Holmes Central (2-1) at Kosciusko (0-2)
7 p.m. Friday – Landrum Field, Kosciusko
Last game: Southaven 21, Holmes Central 7; Northeast Lauderdale 28, Kosciusko 21
Players to watch: Holmes Central – QB Rodarius English; RB Robert Jackson; RB KwJuan Edwards; DB Rodrevious Harris; LB Tamos Stevenson; DT Jonathan Ware. Kosciusko – QB Clark Dean; QB/WR/FS Stefan Harmon; RB Kadarius Banks; LB Clint Williams; LB Aryian Love; DT Kahare Haynes.
Outlook: Kosciusko looks for first win against a strong Class 5A opponent after narrowly missing victory in their first two games. The Whippets come into the game off a bye, while Holmes Central is coming off a 21-7 loss to Southaven. The Jaguars are averaging 289.7 offensive yards per game, with most of the damage coming off the ground game in the spread offense. Holmes’ two wins came against teams that hold a combined 1-5 record.
Next game: Holmes Central (Bye week); Kosciusko at Forest
Noxapater (0-3) at Ethel (1-2)
7 p.m. Friday – Tiger Field, Ethel
Last game: Union 20, Noxapater 0; Ethel 22, Houlka 0
Players to watch: Noxapater – QB James Stalcup; RB Lapatrick Maul; RB Keonte’ Daniels; LB Joshua McClendon; FS Malik Miller; DT Jarius Hathorn. Ethel – QB Hayes Wood; RB Julius Erving; RB Sean Williams; RB/DB Corey Felton; DT Tykevin Wade; DB Dontavious Merritt; DT Thad Halderman.
Outlook: Ethel looks for first win in series since 2009 and in their Region 3-1A opener. Noxapater will look to the ground game for their offensive production with 90% of their 484 offensive yards coming via the rush. Noxapater shut out Ethel last season 42-0.
Next game: Leake County at Noxapater; Ethel at Durant
French Camp (0-3) at Sebastopol (1-2)
7 p.m. Friday – Bobcat Stadium, Sebastopol
Last game: Winona 41, French Camp 6; Newton County Academy 35, Sebastopol 6
Players to watch: French Camp – QB Colin Perry; WR Kendall Coleman; WR Braxton Bright; LB Aaron Witt; LB Skylyr Effler. Sebastopol – FB/LB Jeremiah Ickom; QB Gerrand Bobbitt; RB/OLB Javiers Johnson; WR/OLB Marzell Triplett
Outlook: Region 3 play begins for the Panthers and Bobcats with the two teams needing double overtime to settle last year’s game, which French Camp won 26-20. The Panthers are averaging only 118.3 offensive yards per game, while Sebastopol has averaged 265.7 yards a game.
Next week's games: Montgomery County at French Camp; Sebastopol at Nanih Wayia
McAdams (0-2) at Montgomery County (0-2)
7 p.m. Friday – Hornet Stadium, Kilmichael
Last game: West Lowndes 51, McAdams 0; J.Z. George 41, Montgomery County 8
Players to watch: McAdams – TE/DE Mark Stewart; QB/DE Zy’Tavia Ball; RB/OLB Glen Sandifer; OL/LB Clyde Witt.
Outlook: Two winless teams battle to start Region 3 play. McAdams has been outscored by an average of 57 points, while Montgomery County has lost by an average of 41 points.
Next week's games: McAdams at Riverside; Montgomery County at French Camp
Benton Academy (0-3) at Central Holmes Christian (0-3, 0-1)
7 p.m. Friday – Trojan Stadium, Lexington
Last game: Winston Academy 51, Benton Academy 21; Tri-County 47, CHC 0
Outlook: Region play didn’t start well for the Trojans as they were shutout by 2015 state semifinalist Tri-County last in the league opener.
Next week's games: Benton Academy at Clinton Christian; CHC bye
