NATCHEZ — Despite having to forfeit seven wins after a player on its roster was ruled ineligible over a week ago by the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, Adams County Christian School still advanced to the MAIS Class AAA State Playoffs.

A 47-22 win over MAIS District 5-AAA foe Central Private School was enough to send ACCS, which went 2-7 overall and 2-1 in district play, into the playoffs as the No. 14 seed.

Perhaps no one could be happier about that than Rebels head coach David King, who said after Friday night’s win that he was hoping the season would continue for the players – especially the seniors. And indeed it will.

Their reward — a trip to Franklinton, La. to take on the No. 3 seed and District 4-AAA champion Bowling Green School Buccaneers in a first-round match-up this Friday at 7 p.m.

Another local team that made the Class AAA State Playoffs is Cathedral High School.

As for what the players’ reaction was when they found out they were in,” Cathedral head coach Chuck Darbonne said, “I told them about two weeks ago that we would be in. We knew we would be in, but we didn’t know where we would be. They’re excited to keep playing. The players are ready for the challenge. It’s a great challenge in front of them and they’re ready to meet it.”

The Green Wave had a promising start to the regular season at 3-0 overall, including an early district win over Central Private. Two weeks later, CHS was 4-1 overall after a shutout win over Class AAAA Copiah Academy.

Even though Cathedral ended its season by losing its final four games to finish 4-5 overall and 1-2 in district play, it received the No. 11 seed mainly due to its strength of schedule. Cathedral will travel to Starkville to face off with the No. 6 seed Starkville Academy Volunteers (8-2) at 7 p.m. Friday.

“We’re fortunate to make the playoffs. At 4-5, very fortunate to make the playoffs,” Darbonne said. “We have a very tough draw with the defending state champions in Class AAA in Starkville Academy. They lost their district (District 2-AAA) to Heritage Academy.”

Darbonne described the Volunteers as a team that doesn’t make many mistakes, runs the ball well, plays great defense and plays great special teams. He then said that the Green Wave will have to win the turnover battle and be more efficient on offense.

“We’re going to have to play probably our best ball game of the year and make some big plays,” Darbonne said.

Centreville Academy finished its regular season with a two-game winning streak to end up 5-5 overall and 2-1 in MAIS District 4-AA, including Friday night’s impressive 36-16 rout of a good Clinton Christian Academy team.

That enabled the Tigers to finish runner-up behind district champion and No. 4 seed Brookhaven Academy. The Tigers also earned the No. 7 seed in the Class AA State Playoffs and they will be at home for their first-round game against the No. 10 seed Carroll Academy Rebels Friday at 7 p.m.