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This is the third straight year for Coach Willie Brown's Indians to reach the state quarterfinals. The well-coached team features explosive speed, quickness and athletic ability.
Brown, a former defensive coach at Alcorn State, is in his sixth year at the Hazlehurst helm. He coached for Cardell Jones at Alcorn, back in the good 'ol days.
In the other South state quarterfinals game tonight, Coach Randall Huffman's undefeated South Pike Eagles (12-0) host the Morton Panthers. If Hazlehurst and South Pike win, the South state championship game would be played next Friday night at Hazlehurst.
Due to the huge crowd potential, it would be great if the game was moved to Copiah-Lincoln Community College's Stone Stadium which has an approximate seating capacity of 10,000. Of course, few teams are willing to give up their home field advantage in the playoffs. Who could blame them?
Two games of local interest in Class 1A send Gulfport St. John to Puckett and Lake to Mt. Olive. Puckett (11-0) and Mt. Olive (12-0) are both undefeated. Obviously, the dream matchup would be next Friday night between Mt. Olive and Puckett. However, strange things do happen in the playoffs.
In Class 4A, where the Ole Brook Panthers were defending state champions, Wayne County is favored to win the South title. The War Eagles (12-0) are at Region 6-4A foe Mendenhall (9-3) tonight. Terry (11-1) travels to West Jones (9-1) in the other 4A South state game.
Terry boasts the probable Player of the Year in running back Anthony Dixon but he may not be enough to beat the Mustangs on their home turf. The only loss for West Jones came at the hands of Wayne County early in the season.
Speaking of Wayne County, Greene County head coach Johnny Ainsworth was an assistant at the Waynesboro-based school 10 years ago when Lincoln County native Anthony Hart was coaching there as defensive coordinator. Bubba Davis, now at Petal, was the head coach at Wayne County back then, before he migrated to Jasper, Ala.
Congratulations to the Pearl River Community College Wildcats for winning their third straight football state championship. The Wildcats. coached by Tim Hatten, defeated Gulf Coast 25-19 last Saturday at Perkinston in a state title game witnessed by a crowd of 5,500
For Pearl River (8-1), the defending NJCAA national champion, the victory avenged a 55-47 loss to Gulf Coast earlier in the season. Due to Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 season was pushed back three weeks.
Bowl bids went out last week and Pearl River was bypassed in favor of Gulf Coast (7-2). If you remember, Co-Lin almost beat Gulf Coast at Wesson, losing 30-27 when a fumble killed a late scoring drive.
In a 1-6 campaign, Co-Lin's effort against Gulf Coast was probably the best of the season. Hopefully, Coach Glenn Davis and his staff can recruit some more outstanding players, and the Wolfpack will climb the South Division ladder next year.
When last seen, Professor Hoopla B.S., was trying to climb a pine tree, using his deer hunting stand. He needs two more arms and legs.
Hoopla predicted the winners of 14 games last week and only got 9 correct. Special congratulations to the Mississippi College Choctaws for winning the Backyard Brawl.
Looking at the local scene, it's a sparse menu. There are two games of note that deserve a prediction.
Greene County at Hazlehurst: In an offensive show, the Indians eke out a victory. Hazlehurst 34-28.
Morton at South Pike: Eagles are especially difficult to defeat in Magnolia. South Pike 31-17.
Tulane at Southern Miss: To remain bowl eligible, the Golden Eagles notch a victory at The Rock. Southern Miss 27-14.
Ole Miss at Mississippi State: Critics have referred to this Egg Bowl as the Sludge Bowl. Two losing teams battle for year-long bragging rights. Bulldogs are overdue. State 18-14.
Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O. BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mail sports@dailyleader.com
