MHSAA football quarterfinal playoff matchups, predictions
We're down to eight teams left in each of the MHSAA's seven classes, and that means its time to break down the state quarterfinals ahead of next week's North and South State Championships.
Here's a look at where we stand in the brackets and what to expect this weekend in Mississippi's high school football action.
Class 7A
North
South
The skinny: Tupelo and Starkville are heavy favorites in the North, despite the Yellowjackets having to go on the road. If both of them take care of business, it'll set up a rematch of last year's North State Championship (which Starkville won). In the South, Meridian has a puncher's chance against Oak Grove because of star tailback Daniel Hill, but he will have to do something truly special Friday night to extend the Wildcats' season. Brandon boat-raced Pearl 47-20 when the teams met back in October, and there's no reason to think they won't do it again.
More: Complete 2023 MHSAA Class 7A Football Playoff Bracket
Class 6A
North
South
The skinny: Neshoba Central is playing with house money after advancing further than most will admit they expected, but the Rockets face a monumental task in Batesville Friday night. Grenada and Warren Central is a toss-up and easily one of the best five games in any class. In the South, West Jones is as close to a lock as you'll find this weekend. Pascagoula and Picayune is the better matchup on paper, but the Maroon Tide absolutely trounced the Panthers 51-14 in their first meeting back on Oct. 6.
More: Complete 2023 MHSAA Class 6A Football Playoff Bracket
Class 5A
North
South
The skinny: Lafayette at Clarksdale is a sneaky good matchup in the North, but the other game between West Point and Holmes County Central is one we've anticipated for weeks. The Green Wave's ball-control, ground-and-pound and the Jaguars' high-flying aerial assault could not be more different. In the South, Brookhaven and Laurel will meet in a battle between two storied programs, and that Gautier-Florence game might break the scoreboard. There were so many competitive teams in 5A South this year that whoever plays for the state championship will have at least for losses. That's wild.
More: Complete 2023 MHSAA Class 5A Football Playoffs Bracket
Class 4A
North
South
The skinny: West Lauderdale at Houston is another matchup we've got circled this weekend, although it feels like we're rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic with undefeated and top-ranked Louisville playing the role of the iceberg in Act II. The South is more up for grabs, but Columbia is still the team to beat until further notice. Keep any eye on Lawrence County, though — the Cougars beat a really good McComb team last weekend and get the Hornets at home this Friday night.
More: Complete 2023 MHSAA Class 4A Football Playoffs Bracket
Class 3A
North
South
The skinny: Drink it up, Winona fans: fresh off winning the 2023 Class 3A Mr. Football Award, Chase Richardson and Company are putting up some crazy offensive stats so far in the playoffs with 111 total points in two games. None of the other teams left in the North are likely to be able to slow the Tigers down, either. In the South, whoever wins the Jefferson County - Seminary game is going to have their hands full with whichever team survives heavyweight bout between Noxubee and Jeff Davis.
More: Complete 2023 MHSAA Class 3A Football Playoffs Bracket
Class 2A
North
South
The skinny: Charleston is one of the few road teams that should absolutely win this week. The Tigers have been money down the stretch thanks to a defense that hasn't given up more than two scores in a game in a month and a half. Union at Calhoun City is a toss-up between two really good teams. In the South, Raleigh and Scott Central square off in a battle of 2022 state title winners. It's wild to think, but thanks to reclassification, the 2A bracket still includes two 2023 state champions (Raleigh and Scott Central) and another team that played for one (Charleston). Heidelberg knocked off another 2023 champion — Bay Springs — last week.
More: Complete 2023 MHSAA Class 2A Football Playoffs Bracket
Class 1A
North
South
The skinny: Unlike most classes, we've got clear favorites in all four matchups in 1A this week. Biggersville should handle West Lowndes, and we'd be surprised if Vardaman struggled with Baldwyn, considering the Rams recently dominated Tupelo Christian, the team that handed Bearcats the last of their five losses. In the South, Taylorsville at Simmons is a battle between two powerhouse programs, but only one of the powerhouses is producing at the moment and it ain't the Tartars. Resurrection at Velma Jackson is easily the game of the week here, but we have to give the top-ranked Falcons the edge in Camden, which is easily four hours away from Pascagoula.
More: Complete 2023 MHSAA Class 1A Football Playoffs Bracket
