Week 2 of the MHSAA season will take place Friday night with several great games to be played. See who James Pugh and Kevan Lindsey predicted to win here.Â
West Jones at Wayne County
When I first started covering sports in Jones County 10 years ago, this was the most anticipated
match-up. While it's not quite looked at in the same light as it was a decade ago, it's still a game
to mark on your calendar.
West Jones handled Raleigh with ease (35-6) in a 5A vs. 3A match-up last Friday night, despite
some second-quarter struggles. On the other hand, Wayne County fell to D'Iberville in a 5A vs.
6A contest by a touchdown (28-21). It's fair to say Wayne County was challenged, while West
Jones was not by equal measure. We'll find out how the Mustangs measure up in their
classification this week.
However, West Jones remains the favorite.
James’ Prediction: West Jones 20, Wayne County 14.
Kevan’s Prediction: West Jones 20, Wayne County 18.
Laurel at Petal
Laurel missed out on bringing the Little Brown Jug back to Laurel in Week 1. If excuses could
be made, Laurel was without several key starters, including senior running back and Arkansas
State commit Xavier Evans. I’ll go ahead and say what everyone was thinking late Friday night,
had Laurel been healthy, it would have been a different ball game.
The question remains as to whether or not those key starters will return in Week 2. If they don’t,
it could be another rough night for Laurel. If they do, it’ll be more of a contest.
James’ Prediction: Petal 28, Laurel 14.
Kevan’s Prediction: Petal 27, Laurel 12.
South Jones and Northeast Jones will be competing against one another in a jamboree.
Taylorsville at Seminary
Finally, these two teams get to start their season.
After delays due to COVID-19, both the Tartars and Bulldogs get to strap up and play football. Of course, Taylorsville brings back plenty of talent on both sides of the ball without even mentioning senior quarterback Ty Keyes.
Keyes will start his farewell tour of the Tartar green before he heads off to Tulane to wear their shade of green. Expect the Tartars to roll into Seminary and grab a win over what should be a scrappy, experienced Bulldogs squad.
Kevan’s Prediction: Taylorsville 36, Seminary 14.
Bay Springs at Raleigh
Bay Springs went down to Lumberton and walked away with a 32-0 shutout victory over what is likely the best 1A team in South Mississippi. Meanwhile, Raleigh felt the hooves of the West Jones Mustangs in a 35-6 defeat.
It doesn’t get easier for Raleigh, but if they can be competitive in this contest it will go a long way into the development of the team. Still, Bay Spring looks the part of one of the elite teams in 2A football and it will show this week,
Dan Brady’s Bulldogs feast.
Kevan’s Prediction: Bay Springs 34, Raleigh 8.
Sylva-Bay at Winston Academy
The Saints have been put through the wringer the past few weeks and this week looks to be no different. Winston Academy is a larger class and will have more depth that will be the difference. This one is pretty cut and dry. The Saints will have to wait another week to catch that elusive first win of 2020.
Winston Academy 27, Sylva-Bay 13.
Lumberton at Stringer
Stringer took one on the chin last Friday night against a tough Enterprise. Similar to the aforementioned Raleigh, the road does not get easier for the Red Devils.
They play host to a tough Lumberton team who will want redemption form last week’s loss. I expect Stringer to look a bit more competitive, but they will fall to 0-2 on the season.
Kevan’s Prediction: Lumberton 27, Stringer 12.
