Magnolia junior fullback Derayln Williams fights for yards against Pulaski Academy last season during a 63-34 first-round Class 5A state playoff loss. The Panthers (8-2) will head to Little Rock tonight for a rematch against the Bruins (10-0).
Like last season, the defending state champions are ranked No. 1 in the state. Magnolia is coming off a wild 76-55 win over Greenbrier and has won five consecutive games. The Bruins rolled over Farmington 51-21 in their last outing.
The winner of tonight’s quarterfinal game will advance to the semifinal round next week against either Wynne or Texarkana. The Class 5A Finals will be at 12:15 p.m. Dec. 12 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.