Montrell Conner rushed for 246 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries Friday night. Conner had two other touchdown runs called back, but Ouachita (10-2) gets by Byrd 20-7 to advance in the state playoffs.
The Lions take on district champion West Monroe next week.
Tyler Russell and Meridian have had better nights, but the 5A south favorite got by Hattiesburg on the road 27-3.
Russell was 15 of 27 for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Tyler also scampered for another score.
Meridian (12-1) has scored 12 touchdowns so far in the 5A state playoffs and Russell has had a hand in all twelve.
Chris Smith reeled in six passes, one of which resulted in a touchdown.
Meridian will host Oak Grove for the 5A south state championship next Friday night.
Deontae Skinner and Noxubee County (12-0) remained unbeaten this week after blowing out New Hope 42-14.
Noxubee will take on Shannon next week who ended Montez Phillips' and Lafayette County's season with a 7-0 defeat.
Both offenses struggled in the frigid weather and short TD run provided the margin of victory for the Raiders.
Lafayette County ends the season at 8-5.
Jonthan Banks and East Webster lost on the road in a rematch with Calhoun City. The Wolverines end the season with a 12-1 record.
Josh Hollingsworth and Hamilton saw their run to prefection end at Colbert County as the hosts trounced the Aggies 55-21.
Chris White and Gulf Coast will play Georgia Military in the first annual Mississippi Bowl on December 7th.
All other MSU commitments have concluded their seasons.