Here are your Jones, Jasper, Smith and Wayne County County Week 4 predictions as picked by James Pugh.
Current record: 12-5.
Petal (3-0) at Laurel (2-1)
Laurel faces its toughest test of the season Friday night.
While the Tornadoes would love nothing more than to rebound from last week 21-20 double-overtime loss to rival Wayne County, they'll have to wait till Region 3-5A play in two weeks before they'll capture their next W.
Prediction: Petal 35, Laurel 14.
South Jones (1-2) at Northeast Jones (1-2)
Friday night’s contest is difficult to predict.
Neither team claimed a victory in Week 3. South Jones fell to West Lauderdale 57-14, while Northeast Jones lost a close one to Raleigh, 30-27.
The nod, for me, has to go to South Jones based on numbers. The Braves average 323 yards of offense to just 216 for the Tigers, and they’re more balanced on that side of the ball. I’ll play the percentages and let the results pan out as they may.
Prediction: South Jones 31, Northeast Jones 17.
Wayne County (2-1) at West Jones (3-0)
There was a lack of offense last year in the Week 1 contest between the two rivals. Though much has changed from a year ago, this could be another defensive struggle.
Wayne County stunned Laurel last Friday night in double-overtime, 21-20. Shutting down an offense like Laurel to 14 points in four quarters - the last score coming on the final play in regulation to force overtime - was no easy task, yet the War Eagles found a way to do so. Could they do it a second week in a row? I guess we'll have to see what West Jones learned from watching film this week and what they do to avoid that happening.
Prediction: Wayne County 14, West Jones 10.
Seminary (3-0) at Taylorsville (3-0)
This is a game Taylorsville will lose.
That was a joke, folks…I picked Taylorsville to fall in Week 3 against 3A powerhouse Jefferson Davis County, and I was told that lit a fire under the team. Now Taylorsville won on pure athleticism and coaching, but the extra fire in the belly sure didn't hurt.
One thing is for sure; I'll pick Taylorsville from here on out after the lesson they taught me in Week 3 (maybe).
Prediction: Taylorsville 35, Seminary 12.
Mize (3-0) at Bogue Chitto (2-1)
I got the pleasure of visiting Mize this week as they prepare for Bogue Chitto. Now granted they're no Taylorsville, but the Bulldogs have a chance to stun some teams this season - in non-region play and region play.
The offensive line is big, and they have some talented skill players. That'll take them a good ways and lead to a winning record this season after just three wins in 2018. They'll also win big Friday night.
Prediction: Mize 28, Bogue Chitto 6.
Other Prediction:
Lumberton 42, Stringer 8.
Newton County 34, Wayne Academy 12.
Heidelberg 22, Newton 7.
Sylva Bay Academy 21, Winston Academy 20.
Bay Springs 26, Raleigh 20.
