6A Playoff Breakdown
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The old saying is that if you are still playing in the state of Mississippi come Thanksgiving that you are doing something right. For the four remaining teams in 6A, they are right where they want to be this week.…
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Continue ReadingThe old saying is that if you are still playing in the state of Mississippi come Thanksgiving that you are doing something right. For the four remaining teams in 6A, they are right where they want to be this week. Let’s breakdown the final four for the 6A state title.
North Half
Starkville (10-3) @ Tupelo (13-0)
How they got here:
Starkville squeaked into the playoffs as the #4 seed from Region 2. The Jackets have spent their entire playoff journey on the road after knocking off Region 1 #1 seed Southaven 38-12 in the first round. As Coach Chris Jones’ squad moved forward they bested Clinton 30-2 last week. Now the only thing separating the Yellow Jackets from a shot at a state championship is a date with Tupelo on the blue turf this Friday night.
Tupelo won region 1 and as a result has played at home thru the duration of the playoffs. Round 1 saw the Golden Wave trounce Lewisburg 42-0. Round 2 saw Tupelo face off with defending state champ Madison Central in which the Wave won 28-7.
Matchup history:
10/7/22 – Tupelo 24 Starkville 17
Everyone knew the Golden Wave was for real when they went into Starkville in early October and knocked off traditional power, Starkville. Tupelo QB Jeremiah Harrel was stellar throwing for 221 yards and 2 TD but it was the defense forcing two fumbles in the 4th qtr that really made the difference. The story of the game for Starkville, in addition to the turnovers, was the absence of QB Trey Petty Trey Petty 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Starkville | 2024 State MS who did not play.
Names to watch for:
Tupelo: Zay Alexander Zay Alexander 6'6" | 315 lbs | OL Tupelo | 2023 State MS , Jeremiah Harrel, Tristen Jernigan, Qua Middlebrooks
Starkville: Trey Petty Trey Petty 6'1" | 190 lbs | QB Starkville | 2024 State MS , Braylon Burnside Braylon Burnside 6'1" | 180 lbs | ATH Starkville | 2024 State MS , Curtis Willis
South Half
Brandon (11-1) @ Ocean Springs (12-0)
How they got here:
Brandon was the consensus number 1 team in the state coming into the year and with the exception of a mid-season slip up to Oak Grove has played like it. The Bulldogs opened their playoff run with a convincing victory over Hancock 42-7. The second round matched up the Dogs with Warren Central in which Brandon won in a tight one possession game, 36-28.
Ocean Springs went undefeated for the second straight regular season on the back of QB Bray Hubbard Bray Hubbard 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Ocean Springs | 2023 State MS who has cemented himself as a legend on the gulf coast. Round 1 saw the Region 4 #1 seed take care of business with Northwest Rankin 49-21. The second round saw the Greyhounds knock off Oak Grove, who happened to eliminate them in the 2021 playoffs.
Matchup history:
The two teams did not play in the regular season but do have 3 common opponents in Clinton, Hancock and Northwest Rankin with both teams going 3-0 in those matchups.
Names to watch for:
Brandon: Landon Varnes Landon Varnes 5'11" | 170 lbs | QB Brandon | 2024 State MS , Nate Blount, Jarvis Durr Jarvis Durr 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Brandon | 2023 State MS , Lester Miller Lester Miller 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Brandon | 2023 State MS , Quincy Phillips Quincy Phillips 5'8" | 180 lbs | ATH Brandon | 2025 State MS
Ocean Springs: Bray Hubbard Bray Hubbard 6'2" | 175 lbs | QB Ocean Springs | 2023 State MS , Will Gray, John Paul Coulter