Rockets await their playoff fate - Philadelphia Neshoba Democrat

By STEVE SWOGETINSKY

The Neshoba Central Rockets will have to wait until games are played this Friday night before they know their playoff fate.

The Rockets was expected to enter the Class 5A playoffs November 13 as the No. 2 team out of Region 2-5A, However, the Ridgeland Titans were quarantined last Friday with COVID-19. The forfeit loss gave them their first region loss. Ridgeland is the only team to beat Neshoba Central. These two teams along with Holmes Central, are in a three-way tie for first.

If it goes down that way, Neshoba Central will finish first in the region based on points. However, if Holmes Central loses to Vicksburg Friday night, there would a two-way tie for first and Ridgeland would enter the playoffs as the No. 1 team because of their win over Neshoba Central.

Neshoba Central did not play last Friday night. Their game with Cleveland Central was not played. Cleveland was quarantined with the COVID-19 and had to forfeit. And the Rockets do not have a game this week.

“We tried to find a game because we need to play,” Coach Patrick Schoolar said. “We are going into the playoffs having not played for two weeks. It’s almost like the preseason again. We have been practicing hard, trying to stay sharp and in shape.”

If the Rockets finish first in the region, they could play the winner between West Point and Lake Cormorant in the first round.