MS Top 5 Games of the Week: Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoff time in Mississippi is in full swing! While every game from here on out is worth watching, here are the biggest matchups of the week:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Starkville (8-3) @ Oxford (8-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crazy things sometimes happen in rematches - especially rivalry games. This one will be volume 2 of the "Little Egg Bowl" in 2023, with the Yellow Jackets beating the Chargers handily 33-13 back in September. This matchup has offensive explosion written all over it with both teams averaging north of 30 PPG. This Starkville team still seems to be one that can go as far as [player_tooltip player_id='273258' first='Trey' last='Petty'] and Braylon "Stonka" Burnside can take them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Point (8-3) @ Holmes County Central (12-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of people have not known what to make of Holmes County thru the year due to their schedule but put simply, you can't get to 12-0 and not be solid. It goes without saying, though, that the Green Wave will pose their biggest test of the year. West Point continues to do West Point things: stoud, stifling defense and a power downhill rushing attack. The Jaguars is a bit more balanced from an offensive perspective and has had no trouble scoring points thru the year. [player_tooltip player_id='344052' first='Kahnen' last='Daniels'] and [player_tooltip player_id='616681' first='Terrance' last='Hibbler'] will headline the stars on the field on both sides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Lauderdale (11-1) @ Houston (11-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hilltoppers of Houston will play on their home field in an effort to get back to the North State Championship for the second consecutive year. Be on the lookout for two of the most under-rated running backs in the state in Caleb Collins for West Lauderdale and [player_tooltip player_id='161267' first='Jalen' last='Washington'] for Houston. Expect a physical battle that will be won/lost in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union (11-1) @ Calhoun City (11-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we've become accustomed to with Calhoun City, they can run it and they play defense. Ironically, they've met their twin in Union. The biggest difference between the two is on the defensive end though, where the Wildcats give up in the 7PPG range and the Yellow Jackets of Union in the 20 PPG range. The Wildcat running back duo of Jamajah Mayes and Xavian Pittman have combined for 40 TDs on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Central (7-4) @ Tupelo (9-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another rematch in 7A will take place Friday night on the Blue Turf in Tupelo. Tupelo bested the Jags 14-12 back in early October and both teams come off big blowout wins in the first round. Each team has hung it's hat with the defense throughout the season and I would not expect it to be any different now. Don't expect offensive fireworks if you attend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->