One week until state titles are determined in Class AA and Class A, who will it be?
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Let's Roll.......
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**River Oaks (11-1) at Brookhaven (12-1)…….The defending state champs have had the luxury of resting players during two easy playoff wins over Adams Christian and Cenla while River Oaks has had the more difficult route in advancing to their second straight South State title game with wins over Central Hinds and Centreville. River Oaks surprised many by the brand of physical football they displayed in their 21-13 win over Centreville last Friday. Unlike their week seven loss at Trinity the Mustangs were more dedicated to the run game and it paid huge dividends in the second half against a Centreville squad that most thought were the hottest team in Class AA. Brookhaven’s defense, which is much under-rated, will have to contend with protecting the corners to avoid River Oaks’ speed from breaking substantial runs while at the same time filling the gaps to contain the shifty running of a healthy Teshadi Talton who scorched Centreville for 188 yards last week. Key to the game could come down to tackling and turnovers and whether the smaller defensive backs of River Oaks can out physical Brookhaven’s big wide-outs. Something tells me Brookhaven gets a huge game from a freshman tailback…….Brookhaven over River Oaks 31-19 at home.
>Last Meeting – 2009 South State Finals – Brookhaven 17-7
>Brookhaven – 42 ppg…19 papg
>River Oaks – 41 ppg…10 papg
**River Oaks (11-1) at Brookhaven (12-1)…….The defending state champs have had the luxury of resting players during two easy playoff wins over Adams Christian and Cenla while River Oaks has had the more difficult route in advancing to their second straight South State title game with wins over Central Hinds and Centreville. River Oaks surprised many by the brand of physical football they displayed in their 21-13 win over Centreville last Friday. Unlike their week seven loss at Trinity the Mustangs were more dedicated to the run game and it paid huge dividends in the second half against a Centreville squad that most thought were the hottest team in Class AA. Brookhaven’s defense, which is much under-rated, will have to contend with protecting the corners to avoid River Oaks’ speed from breaking substantial runs while at the same time filling the gaps to contain the shifty running of a healthy Teshadi Talton who scorched Centreville for 188 yards last week. Key to the game could come down to tackling and turnovers and whether the smaller defensive backs of River Oaks can out physical Brookhaven’s big wide-outs. Something tells me Brookhaven gets a huge game from a freshman tailback…….Brookhaven over River Oaks 31-19 at home.
>Last Meeting – 2009 South State Finals – Brookhaven 17-7
>Brookhaven – 42 ppg…19 papg
>River Oaks – 41 ppg…10 papg
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**Leake (10-2) at North Delta (10-1)…….It’s been some time since these two have matched up but when they do they’ll see mirror images of each other. Both squads are run oriented and scatter in the passing game from time to time. While the style of play is similar the one factor that may be key is the depth that Leake has, particularly on offense. North Delta has reeled off ten straight wins since a week one loss to Class AAA Magnolia Heights. The Green Waves proved there metal in last week’s road win against Simpson while Leake came from behind to take a win at Winston. Leake has the size advantage and the edge in the kicking game but North Delta had a coming out party last week in Mendenhall. The difference in this matchup could be a “Nickle”……..North Delta at home over Leake 27-21.
>Last Meeting – 2004 Playoffs – North Delta 55-0
>North Delta – 36 ppg…13 papg
>Leake – 41 ppg…12 papg
**Leake (10-2) at North Delta (10-1)…….It’s been some time since these two have matched up but when they do they’ll see mirror images of each other. Both squads are run oriented and scatter in the passing game from time to time. While the style of play is similar the one factor that may be key is the depth that Leake has, particularly on offense. North Delta has reeled off ten straight wins since a week one loss to Class AAA Magnolia Heights. The Green Waves proved there metal in last week’s road win against Simpson while Leake came from behind to take a win at Winston. Leake has the size advantage and the edge in the kicking game but North Delta had a coming out party last week in Mendenhall. The difference in this matchup could be a “Nickle”……..North Delta at home over Leake 27-21.
>Last Meeting – 2004 Playoffs – North Delta 55-0
>North Delta – 36 ppg…13 papg
>Leake – 41 ppg…12 papg
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**Sylva Bay (12-0) at Trinity (13-0)……..Sylva Bay hits Natchez with arguably the best player in the MAIS in Ole Miss signee Cody Prewitt. Prewitt has rushed for over 2,200 yards in leading his squad to quality wins over East Rankin and Winston during the course of a 13-0 season mark. Sylva Bay’s lowest scoring output was way back in week one when the Saints beat Stringer 20-15 on the road. Averaging 175 yards a game, Prewitt has gotten the attention of the Trinity defense. The defense Prewitt will face in the pit will be a battle tested group that has faced one of the toughest schedules in Class A or Class AA. How Sylva Bay’s defense matches up with Trinity’s skill players on offense will be the true test of the night. Trinity has wins over Brookhaven, River Oaks and Centreville under their belt and possesses big weapons. With a seasoned quarterback in senior Givonni Dent to direct a potent offense, Trinity can choose to pound the football with 1,600 yard rusher Kent King or get the football to Tip McKenzie who has massed over 2,600 all-purpose yards and 32 touchdowns on the season. I see a huge second half of football coming from the home-standing Saints…….Trinity at home over Sylva Bay 47-26.
>Last meeting – 2009 Playoffs Round Two – Trinity 43-28
>Trinity – 45 ppg…15 papg
>Sylva Bay – 44 ppg…14 papg
**Sylva Bay (12-0) at Trinity (13-0)……..Sylva Bay hits Natchez with arguably the best player in the MAIS in Ole Miss signee Cody Prewitt. Prewitt has rushed for over 2,200 yards in leading his squad to quality wins over East Rankin and Winston during the course of a 13-0 season mark. Sylva Bay’s lowest scoring output was way back in week one when the Saints beat Stringer 20-15 on the road. Averaging 175 yards a game, Prewitt has gotten the attention of the Trinity defense. The defense Prewitt will face in the pit will be a battle tested group that has faced one of the toughest schedules in Class A or Class AA. How Sylva Bay’s defense matches up with Trinity’s skill players on offense will be the true test of the night. Trinity has wins over Brookhaven, River Oaks and Centreville under their belt and possesses big weapons. With a seasoned quarterback in senior Givonni Dent to direct a potent offense, Trinity can choose to pound the football with 1,600 yard rusher Kent King or get the football to Tip McKenzie who has massed over 2,600 all-purpose yards and 32 touchdowns on the season. I see a huge second half of football coming from the home-standing Saints…….Trinity at home over Sylva Bay 47-26.
>Last meeting – 2009 Playoffs Round Two – Trinity 43-28
>Trinity – 45 ppg…15 papg
>Sylva Bay – 44 ppg…14 papg
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**Tunica (8-3) at Tri-County (13-0)……Heading home from Monroe last Saturday morning I caught the last several minutes of the DeSoto at Tri-County replay on the radio. (Don't remember the names of the radio crew but those guys did an outstanding job calling the game) After the Rebel’s 35-28 overtime win a handful of Tri-County players were interviewed on the post game show and each one quickly spoke about how excited they were to get another crack at a Tunica squad that eliminated them from post season last year. Tri-County came from behind against a good DeSoto team and I’m sure the fact that they gave up 28 points was a sore spot, after all, the Rebel’s defense yields an MAIS best 7.6 points per game. The mission at hand will be slowing Tunica tailback Freeman Gray who has rushed for over 2,000 yards in his senior campaign. My hunch is that Tunica will not score 48 points on Tri-County as they did in 2009 and that a senior quarterback will write the “Storey” in this contest……..Tri-County at home over Tunica 28-19.
>Last meeting – 2009 Playoffs Round Two – Tunica 48-42
>Tri-County – 34 ppg…7 papg
>Tunica – 39 ppg…19 papg
**Tunica (8-3) at Tri-County (13-0)……Heading home from Monroe last Saturday morning I caught the last several minutes of the DeSoto at Tri-County replay on the radio. (Don't remember the names of the radio crew but those guys did an outstanding job calling the game) After the Rebel’s 35-28 overtime win a handful of Tri-County players were interviewed on the post game show and each one quickly spoke about how excited they were to get another crack at a Tunica squad that eliminated them from post season last year. Tri-County came from behind against a good DeSoto team and I’m sure the fact that they gave up 28 points was a sore spot, after all, the Rebel’s defense yields an MAIS best 7.6 points per game. The mission at hand will be slowing Tunica tailback Freeman Gray who has rushed for over 2,000 yards in his senior campaign. My hunch is that Tunica will not score 48 points on Tri-County as they did in 2009 and that a senior quarterback will write the “Storey” in this contest……..Tri-County at home over Tunica 28-19.
>Last meeting – 2009 Playoffs Round Two – Tunica 48-42
>Tri-County – 34 ppg…7 papg
>Tunica – 39 ppg…19 papg
