Week One Predictions – Mississippi High School Football “Elite Top Ten”
The wait is over and after a long offseason and hot summer, it’s finally game week for Mississippi high school football.
While the heat will still be with us for a while, you can finally celebrate because we actually get to see some football.
Last week we rolled out our preseason Mississippi “Elite” Top Ten. This week, as well as each and every week, we will be predicting games within our top ten and of course, updating our Elite poll as well.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at the matchups in the top ten for week one.
No. 10 Oak Grove at Wayne County
The defending 6A Champion Warriors of Oak Grove head east to take on Todd Mangum’s War Eagles of Wayne County in what could be a revenge game for those in orange and blue.
Last year Kirk McCarty shredded the War Eagles to the tune of 45-14. This year however, McCarty is gone and Oak Grove, while very talented, will be looking for answers early on offense.
David Hodo is now a senior for the War Eagles at quarterback and should be one of the better ones in 5A.
This game should be much closer than last year as the War Eagles are out for revenge.
Wayne County 31 Oak Grove 28
No. 9 Warren Central versus Terry
The 52nd rendition of the Red Carpet Bowl ensues this week over in Vicksburg as the Dogs of Terry tangle with the Vikings of Warren Central.
Warren Central is out to prove last year’s 9-4 finish was no fluke and Terry is trying to establish itself for a playoff run in 3-6A. However, it’s gonna be tough sledding this week for the Dogs against that Warren Central defense. Wrap it in Red for the 52nd Red Carpet Bowl.
Warren Central 27 Terry 7
No. 7 Laurel versus Quitman
This ballgame was one heck of a game last year to open the 2013 season as Laurel escaped with a 25-21 victory over in Quitman.
Quitman should again be a player this year in Region 5-4A, as Steven Bynum has done a nice job with the Panthers.
However, this Laurel team is a year older and wiser – not to mention they are arguably the most explosive team in the state. Quitman will find out Friday, just how much better they have gotten.
Laurel 38 Quitman 24
No. 6 Pearl versus Clinton
Judd Boswell enters year three of the rebuild at Clinton and looks to be a player this year in Region 2-6A. While the Arrows are improving and should be much better this year, they are still a ways away from being a serious contender.
Pearl took the Arrows to the wood shed last year, to the tune of 44-13. This year, the Pirates get the luxury of opening up at home. The Pirates boast one of the more explosive offenses in the state and it will again be too much to handle for the Arrows.
Pearl 38 Clinton 20
No. 5 Meridian versus North West Rankin
Jmar Smith and the Wildcats host the Cougars of Northwest Rankin in a return trip game from last year. The Cats of Meridian had no problem with the Cougars last year, defeating Northwest 34-7. Look for a similar outcome this Friday at Ray Stadium.
Meridian 40 Northwest 10
No 4. Starkville versus Noxubee County
Tyrone Shorter’s Tigers of Noxubee County travel up 45 and over to Starkville to take on Jaime Mitchell’s Yellow Jackets and this could be one of the more intriguing matchups this weekend.
The Tigers lost to the Jackets last year 17-00, but were in a rebuilding stage and have several key contributors back off of last year’s 9-4 squad.
The Jackets look to be this year’s version of Tupelo and make a run at the state championship, behind transfer quarterback Brady Davis.
It should be a good one off of Highway 12.
Jackets 21 Tigers 14
No. 3 Oxford at Jackson Prep
Oxford heads down to Lakeland Drive to take on the Academy AAA State Champions – Jackson Prep Patriots and if we know anything about Ricky Black’s teams, they live for this moment.
Prep has dismantled the likes of Bassfield, Pearl and others over the years and would love revenge against a very good Oxford team this year.
Oxford defeated the Patriots last year 32-20, but that game was in doubt heading into the fourth quarter.
This should be a whale of a ballgame, but in the end, Oxford has to many weapons.
Oxford 35 Prep 24
No. 2 South Panola versus White Station (Memphis, TN)
Tennessee football power White Station travels south to Batesville for a return game against the Tigers of South Panola. Panola dusted White Station last year, 42-27 – giving the Spartans their worst defeat of the 2013 season. Joe Rocconi’s Spartans would love to stick it to the Tigers this year in Batesville, but Panola typically handles their business at home.
South Panola 37 White Station 30
GAME OF THE WEEK: Mercedes Benz Kickoff Classic (Thursday) No. 1 Brandon versus No. 8 Madison Central
It’s teacher versus student part two between Bobby Hall and Brad Peterson. It’s a metro matchup of epic proportions as the Bulldogs host the Jaguars this Thursday.
For over a decade Madison Central ruled the roost in the metro until last season when Brandon went on the road and upended the Jags, 21-14.
This year both programs have high aspirations of making it to Starkville and playing for the 2014 State Championship.
Madison returns skill and leadership in all state players Trey Smith and Keenan Barnes.
The Bulldogs look to lean on seniors Gardner Minshew and Fletcher Adams.
This again should be one heck of a ball game and could possibly be the first of two meetings between the two in 2014. Brandon went undefeated at home last year and has only lost one game at Louis Gene Strickland Field the last two years.
Brandon has a true home field advantage in this one and it will show Thursday night.
Brandon 31 Madison Central 17