By CURTIS ROCKWELL

Item Sports Editor

WAYNESBORO — Friday’s Class 4A South State quarterfinal round playoff game between Picayune and homestanding Wayne County will pit two of the top overall teams in the state against one another.

Picayune returned to the Super 10 football rankings as conducted by The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson after Friday’s 40-12 win over Forest Hill to open the Class 4A South State playoffs. The Super 10 encompasses all five classifications in the state.

The Maroon Tide moved back into the poll at the 10th spot, setting up a Super 10 showdown with unbeaten and second ranked Wayne County in Waynesboro Friday night in round two.

Picayune had dropped out of the rankings after a loss to D’Iberville in the final regular season game.

The Maroon Tide is 9-2 and the War Eagles 11-0.

Picayune has never beaten Wayne County in four previous meetings between the two teams, including two of the past three years in the playoffs.

“We know that Picayune is a very good football team and we have to be ready to play,” WCHS head coach Marcus Boyles said.

The War Eagles are led by running back Tracey “Pound” Lampley, a Dandy Dozen selection. Lampley led the War Eagles with 86 yards rushing in a 41-20 win over Forrest County AHS Friday to open the playoffs.

Wayne County junior quarterback Demarcus Henderson, playing with a minor shoulder injury, tossed four first-half touchdowns as the War Eagles jumped out to a 35-6 halftime lead.

Another Wayne County standout, versatile Calvin McDougle, has also been bothered by injuries recently and it is not known whether he will play this week.

Linebacker Willie Daniels led the WCHS defense with 18 total tackles.

The game features three players selected to the upcoming Alabama/Mississippi All-Star Football Classic, as both Lampley and Daniels from Wayne County and Picayune standout two way lineman Jon Billups were selected last week for the prestigious team.

Boyles will be the head coach for that team as well.