High school football predictions for 5 top playoff semifinal games in Mississippi
This week, the Mississippi high school football playoffs' top games include 10 teams in the Mississippi Super 25. Highlighted are semifinal matchups between No. 3 Brandon vs. No. 4 Oak Grove and No. 6 West Jones vs. No. 13 Picayune.
Here's a look at the top five games across the state with score predictions.
Game of the week
No. 3 Brandon (10-2) vs. No. 4 Oak Grove (11-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
It seemed fitting these two would match up one more time. After a rematch from the regular season in which Brandon beat Oak Grove 38-20, the Warriors will aim for revenge and try to advance to the MHSAA 7A state championship. Brandon is looking to make a state title appearance for the third consecutive season. Expect this game to come down to the final possession.
Prediction: Brandon 24, Oak Grove 21.
No. 6 West Jones (12-0) vs. No. 13 Picayune (10-2)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
West Jones has yet to lose since the quarterfinals of the MHSAA 5A state tournament last season in 2022 to, you guessed it, eventual state champs Picayune 28-17. The Mustangs, who are in the same position their opponent was in last season, have a chance to rewrite their fate by trying to make a 6A state final appearance for the first time since 2020.
Prediction: West Jones 28, Picayune 20.
No. 1 Louisville (13-0) vs. No. 18 Houston (11-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Louisville is looking to make a repeat appearance in the MHSAA 4A state final, and one opponent who has a chance to stop that is Houston. The game is a rematch from the regular season in which Louisville routed Houston 50-6, and the Hilltoppers haven't dropped a game since. They will use that much-needed momentum against a Louisville team that has lost one game in the past two seasons.
Prediction: Louisville 31, Houston 17.
No. 8 South Panola (11-1) vs. No. 16 Grenada (10-3)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Since losing in its second regular-season game to Oxford, South Panola has not dropped a game and is outscoring opponents 326-121 since. Grenada went into Vicksburg as an underdog and defeated Warren Central. Look for lead changes and for Grenada to give South Panola a few scares in the MHSAA 6A semifinal clash.
Prediction: South Panola 20, Grenada 17.
HS FB RANKINGS: Mississippi Super 25 high school football rankings Week 15: Playoff semifinals
No. 7 Starkville (9-3) vs. No. 24 Madison Central (9-4)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
A grudge match in the MHSAA 7A semifinal, in which both of these teams have familiar territory. Starkville is the defending 6A champions, and Madison Central won the title in 2021. The Yellowjackets are looking to repeat a regular season matchup in which they beat Madison Central 41-21. Expect Starkville to score quickly and look for receiver Stonka Burnside and quarterback Trey Petty to produce much of its offensive threat.
Prediction: Starkville 35, Madison Central 24.
Last week's picks: 3-2 (66%)
Season picks: 21-9 (70%)
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion-Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi high school football playoff semifinals predicitions
