Key 6A Playoff Matchups Week 15

MHSAA Football PlayoffsTimes are critical now. If you lose you are going home. The regular season record is out the window. What your team did last week is out the window. Janet Jackson once asked what have you done for me lately? That's the energy during this time of the year.   <h2>Starkville vs Clinton</h2>   This game is going to be very good. You have two teams that fought hard all season and some may even say they seem themselves struggling at times. These teams are familiar with each other and know how each team plays. This will be a very good game. Two region 2-6A teams facing off during the playoffs. You got to love it.   Starkville has been known to run the ball heavy this season. They have used [player_tooltip player_id='340868' first='CJ' last='Willis'], Courtland Cooper and [player_tooltip player_id='139597' first='Braylon' last='Burnside'] in the backfield. This may not be the week to rely on the running game. Clinton has a very disciplined defensive line who knows how to clog up the middle as well as keeping the outside contained. I think this week Starkville needs to attack the middle of the field in the air. Try to find a way to excel from crossing routes, quick slants and short post routes. Make that tight Clinton defense loosen up and then they may find small opportunities to run the football.   I think Starkville defense should be prepared to see a few different things from this Clinton offense. [player_tooltip player_id='340860' first='Jakobe' last='Calvin'] is a very good running back for Clinton and he knows how to run the rock. Eric Thomas, Tony Lucious and Jon David Methvin aka JD Methvin will be ready. You can bet your bottom dollar on that. Nyjadus Roberts Holloway will be ready to step up and make some big hits in the running game. This will be a good one to see. I can promise you that.   Clinton has a very good offense that knows how to move the ball. You can expect [player_tooltip player_id='340860' first='Jakobe' last='Calvin']'s name to be called a lot this week. Clinton likes to get behind him and protect the ball as much as possible. They have some very decent offensive linemen who will be opening a lot of holes for Calvin.   Clinton's defense has TJ Spann as well as Donovan Coleman. These are two studs that the state doesn't really know about yet, but they will soon. You can expect for them to come out looking to play very fast and physical on the defensive side of the ball. That's what they are going to have to do to beat this Starkville team. Starkville didn't make the playoffs in 2020 and last year they fell short in the North Half vs Madison Central. As you can see a lot of times these teams from region 2-6A are known to meet up in the playoffs. This is going to be a good one.   <h2>Oak Grove vs Ocean Springs</h2>   These two teams played in the same round last year. It resulted in Oak Grove coming out on top 28-21. Will the results be the same this year? Can Ocean Springs stop this passing game and running game of the Warriors. Will either one of the teams advance to the state title after this game?   Oak Grove has a lot of talent on offense. Their quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='344082' first='Anthony' last='Maddox'] Jr is a dude. He can run or throw. This kid has a very solid release and he knows how to read defenses. He already has offers to Alabama and Pittsburgh. He will have this offense ready. [player_tooltip player_id='466124' first='Kylin' last='Champagne'] is their workhorse who sees a lot of action on the ground between the tackles. I love to see him toting the football making plays. PJ Woodland is a guy they have to look at getting the ball to within the passing game.   Their defense will be lead by PJ Woodland, [player_tooltip player_id='340817' first='Jaylen' last='Aborom'] and [player_tooltip player_id='350938' first='Andrew' last='Maddox']. Woodland and Aborom are a major force in their secondary. These guys know how to cover. They have known to be threats to take the rock back to the house on interceptions too. You don't want these guys running wild on you after they make you turn the ball over. It won't be pretty.   Ocean Springs has a few weapons on offense that can help them win. Everybody is familiar with Mr 6A, Brayson Hubbard. We all know how he can get things done with his legs and arm. He is going to be connecting with JP Coulter a lot on offense. Those two names will be called a lot.   On defense they have Eric Moore who is a stud at LB. Brayson Hubbard also sees a lot of action on defense during the playoffs. Last game he had two interceptions. Alabama knows what they are going moving him to the defensive side of things. He is just a very solid playmaker. I can't wait to see the results of these games this week.

MHSAA Football PlayoffsTimes are critical now. If you lose you are going home. The regular season record is out the window. What your team did last week is out the window. Janet Jackson once asked what have you done for me lately? That's the energy during this time of the year.