5A Mississippi Playoff Bracket and Predictions

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/2022-Mississippi-5A-Football-Championships-1024x1004.png" alt="" class="wp-image-505441"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mississippi 5A Playoff Bracket presented by SBLive.com and the MHSAA</figcaption></figure>   With the regular season finishing up this past weeks, many players around the state have played their last game or are looking forward to their next season or opportunity. Fortunately, 16 schools remain in 5A and are set for a playoffs that anybody could win. With some of the best defensive units and offensive scoring attacks, 5A is loaded with contenders this year. However, only one can remain and be crowned the champion in December.     Let's get things started..     <h2>Quick Regular Season Info</h2>   District Champs: Picayune, Hattiesburg, Vicksburg, West Point   Best Regular Season Records: Picayune (10-0), Vicksburg (8-2), West Point (8-2), Callaway (8-2), Gautier (8-2), East Central (8-2)   Passing Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='108931' first='Kaden' last='Irving'], Gautier   Rushing Leader: John Peterson, Vancleave   Receiving Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='106165' first='Ayden' last='Williams'], Ridgeland   Tackles Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='379149' first='Amarion' last='Tyson'], Picayune   Sacks Leader: [player_tooltip player_id='336104' first='Kamarion' last='Franklin'], Lake Cormorant   Interceptions Leader: Hemyar Nagi, Columbus   Field Goal Leader: John Parker Hancock, Neshoba Central     <h2>Playoff Predictions</h2>   Best First Round Match Up: Lafayette vs Callaway   Sleeper Teams: Neshoba Central, Gautier, Callaway   Final Four: West Point, Vicksburg, Gautier, Picayune   Title Game: Picayune vs West Point   2022 5A State Champs: Picayune     <h2>Notable Stories</h2>   Gautier's Passing Attack   The air raid is in full force for Gautier and senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='108931' first='Kaden' last='Irving']. Wide receivers Kelvin Beavers (840 yds), Dillon Alfred (711 yds), and AJ Phillips (581 yds) have all shown the ability to stretch the field and make huge plays in the passing game. Gautier has totaled for close to 3,000 passing yards in the regular season and expects to continue to do so into the playoffs.   Picayune's Two Headed Backfield   Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='108971' first='Dante' last='Dowdell'] and Junior RB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='344053' first='Chris' last='Davis'] have become one of, if not the most, explosive duo in the state. Combining for over 2,226 yards and 33 TDs, these guys look near impossible to stop this post season.   Loaded Defensive Units Ready to Take Over   Lafayette, Holmes County, Vicksburg, and Hattiesburg are all coming into the 2022 playoffs with defenses we have not seen before. Usually, you will get a few teams state wide that play great defense all year round. This year, 5A looks to have the best units out of any classification. Will these defenses be able to elevate their teams to success in November? History says yes.   <h2>Players to Watch</h2>   RB [player_tooltip player_id='108971' first='Dante' last='Dowdell'] | Picayune   The senior Oregon commit has already rushed for over 1400 yards and 19 TDs. Dowdell is currently on track to be one of the most legendary running backs in recent Mississippi football history. After thinking it over for some time now, it is hard to think of a running back that has done more for their team since Clinton's Cam Akers (Current Los Angeles Ram). Picayune leaned heavily on Dowdell in their last state championship run, and by no means is that expected to be any different this go around.   QB [player_tooltip player_id='108931' first='Kaden' last='Irving'] | Gautier   The senior quarterback has been rewriting the record books since his playing days have begun. With over 2,847 yards and 34 TDs, Irving is shattering state passing records and is one of the most dangerous quarterbacks left in post season play. Only throwing 3 INTs in the regular season, this is an accurate, decisive, and game wrecking player that will stress out opposing defensive coordinators the rest of the year.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='340815' first='Joseph' last='Head'] and Ja'Landyn Humphrey | Holmes County Central   The two headed edge rushing attack out of Holmes County Central accounted for a combined 23 sacks and 34 tackles for loss. Mississippi State commit [player_tooltip player_id='340815' first='Joseph' last='Head'] and rising prospect Ja'Landyn Humphrey may be two of the best defensive players left in the post season. In the playoffs, many games are won or lost based on trench strength. Luckily for Holmes County, they certainly have lots of it. Looking out for these two game wreckers to takeover games early into the post season.   QB [player_tooltip player_id='350920' first='Jay' last='Beamon'] | Cleveland Central   The sophomore gunslinger comes off a big year, throwing for over 1900 yards and 17 TDs in his first full season starting. Beamon is slated to play in his first playoff game of his career and has the talent to takeover games in the post season. The 6'2" quarterback has a big arm and can stretch the field with it in order to get the ball to his playmakers. Expecting to see a lot of Beamon in future playoff games in his 2 years left at Cleveland Central.   RB John Peterson | Vancleave   Rushing for over 2,000 yards in the regular season, senior John Peterson has been one of the most dynamic players in 5A this year. As Vancleave gets ready to play their first playoff game in what feels like a while, all eyes will be on the talented back. Peterson's grit and grind mentality will be able to wear out defenses. This is the type of player that can carry the entire workload of an offense himself.   DL [player_tooltip player_id='106315' first='Caleb' last='Bryant'] | Vicksburg   Vicksburg has been one of the most stout defensive units in all of 5A this season. After early season losses to Germantown and Warren Central, the Gators have allowed 8 or less points in all their games outside of games vs Ridgeland (20) and Holmes County (16). Senior defensive lineman has been a large reason for the Gators success this season. Bryant is a violent run defender and explosive pass rusher that colleges from around the nation are heavily in pursuit of.   ATH Kedarius Wade and [player_tooltip player_id='344026' first='Jeremy' last='Scott'] | Callaway   Callaway is loaded with athletes this season, but Kedarius Wade and [player_tooltip player_id='344026' first='Jeremy' last='Scott'] may be the two that teams are most worried about slowing down. Wade and Scott have the speed to score from anywhere on the field on offense and can create huge turnovers on the defensive side of the football. With Wade as an edge rusher and WR/RB type and Scott as a true WR and DB, opposing teams will have to be concerned about these guys the entire game regardless of who has the football.   OL [player_tooltip player_id='106163' first='Malik' last='Ellis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='108898' first='Malachi' last='Breland'] | Laurel   The Mississippi State commit and Memphis commit make up one of the best offensive lines left in the post season. Laurel has talented skill players around the team, but the offensive line is by far their strongest unit. Ellis and Breland are two mammoth sized tackles with enough physicality and athleticism to block anybody in the state. Like mentioned earlier, these games in November often come down to who can bully their ways around in the trenches best.