Check out high school football predictions from Co-Editors James Pugh and Kevan Lindsey for Friday night's games. Â
South Jones at Laurel
Todd Breland vs. His Successor.
Friday night will feel weird for everyone involved. I expect there to be a lot of emotions flowing on both sides. Both Todd Breland and Ryan Earnest are winless so far on the season. Earnest came close last Friday night as Laurel led Wayne County 21-3 at one point, only to see it wash away, 24-21.
Breland and South Jones took part in a game where between them and Vancleave, 105 points were scored - 71 of those were Vancleave.
Mercy.
The good news is one of these coaches will earn their first win as a Brave or Tornado head coach. My bet is on Earnest and Laurel...but I have been wrong before.
James’ Prediction: Laurel 42, South Jones 17.
West Jones at Brookhaven
Let’s make this short and sweet.
West Jones showed just how good they could be in the second half last Friday night, erasing a 17-point halftime deficit to stun 6A Petal, 34-31.
Petal beat Brookhaven pretty bad in Week 1, so if West Jones beat Petal in Week 3, what does that tell you? It settles nothing, but it does say if West Jones plays as it did in the second half this past Friday night, poor Brookhaven has no prayer.
James’ Prediction: West Jones 48, Brookhaven 7.
Northeast Jones at FCAHS
Northeast Jones has had a rough go of 2020 so far. A two-week quarantine, no practice for weeks, and a 20-0 loss to Purvis when allowed to play.
The excellent news is FCAHS is 0-2 on the year, and this is a golden opportunity for the Tigers to move things in the right direction.
The question is, will they?
James Prediction: NEJ 21, FCAHS 20.
Jackson Prep at Taylorsville
Taylorsville took care of business against Mendenhall with a 41-13 victory. The offense has been on fire, and the defense has played well over the past six quarters playing solid football.
Jackson Prep is a different monster, though.
Last season’s game saw Taylorsville get shut out for the first time in many years. The Tartars get a chance to avenge the shutout loss in front of their home crowd. I do believe they will put points on the board this time around, but I’m not confident enough to give them the win.
Prove me wrong, Tartars.
Kevan’s Prediction: Jackson Prep 27, Taylorsville 20
Loyd Star at Mize
Mize came away with a 28-21 victory over Saint Andrews in their first official game of the 2020 season. The Bulldogs are now set to play host to Loyd Star who comes into this one 2-1, fresh off of a 30-28 victory over Ethel.
The Bulldogs are hungry for another win and they should get it over the Hornets who have had a favorable schedule so far. After this, it is region play for Mize where the road gets tougher.
Kevan’s Prediction: Mize 31, Loyd Star 18
Raleigh at Scott Central
Close. So close.
The Raleigh Lions played their hearts out and nearly came away with a victory over a solid Seminary Bulldogs team. The road doesn’t get easier for the Lions as they travel to take on Scott Central.
The Rebels were defeated by Neshoba Central Friday night and will be looking to get back in the win column, but Raleigh should make that a hard road. I once again could see a fight till the end, unfortunately, Scott Central likely comes out on top.
Still, it would not shock me to see the Lions roar, so I have this one coming down to the wire.
Kevan’s Prediction: Scott Central 26, Raleigh 22
North Delta at Sylva-Bay
It has been a hard road for the Saints. A close loss against Benton Academy set Sylva-Bay back to 0-5 on the season. They’ll play host to 2-2 North Delta who has recorded two shutouts in their two victories.
Can Sylva-Bay turn it around? I’m not sure it happens this week, unfortunately.
Kevan’s Prediction: North Delta 23, Sylva-Bay 16
Mt. Olive at Stringer
How about those Red Devils? Short-handed and all, they put a 50-piece on the board against Salem to pick up their first victory of the season. Now they set their sights on the Pirates of Mt. Olive.
Head coach Dante Durr was excited about his team this season, and something tells me despite their 0-2 start, this game will be highly competitive.
Can Stringer get another great performance from their underclassmen?
I believe so.
Kevan’s Prediction: Stringer 31, Mt. Olive 27
