From staff reports

Central Hinds has been like a Timex watch this season. The Cougars have taken a licking — several of them, in fact — but are still ticking.

Despite a four-game losing streak in which it was outscored 155-42, Central Hinds is still alive for a wild-card berth in the MAIS Class AA playoffs. CHA (4-4) has won its last two games and will try to keep the roll going tonight when it hosts Tallulah Academy.

Ironically, the losing streak helped keep the Cougars’ playoff hopes alive. The four losses were to teams with a combined 24-7 record. Despite losing all four games, the strength of schedule gave CHA a bump in the power point ratings that determine the wild card teams. Two wild card teams from each half of the bracket, North and South, qualify for the postseason.

“If we win out, we’ll be in the playoffs as the number one wild card. We can wind up 7-4. That’s not bad considering the four we lost,” Central Hinds coach Bobby Allen said. “It’s kept our kids involved. Any time you can get that carrot dangling in front of them, that helps.”

The game is less important for Tallulah (6-2) in terms of the postseason. Its fate will be determined by district games the next two weeks against Trinity and Briarfield. Still, Tallulah coach John Weaver said tonight’s game is an important warm-up for what’s to come. The Trojans have allowed 37 points and posted two shutouts in their last five games, and keeping that momentum going is crucial.

“We met one of our goals already, which is to have a winning season. That’s big for the seniors. At the same time, we haven’t won anything yet. We haven’t won a playoff game, we haven’t won a district title. There’s a lot to do yet,” Weaver said.

Hinds AHS at Madison-St. Joe

Hinds AHS faces a classic feast or famine situation tonight against Madison-St. Joe. Win, and the War Dawgs lock up a playoff spot. Lose, and they might not even make the playoffs.

It’s an odd situation brought about by the makeup of Region 6-2A. There are six teams in the region, four of which qualify for the playoffs. Hinds (5-2, 1-1) has already beaten fifth-place Enterprise-Lincoln, and a victory over sixth-place Madison-St. Joe (2-6, 0-2) would ensure Hinds can finish no worse than fourth.

A loss, though, would put them behind St. Joe by virtue of a tiebreaker with only two weeks left in the regular season.

“We win this one, it’ll give us at least fourth. We still have a chance to win the district,” Hinds AHS coach Michael Fields said. “This is a must-win. We slip up here and we might not even make the playoffs.”

SIA at Tri-County

The Confederates (2-5) head to Flora to battle the Rebels (6-1), who held off Porters Chapel Academy 13-7 last week. SIA is coming off a loss to District 5-A leader University Christian.

Briarfield at Clinton Christian

Briarfield (6-1) continues to tune up for its Oct. 30 clash with Tallulah Academy in a game that will decide a playoff berth for both teams. The Rebels beat Greenville Christian 40-15 last week. Quarterback Joseph Hopkins ran for 110 yards and two touchdowns while Ridge Creech caught two TD passes.

Crystal Springs at Port Gibson

Crystal Springs couldn’t be coming in at a better time for the the Blue Waves (3-5, 0-2 Region 7-4A), who look to snap a four-game losing streak. The Tigers are 0-7 and have scored just 40 points this season. Port Gibson is coming off a 49-14 loss at North Pike last week.

Port Gibson tailback Rudy Wilson has missed the last three games. Joshua Dotson has taken over as the team’s offensive threat with 321 yards rushing and four TDs, along with 156 yards and two TDs passing.