LAKE PROVIDENCE – A trip to the Mississippi Private School Association, Class A football championship game is at stake when Briarfield Academy hosts Benton tonight at 7.

Both teams have won a pair of home playoff games to reach the North State final. Briarfield (10-2) got here by beating University Christian (45-0) and DeSoto School (26-7).

Benton (10-3) reached by beating Sharkey-Issaquena (33-6) and Bayou Academy (21-0). The shutout against Bayou was the sixth this season for the Raiders.

&#8220We’ve heard Benton has some good speed and a pretty good defense,” Briarfield coach Lance Prine said after the Rebels dismissed DeSoto last week at John Hopkins Field.

Quarterback Jamie Fortenberry led the effort, scoring two rushing touchdowns and passing for another on a key 59-yard toss to Sam Minsky in the third quarter.

&#8220Our kids played well and they showed they want this,” Prine said of his team’s desire to get to Mississippi College and the MPSA finals. &#8220We made some little mistakes and DeSoto’s athletes made some plays, but I thought we came back and responded when we got the score off the pass from Minsky.”

Fortenberry finished the game 5-of-9 passing for 133 yards and he added another 66 rushing, including TD runs of 10 and 1 yards. He and backup quarterback Craig LeBeau have combined to throw seven touchdown passes in two playoff games.

The speedy Minsky, along with 6-foot-2 target Jon Taylor and the equally shifty Stephen Landreneau have given playoff foes problems.

Besides his touchdown catch, Minksy had another gain for 22 yards, giving him seven catches for 240 yards and three TDs in the playoffs.

Benton is led by quarterback Jacob Morgan, who had a pair of touchdown passes in the win over Bayou. His 78-yard toss to tight end Jordan Davis was the key play in the victory, giving the Raiders an early 7-0 lead.

Bayou was held to just 166 yards in offense on a muddy field in Benton.

7 p.m. – Benton Academy at Briarfield