Mississippi High School Football “Elite” Preseason Top Ten
The 2014 high school football season in the state of Mississippi is set to kick off in a little over a week and as always, it’s sure to be one heck of a year.
Each and every week during the high school football season we will be presenting our Mississippi Elite – talking about the top ten teams in the state. This week we roll out our preseason top ten.
As always fill free to comment or lobby for your favorite team, regardless of classification.
No. 10 – Oak Grove
The defending 6A State Champions roll into 2014 at number ten in our preseason poll and the biggest question for head coach Nevill Barr is how do you replace departed quarterback, Kirk McCarty? McCarty threw for over four-thousand yards last year and accounted for 44-touchdowns, so finding a guy like that doesn’t happen often.
The Warriors will move Mississippi State commit, Cam Myers to quarterback, giving Oak Grove options behind center. Mikel Anderson, Jordan Duncan and Peter Harper provide plenty of options for the defending champs.
We will learn a lot about the 2014 Warriors after week one as they travel to 5A juggernaut Wayne County.
First Game – 8-29 at Wayne County
No. 9 – Warren Central
The rebuild continues for Josh Morgan over in the River City as Warren Central looks to continue its climb up the ladder in north 6A. The Vikings return several key contributors off last year’s 8-4 team and the bulk of a defense that held opponents to 12-points per game.
The Vikings will again rely on a smothering defense, along with a powerful running game, led by Marcus Ragan and Curtis Ross, to bring along Alex Stevens at quarterback.
First Game – 8-22 against Terry (Red Carpet Bowl)
No. 8 – Madison Central
Bobby Hall and the Jaguars finished 9-4 last year and were ultimately upended by north champion Tupelo, failing to reach the north state championship – which has been rare under Hall, (five out of the last six years).
The Jags return all-state athlete Trey Smith who will be moved to quarterback this year, along with lightening quick wide out, Keenan Barnes. MC also returns several key contributors on defense, again making this team a serious player in the north. They will get their oil checked real quick this year in the Mercedes Benz Kickoff Classic as they travel to take on Brandon next week.
First Game – 8-21 at Brandon
No. 7 – Laurel
There may not be a more dynamic team in the state of Mississippi than Todd Breland’s Golden Tornadoes. Laurel averaged 31-points per game last year and returns most of those playmakers and it starts with quarterback Keon Howard. The rising junior threw for 2,600-yards and 25-touchdowns last year and looks to only improve those numbers moving forward.
Kobe Drummer could be one of the better running backs in 5A this year and throw in wide outs Octavious Cooley and Omar Bayless and what you have is a night mare for most defensive coordinators.
First Game – 8-22 versus Quitman
No. 6 – Pearl
2013 brought the best season the Pirates had seen in decades as John Perry’s club finished 11-3 and made a deep run in the playoffs.
2014 could be the year of the Pirate down on Highway 80 as Pearl returns a bevy of starters and contributors off of last year’s club.
Ledarius Carpenter returns as quarterback, where he accounted for just under 3,000-total yards last year and 27-total touchdowns.
Jordan Wright is arguably the most electric tailback in the state and he, along with Malik Mcnair at wideout, gives the Pirates options galore for 2014.
First Game – 8-22 versus Clinton
No. 5 – Meridian
Very few teams have had the success the Meridian Wildcats have had over the last decade, or two. Larry Weems team returns one of the best quarterbacks in the state in Jamar Smith and a ton of talent on both sides of the ball.
The Wildcats fell short of the state championship last year, losing to eventual champion Oak Grove in the south state championship. Weems, Smith and company would love to finish the deal in 2014.
First Game – 8-22 versus Northwest Rankin
No. 4 – Starkville
The Yellowjackets of Starkville and head coach Jaime Mitchell look to be a major player in north 6A this year, after a great 9-4 run a year ago.
The Yellowjackets also welcome new quarterback Brady Davis from New Hope. Davis has been called by some the best division-one college prospect at his position, in the state.
Running back Jacquez Horsley and wideout’s Raphael Leonard and AJ Brown, give the Jackets options galore in 2014.
First Game – 8-22 versus Noxubee County
No. 3 – Oxford
Johnny Hill’s Charges blew past everyone to the state championship last season, but ran into eventual buzz saw champion, Picayune.
The Chargers return almost everyone from that north state championship team a year ago and look to seal the deal in 2014. Quarterback Jack Abraham looks to only improve after last year’s 3,572-passing yard output. Abraham also accounted for 38-passing touchdown’s.
Almost all the offensive production is back for the Chargers and it starts with running back Kenzie Phillips.
DK Metcalf should only get better at wideout as some are tabbing him the top Mississippi prospect for 2016.
Linebacker Mike McGhee tallied 153-tackles a year ago and leads one of the state’s best defenses.
First Game – 8-22 at Jackson Prep
No. 2 – South Panola
No team in the state of Mississippi has the tradition and prominence of South Panola – of course you already knew that.
Lance Pogue’s squad is out to avenge last year’s north state championship loss to Tupelo and reclaim their spot at the top of Mississippi high school football.
To do that, they must battle the rigorous north 6A with a new quarterback and many feel it will be Tyler Pogue.
Pogue will look to guys like all state running back Darrell Henderson to help tote the load. Henderson ripped off 2,024-rushing yards a year ago, at an alarming rate – 7.08 yards per carry. With several guys back in the trenches for the Tigers, look for Panola to return to their methodical punch you in the mouth style, that has put them at the top of the state for over a decade.
First Game – 8-22 versus White Station (Memphis, TN)
No. 1 – Brandon
The Bulldogs of Brandon have done nothing but get better and better each and every year under fifth year head man, Brad Peterson. The Bulldogs played for it all two years ago, taking South Panola to the wire; then looked poised for another run last year, but was upset on the road at Meridian in the south state semifinals.
The Bulldogs, led by senior quarterback Gardner Minshew look to close the deal this year and bring the Gold Ball back to East Rankin County.
Minshew returns for his final season and all he has done is produce. He will have a bevy of weapons at his disposal in 2014 – like returning running backs Darien Tillis, Xavier Morris, Greg Brassfield and others.
When Minshew decides to spin it, he should have no problem as Cris Ward, John Stowers, Titus Ivory and others could possibly be the best set of wideouts in the state.
The Bulldogs finished third nationally, in the National 7 on 7 Tournament this summer.
Defensively, all state defensive end Fletcher Adams anchors a feisty group of Bulldogs, hungry to finally prove they are the best in the state.
First game – 8-21 – Mercedes Benz Kickoff Classic versus Madison Central
Knocking on the Top Ten Door – Tupelo, Picayune, Wayne County