Top Games of the Week: Week 2
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The first week back of football brought a lot of exciting games to the table. Week 2 will look to be even better! Let’s check out the matchups we are the most excited about this second week of football!
Greenville Christian vs. Collin Hill (GA)
This game will feature some of the southeast’s best players all on one field. Deandre Smith Deandre Smith 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Greenville Christian | 2022 State MS and Christopher Bell take on Mizzou commit Sam Horn and Florida State commit Travis Hunter in what should be an explosive matchup. Both teams enter undefeated on the season and will play on ESPN. While this game has no real implications for either team’s run at a state title, this is going to be one of the most exciting games in a while to cover.
Gautier at Pascagoula
A big time matchup on the coast, Gautier enters this game as a favorite after a huge 33-7 win over Provine. Quarterback Kaden Irving Kaden Irving 6'2" | 215 lbs | QB Gautier | 2023 State MS threw 4 touchdowns last game and Pascagoula’s front seven will try to make life a little more difficult. Pascagoula lost this one 49-27 last year, but with a whole year of experience under their belt, the Panthers will try to slow down and defeat one of Mississippi’s hottest offenses.
Hattiesburg at Ocean Springs
Ocean Springs won in a dramatic 2 OT thriller last week against Clinton, while Hattiesburg fell to Petal in a single overtime match. Quarterback Bray Hubbard Bray Hubbard 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Ocean Springs | 2023 State MS was unstoppable in his first game and brings a tough challenge for Tabias Hinton Tabias Hinton 6'3" | 220 lbs | DL Hattiesburg | 2023 State MS and the rest of the Hattiesburg defense to take on. These two teams haven’t played each other since 2014, so it’s going to be fun to watch them get back at it. Big time trench match up in this game.
Kemper County at Louisville
Kemper County’s RB Dicenzo Miller Jr. and WR Jamar Grace Jamar Grace 6'1" | 165 lbs | WR Kemper County | 2022 State MS were both big time performers in last week’s win over Leake Central. Both players are two of the best at their respective positions in Mississippi, but will be matched up against RB Emory James and WR Jarvis Rush Jarvis Rush 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Louisville | 2022 State MS from Louisville. Kemper County gets an opportunity to compete with 2020 state champion Louisville that should draw a ton of attention from college scouts. Expecting a lot of offense in this game.
Natchez at Jefferson County
A talented Natchez team enters the season playing their first game this week at Jefferson County. Jefferson County beat Amite County 34-8 last week and boasts an incredibly powerful rushing attack on offense. Freshman back Marsavion Ford had over 100 yards rushing and 2 scores on the night, but Natchez has their own young offensive talent in WR Mike Williams Mike Williams 6'0" | 165 lbs | WR Natchez | 2023 State MS to rely on. This one should come down to the wire. A lot of talent on the field this week.
Starkville at West Point
A Golden Triangle matchup with a ton of history behind it, Starkville vs West Point is always a great game. Starkville’s DB Braylon Burnside Braylon Burnside 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Starkville | 2024 State MS was dominant last week with a pick six to seal the win, but it’s hard to ever bet against the West Point rushing attack headed by Cameron Young Cameron Young 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB West Point | 2022 State MS . These teams will go back and forth in a match up that will have a lot of North Mississippi on watch. Excited to see two of the state’s best teams play head to head this week.
**EDIT – CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19**
Ridgeland at Pearl
Ridgeland’s WR Ayden Williams Ayden Williams 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Ridgeland | 2023 State MS looked dominant in his first game back, but this Pearl team has answers for that. With a loaded defensive backfield and powerful force up front in Jeremy Jackson Jeremy Jackson 5'11" | 290 lbs | DL Pearl | 2022 State MS , Pearl will look to stop the deep pass and prevent Ridgeland from doing what they do well. Pearl will lean heavily on RB Jamari Thompson Jamari Thompson 6'2" | 240 lbs | RB Pearl | 2022 State MS to get things done in the run game. Expecting a tough game here that will be won upfront.
Neshoba Central at West Lauderdale
Neshoba Central’s offense was absolutely electric last week against Hernando, scoring 38 points through the air. Senior quarterback Eli Anderson Eli Anderson 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Neshoba Central | 2022 State MS woke some folks up last week, passing for 5 TDs against a good Hernando squad. West Lauderdale is strong upfront and will present a challenge for the Neshoba Central offensive line. Big time matchup between a 5A and 4A powerhouse.
McComb vs Holmes Central
Holmes Central started off the year in a dominant fashion. This defense is going to be a problem for anybody in 5A. DBs Khamauri Rogers Khamauri Rogers 6'1" | 160 lbs | DB Holmes County | 2022 State MS and Ricky Fletcher looked as advertised and will pose threat to TE Jameer Lewis Jameer Lewis 6'3" | 225 lbs | ATH McComb | 2022 State MS and his fellow receiving threats. McComb will be playing their first game of the season this week and will be given a strong first test.
Jackson Prep vs St. Joseph
St. Joseph’s freshman quarterback Emile Picarella has been on fire in his first season of high school ball. The young gunslinger will be put to the test this week against a very solid Jackson Prep. Although their record is 0-2, Prep has played 2 of the best MAIS programs and hung around till the very end. One of the biggest games in the MAIS this week. Will Prep rebound or will Picarella and St Joseph’s continue to dominate?