MS Power Rankings: Week 9

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Grove, the number 1 team in our rankings since the pre-season, went down last week at the hands of the Brandon Bulldogs in convincing fashion. Chaos prevailed in our rankings from that point on and as a result we have quite the new look this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1 (Last Week #2) Louisville (8-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time in 2023 there is a name at the top that is not Oak Grove. The Wildcats from top to bottom have been the most complete team in the state since week 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: beat Caledonia 54-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: vs. Mendenhall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 (#4) Ocean Springs (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Trap game? The Greyhounds have exceeded all expectations from the get go this year. Can't get caught looking two weeks down the road at Gulfport.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: Beat Harrison Central 49-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: vs. Biloxi</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 (#1) Oak Grove (7-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What happened? The Warriors were down three scores last week before they could blink. Not many saw that coming. With last week now behind them can the loss provide a spark? Be careful with a Northwest Rankin team coming off a loss and getting to play at home</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: Lost to Brandon 38-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: @ Northwest Rankin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 (#6) Tupelo (6-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Golden Wave is back clicking on all cylinders. All eyes in Region 2-7A are on the Starkville/Tupelo matchup set for November 2nd. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: Beat Germantown 42-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: @ Clinton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 (NR) Brandon (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Dogs have been a mystery since the pre-season. One of the favorites in 7A coming into the year, they began the campaign at 0-2 but have improved every week since. Demolishing Oak Grove last week props the Dogs into top 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: Beat #3 Oak Grove 38-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: @ #9 Pearl</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6 (#3) Holmes County Central (7-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, the Jags fell several spots in this week's rankings - but don't read much into that as it is only a product of the schedule they have been dealt. Without a doubt 5A favorite at this point</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: Beat Gentry 19-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: vs. Yazoo city</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7 (#7) West Jones (7-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mustangs sit idle at number 7 coming off a bye week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: BYE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: @ Forest Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8 (#8) Picayune (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can the Maroon Tide get healthy or how healthy can they get? That remains the biggest question in Picayune moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: Beat West Harrison 35-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: @ Long Beach</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9 (#9) Pearl (6-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong bounce back win for the Pirates after a tough loss two weeks back. The opportunity for a statement win is now on the horizon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: Beat Petal 40-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: vs. #5 Brandon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10. (NR) Warren Central (5-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Vikings have flirted off and on with the top 10 all year. This week finds them barely making the field once again following a rivalry victory last week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week: Beat Vicksburg 19-18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week: @ Neshoba Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->