J.Z. George can take one more step toward its goal of hosting a first-round North 2A playoff game with a win Friday night against Water Valley.
The Jaguars (6-2) are in third place in the Region 2-2A standings at 2-1, with the lone loss coming to Eupora, which is ranked third in the Associated Press statewide 2A poll.
Eupora is tied for first with No. 4 Bruce. Those two teams square off Friday night.
“A win would put guarantee us a spot in the playoffs and put us in position to stay in the hunt for second place in the division. If we win our last two, we can get a home playoff game,” George head coach Trey Allman said.
After making it to the playoffs the last three seasons, Water Valley is having a sub-par season at 2-6. The Blue Devils two wins came against Coffeeville and Williams-Sullivan.
One of the biggest problems for the Blue Devils has come on defense. They are giving up 37 points a contest.
Water Valley assistant coach Trea Higdon says the Blue Devils are a young team (only four seniors) that has shown a little improvement each week.
“If we come to play and play hard, it is going to be a good game,” Higdon said. “J.Z. George is in a position to be very successful. They are big, fast, strong and well-coached.”
Even though the Blue Devils have struggled this season, Allman expects a tough game Friday night.
“Water Valley has a rich tradition and a lot of pride. They still have a shot at the playoffs, so they're going to come out and play hard,” Allman said. “There's not that much that separates us from them expect confidence. It doesn't take but a couple of good bounces to change things around.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in North Carrollton.
Here's a look at other games involving Greenwood-area schools:
n Leflore County (2-6) at West Tallahatchie (5-3) - The Tigers enter this Region3-2A game trying to bring an end to a two-game losing streak in league play.
The Tigers are in a three-way tie for third at 1-2 with Ruleville and Coahoma County. West Tally is tied for first with West Bolivar at 3-0.
Defense has been a problem for Leflore this season. In five of the Tigers' six losses, opponents have scored an average 41.6 points a contest.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Webb.
n Amanda Elzy (1-7) at Charleston (4-4) - With two games left in the season, the Panthers are still looking for their first Region 4-3A win.
They will have to play better than they have been to change things against a tough Charleston team.
Charleston is coming off an 8-7 loss to league foe Velma Jackson. Charleston's other three losses came against tough competition, falling 36-12 to Oxford, 14-8 to Grenada and 17-6 to Franklin County.
The Panthers have lost six straight. During that stretch, they've scored more than 14 points just once. Elzy is averaging just 10.8 points a game.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Charleston.
n Carroll Academy (0-9) at Kirk (5-4) - Who could blame the Rebels if they are just ready to put an end to a miserable season?
But, unfortunately, they still have to play two of the better teams in their conference: Kirk and Marshall. Both games are on the road, too.
Kirk is 2-2 in District 1, AA and is coming off a 34-10 loss to Pillow.
Carroll lost last week 52-7 to Lee (Ark.) and has been outscored 365-54 this season.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Grenada.
