Week Eight – Mississippi High School Football “Elite” Top Ten
It’s go time in the magnolia state and with every passing week from this point forward, the playoff picture will become clearer and the pressure gets higher, but that’s what makes Mississippi high school football so enjoyable. We now hit the second week of October and we pass the midway point in the season so that means tons of big games are coming your way so get out and enjoy them.
Let’s take a look at this week’s poll and matchups for the week.
This week’s Elite – 10 poll:
1 – Starkville
2 – South Panola
3 – Brandon
4 – Oxford
5 – Warren Central
6 – Picayune
7 – Oak Grove
8 – Clinton
9 – Wayne County
10 –Tupelo
Just Missed the Cut: Meridian, Petal, Germantown, Madison Central
Last Week: 9-1
Yearly Predictions: 44-10
Let’s Dive into this week’s matchups.
No. 10 Tupelo at Southhaven
Tupleo was upset last week at Grenada, giving the Golden Wave their first loss of the season. It doesn’t get any easier this week as they travel to 5-1 Southhaven.
The Chargers have been playing lights out football, but look for Tupelo to right the ship and get things going back in the right direction.
Tupelo 28 Southaven 14
No. 9 Wayne County at Wingfield
Todd Mangum’s War Eagles have been on a tear since a week one loss to Oak Grove. Look for that momentum to continue on this Friday in Jackson.
Wayne County 40 Wingfield 7
No. 8 Clinton at Murrah
It’s a showdown in Region 2-6A between the Arrows and Mustangs as the Arrows look to get a foothold in the region and the Mustangs look to bounce back after last week’s loss at Madison Central. This is the speed and zeal of Murrah versus the staying power of Clinton. If you’re in the Jackson area this Friday, this would be a game you shouldn’t miss. Playmakers galore will be on Newell Field Friday night.
Clinton 28 Murrah 21
Pascagoula at No. 6 Picayune
Picayune and Dodd Lee are continuing to roll through the 2014 high school football season on a tear. This week they entertain Lewis Sims and the Panthers of Pascagoula. The Panthers are much improved this year and should put up a heck of a fight, but in the end, the Maroon Tide will be too much to handle.
Picayune 34 Pascagoula 20
No. 5 Warren Central at Madison Central
Talk about two heavy weights getting at it, that’s exactly what you have over on the Parkway in Madison on Friday night. In another key Region-2 battle, the Jags host the Vikings in a key 6A showdown.
Madison got back on track last week against Murrah, while the Vikings continued to role to 6-0. Trey Smith is back at quarterback and healthy for the Jaguars and they will need him against this feisty Warren Central defense.
In a game like this, I always favor the more physical team, which is why I like Warren Central.
Warren Central 27 Madison Central 17
No. 4 Oxford at Lewisburg
The Chargers of Oxford look to be hitting their stride at the right time, which means big trouble for Lewisburg Friday night. Roll on Chargers, roll on.
Oxford 48 Lewisburg 20
Petal at No.3 Brandon
The Panthers of Petal roll into Brandon this week and Marcus Boyles bunch is an astounding 4-1 against the Bulldogs since their move into the region.
This year though Petal is young and rebuilding and Brandon is the older, more seasoned team. The Bulldogs have 14 sacks in their last three games and that trend should continue this week. Look for that to be the difference Friday night.
Brandon 38 Petal 14
No. 2 South Panola at Hernando
The Tigers of South Panola travel to Hernando to take on Will Wolfe’s Tigers. The Wolfe led Tigers are in a rebuilding mode, while the Panola Tigers are flat balling in 2014. This is not a good combination for Hernando in a rebuilding year.
South Panola 45 Hernando 17
Greenville at No. 1 Starkville
Starkville has steamrolled everyone they have played up to this point and this Friday is the Yellow jackets last tune-up before getting region rivals Madison Central, Murrah, Warren Central and Clinton all in a row. Look for the Jackets to take care of business against Greenville Friday.
Starkville 40 Greenville 7
GAME OF THE WEEK:
Meridian at No. 7 Oak Grove
Let me be the first to say I owe Oak Grove an apology. I totally underestimated their staying power this year and it’s not that I thought they wouldn’t be any good. I just thought they would take a step back with all of the losses off last year’s championship team.
My how I was wrong as the Warriors are shredding people weekend and week out. This week it’s a key matchup in the region with Meridian, who was the preseason media darling. There will be tons of talent on display in the Pine Belt with the winner getting an upper hand in rugged Region-3.
Look for this game to be one heck of a game as this is a rematch of last year’s South State Championship.
Oak Grove 31 Meridian 21