High school football playoffs involving Pine Belt will ratchet up a notch Friday. For the first time, the larger schools under the Mississippi High School Activities Association umbrella _ Class 7A, Class 6A and Class 5A _ will take their first steps onto the field of postseason play Friday night.

A competitive season has ended with just one area team undefeated. A lot of familiar faces (Westlake, Vandegrift, LBJ) made the field as top seeds from their districts. Some dark horses (Austin High,