By Staff
STRETCHING Newton County running back Darryl Mapp (24) lunges forward for extra yardage during the Cougars playoff win over McLaurin. Newton County visits West Lauderdale on Friday night. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
By Austin Bishop/The Meridian Star
Nov. 12, 2001
While 15 prep football teams in The Meridian Star coverage area will be in playoff games this week, only six will be the host team.
The way the MHSAA playoffs are set up, being the No. 1 team in your region doesn't necessarily guarantee you being the home team.
The Newton County-West Lauderdale second-round Class 3A matchup is a prime example.
Despite the fact that Newton County won Region 5-3A and West Lauderdale finished third, the Cougars will travel to Collinsville to take on the Knights. Newton County hosted a first round game, while West Lauderdale traveled to Forest.
Newton High School plays host to Lloyd Star in a second round MHSAA Class 2A matchup, while Noxubee County entertains Hernando in Class 4A play and Bay Springs hosts Taylorsville in Class 2A. Wayne County opens up Class 5A playoff action by hosting Biloxi, while Winston Academy entertains Marshall in MPSA AA first-round action.
Other first-round games are: Louisville at Shannon; Quitman at South Pike; Philadelphia at Collins; Scott Central at Wesson; Union at Bogue Chitto; Leake Academy at Oak Forest (La.); Lamar at Silliman (La.) and Wayne Academy at West Memphis (Ark.).