Now that we have passed the two-thirds mark of the prep football season, an informed look at the playoff race can take place.
For Mississippi High School Activities Association Classes 2A, 3A and 4A, only three games remain in the regular season, with the playoffs starting Nov. 8. Classes 1A, 5A and 6A will play four more games, while playoffs start on Nov. 15.
In the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, Class A and Class AA begin postseason play Nov. 1, while Class AAA starts Nov. 15. Eight-man postseason play begins Nov. 8.
TIGHT RACES
Looking first at the MHSAA Class 6A, Region 2 race, it appears that Starkville plays host to Madison Central Friday in a game for fist place. Each team is 3-0 in region play.
While the Yellow Jackets can take control Friday night, they would not be out of the woods. Starkville next goes to Murrah and Warren Central, each of whom are 2-1 in region play. Starkville has won four straight with each victory decided by three touchdowns or more.
Columbus is fifth in the region at 3-4 overall and 1-2 in region play. If this were golf, you could say the Falcons have given away several strokes but can make them back with some birdies down the stretch. Columbus faces a must-win with 1-6 Greenville Friday night at home. After that, the Falcons could aid their cause tremendously by winning at Madison Central. If that does not happen, Columbus will have to beat Murrah and Warren Central and start reading up on region tie-breakers, while hoping for the best.
In MHSAA Class 5A, Region 1 play, West Point and New Hope both could use some help. Each team stands 1-2 in region play with four games remaining. The good news for West Point is it has already played region leader Oxford, while New Hope does that Friday night at home. Clarksdale is also 3-0 in region play, with wins over both New Hope and West Point. So, the news is not all bad for the Green Wave and Trojans with plenty of time remaining.
New Hope could help itself tremendously by beating Oxford. If that does not happen, it will be a must-win for the Trojans when West Point comes to town Nov. 1. New Hope also goes to Lewisburg and Saltillo, each of whom are 1-2 in region play.
The West Point news is considerably better with three of its final four games being played at home. West Point will host Lake Cormorant (2-1 in region play) Friday. After that, the Green Wave ends with 1-2 foes Saltillo, New Hope and Lewisburg.
In MHSAA Class 4A, Region 4, Noxubee County is 2-0 in league play. The Tigers will face West Lauderdale (also 2-0) at home Friday night. The Tigers clinch a playoff berth with a win here. A win here and then one in its final two games could nail down the region title. After West Lauderdale, Noxubee County closes the season with 2-6 Caledonia and 1-7 Houston. Thus, Friday night’s game in Macon is tremendously huge for Tyrone Shorter’s ballclub.
In MHSAA Class 3A, Region 4 play, first-place is on the line when Louisville (8-0) plays host to Aberdeen (4-4). Both teams are 2-0 in region play. The winner here will nail down a playoff berth and earn a pivotal tie-breaker for the stretch run. Win or lose, Aberdeen should remain in good standing for a playoff berth, as the Bulldogs complete the season with 1-7 Winona and 3-5 South Pontotoc.
Hamilton is riding high thanks to a 3-1 start in MHSAA Class 1A, Region 1 play. Coffeeville and Falkner are unbeaten in region play. Hamilton has lost to Falkner already and faces Coffeeville Nov. 8 on the road. Hamilton can take a huge step towards a playoff berth by beating 2-6 Biggersville Friday night at home. After that big challenges await with Coldwater and Smithville before the showdown with Coffeeville. If the Lions can win three in a row, they will be playing for home-field advantage on Nov. 8.
In MHSAA Class 1A, Region 3 play, West Lowndes needs a strong finish. The Panthers are sixth in region play at 2-3. If West Lowndes can get back to .500 Friday night at East Oktibbeha, the final two games matter. However, each will be huge challenges as both Sebastopol and Noxapater (both 4-0 in region play) come to Columbus.
MORE RACES
In the MAIS ranks, Heritage Academy and Magnolia Heights are in a dog-fight for the Class AAA, District 1, Division II title. Magnolia Heights has a half-game lead in the standings, while each team is 6-2 overall. They play Nov. 1 in Columbus. Heritage Academy will need to knock off Starkville Academy Oct. 25 to set up the huge showdown. Speaking of the Volunteers, there is still hope but time is fading fast. After an open date, Starkville Academy closes with Heritage Academy (6-2), Jackson Academy (6-2) and Pillow Academy (3-5).
In the MAIS Class 2A, District 2 race, the story of the season is Oak Hill Academy. Fresh off a huge win over Indianola Academy, the Raiders are now 5-3 overall. Oak Hill goes to Canton Academy before playing host region unbeaten Leake Academy to close the regular season. Even with a split of the final two games, the Raiders should have enough power points to earn a wild card berth to the postseason. An Oak Hill win over Leake could cause a three-way tie in the district.
Immanuel Christian will be playing for the MAIS Class A, District 2 title on Oct. 25 when it plays host to Deer Creek Academy. Immanuel is 2-0 in district play and can secure the No. 1 seed from the district by beating Deer Creek. A Rams’ loss would mean a tie for the top spot and again a search through all of the tie-breaking procedures.
Hebron Christian took a major step towards the MAIS Eight-Man playoffs by beating Kemper Academy in overtime Friday night. If the Eagles can get past Central Academy Friday night in Macon and Calhoun Academy can get past Kemper Academy, then Hebron and Calhoun meet next Friday in Calhoun City for the district title. If those two teams both win Friday night, each would clinch a playoff berth as well.
Scott Walters is a reporter for the Dispatch. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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