Week Three – Mississippi High School Football “Elite” Top Ten
Week Three – Mississippi High School Football “Elite” Top Ten
We are already heading into week three of the Mississippi high school football season and as I always tell everyone; enjoy every Friday night. They are precious and the season is gone in a flash.
This week we have another jumbled top ten, as teams prove their worth, make moves and some made slides. So without further ado, here is this week’s top ten.
1- Starkville
2 – South Panola
3 – Madison Central
4 – Meridian
5 – Brandon
6 – Oxford
7 – Warren Central
8 – Oak Grove
9 – Picayune
10 – Tupelo
Just Missed the Cut: Clinton, Harrison Central, Germantown, Louisville
Now let’s take a look at the top ten and their games for week three.
Last week’s prediction record: 5-4, Overall record: 12-6
No. 10 Tupelo vs Shannon
Trent Hammond’s bunch continues to roll as they have outscored their first two opponents 68-7 to start the 2014 season. This week the defending north state champion Golden Wave travel to Shannon, who took one on the chin to Aberdeen in week two.
Hammond’s club is out to prove last year’s state title appearance was no fluke.
Tupelo 31 Shannon 14
No. 9 Picayune at D’Iberville
Ok, I’ll be the first to say I didn’t think Dodd Lee and the Maroon Tide had enough left in the tank after last year’s title run, but they showed me last week by beating a very good Petal team 40-35.
This week the Maroon Machine travels over to D’Iberville and look to continue their winning ways.
Picayune 40 D’Iberville 20
No. 8 Oak Grove at Pearl River Central
Much like Picayune, I thought Oak Grove would have a tough time transitioning from Kirk McCarty to Cameron Myers at quarterback. They showed in week one against Wayne County that was not an issue and they also showed they are here to play in 2014 as they want to defend their state championship.
Oak Grove 28 PRC 7
No. 7 Warren Central vs Vicksburg
It’s the River City Classic between the Vikings and Gators and it should be another good one over in Warren County.
Both programs are improving and both programs are looking to make the postseason in 2014.
Warren Central won this game 17-13 last year and while I like the progress of Vicksburg, the Vikings have shown early, they are gonna make it hard on everyone to score and produce just enough offense.
Warren Central 24 Vicksburg 14
No. 6 Oxford at East Side
Oxford, previously number one in our poll took it on the chin last week against Starkville. But – as they say that’s just one game and all of the Chargers goals are still in front of them.
They start the rebound this week at East Side.
Oxford 35 East Side 7
No. 5 Brandon vs Clinton
The Bulldogs were back to their old form last week mixing the run and the pass, along with great defense to take out rival Pearl 42-00.
This week it’s a rival of a different beast as Clinton and Judd Boswell come calling. The Arrows are off to a 2-0 start and have arguably the best young quarterback in the state on their side in Cam Ackers.
This game should be fun to watch and full of big plays, but these games are won along the line of scrimmage and you can give that edge to the Dogs.
Brandon 31 Clinton 17
No. 3 Madison Central vs West Monroe
Bobby Hall said before the season he really liked his club and felt it was one of the better he has had in recent memory. The Jags are off to a 2-0 start with victories on the road at Brandon and Gulfport.
This week is the Jags home opener as they welcome Louisiana power, West Monroe. This was a heck of a game across the lake last year, with the Jags squeaking out a 1-point victory.
This should again be one heck of a game if you can get out and see it. Look for the home field advantage to push the Jags to 3-0.
Madison Central 24 West Monroe 21
No. 1 Starkville vs West Point
The Jackets and head coach Jamie Mitchell went up to Lafayette County last week and absolutely dominated then number-one Oxford.
Mitchell’s club showed they have all the makings of a team ready to make a run at state.
This week they play West Point in yet another big game and rivalry game.
West Point has been in two straight dog fights to start the season, with Grenada and South Panola.
You can always expect sound football from the Green Wave and head man Chris Chambless, which will keep them in most contests.
Expect West Point to give Starkville all they want, but in the end, the Jackets have too much fire power.
Starkville 48 West Point 28
Game of the Week: No. 4 Meridian at No. 3 South Panola
It’s a rematch of the 2008 State Championship between two of the better programs this state has seen in recent years in the Cats of Meridian and the Tigers of South Panola.
These two tied it on last year with South Panola walking away with a 34-14 victory. Many feel this could be a preview of this year’s State Championship and it very well could be.
You have two very good coaches in Lance Pogue and Larry Weems, tons of talent on both teams and experience at key positions.
Again, you can always look to play up front in big games and while Meridian is very good, South Panola is just a little better.
South Panola 40 Meridian 35