Top 10 games to watch in Mississippi high school football this week (9/22/2023)
From Picayune to Biggersville, here's a look at 10 games to watch in Mississippi High School football in Week 6:
No. 6 Ocean Springs (3-1) at No. 5 Picayune (3-1)
The Greyhounds have improved in each of their three wins since opening the season with a 15-14 road loss at Madison Central. This Friday’s matchup will provide a good measure of whether Ocean Springs is truly prepared to compete for a 7A title, because they are unlikely to play anyone better than the Maroon Tide this year.
Jefferson Davis County (3-1) at Raleigh (3-1)
Friday night also provides us with matchup between a couple of MHSAA South powerhouses in their respective regions. Both teams have had this game circled on the calendar, but it took on some added suspense with Jeff Davis coming off its first loss of the season to Columbia (4-0).
Holmes County Central (3-0) at Florence (3-1)
Holmes County, ranked No. 2 in the SBLive Class-by-Class rankings, and fourth-ranked Florence will hook up in a matchup that we could see again in the post-season. How will the Florence defense bounce back from a 42-41 loss to Mendenhall? Will Garrison Davis and the roll again?
Nettleton (3-1) at Biggersville (4-0)
Class 3A Nettleton knocked off 4A Caledonia and 6A Saltillo in a 3-0 start to the season, but Biggersville, the No. 2 team in Class 1A, might present just as tough a test. The Lions’ defense is hitting on all cylinders after a 34-0 shutout at Independence last week.
Gulfport (2-2) at No. 10 Brandon (2-2)
These two teams would probably be No. 1 and No. 2 in the state if we ranked .500 teams. But they’ve been on different trajectories: Gulfport started 2-0 before back-to-back losses to perennial Power 10 teams Madison Central and Picayune, and Brandon started 0-2 before beating Clinton and Warren Central. Can Nico Williams and the Admirals flip that script this week? Or will Brandon re-establish themselves as the title contender we all thought they’d be?
Winona (4-0) at Senatobia (4-0)
Winona certainly looks the part of a Class 3A North contender after putting up some impressive wins over Choctaw County, Kosciusko and Grenada. Senatobia hasn’t played as tough a slate, but they’ve taken care of business against teams they should beat. A win over the Tigers would be a huge confidence boost going into Region 2-4A play next week.
Calhoun City (4-0) at East Webster (4-0)
Something has to give in this battle between Calhoun City, who looks to be one of the best teams in 2A North, and a resurgent East Webster team that hopes to compete for a championship in 3A. The Wolverines have been dynamite, outscoring their four previous victims 150-7. Calhoun City has put up 94 points over the last two games.
Warren Central (2-2) at No. 8 Madison Central (3-1)
You’ve got to give Warren Central credit — despite missing the boat to Class 7A, coach Josh Morgan scheduled all five of his non-region games against Class 7A teams. They are 2-2 through the first four, with wins over Clinton and Germantown. They’ll face their toughest test to date this Friday night at Madison Central against a good Jaguars team looking to atone for a 28-21 loss at Northwest Rankin a week ago.
Oxford (2-2) at No. 4 Starkville (3-1)
This Oxford team looked strong in back-to-back season opening wins over Lafayette and South Panola, but the shine is off after losses to Grenada and Tupelo the last two weeks. Next up is a “Little Egg Bowl” matchup against No. 4 Starkville in the final tuneup for both teams before region play next week.
Forest (4-0) at Scott Central (3-1)
Class 4A Forest is undefeated but nearly untested. That ends this week when they make the short trip down Old Jackson Road for a showdown with 2A powerhouse Scott Central. The Rebels are not as explosive as they have been the past couple of years, but the defense has yet to give up multiple touchdowns in a game this season.
