Key First Round Matchups in 5A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Mississippi these classes have an extra week to play football. Their first round game is when the other classes will be having their second round game. It is time to witness that first week of madness. Who will go home unexpectedly? Who makes it out of the first round alive? Let's take a closer look.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Holmes Co vs West Point</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This should be a good game to see. Holmes Co is going to be balanced on offense. They can run the ball and throw the ball. I don't think the Holmes Co fans are expecting to lose this game. They have a very tough defensive line that can get the job done. [player_tooltip player_id='340815' first='Joseph' last='Head'] and [player_tooltip player_id='340738' first='JaLandyn' last='Humphrey'] are some good guys to pay attention to on the edge. They also have Terrance Hibbler that holds it down in the middle for them. They are going to need their defensive linemen and linebackers to be ready to play football this week. It is playoff football time and West Point is going to be looking to hit them right in the mouth every single play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Point is going to line up and play smash mouth football on offense and defense. [player_tooltip player_id='344052' first='Kahnen' last='Daniels'] is a heavy load to tackle. No I do not mean that he is a big player. He does have a nice frame at 6-foot-2 185 pounds, but he plays the game like he is 250 pounds. He finishes his runs and he gets right in your face. They also have Keyshawn Henley who doesn't mind picking up his share of yardage on the ground. He is a super fast guy that you won't easily catch. He also doesn't like to be tackled. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jhace Mallard is going to be the man of this Greenwave defense. He will need to be sure to have his guys focused from here throughout the remainder of the playoffs. Like everybody will tell you, it's win or go home. Put up or shut up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Callaway vs Lafayette </strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lafayette Co has seen a few bumps in the road this season, but they haven't let that stop them from going to the playoffs this season. It's a new season now and they have some seniors who aren't ready to stay home. [player_tooltip player_id='340736' first='Kylan' last='Egerson'] is a guy they will look to for plays on both sides of the football. He is going to be a busy guy Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Callaway is loaded with talent on both sides of the football. They have [player_tooltip player_id='344026' first='Jeremy' last='Scott'] and Kedarius Wade who are very dangerous at the receiver positions. Both of the guys will be stretching the field trying to make plays happen for them. On defense they just have to be sound. Can't give up a lot of quick yards and let Lafayette get started in this game early. It is expected for Callaway to come out on top.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Wayne Co vs Gautier</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I expect this game to be very interesting because we all know how Wayne Co can turn it on in the playoffs. I've seen teams lose four games in a season then go on to be state champions. I'm not insinuating that this is their year, but let's not count them out. They play good defense and they come from a long line of winning. They are going to have to find a way to stop that very explosive Gautier offense. That is a task that won't be too easy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gautier has [player_tooltip player_id='108931' first='Kaden' last='Irving'] on offense and we all know what he brings to the table. They lost in the division title to Picayune and I expect to see them back against them in the South State title. AJ Phillips does a great job for them out on the islands. He is one of Irving's favorite targets when they are on offense. This team likes to put up points fast. If Wayne Co can slow this offense down they may have a chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gautier's defenses needs to step up and play big this playoffs. They had a hard task against Picayune this week, but they can't give up forty eight points in the playoffs and win balk games. They have to find a way to be dominant. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->