MAIS District 3-AA: Central Hinds at River Oaks

7 p.m. Friday

Records: Central Hinds (4-5, 1-0); River Oaks (5-3, 1-0)

Central Hinds: The Cougars have won four of their last five games to overcome an 0-4 start and put themselves in position to win the District 3-AA championship. Central Hinds can clinch the title — and a home playoff game — by beating River Oaks Friday. With a loss, Central Hinds will not only have to take a long bus trip to Marshall Academy for a potential first-round game, but would have to beat Prairie View in next week’s season finale just to get in.

River Oaks: The defending Class AA champions have slipped a little this season — their three losses are as many as they had combined in 2009 and 2010 — but still pose a formidable challenge. Running back Alex Biedenharn has rushed for 947 yards and 15 touchdowns, and four players have at least 200 rushing yards apiece.

Coach’s quote: “We win, we’re in. We lose and we’re still fighting for a playoff spot, and on any Friday night any team can win. We saw that in the first part of the season.”

— Central Hinds coach Todd Montgomery