For two years, Sharkey-Issaquena Academy ran roughshod over the MAIS eight-man division. It won 28 consecutive games and two state championships.

Suddenly, the Confederates are in a situation foreign to them — with their backs against the wall in a must-win situation.

SIA (4-2, 0-1 District 4-A) suffered its second loss of the season and first district loss since August 2012 when Franklin Academy rallied to beat it 40-34 last week. SIA will host Tensas Academy (1-3, 0-2) Friday night in the first of three consecutive district games it must win to return to the playoffs.

“We still feel like we control our destiny, but the last two years we’ve been in the driver’s seat. Now we’re in a place where we feel like we can’t afford to lose another district game,” SIA coach Hunter McIntire said.

SIA’s two losses this season have been by a total of 10 points. That, McIntire added, shows that the Confederates are still a force to be reckoned with.

“We’ve been in situations to win both of the ones we’ve lost,” McIntire said. “I think when other teams look at us, they see some vulnerability. I don’t think we do at all.”

 

Simpson at Central Hinds

After a month of feasting on weaker opponents and building a solid base in the MAIS Class AAA power points rankings, the road is about to get a lot tougher for Central Hinds (4-1) when perennial power Simpson Academy (5-1) comes to town.

This is just the third Class AAA opponent Central Hinds has faced in its first seven games and the second with a winning record.

 

Mt. Salus at Tallulah

Tallulah Academy (4-1) will try to rebound from its first loss of the season and build momentum for next week’s showdown with Sharkey-Issaquena when winless Mt. Salus (0-4) comes to town.

Tallulah had 433 yards of offense last week, but surrendered 644 to Christian Collegiate in a 46-38 loss.

 

Rebul at Briarfield

Rebul Academy (4-2) will try to reach the five-win mark for the first time since 2008 when it goes on the road to play Briarfield (2-3).

Briarfield has lost two of its last three games, both within its district, by a total of 12 points.

 

Jefferson County at Port Gibson

Since snapping a 16-game losing streak three weeks ago, Port Gibson (1-5) has been outscored 121-26 in three losses to Terry, McComb and South Pike. The Blue Waves allowed 371 rushing yards and 7.7 yards per carry last week to South Pike.

 

Washington at Madison Parish

Madison improved to 4-0 for the first time since the school opened in 2005. It’s ranked 18th in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Class 3A power point rankings.