Rockets enter playoffs as top seed

The Neshoba Central Rockets return to the Class 5A state football playoffs Friday night when they host the Lafayette Commodores.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Rockets enter the playoffs as the No. 1 team out of Region 2-5A. Lafayette is the No. 4 team out of Region 1-5A.

“They lost a couple of region games this year,” Neshoba Central Coach Patrick Schoolar said. “But Lafayette has been one of the premier teams in Mississippi for years and we have our hands full.

“They have a defensive back and a receiver that all of the colleges are looking at. They have good size and they run the ball about 60/40 percent of the time. They will run multiple defensive fronts.”

Lafayette comes in at 7-3. The Commodores’ losses have come to Oxford, West Point and Lake Cormorant.

Neshoba Central comes into the game with an 8-1 record with their only loss coming to Ridgeland.

Running back Jarquez Hunter leads the charge for the Rockets with 1,767 all-purpose yards. Hunter has rushed for 1,418 yards on 198 carries and has scored 22 touchdowns. He has caught 16 passes for 201 yards. Hunter has 84 yards in kickoff returns and 64 in punt returns.

The Rockets have not played a game in two weeks but Coach Schoolar said his team will be ready.

“We have been in the playoffs before and we know what is at stake,” Coach Schoolar said. “At this point of the season, it’s win or go home. We want to keep playing.”

The winner of this game will advance to the second round to play the winner between Ridgeland and Lake Cormorant.