10 high school football games to watch in Mississippi this weekend

No. 8 Brandon at No. 1 Oak Grove highlights an exciting slate of games in the Magnolia State this weekend

With region play in full swing around the state and in every classification, the outcome of every game is crucial for teams looking to wrap up their district and home-field advantage in the playoffs. It's no surprise, then, that this week's slate of games features several matchups with substantial post-season implications.

Here's a look at 10 games we're keeping an eye on this weekend in the Magnolia State:

No. 8 Brandon (4-2) at No. 1 Oak Grove (6-0)

Top-ranked Oak Grove has played some huge games this season, but the Warriors have had this game circled on the calendar since the Bulldogs won South State a year ago. One of these two teams has represented the South at the MHSAA State Championship in Mississippi’s highest classification in each of the past three seasons, and this year is unlikely to be any different. Both teams feature prolific offenses and defenses that have struggled at times. The Warriors' tech team better make sure all of the lights are working on the scoreboard, cause the operators are likely to need every single one of them before this one is over.

No. 3 Ocean Springs (5-1) at Harrison Central (5-1)

The Greyhounds have been salty on defense and solid in special teams all season, and the offense has certainly come into its own since rallying past No. 7 Northwest Rankin on the road in Week 4. But if Ocean Springs wants a clear run an outright Region 4-7A title, they’ll need to get past the Red Rebels on the road this Friday night. Harrison Central isn’t just here to play the spoiler, either — the Red Rebels are 1-0 in the region after a win over St. Martin last week, and a win Friday could set up their own showdown with Gulfport on Nov. 2 with the region title on the line.

Sacred Heart (7-0) at Lumberton (4-3)

We haven’t paid much attention to Sacred Heart, and that’s on us. The Crusaders haven’t played a very tough schedule, but have passed every test that has come their way. All season, it has looked like Lumberton was going to back their way into a 1A South Championship, despite nagging issues that led to an uncharacteristic 2-2 start. The Crusaders can turn that narrative on its head with a win Friday night, and signal to the rest of 1A South that they are the team to beat from Region 8.

Hartfield Academy (9-0) at Jackson Prep (7-1)

Since being disqualified from the playoffs by the MAIS over recruiting allegations, it seems like Hartfield Academy has developed a hit list of sorts. And while they won’t play for state championship in 2023, the undefeated Hawks are out to prove a point. They knocked off top-ranked Madison-Ridgeland Academy in thrilling fashion in a 63-56 barn-burner last week, and can establish themselves as the most dominant private school program in the state with a win at Prep Friday night.

George County (5-2) at Hancock (7-0)

Hancock is another team that has flown under the radar despite a hot start. Quarterback Dylan Moran appears to be the real deal, but the Hawks’ most impressive win is a 22-20 win over Florence back on Sept. 29. They can change that Friday night with a win over a George County team that started 1-0 in Region 4 with a blowout win over Long Beach last week. If either team wants a shot at Picayune and the region title, a win this week is a must.

Quitman (5-2) at Mendenhall (5-2)

Put simply, this game Friday night is for the Region 5-4A title. Both teams come in undefeated at 2-0 in district games, and a win for Quitman would assure the Panthers of at least a 3-1 record in the league and give them the tie-breaker if Mendenhall finishes with the same record. And while the Tigers dominated this game 34-0 last season, the stakes and the two teams are much different this year.

Choctaw County (5-2) at Mooreville (6-1)

Mooreville was riding high at 6-0 until the Troopers dropped a 35-28 heart-breaker against a very good Nettleton team last week. Choctaw County has been dominant since mid-September with three-straight wins over Yazoo County, East Webster and Aberdeen. But with Nettleton’s success, only one of these two teams will keep their region title hopes alive with a win this week.

Vicksburg (4-2) at Warren Central (4-2)

Abraham Lincoln called Vicksburg "The key to the south." Now that these rivals are in the same district, we're calling this game the key to Region 2-6A. There's a lot on the line for both of these teams, but as with most rivalry games, you can throw the records and standings out of the window. Vicksburg is looking for revenge to pay back a 20-18 loss to the Vikings a year ago. A win for Warren Central would give them three in a row headed into the softest part of the 2023 schedule, furnishing the Vikings with a clear run at an 8-2 finish and the region title.

Germantown (4-3) at No. 6 Tupelo (5-2)

Nobody had this game circled on the calendar to start the season, and why would they? Everyone thought Region 2-7A would come down to Madison Central, Tupelo and Starkville. And that was still the case until the Mavericks upset the Yellowjackets 34-33 last Friday night, upending the narrative by posting arguably the biggest win in school history. The Mavericks can really throw a wrench into the machinery with another upset win this week, but they’ll have to do it on the road against a Tupelo team that looked much improved in a 14-12 win over Madison Central in the Jungle last week.

Holmes County Central (6-0) at Gentry (4-3)

If Holmes County Central plays up to its own standards, the Jaguars should win this game. That said, they better not sleep on this road trip to Indianola. Gentry beat a good Humphreys County team early in the year, and is coming off a 36-0 flattening of Yazoo City a week ago. Both teams are 1-0 in Region 2-5A and have pivotal games against Cleveland Central remaining in what is going to be a tight race down the stretch. The winner of Thursday night’s game will control their own destiny in the hunt for the region title. The loser will need some help.