Mississippi high school football playoff predictions: MHSAA quarterfinals, MAIS championships
Mississippi high school football playoffs top games this week include nine teams in the Mississippi Super 25, and there are clashes between six top-20 teams. Highlighted are No. 2 Hartfield Academy vs. No. 14 Jackson Prep in the MAIS 6A state title game on Saturday and an MHSAA quarterfinal between No. 3 Brandon and No. 17 Pearl.
Here's a look at the top five games across the state with score predictions.
Game of the week
No. 2 Hartfield Academy (13-0) vs. No. 14 Jackson Prep (10-3)
When: 6 p.m., Saturday
Where: Mississippi College, Clinton
This is the MAIS 6A state championship and Jackson Prep is the defending champion. In the regular season, Hartfield won 30-17 but expect a closer game with Prep on a momentum surge. Prep must contain Hartfield's offensive standouts Reed Jesiolowski and Kenzy West. Hartfield's defense needs to stop Prep quarterback Parker Puckett, who had 274 total yards last week vs MRA. Look for a thrilling championship game.
Prediction: Hartfield Academy 30, Jackson Prep 21.
No. 3 Brandon (9-2) vs. No. 17 Pearl (8-3)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Ten miles separate the two schools in this MHSAA 7A quarterfinal. Brandon cruised past Pearl 42-20 in the regular season and has not dropped a game since losing its first two. Watch for Brandon's quarterback-receiver connection between Landon Varnes and Jay McQueen.
Prediction: Brandon 28, Pearl 17.
No. 5 Holmes County Central (12-0) vs. No. 13 West Point (8-3)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Holmes County Central is having one of its best seasons in the past decade. Led by running back Kahnen Daniels, West Point's ground game has been strong all year. Holmes CC will look for quarterback Garrison Davis and running back Jartavious Smart to help make the 5A semifinals.
Prediction: Holmes County Central 21, West Point 14.
No. 6 Warren Central (9-2) vs. No. 22 Grenada (9-3)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Warren Central relies on quarterback Nash Morgan and running back Eric Collins Jr. Expect this MHSAA 6A quarterfinal to come down to the final possession.
Prediction: Warren Central 28, Grenada 25.
HS FB SUPER 25: Mississippi Super 25 high school football rankings Week 14: Playoffs intensify
No. 9 West Jones (11-0) vs. Terry (7-4)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Terry won its first playoff game in 17 years and has standout dual-threat RJ Hall, who recorded six total touchdowns in a 41-39 first-round win over George County. West Jones will look to quarterback Alan Follis and linebacker Tmyko Foster, averaging 8.3 tackles per game, in this MHSAA 6A quarterfinal.
Prediction: West Jones 35, Terry 23.
Last week's picks: 2-3 (66%)
Season picks: 18-7 (72%)
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: MHSAA football playoffs quarterfinals predictions; MAIS championships
