There will be plenty at stake for the six area football teams.
Newton County Academy begins the Class 2A playoffs this week and the other five schools are all vying for a playoff spot this week.
Union at Philadelphia
The Yellowjackets will travel to Philadelphia this week to take on the Tornadoes in the regular-season finale.
Philly is 3-6 on the season but 3-0 in Division 4-2A play. Union is 2-1 in division play and the winner will be 4-2A champions and host a first-round playoff game.
“The bottom line is if we beat Philly, we win the district and that is doable,” Union coach Jordan Wren said. “If we lose, we are the No. 4 seed. I think they are very good up front on the offensive line. Their defensive is full speed and comes right at you. We will have to play a clean game if we are going to have a chance.”
Lake at Scott Central
The Hornets will try to get back and track as they travel to rival Scott Central on Thursday for a Division 5-2A matchup.
Scott Central is 5-4 on the season and 2-1 in division play. The winner of the game will be the No. 2 seed while the loser will be the No. 3 seed.
“They are a very good team,” Lake coach Tate Hanna said. “They are very fast and very big up front. They are very aggressive on defense and probably one of the top defenses we have played. You can tell they are starting to figure it out on offense. It will be a tough game but I think our kids will step up to the challenge. It’s a big game, whoever wins will be the second seed and host a first-round playoff game.”
J.Z. George at Sebastopol
The Bobcats will be at home this week they host J.Z. George on Thursday for Senior night.
The Jaguars are 2-6 on the season with wins over Coffeeville (22-6) and Riverside (36-14). They have losses to Ethel (28-22), West Bolivar (14-0), Water Valley (42-6), Philadelphia (44-14), Eupora (37-12) and Union (47-20).
“They have some athletes,” Sebastopol coach Keith Brown said. “They have a really athletic quarterback and he’s a real dual-threat guy. They have scored some points on everybody. We just need to keep it rolling and take that momentum into Friday night.”
With a win, the Bobcats would be 2-2 in division play and Brown said the Bobcats could the 2 or the 4 seed, depending on the outcome of the Philadelphia and Union game.
Deer Creek at NCA
The Generals will be at home this week as they host Deer Creek in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs.
The Generals are the No. 5 seed and host No. 12 seed Deer Creek, whom they beat 55-20 on Oct. 4. Deer Creek is 2-7 on the year.
“They have to make the journey this time,” NCA coach Stevie Nelson said. “We played them a few weeks ago and it’s certainly a concern. It’s a concern because one of their better players didn’t play the night we played. We jumped on them in the first half and then sort of relaxed in the second half. We’ve just got to get by this one and get on to the next round.”
West Lauderdale at Newton County
The Cougars will be at home this Friday as they host rival West Lauderdale with the 4-4A championship on the line.
West is 6-3 on the season and 3-0 in 4-4A play. Despite losing to Leake Central last week, if the Cougars beat the Knights, they would be division champions.
“It’s simple, if we beat them, we are district champions,” County coach Bobby Bass said “They still run the same offense they have run for years. They will get after you and run the ball right at you. They aren’t as talented as they have been in year’s past, but they do their stuff really well.”
Newton at Clarkdale
The Tigers will finish out the regular season as they travel to Clarkdale with a playoff spot on the line.
Clarkdale is 2-7 on the season but both teams are 0-3 in Division 5-2A play. They have lost four straight. The winner of the game will make the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in division play.
