From staff reports

All it took for Hinds AHS to shake off a dismal 2007 season was a long-term view.

As he evaluated the War Dawgs’ 2-8 campaign, coach Michael Fields knew the reasons behind it. A slew of injuries, some young players, all the usual reasons. He wrote it off as an aberration for an otherwise successful program and put it behind.

That view has paid off handsomely this year. Hinds AHS is 8-2 as the Class 2A playoffs begin, and will host a first-round game tonight against East Marion.

“We feel like we should be there. Last year was one of those things. The negative thoughts were never allowed to get in our head,” said Fields, who is 46-31 in six seasons at Hinds AHS, and has now taken the War Dawgs to the playoffs five times. “It was a culture shock for us.”

Hinds AHS has turned things around with a dizzying array of talent at the skill positions. Tailback Darious Newton has rushed for more than 1,300 yards, while Kiente Williams and Jeremy Lee have both played running back, quarterback and receiver at various times.

East Marion (5-4), meanwhile has won four of five to finish third in Region 8-2A. Its late-season run has Fields wary.

Ackerman at South Delta

South Delta opens the Class 2A playoffs tonight tonight at home against a former state champion. Ackerman (7-3) won the 2001 Class 2A title under then coach Ricky Woods, who left there and started the South Panola dynasty that has now reached 86 straight wins. Woods is now the head coach at Northwest Community College.

South Delta locked up a No. 2 seed with last week’s win against Hollandale Simmons.

Central Hinds at Glenbrook

Central Hinds has a long drive ahead of it tonight. The Cougars are hoping it doesn’t end in a short stay in the postseason.

CHA opens the MPSA Class A playoffs tonight at defending state champion Glenbrook (9-2). It’s as tough a first-round matchup as there is.

“They’re not supposed to be easy this time of year,” Central Hinds coach Bobby Allen said.

As daunting as the opponent is the road there. It’s nearly a 3-hour drive to Minden, La., from CHA’s Raymond campus. The coaches were planning a lunch stop in Monroe to break up the monotony.

That will allow them to focus on stopping the Apaches, which is never an easy task. They’ve returned nearly every starter from last year’s championship team.

Briarfield at Hebron Christian

Briarfield heads to the Pheba community outside of Starkville to battle the champs from the MPSA’s District 3-A. Hebron (8-3) has averaged 34 points per game, but what concerns first-year Briarfield coach Ben Durham is that both its quarterback and top running back are coach’s sons.

“They are both real good and athletic but because they are both coach’s sons, they are pretty smart players as well,” Durham said.

Briarfield (8-3) is coming off a surprising 28-14 loss to Tallulah Academy last week.

Briarfield is led by running back Jeffrey Graham with 1,496 yards rushing and nine touchdowns. Graham, a senior, has averaged 8.7 yards per carry. Wingback Nathan Brown adds 559 yards and 10 scores while Blake Lovell has 482 yards and nine TDs.

Jacob Hopkins has 514 yards passing with the top targets being Ridge Creech (11 receptions, 261 yards, 5 TDs) and Gabe Lensing (10 catches, 244 yards, 4 TDs).

Richwood at Madison Parish

The Jaguars close out the 2008 season with a district game against Richwood in Tallulah. After beating Wossman 7-6 for its lone win of the year, coach Toriano Wells’ club has lost two straight by big margins. B.T. Washington rolled them 48-9 last week.