NATCHEZ — Just three weeks ago, it appeared as if the Tensas Academy Chiefs were on their way to clinching a playoff berth in MPSA Class A.

But after back-to-back road losses to Riverdale Academy and Glenbrook School to finish up District 6-A play, Tensas needed a win over ACCS and needed a lot of help to get one of the two wild-card spots.

The Chiefs did their part, although it wasn’t easy as they defeated the Rebels 16-0 at Bobby Marks Stadium Friday night. However, they needed to have both Sylva-Bay Academy and WCCA to lose and that didn’t happen, which meant their season is over despite a 6-5 record under first-year head coach Joe Coats.

After a scoreless first quarter, Bennett Schauf connected with Mitch Lansing on a 25-yard touchdown pass and then hooked up with Dustin Fuller on a two-point conversion pass to give Tensas an 8-0 lead at halftime. Schauf then scored on a 1-yard run and threw to Kellon Lee on the two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter.

The Chiefs’ running trio of Schauf, Jim Lentz and Hunter Hale combined for 210 yards on the ground on 48 combined carries. John David Guthrie led their defense with 10 tackles while Phillip Carpenter and Austin Emfinger each had two sacks.

WCCA 42, Amite School Center 21

WOODVILLE — For the WCCA Rams, a win over Amite School Center Friday night and they’re in the Class A playoffs as one of the two wild-card teams. A stunning loss to a Rebels team that had won just one game, however, would end their season just like that.

Led by Cody Cullen’s three touchdown runs and one touchdown pass, WCCA overcame an early 7-6 deficit to defeat the Rebels and clinch a playoff spot in Sam Byrd IV’s first year as the Rams’ head coach.

After Amite School Center (1-10) took the lead on Brent Barron’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Deville and Barron’s extra point late in the first quarter, Cullen took command of the game.

First he threw a 39-yard pass to Todd Gonda early in the second quarter – after Trumaine Norwood’s 83-yard return on the ensuing kickoff was negated by an illegal-block-in-the-back penalty – to give the Rams the lead for good. Then he scored on a 9-yard run with less than a minute to go until halftime to give them a 20-7 halftime lead.

After Nicholas Forman scored on a 7-yard run just 26 seconds into the second half to cut the lead to 20-14, WCCA (7-4) scored 22 straight points to put the game away.

The most interesting play of the game occurred when the Rebels tried an onside kick after Forman’s touchdown run. Rams lineman Garrett Wilkerson fielded the kick after the ball hit him on the chest and rumbled 47 yards down to the Rebels’ 1-yard line. Norwood then scored one play later.

Cullen, who had 168 yards rushing on 19 carries, added a 25-yard touchdown run later on in the third quarter and Matthew McGraw scored on a 12-yard run midway through the fourth quarter.

Oak Forest 35, Huntington 21

AMITE, La. — Both the Hounds (District 6-A) and the Yellow Jackets (District 5-AA) had already clinched a playoff spot in their respected classifications by finishing second in their respected districts.

However, each team was hoping a win would give them some momentum heading into the playoffs, which start next Friday night, as well as get out of the game injury-free.

Unfortunately for Huntington, ranked No. 3 in Class A, the Hounds could not contain Justin Hatcher, who had 285 total yards from scrimmage on just 16 touches and three touchdowns to lead the No. 5 team in Class AA to a big win Friday night.

Hatcher finished with 13 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns to go with three catches for another 121 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown reception from Luke Petitto with 1 second left in the first quarter.

Jody Cottongin led Huntington (7-4) with 20 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns and Martez Tolliver had three catches for 147 yards and one touchdown.

Passing-wise, Chuck Bowie and Cottongin combined to complete four passes for 149 yards while Petitto completed six of 10 passes for 183 yards and Hatcher completed a pair of passes for 43 yards.