We have finally made it.
When the sun sets, the prep football regular season will have started in the state of Mississippi.
The opening weeks always provide intriguing matchups. The area is full of title contenders this season, so the run to championship weekend should be fun.
Here is what we are watching for in Week One:
TIGERS OR YELLOW JACKETS
Which first-year quarterback will emerge in Starkville?
Noxubee County and Starkville meet for an eighth-straight year in the season opener. However, it has been quite some time since the teams met with each starting a new quarterback.
Starkville has been running three at the position in fall camp — Jacquez Akins, Malik Brown, and Ben Owens. Noxubee County also lists three — Maliek Stallings, Armori Clark, and Rodney Williams.
Starkville coach Ricky Woods said Akins will start, while Stallings likely will get the call for Noxubee County.
A year ago, star power was on display in Noxubee County’s 26-20, double-overtime win. There will be less of a spark this season. However, the game should still be really good.
FALCONS OR WILDCATS
Will Kemper County kick to Kylin Hill this season?
The hype surrounding the Columbus High running back already was big prior to the start of last season.
Things then went up a notch when Hill had two kickoff returns in a season-opening 49-27 victory against Kemper County. The thought process of kicking to Hill was corrected and Kemper County kicked the ball out of bounds the rest of the night after the second return.
The season opener against the powerful Class 3A Wildcats should be a good test for the Class 6A Falcons. Columbus coach Randal Montgomery hopes his team will be pushed Friday night.
Even without any kick returns, the Falcons should soar to a good start.
PATRIOTS OR RAMS
Will the Sean Harrison era start on a promising note?
Heritage Academy first-year head coach Sean Harrison has talked about weekly improvement. He isn’t worried about the big picture. Instead, he is worried about his team getting better each week.
After back-to-back losing seasons, the Patriots will look to get back on the upswing. There are some talented playmakers on the roster. The team will have to do a better job of playing more consistent.
Columbus Christian struggled a season ago. However, the Rams won two of their final three games.
That momentum should serve them well regardless of the outcome Friday night.
WILDCATS OR TROJANS
Will New Hope have a turnaround this season after winning only three games in 2015?
Despite an inability to finish several close games, coach Kris Pickle could rarely fault the effort. The Trojans competed and were in most games until the fourth quarter.
With a lot of returning starters on both sides of the ball, New Hope hopes to reclaim the magic and return to the Class 5A playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Playing a smaller-class traditional power, such as Louisville, is always a good way to start the season.
A year ago, Louisville won 20-3. New Hope had a great night in total offense but failed to close the deal in the red zone. Taking advantage of opportunities will be key Friday night and throughout the season.
VOLUNTEERS OR PATRIOTS
Will Starkville Academy be among the title contenders again this season?
One can feel the enthusiasm after being around Starkville Academy coach Chase Nicholson for only a couple of minutes.
Starkville Academy has posted back-to-back double-digit win seasons. The Volunteers have built the program from inside out, first with Jeff Terrill and now Nicholson. Recent success has helped shape the program, but few of this year’s players have been heavily involved.
Starkville Academy will look at a lot of new faces on offense and defense Friday night in its season opener at Marshall Academy. A veteran Volunteers’ squad rolled to a 45-0 win last season. This game figures to be much closer.
Despite the key graduation losses, Starkville Academy should be in mix against for a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA State title. However, this season, the path there might be a little bit longer.
Scott Walters is a sports writer for The Dispatch. He may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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