6A North Semifinal Preview

The quest for the 6A State Title is well under way as the North Half Semifinals take place this week. Let's breakdown what's on the menu this week. <strong>Oxford (8-4) @ Madison Central (10-1)</strong> Oxford represents the 4 seed from Region 2 but don't let that distract you as they are as hot as anyone in the state. The Chargers went on the road last week and knocked off Region 1 #1 seed South Panola 35-28. Madison Central made quick work of Desoto Central last week winning 42-7. Only two weeks back the Region 2 foes faced off with Madison Central easily winning 48-7 to the tune of 355 rushing yards. It will take the best defensive effort of the year from Oxford which is led by <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/elijah-wadley/">[player_tooltip player_id="104543" first="Elijah" last="Wadley"]</a> and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/alex-sanford/">[player_tooltip player_id="106769" first="Alex" last="Sanford"]</a> . On the flip side of the ball expect Coach Chris Cutcliffe to figure out a way to get <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/omar-howell/">[player_tooltip player_id="104162" first="Omar" last="Howell"]</a> more involved in the offense. Madison Central JR QB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/vic-sutton/">[player_tooltip player_id="108930" first="Vic" last="Sutton"]</a> was a perfect 6 for 6 in the matchup earlier this year. The Chargers will want to make the 2023 recruit put the ball in the air more than 6 times if they want to be successful on Friday night. <strong>Southaven (10-3) @ Starkville (11-1)</strong> Starkville is as good at home as anyone you are going to find, which poses a bad situation for Southaven, who represents the only team remaining from Region 1. Elite star-power will be on the field with both teams led by 2022 Texas commit <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/aaron-bryant/">[player_tooltip player_id="104422" first="Aaron" last="Bryant"]</a>. Bryant is a true inside technique guy that is already impressively built and could provide issues for the Starkville offensive front. For the Yellow Jackets, who may be the biggest surprise of 2021, look for a pair of 2024 guys to continue to lead the way in QB Trey Petty and WR [player_tooltip player_id="139597" first="Braylon" last="Burnside"]. Both Petty and Burnside have seen their first offers begin to appear in the past couple of weeks. Can Southaven get consistent pressure up front in this one? That will be the question on Friday night in Starkville.