The postseason has arrived for Mississippi high school football. Here are my picks for teams in the Hattiesburg-area and Covington County.
South Jones (8-4) at Hattiesburg (11-0)-The Braves, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2009, make the short trip south to face the unbeaten Tigers. Most people I’ve talked to are not giving South Jones any chance in this game. I think that’s foolish. That’s a tough ball club led by a coaching star in Cory Reynolds and a super-talented quarterback in John Mitchell. Really and truly, I could legit see South Jones putting a scare, early at least, into Hattiesburg. If the Braves hadn’t played Brookhaven into overtime two weeks ago, I probably wouldn’t have thought that. But who am I kidding? This is Hattiesburg’s year. No doubt this will be a tough test, but I expect the Tigers will do what they’ve done all year long: Win and go 1-0 this week.
Hattiesburg 41, South Jones 24Â
D’Iberville (5-6) at Petal (7-4)-Petal is heading into the playoffs with a whole lot of momentum. The Panthers have won five of their last six games and appear to be peaking at the perfect time. They’ve had similar stretches the previous two seasons, and I think we all remember the playoff runs that followed. Seeing it happen a third straight year would not shock me. I’d say we’re actually to a point now where you have to expect it from Marcus Boyles and company.
Petal 31, D’Iberville 17Â
Purvis (5-6) at Florence (8-4)-Welp, the Tornadoes proved me wrong last week, beating a really talented Mendenhall team on the road. Now comes another tough challenge at Florence. These two teams have a history. They’ve met in the playoffs each of the last two years. Purvis won in 2015, while Florence got their revenge last season. Should be a really interesting trilogy come Friday night. As for my prediction, I feel like I can’t pick against Purvis right now. Offensively, the Tornadoes really showed out last week, and a lot of that should carry over into this one.
Purvis 37, Florence 34
Heidelberg (7-5) at Collins (10-2)-Having hit 10 straight wins last week, Collins is not slowing down one bit. The Tigers have outscored opponents a combined 354-117 in that span. Not bad. Now they get a rematch with Heidelberg, who the Tigers narrowly beat, 19-16, back in September. The Oilers have won four of their last fives games since and will be motivated to shock 2A with a win here. Saying it will be tough is an understatement, though. Collins is undefeated at home this season and is a clear frontrunner for the 2A title.
Collins 34, Heidelberg 20Â
Enterprise (4-8) at North Forrest (8-4)-I got a chance to see North Forrest for a second time last week as the Eagles opened the 2A playoffs with a big road win over Mize. Even with the countless injuries they’ve sustained, I’ve felt really good about these Eagles and their chances of going a long way. Their success starts and ends with quarterback Daylyn Croom and running back Rhyen Brisco. The duo hooked up for several scores last week and has this offense rolling. On the other side, Enterprise has given up 40 points or more eight times this season. Good luck, Bulldogs.
North Forrest 45, Enterprise 28Â
Port Gibson (8-3) at Seminary (6-6)-I’ve picked against Seminary a lot this season. Seems like more often than not the Bulldogs have proved me wrong. Last week was no different as they went on the road and defeated Velma Jackson. Now Port Gibson comes to town having won six of their last seven games. I think the Blue Waves could have some trouble against Seminary’s defense, which has pretty much been lights out all season long. My gut says Seminary leans on that unit again here and wins a close one at home.
Seminary 17, Port Gibson 14Â
