PRZ Mississippi: Week 2 Gumption Games 6A-4A
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6A Madison Central (1-0) vs Brandon (1-0) Previous Match-Up: Madison Central faced Brandon in last year’s 6A State Title Match-Up in a closely contested battle. In that meeting, the Jaguars of Madison Central took the edge over the Brandon Bulldogs 24-17…
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Madison Central (1-0) vs Brandon (1-0)
Previous Match-Up: Madison Central faced Brandon in last year’s 6A State Title Match-Up in a closely contested battle. In that meeting, the Jaguars of Madison Central took the edge over the Brandon Bulldogs 24-17 to capture their second Championship in the program’s history! However, that wasn’t the only victory that Madison Central enjoyed over Brandon last year. Nearly a year ago these two 6A juggernauts faced off in Week 2 of the 2021 season. A game that was vastly different in comparison to the match-up witnessed in Week 14. That first match-up yielded an evenly matched first half, yet Brandon ended up losing to the Jags by 3 scores. It is hard to beat a team twice in a year, but somebody tell that to the Jaguars of Madison Central. With that being said the Bulldogs of Brandon are looking to seek revenge on the reigning state champions two fold! Brandon has a loaded squad this season, who’ve captured a handsome (45-14) Week 1 win over Oxford. This game will be the game of the week for most, and with good reason. I’m eager to see exactly how both teams come out this week. A game of this magnitude this early in the year can make or break a season!
Last Years Record: Madison Central – Overall:13-1 District: (6-1) | Brandon – Overall: (11-3) District: (7-0)
Players to Watch: Madison Central – Vic Sutton Vic Sutton 6'3" | 200 lbs | QB Madison Central | 2023 State MS #9 QB | Isaiah Spencer Isaiah Spencer 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Madison Central | 2023 State MS #11 WR | De’Andre Pullen #4 WR | Braxton Barney Braxton Barney 6'5" | 220 lbs | DL Madison Central | 2023 State MS #40 DE | Joe Koury Joe Koury 6'1" | 270 lbs | OL Madison Central | 2024 State MS #55 C
Brandon – Jarvis Durr Jarvis Durr 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Brandon | 2023 State MS #1 RB | Nate Blount #6 RB | Luke Rogers Luke Rogers 6'4" | 290 lbs | OL Brandon | 2023 State MS #74 OL | Lester Miller Lester Miller 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Brandon | 2023 State MS #2 WR | Preston Ashley Preston Ashley 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Brandon | 2026 State MS #33 DB
Vicksburg (0-1) vs Warren Central (1-0)
Previous Match-Up: Last year’s contest between these two programs was the 41st meeting, in which the Gators of Vicksburg lost 7-6. In a game decided by defense, Warren Central was able to take the edge as they often have in this rivalry. Both teams only scores of the game came in the initial quarter of last year’s game. I’m sure that this game will be nothing like this, but you never know when it comes to rivalry games. In Week 1 the Vikings cruised to a 48-6 win over Forest Hill. This Week 2 game will be their first true test of the season against Vicksburg, a very talented team that struggled to move the ball consistently on offense last week. Though the Gators fell 10-6 to Germantown, they are looking to get on course with their first win of the season over their in-town rivals. The Senior class for Vicksburg has yet to grasp a win over Warren Central in their first three years of contention, but this serves as added motivation for that senior class to secure a victory. With that being said, the senior of Warren Central hasn’t lost to Vicksburg and doesn’t plan on doing so during their last ride!
Last Years Record: Vicksburg – Overall: 8-5 District: (6-2) | Warren Central – Overall: (8-4) District: (4-3)
Players to Watch: Vicksburg– Nicholas Mickey Nicholas Mickey 5'11" | 170 lbs | DB Vicksburg | 2023 MS #2 DB | Kellen Washington #8 OLB | Caleb Bryant Caleb Bryant 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL Vicksburg | 2023 State MS #45 DL | Malik Montgomery #6 RB | Jeleel Flemming #7 S/WR
Warren Central – Julien Demby Julien Demby 6'3" | 220 lbs | ATH Warren Central | 2024 State MS #5 TE/OLB | Darius Carter #3 ATH | Trey Hall #1 WR | Royveon Qualls Royveon Qualls 6'0" | 270 lbs | DL Warren Central | 2023 State MS #34 DL | Eric Collins Jr. #20 RB
5A
Pearl (1-0) vs Ridgeland (1-0)
Previous Match-Up: The previous match-up from these two programs took place last year, and Pearl handled Ridgeland fairly easily, defeating the Titans 50-13. After losing a great group of seniors, Pearl is trying to find its footing this season and this will be their first test. These two teams are both coming off of wins in Week 1 of this season, but the wins came in completely different fashions. Pearl earned a Week 1 victory over a respectable NW Rankin squad 29-27. Pearl faced South Pike last week, scoring 37 points in the first half in a dominating win. The skilled positions for both teams are filled with talented players, but I feel that this game will be won in the trenches. Whichever team can control the line of scrimmage will be able to control the tempo of the game. Ultimately it will be a game of chess between these two coaching staffs.
Last Years Record: Pearl – Overall: 8-5 District: (4-3) | Ridgeland – Overall: (6-5) District: (5-3)
Players to Watch: Pearl– Taccofah Lewis Taccofah Lewis 6'4" | 270 lbs | OL Pearl | 2024 State MS #51 OT | Jamarion Turner #4 RB | Kayvion Freeman Kayvion Freeman 6'3" | 210 lbs | DB Pearl | 2024 State MS #1 S/WR | Damario Ragsdale #23 DL
Ridgeland – JaBraxton Boone #6 WR | Ayden Williams Ayden Williams 6'1" | 175 lbs | WR Ridgeland | 2023 State MS #1 ATH | Kennedy Baker Kennedy Baker 6'0" | 220 lbs | LB Ridgeland | 2023 State MS #1 LB | Jaquan Bell #7 LB | Kamari Payne #5 RB
Laurel (1-0) vs D’Iberville (1-0)
Previous Match-Up: The last time these teams faced off was in the early 90’s. D’Iberville and Laurel both are coming off of impressive wins last week that were lopsided in both of these teams favor. This week, it will be important for Laurel to come out and get on the Warriors of D’Iberville early and often. Whoever comes out and gets stops early and get their offense rolling will take the win. The game will be closely contested for a half, and the team that starts hot will cushion their leads and get a much needed victory! With Laurel having one of the most talented offensive lines in the state, the run game will be there and that is precisely what the tornadoes will need to get established early on. On the other hand, D’Iberville will be looking to do the exact same thing early and often.
Last Years Record: Laurel – Overall: 10-4 District: (5-2) | D’Iberville – Overall: (10-2) District: (6-1)
Players to Watch: Laurel– Malik Ellis Malik Ellis 6'4" | 235 lbs | OL Laurel | 2023 State MS #67 OT | Malachi Breland Malachi Breland 6'5" | 315 lbs | OL Laurel | 2023 State MS #71 OT | Anthony Rogers #12 DB | Caden Arrington #6 RB | La’Troy MCurdy #7 TE/SS
D’Iberville – Gage Patterson #1 QB | Shannon Donaldson #61 DT | Kevin Rogers II #5 RB/S | Aziyon Abraham #18 RB/DB
4A
Greene County (0-1) vs George County (0-1)
Previous Match-Up: In 2021, the 33rd meeting of Greene Co. & George Co. ended with a score of 42-7 in favor of George County. The 34th meeting between these two programs takes place this Friday night, as Greene County looks to avenge last year’s loss to George County. This match-up in 4A is a rivalry game with contention and a lot riding on the outcome of the game. First off, it is a rivalry game that has been going on for decades now. Secondly both of these talented football teams are trying to avoid going into Week 3 of this season sitting at (0-2) without a victory under their belts. Bragging rights from this game are going to be sweet and the game will be even sweeter. I see this contest going nothing like last year’s. It will be a close game that features a lot of decent prospective running backs (for both squads). The defense that can contain their opponents run game will enjoy success and likely take the rivalry win home.
Last Years Record: Greene County – Overall: 4-6 District: (1-3) | George County – Overall: (7-5) District: (6-1)
Players to Watch: Greene County– Kayden Miller #6 RB | BJ Johnson #12 ATH | Keenan Franks Keenan Franks 5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH Greene County | 2024 State MS # RB | Coby King #2 QB | Jase Matthews #18 WR
George County – Deuce Knight Deuce Knight 6'4" | 185 lbs | QB George County | 2025 State MS #2 QB | Kohl Bradley #15 CB/WR | Jacobe Street #6 RB | Amaru Jones #9 WR
West Lauderdale (1-0) vs Neshoba Central (0-1)
Previous Match-Up: 21-14 Neshoba Central was the results for last year’s game vs these two teams. West Lauderdale put up a tough fight in that game, but ultimately came up short in the end. Neshoba Central and West Lauderdale both posted impressive regular season records last year, however, experienced little success in post-season play. West Lauderdale lost a heavily talented senior class in 2022, but they are looking to have yet another respectable season and make an even deeper playoff run. Neshoba Central is trying to get that zero out of their column and secure their first win of the year against a respectable opponent. Both of these teams are quality programs, but only one of them can get the win. I predict that the team that possesses the ball the longest, plays well on all three phases, and prevents the big play will get the win!
Last Years Record: West Lauderdale – Overall: 10-2 District: (5-0) | Neshoba Central – Overall: (12-1) District: (8-0)
Players to Watch: West Lauderdale – Jordan Gowdy #8 DE | Caleb Collins #25 RB | Zach Simpson #77 OT | Jackson Parker #5 QB | Paxton George #7 TE/SS
Neshoba Central – Beau Holley #6 LB | Ruffin ‘ last=”]’] #5 SS | Darrian Ragsdale #22 RB | Dakiren Wilson #1 CB | Anthony Hopson Anthony Hopson 6'3" | 320 lbs | DL Neshoba Central | 2025 State MS #99 DL