As we close in on Halloween, each of the region and district races are coming a little more into focus. Quickly, we are separating the pretenders from the contenders.
As we move forward, let’s look ahead to eight matchups which will help define the 2015 prep football regular season:
Region 4-4A: Louisville at Noxubee County (Friday)
The Louisville-Noxubee County rivalry moved to another level several years ago when M.C. Miller went from Noxubee County to Louisville.
Since that time, Noxubee County has won a pair of Class 4A state championships, while Louisville won one in Class 3A. Now, the two are back together as region rivals.
Friday night’s matchup should not resemble last season when Noxubee County rolled to a 49-14 victory. Instead, expect a heavyweight battle.
Louisville is 6-2 overall, while Noxubee County is 4-4. Both teams have survived challenging non-region schedules. Both teams are 2-0 in the region.
The winner here will have a firm grasp on the region championship
Region 1-6A: Columbus at South Panola (Oct. 30)
No, it’s not too early to start getting excited about this matchup.
Columbus (5-2 overall) is 3-0 in region play for the first time in program history. The Falcons have recorded solid wins over DeSoto Central, Tupelo and Horn Lake. The offense was asked to make strides and so far it is doing just that.
Undefeated South Panola is the state’s top-ranked team and also ranked in multiple national rankings. The Tigers remain the measuring stick for the remainder of Class 6A in this state.
Columbus grew up in its road win at Tupelo. It can grow up again Friday at Southaven. The growth will have to continue to take down South Panola.
Region 2-6A: Starkville at Warren Central (Oct. 30)
For a second straight year, Starkville will have a fight to the finish to complete region play undefeated.
A year ago, Starkville entered the final two games of the season with a chance to finish first, second or third in the region. If Starkville can get past Madison Central Friday night, a similar refrain is shaping up for this season.
Starkville and Warren Central are both 6-1 overall and 3-0 in region play. Warren Central has won six straight after opening the season with a loss to Wayne County. Starkville has lost six straight since opening the season with a loss to Noxubee County.
Warren Central is undefeated last year before a 14-13 loss to Clinton and 27-17 loss to Starkville on back-to-back Fridays.
Region 2-6A: Clinton at Starkville (Nov. 6)
If Starkville can survive Warren Central, the region championship could be on the line for a second straight season when Clinton visits Yellow Jacket Stadium.
Last season, Starkville quarterback Brady Davis and Clinton quarterback Cam Akers staged quite the duel with Starkville surviving 56-46. While Davis has graduated, Akers is back and again he has weapons.
Clinton is 5-2 overall and 3-0 in region. With a 10-point loss to South Panola and a one-point loss to Brandon, it appears Clinton is certainly worthy of competing and playing well in a big game,
The Starkville defense looked human a year ago when Clinton scored 46 points against a unit which only allowed 173 points all season.
Look for the preliminaries to get out of the way this weekend. The power three start playing one another next Friday when Warren Central plays at Clinton.
Region 1-5A: Lake Cormorant at West Point (Friday)
The chance to host a first-round playoff game may be on the line Friday night when Lake Cormorant comes to Clay County to face West Point.
Lake Cormorant is 6-2 overall and 3-0 in region play. West Point is 5-2 and 2-1. The Gators have beaten Saltillo, Lewisburg and New Hope in region play so the big challenges are ahead.
West Point has won back-to-back region games in blowout fashion over Clarksdale and Center Hill. West Point has had 440 or more rushing yards in all three region games, including a 50-28 loss at Oxford.
West Point stumbled to New Hope late in the season last year, costing it a first-round playoff game at home. West Point can take a huge step towards making up for that by winning here.
Region 4-3A: Aberdeen at North Pontotoc (Oct. 23)
The showdown between the region leaders here is set for next Friday night.
North Pontotoc is 6-2 overall and 2-0 in region play, while Aberdeen is 5-3 and 2-0.
Aberdeen has turned the heat up on the defense in the past two weeks, with back-to-back region shutouts over Mooreville (39-0) and Hatley (37-0).
Both of these teams can essentially nail down playoff berths this week. That would set up the showdown for first place next week.
Region 1-1A: Coffeeville at West Lowndes (Oct. 30)
West Lowndes is working hard on locking down one of the four playoff berths from its region. Winning three straight games to start region play is a great way to start setting up a playoff berth.
However, the run to a region championship was put on a hold by a 20-6 loss at Smithville Friday night. Now, the Panthers must regroup. The region championship is still within grasp. However, the main goal now needs to be a top two finish and a first-round playoff game at home.
With Vardaman at home and Hamilton on the road, West Lowndes could move to 5-1 before facing this huge test at home. Coffeeville is 4-3 overall and 4-0 in region play.
MAIS District 2-3A: Heritage Academy at Leake Academy (Oct. 23)
Despite an up-and-down season, this is the game that matters for Heritage Academy.
With a win here, Heritage Academy can lock down second place in the district and a playoff berth. At 4-4 overall, the Patriots have spent the season looking for more consistency.
Knocking off Leake Academy (5-3, 1-1) would give Heritage Academy a little more time to put everything together for the postseason.
Scott Walters is a sports writer for The Dispatch. You can email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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