Week Nine – Mississippi High School Football “Elite” Top Ten
Hard to believe, but we are down to the last month of the regular season for the 2014 High School football year in the State of Mississippi. But – there is still some great games left on the table, many that will determine who’s in and who’s out in the playoff picture and seeding of course. So, let’s get to this week’s poll and the match-ups.
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 –Ocean Springs
Just Missed the Cut: Grenada, New Hope, Southhaven, West Jones, Tupelo
Last Week: 9-1
Yearly Predictions: 53-11
Let’s Dive into this week’s match ups.
Harrison Central at No. 10 Ocean Springs
Ryan Ross’s Greyhounds jump into the top-10 this week, undefeated looking to make some noise in south-6A. This week they look to continue their tear through the coast with Harrison Central coming to town.
The Greyhounds go from the hunter to the hunted and handle that role well this week.
Ocean Springs 35 Harrison Central 20
No. 9 Wayne County at Pearl River Central
Todd Mangum’s War Eagles are on a tear through south-5A and should continue their dominance this week over at PRC.
Wayne County 40 PRC 17
Northwest Rankin at No. 8 Clinton
Judd Bosswell’s Arrows look to keep their defense out in front this week and move to 3-0 in Region 2-6A against the Cougars of Northwest Rankin. Boswell’s bunch has arrived a year early and is playing stellar football. Right now they could play with anyone in the state.
Clinton 28 Northwest 7
No. 7 Oak Grove at Terry
Nevill Barr’s Warriors head over to south Hinds county this week to take on the Terry Bulldogs. A win here puts them at 4-0 in the region and sets up a huge showdown with defending region champ Brandon next week down in the Pine Belt.
Oak Grove 38 Terry 14
No. 6 Picayune at George County
Picayune and Dodd Lee are continuing to roll through the 2014 high school football season on a tear. This week they travel over to George County to take on John Douglass’s Rebels. The Rebels are having a great year at 5-2 and look to be a playoff team. They could give Picayune a scare if the Maroon Tide isn’t prepared. Look for this game to be closer than you think.
Picayune 28 George County 20
No. 5 Warren Central at Madison Central
Warren Central has been on a tear this season and looks to go 4-0 this week in Region 2-6A, but their task is a tricky one. They travel to Murrah and take on the Mustangs who are loaded offensively. The Mustangs have dropped two tough games in a row and want to make the playoffs this year. They need to get through Warren Central to do so and I’m not so sure they can make that happen.
Warren Central 31 Murrah 21
No. 3 Brandon at Meridian
It’s a Region-3 showdown between the Dogs of Brandon and the Cats of Meridian. Last time Brandon was at Ray Stadium, they were upset in the playoffs in 2013. Meridian has hit some bumps in the road this year with losses to South Panola, Clinton and Oak Grove. The Cats did everything they could to beat Oak Grove last week, but couldn’t finish the deal.
Two great quarterbacks will be on display in Brandon’s Gardener Minshew and Meridian’s Jamar Smith. The Bulldogs have 17 sacks in their last four games. Look for that defense to be the difference.
Brandon 28 Meridian 21
No. 2 South Panola at Tupelo
The Tigers of South Panola travel to Tupelo to take on Trent Hammond’s Golden Wave. The Wave has dropped two straight games, but by close margins. Their defense is still one of the best in the state, but their offense needs to answer some questions.
South Panola has been steam rolling folks this year and looks for revenge against Tupelo, who dinged them last year. This should be a slugfest.
South Panola 27 Tupelo 17
No. 1 Starkville at Madison Central
Before the beginning of the season, this was the game many thought would decide Region 2-6A. While Starkville has been rolling along this year and undefeated, the Jags have lost two of their last three and need to get healthy.
This is a key region game for both as Starkville would love to get a stangle hold on the region, while Madison would like to improve their playoff opportunities.
Starkville 37 Madison Central 21
GAME OF THE WEEK:
New Hope at No. 4 Oxford
Chris Pickle brings his undefeated Trojans of New Hope over to Oxford for a 1-5A showdown of epic proportions. Both teams have been on a tear this year, with Oxford’s only loss to Starkville early in the year.
The Trojans are throwing up monster numbers offensively and playing great defense. This could be the first of two meetings this year between the two. Give the edge to the home team in this one.
Oxford 36 New Hope 33