MS Top 5 Games of the Week: Week 7

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check in on a big week of action in Mississippi with the top 5 games of this week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8 Northwest Rankin (4-1) @ #4 Pearl (5-0) (Thursday)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What better way to open up region play than a Thursday night, Jackson area, Top 10 battle in Region 3-7A. Coming into the year both teams were just outside the top 10 in our initial power rankings but have impressed so far. Both teams bring balanced offensive attacks to the table which are averaging in the 30ppg range. The winner of this one expects to be the biggest threat in the division to #1 Oak Grove.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nettleton (5-1) @ Mooreville (6-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what is probably the biggest small school battle of the week, the winner looks to take an early grip of Region 4-3A. The story for the Troopers has been a stout defense that has not given up more than 14 points in a game so far this year. With that said, the Mooreville D has not seen an offense as explosive as Nettleton. The Tigers are lead by dual-threat QB [player_tooltip player_id='691276' first='Braylen' last='Williams'] who has been dynamic thru the air and on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10 Picayune (3-2) @ Pascagoula (4-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into the year not many people projected the Panthers to have a better record than Picayune when they faced off on the first Friday night in October, but here we are. The Maroon Tide is banged up and have not been nearly as good on defense as was expected. Highlight of the night will be watching two future SEC defensive linemen in [player_tooltip player_id='344138' first='Jamonta' last='Waller'] for Picayune and [player_tooltip player_id='139602' first='Jeffery' last='Rush'] for Pascagoula.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7 Tupelo (4-2) @ Madison Central (3-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Golden Wave were riding high but have dropped two decisions in a row, most recently to West Point last week, in which they blew a 13 point halftime lead. The Jags of MC got rested up last week during a bye. The Jags have home field advantage and rest on their side but expect this to be a Tupelo team that plays with an extra step after the last two weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Amory (6-0) @ Itawamba AHS (2-4)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers have rolled so far in 2023 as they chase a state championship birth again. Do not let the record of the Indians of IAHS cause them to be overlooked, as they are much more talented than the record shows. Big implications early in the year in Region 1-4A. Can the IAHS defense keep them in the game?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->