Key Results of First Round

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first week of the playoffs started very well. A lot of games we expected to be close were close. Now it is time for these teams to advance to the second round. It only gets tougher at this point. Win or go home!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Greene Co 14 Columbia 18</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This score didn't surprise me at all. Greene Co is loaded with talent all across the board. They will be returning guys like Coby King and BJ Johnson next season. Both of these guys were very good players on offense for them over the years. They also have Jayse Matthews who will be returning next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbia has to roll into next week knowing they have to play good ball. They have been shown in week one that anything can happen on Friday nights. If they want to represent the South in the state championship this year they have a few things they need to clean up. They have a balanced offense that can throw the football as well as run it. It's time they get focused. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Choctaw County 61 vs Belmont </strong>14</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Choctaw Co came out and had the game they needed to have. KJ Cork and [player_tooltip player_id='350948' first='Caleb' last='Cunningham'] were hitting on all cylinders. [player_tooltip player_id='108965' first='Antonio' last='Kennedy'] had a very good game as well. Choctaw Co is young in some places, but they have the talent to get the job done. I think going into next week they need to put more focus on defense. Leflore Co will be running a lot of speed option plays from the shotgun. They have a lot of speed and guys who can get up and down the field. You don't want them to find a rhythm and start breaking off sixty yard runs every drive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belmont is more known for baseball and basketball. Their 5-6 record this season showed up for next season. If they can get these guys in the weightroom and training on more fundamental things in the offseason I can see them competing next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>West Lauderdale 26 Gentry 20</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Lauderdale barely escaped this game. They won this game in overtime. They will have their hands full next week with Houston. [player_tooltip player_id='311644' first='Will' last='Echoles'] is going to be a giant on the offensive and defensive line. He is going to be a major factor for them in this game. He is the heart and soul of this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houston will need to watch out for a lot of quick throws from Jackson Parker. They like to run slants and outs while slowly moving down the field. West Lauderdale is a very disciplined team. Let's not forget they can also line up and play the wing t. I do think Houston will come out on top with this victory next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gentry should have their heads held high. For a long time it looked like they were going to win this game. Troy Griffin and Jaylon Campbell did their job. Gentry has some talent and I expect them to be back in the playoffs next year. They are a very well coached team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->