Here are your Forrest, Lamar, and Covington County power rankings by Kevan Lindsey.
Region 3-6A
1. Pearl - 3-1
2. George County - 3-1
3. Petal - 3-1
4. Oak Grove - 3-1
5. Brandon - 3-2
6. Terry - 2-3
7. Meridian - 1-4
8. Northwest Rankin - 0-4
Pearl, George County, and Petal got some time off from competition with bye weeks as they look toward district play this week. Oak Grove suffered their first loss from the hands of Archbishop Rummel from Louisiana. With that loss, they slide a bit in the rankings. Northwest Rankin also had a bye week, while Meridian likely wishes they had a bye after being stung by Starkville 57-0. The Meridian Wildcats have been outscored 230-41 through five games. They need to find some answers soon being in a tough region.
Region 4-5A
1. Picayune - 4-0
2. East Central - 3-1
3. Wayne County - 2-2
4. Pascagoula - 2-2
5. Hattiesburg - 1-3
6. Pearl River Central - 1-3
7. Gautier - 1-3
8. Long Beach - 1-3
Several teams in this region got a chance to heal and recoup after bye weeks before district play begins. Picayune and East Central rolled, Hattiesburg came from behind against Jefferson Davis County, while Gautier stumbled and fell to Greene County. Because of Gautier’s loss, Hattiesburg jumped to their previous position.
Region 7-4A
1. Purvis - 2-3
2. Greene County - 2-3
3. Stone - 1-3
4. Poplarville - 1-4
5. Sumrall - 2-3
6. Forrest County Agricultural - 1-3
Stone rolls down to third in this week’s rankings after taking a loss to Biloxi. Purvis jumped to the first spot, followed closely by Greene County who defeated a 5A opponent. Sumrall took a tumble after failing to score points in their third-straight game. The Aggies have a shot to move up if they can play well coming off of a bye week against the Northeast Jones Tigers.
Region 8-3A
1. Columbia - 5-0
2. Magee - 5-0
3. West Marion - 5-0
4. Seminary - 4-1
5. Jefferson Davis County - 2-3
6. Tylertown - 3-2
This could easily be the most exciting region down the stretch. The top four teams all took home wins Friday evening, while Jefferson Davis County nearly upset 5A Hattiesburg. Tylertown is still a game above .500 after falling to South Pike 30-9. There was no movement in the rankings, but that doesn’t mean this district isn’t exciting.
Region 8-2A
1. St. Patrick - 4-1
2. Perry Central - 2-3
3. East Marion - 2-2
4. North Forrest - 1-4
5. Collins - 1-4
A couple of teams flip-flopped positions this week. Even though both North Forrest and Collins lost, I feel like North Forrest should be a bit more optimistic heading into this week’s action. St. Patrick continues to roll as they had a shutout victory over Enterprise. East Marion also walked away with a win against Morton. That plants them in the second-place spot.
Region 4-1A
1. Lumberton - 3-2, (2-0)
2. Resurrection Catholic - 4-0, (2-0)
3. Sebastopol - 3-1, (1-0)
4. Stringer - 2-3, (1-1)
5. Richton - 2-3, (1-1)
6. Leake County - 2-4, (0-2)
7. Salem - 1-4, (1-1)
8. Mount Olive - 1-4, (0-1)
9. Sacred Heart - 0-4, (0-2)
The top three in the district stay the same. Lumberton and Resurrection Catholic both walked away with wins in dominating fashion. Sebastopol had the week off, but they are set to square off against Lumberton this Friday evening. Stringer had a 54-0 shutout over Salem and will look to carry that momentum on the road against Mount Olive. Sacred Heart desperately needs a win, however, they face a tough task against Resurrection Catholic.
MAIS District 1-6A
1. Jackson Prep - 4-1, (1-0)
2. Presbyterian Christian - 4-1, (1-0)
3. Madison-Ridgeland Academy - 5-1, (1-0)
4. Parklane Academy - 4-1, (0-1)
5. Jackson Academy - 3-2, (1-1)
6. Oak Forest Academy - 2-3, (0-2)
MRA fell in a close one to Philadelphia, while Presbyterian Christian dominated Wayne Academy. That puts the Bobcats in second just behind Jackson Prep who faces the best 2A team in the state this Friday night, Taylorsville. Jackson Academy defeated Oak Forest Academy 31-24 and the two teams swapped positions in the rankings because of that.
