Week 7 of the MHSAA football season is here. The following are our game predictions involving Jones County teams.
Laurel at Brookhaven
This game will ultimately decide who claims the Region 3-5A title this year.
How can that be? Well, I’m glad you asked.
Coming into the season – with Wayne County no longer in Region 3-5A – Laurel and Brookhaven were considered heavy favorites to win the region. And after big wins in Week 6, both still are.
Laurel (3-2) blasted South Jones 41-8, and Brookhaven (4-1) hammered region newcomer North Pike, 49-12.
Laurel has a lot of new faces this year, while Brookhaven returned nearly everyone from its 8-4 season a year ago. Expect this game to be decided in the fourth quarter, if not the final play.
Brookhaven likes to run the ball and has two backs that average 9.9 yards per carry each.
How well Laurel does depends on its defense.
Prediction: Laurel +3
Forest Hill at South Jones
Forest Hill (1-5) and South Jones (4-2) lost its Region 3-5A openers last week.
At least four wins in region play are needed to secure a playoff spot, and for South Jones, this is one they can’t afford to lose. The Braves must, and I think most likely will, win Friday night. But you can’t get cocky and overlook anyone in this region.
Forest Hill doesn’t lack talent; they lack good execution. Games against teams like Forest Hill can be the scariest because all it takes is a good night and upsets can come out of nowhere.
Prediction: South Jones +24
Natchez at West Jones
For years Natchez laid on the edge of doing something special in its program history but lacked the discipline and execution needed on the field to make a serious push in Region 3-5A.
By all appearances, this could be that special year the program has been on the edge of if Natchez (4-1) can keep the momentum on its side.
Natchez can score some points. They average 34 points a game, and last week, the Bulldogs opened Region 3-5A with a 31-6 win over Wingfield.
That has to be a concern for West Jones. Can an offense that has struggled in recent years, go toe-to-toe with Natchez? Only Friday night can tell.
Prediction: Natchez +6
Northeast Jones at Northeast Lauderdale
Northeast Jones (1-4) enjoyed it’s first win of the season in Week 5, then healed, rested and enjoyed a much-needed bye-week in Week 6.
Now comes the part of the season that truly matters – the opening week of Region 4-5A.
Northeast Lauderdale is 4-2 on the season, and most importantly 3-0 at home. They host Northeast Jones Friday night with the hopes of remaining undefeated in front of a home crowd.
“Fafa” Magee will be the quarterback for NEJ moving forward, and it’s hard to argue with that decision after his performance against Bay Springs in Week 5.
The Tigers are looking better and could give NE Lauderdale a shock early if the Trojans judge NEJ based on their record.
I’m putting Northeast Lauderdale on UPSET alert.
Prediction: Northeast Jones +2
