence County welcomes Columbia to Monticello, and Wesson visits Meadville to tangle with Franklin County.

On the road, Loyd Star invades Jefferson County to battle Bassfield. Brookhaven Academy travel to Natchez to play the Adams County Christian School Rebels.

In other games of local interest, Jefferson County entertains Hazlehurst, North Pike host McComb, Parklane welcomes Copiah Academy to McComb for Homecoming, Purvis invades South Pike and Crystal Springs visits Wilkinson County.

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

In last week prognostications, I posted a 5-2 record in week nine predictions. GREAT! Hopefully, I can continue this momentum in this week forecast. But don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy it when our local teams use this prediction as motivation to prove me wrong.

Brookhaven (4-4, 1-3),  coached by Tommy Clopton, managed to overcome an emotional week and homecoming distractions to clobber the South Jones Braves 44-7 last Friday.

This week, the heat is still on in Region 3-5A races as the Panthers look to take care of the Natchez Bulldogs on King Field.

The Bulldogs (4-4, 1-3), coached by Lance Reed, dropped a tough 62-34 decision to Laurel last week.

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: Tre McDaniel led the pace with 12 rushes for 173 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, Darius O’Quinn paced the team with six tackles. Willie Bates had five tackles and a interception. Dedric Smith had a fumble recovery and a interception. Ben Robinson intercepted a pass and caused a fumble.

Last year: Ole Brook defeated Natchez 62-36 in an offensive shootout in Adams County.

My prediction for this Friday: I expect a defensive battle on King Field as Ole Brook prevails 28-14.

Brookhaven Academy (3-6, 1-1), under the direction of first-year coach Blake Purvis, suffered an disappointing 21-15 loss last Friday to their archrivals, the Copiah Academy Colonels.

This week, the Cougars will have a tough task on their hands as they gear up to tangle with the Adams County Christian School Rebels in Natchez for the division championship and a possible playoff spot in the mix.

The Rebels (8-1, 2-0), under the leadership of coach David King, drilled the Central Hinds Academy Cougars 54-21 last week in Raymond.

Working in the trenches for BA’s offensive line is Garrett Pace, Joey Rushing, Ben McCarroll, John Ethan Coleman and Roger Rushing.

BA’s top offensive performers last week: Heath Hickman directed the Cougars attack completing 31 of 50 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Caleb Brown led the Cougar receiving corps with 10 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. William King had nine catches for 92 yards

Defensively, the Cougars were led by Garrett Pace and JT Cline with six tackles each during their night of work. Cline added a fumble recovery, a sack, one tackle for a loss and two quarterback hurries to his totals.

Last year: ACCS surpassed BA 14-8 to win their first division crown.

My prediction for this Friday: The Cougars will be looking to bring home the division title, but the Rebels will think otherwise. ACCS 42-30.

West Lincoln (3-6, 0-3),  coached by Willie Brumfield, suffered a 41-8 defeat last Thursday by East Marion.

This week, the Bears welcome their Lincoln County rivals the Enterprise Yellow Jackets to Perry Miller Field with high hopes of making the playoffs for the first time ever in their school’s football history.

Working in the WLHS offensive line are right guard Patrick Nottingham, right tackle Brady Case, center Nicholas Burns, left guard Anthony Ferrell and left tackle Aaron Byrd.

West Lincoln’s top offensive performers from last week: senior running back Kodie Carroll with 29 rushes for 75 yards. Junior Jayden Rushing had nine carries for 65 yards.

Defensively, Aaron Byrd led the Bears defense with five solo tackles and two assists. Chase Owens and Charles Wayne Smith both had 3 solo tackles and two assist each.

Last year: West Lincoln clipped Enterprise 26-14 on Harry Cole Field.

My prediction for this Friday: This should be an exciting Lincoln County battle with the Bears winning 42-40.

Enterprise (0-8, 0-3),  coached by Brook Burns, returns to the gridiron after enjoying the week off last week.

This week, the Jackets are looking to end their 38-game losing skid and squash West Lincoln’s dreams of making the playoffs.

Working in Enterprise’s offensive line are Dylan Nelton, Jonathon Britt, Adam Magee, Drake Allen, Jacob Thames, Dalton Wilcoxson, Layne Brown and Brant White

Enterprise’s top offensive performers against Bassfield, two weeks ago: Junior full back Braxton Thompson lead with 58 yards rushing on 10 carries. Tanner Waldrop contributed seven carries for 52 yards.

Defensively, Devin Kirtfield paced the team with four tackles.

Loyd Star (2-6, 1-2),  coached by first year coach Adam Cook, is back in action this Friday after enjoying the week off last week to nurse their injuries.

This week, the Hornets will have a tough challenge as they prepare to invade Jefferson County to take on the defending Class 2A champions, the Bassfield Yellowjackets.

The Yellowjackets (8-1, 3-0), coached by Lance Mancuso, destroyed the Amite County Trojans 45-6 last Friday.

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

Loyd Star’s top offensive performers against East Marion, two weeks ago: Zac Arnold paced the Hornets ground attack with 44 yards on 10 carries. Brett Calcote rushed nine times for 28 yards. Peyton Flowers contributed 23 yards on four carries.

Defensively, Peyton Flowers powered Loyd Star’s attack with 20 tackles and three quarterback sacks. Parker Flower contributed 10 tackles. Calcote had nine stops.

Last year: Bassfield defeated Loyd Star 56-8.

My prediction for this Friday: This should be a good defensive battle as Bassfield prevails 42-14.

Bogue Chitto (1-8, 0-6),  coached by Gareth Sartin, is still looking for their second win of the season after being shutout by the Pisgah Dragons 50-0 last Friday in Sandhill.

This week, BC returns home to welcome the Madison St. Joseph Bruins to Troy Smith Field as the Bobcats prepare for an non-divisional battle.

The Bruins (3-6, 1-1), coached by Miller Todd, were victorious over Puckett 37-12 last week.

Working in the trenches of the Bobcats’ offensive line are: left tackle Matthew Black, left guard Bo Smithers, center Will Fauver, right guard Devin McEwen, right tackle Hayden Burton and tight end Kody Halford.

BC’s top offensive performers last week: Sherman Jackson led the Bobcats with 15 carries for 64 yards. Kobe Roberts had three rushes for 22 yards.

Connor Douglas was four of 16 passing for 33 yards and two interceptions. Dee Dillon caught three passes for 26 yards.

Defensively, Kobe Roberts, Brandon McKenzie, and Sherman Jackson powered the team with six tackles apiece. Will Fauver contributed five tackles.

My pick for this Friday: The Bobcats are hungry for a victory, but the Bruins will deny the opportunity 49-14.

Lawrence County (5-4, 1-2),  under the direction of first year head coach Jaymie Palmer, captured a much needed win to stay in the hunt for playoffs as they edged the South Pike Eagles 28-27 last Friday for a homecoming victory.

This week, the Cougars will be looking for another big region win as they prepare to battle the Columbia Wildcats.

The Wildcats (3-5, 2-1), coached by Walter Denton, knocked off the North Pike Jaguars 56-47 last week.

Lawrence County’s top offensive performers last week: Quitten Brown powered the LCHS Cougars attack with 170 yards rushing on 14 carries. T-Tez Cole rushed for 69 yards on 12 attempts.

Charl’Tez Nunnery provided 65 yards rushing on 10 carries, while completing four of five passes for 54 yards

Defensively, T-Tez Cole led the team with 12 tackles and a quarterback sack.

Last year: Columbia thumped Lawrence County 27-8

My pick for this Friday: This should be an exciting catfight to watch, but the Wildcats will edge the Cougars 36-35.

Franklin County (5-3, 3-0),  coached by first-year head coach Anthony Hart, is currently on a four-game winning streak after beating the Crystal Springs Tigers 25-13 last Friday.

This week, the Bulldogs are looking to stay undefeated in their region race as they welcome the Wesson Cobras to Meadville.

Franklin County’s top offensive performer: Bernard Selmon paced the rushing attack with 122 yards on 32 carries and three touchdowns.

Defensively, senior Danzel Allen powered the Bulldogs with 10 tackles, a sack, deflected two passes and made an interception. DeAnthony King contributed 16 stops, and Chris O’Quinn made 15 tackles.

Michael White had a career high night with three interceptions

 Last Year:  Franklin County stomped the Cobras 30-6.

My prediction for this Friday: Wesson and Franklin County will be fighting for a playoff spot, but the Bulldogs will beat the Cobras 35-28.

Wesson (4-5, 2-1),  coached by Ronald Greer, is excited to be in the playoff hunt after defeating the Jefferson County Tigers 33-16 last Friday in Stone Stadium.

This week, the Cobras will have a tough challenge on their hand as they prepare to end the Franklin County Bulldogs’ winning streak and move up in the standings.

Wesson’s starting offensive linemen are Demarcus Smith, Justin Boone, Jamarcus Patterson, Bobby Pritchard, Blake Burns and Matthew Craft.

Wesson’s top offensive performer: Michael Hauer had 12 rushes for 87 yards and Dartavious Dixon had two carries for 67 yards.

Tyler Christmas was two for eight in passing for 44 yards. Farrod Green caught a 36-yard touchdown pass and had a 79-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Defensively, Kendrick Brown led the team with 11 tackles. Jamarcus Patterson contributed five tackles.