As September ends, locals will face toughest tests yet

Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 29, 2005

[9/29/05]

September 2005 will certainly go down as one of the oddest months in the sports world. Luckily, Friday night’s high school football games, blizzard aside, will bring an end to a tumultuous time.

Two major hurricanes, assorted tornadoes, gas lines and new residents dressing out for new teams. We’ve had postponements, reschedules and forfeits.

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But now, it seems as if we are getting back into a routine.

Region play starts Friday for Vicksburg and Warren Central as the race for four coveted playoff spots hits a new gear.

Six teams are legitimately fighting for four playoffs spots; victories are imperative.

Northwest Rankin and Madison Central appear to be the two favorites to win the region. Clinton, Provine, Warren Central and Vicksburg likely will be battling for the final two playoff spots. Greenville and Murrah will be on the outside looking in.

Warren Central is trying to extend its state record 21 straight playoff berths, but will need to show improvement along the way. The Vikings are coming off back-to-back 31-point losses and face an undefeated Northwest Rankin team on the road Friday.

A loss to Northwest will not be crippling, but it will sound some alarms. Warren Central teams are not used to losing three straight games – especially not in football.

Vicksburg hosts a Provine team that went unbeaten last season before losing in the first round of the playoffs. The Gators and Rams feature stalwart defenses.

Should Vicksburg and Warren Central make the playoffs, the two schools should be hoping for the top two seeds. The third and fourth seeds – likely where the two locals will fall – earn the right to play at either South Panola or Olive Branch, barring a major upset up north.

While WC and VHS look to get the region off to a fast start, St. Aloysius just needs a win. The Flashes are riding a four-game losing streak and return home Friday to face South Leake.

Porters Chapel Academy, the fifth-ranked team in the Academy poll, is just happy to be playing.

The Eagles, who have given up a state-best three points this season, will battle Sharkey-Issaquena on Friday for homecoming.

The Eagles have had one game postponed, one canceled and last week’s game against Rebul forfeited because of a rash of injuries to the Raiders team. (Rebul is planning to play this week against 0-5 Veritas, by the way).

Porters Chapel is the class of District 4-A and a win over Sharkey – the best winless team PCA coach Randy Wright has seen – will move the Eagles a step closer to a repeat as district champions.

The weather Friday is supposed to be cool, maybe even in the 50s. It will feel like football season.

After the September we’ve had, it’s about time.