Top Games of the Week: Week 7
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Oxford vs Germantown
Two of the state’s biggest 6A powers face off in a matchup that many have been looking forward to all year. Coming off a dominant win over Tupelo, Oxford has started to click on both sides of the ball. The defense, boasting talents such as linebacker/defensive lineman Alex Sanford Alex Sanford 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Oxford | 2023 State MS , has only given up a total of 6 points in the last two contests. Germantown is looking to bounce back after dropping three games straight earlier in the season. If Oxford can slow down Georgia commit Branson Robinson Branson Robinson 5'11" | 220 lbs | RB Germantown | 2022 State MS and the rest of this talented offense, look for a big time game to come down to the wire.
Harrison Central vs St. Martin
Down on the coast, undefeated Harrison Central will look to continue their winning streak against a St. Martin team that has shown a lot of promise. This district matchup features a ton of receiving talent on the field, with notable players such as Noreel White Noreel White 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR St. Martin | 2024 State MS and Isaiah Atkins Isaiah Atkins 5'10" | 175 lbs | WR Harrison Central | 2022 State MS both looking to blow up the scoreboard. Harrison Central features one of the best offenses in 6A, averaging just around 30 points a game. St. Martin has also showed the ability to score a lot of points, dominating in the air and getting the ball out quickly. Expecting a lot of points in this homecoming game.
Horn Lake vs Olive Branch
Although both teams are down this year, this is always a fun game to watch. Last season, Horn Lake won 26-10, making the historical series set at 20-44. This year, Horn Lake will look to win another to continue to try and get the series evened out. Olive Branch, sitting at 1-4, won their season opener and is looking for their first district win this season. Looking for this to be a low scoring affair with a lot on the line for both teams.
Kemper County vs Noxubee County
Although this game is now a non-district contest, these two schools have been playing each other forever now and a lot of bragging rights are on the line. Kemper County has looked explosive on offense over the last few weeks, largely due to QB Aaron Steele Aaron Steele 5'11" | 180 lbs | QB Kemper County | 2022 State MS ’s play. The dual threat has been putting up video game numbers the past few weeks and will be a problem for Noxubee to stop. Noxubee enters 3-2 on the season, but has played better in district play. Although Kemper County enters as a favorite, anything can happen in rivalry games.
Neshoba Central vs Ridgeland
Eli Anderson Eli Anderson 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB Neshoba Central | 2022 State MS and the Neshoba Central Rockets have been putting on a passing attack this season that most teams haven’t seen. Entering the match 6-0, Neshoba Central has averaged more than 40 points per game in their last 4 games. Ridgeland comes into this game at 4-1 with a passing attack of their own. Led by WR Ayden Williams Ayden Williams 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Ridgeland | 2023 State MS , few teams have found away to stop Ridgeland in the air. This game is going to be filled with exciting plays downfield. Could see it coming down to the wire, but a lot on the line in this big district game.
Oak Grove vs Meridian
Most likely for the district crown, Oak Grove and Meridian face off this week in a game that will draw a ton of attention from folks around the state. Quarterback Kabe Barnett Kabe Barnett 6'3" | 185 lbs | QB Oak Grove | 2022 State MS and the Oak Grove offense have bounced back after their loss to Greenville Christian and look as dominant as ever. Meridian comes in off a big loss to Pearl where things just didn’t go as planned. Meridian will look for answers on offense this week against a Oak Grove defense that has given people trouble.
Starkville vs Tupelo
The undefeated Yellowjackets have surprised people this season. Although this is a young Starkville team, this is one of the most well balanced and talented teams that has come out in a while. Tupelo comes off a loss to Oxford in a game that many thought they would win and will look to bounce back this week. Due to realignment of the districts, this game has even more importance on it this season. The winner will most likely be the district champ, giving them better leverage in the 6A playoffs. Watching for the winner of this one to make a deep run in November.