BDJ Class 5A North football preview

Bulldawg Junction continues to look forward to the high school season as it breaks down Mississippi's Class 5A North.

Region 1

Center Hill- The Mustangs make the move to 5A this year and will benefit from everyone in the division having to reload. They came loaded with junior quarterback Jacob Marsh to lead the team. Senior tailback Richard Hampton rushed for over 1,300yds last year. On defense, senior linebacker Caliph Muhammad returns after posting 120 tackles and four sacks.

Hernando- The Tigers are one of those teams that have to reload this season. They will be replacing players all over the field. Hernando does however have senior running back Ronnie Jones back after running for 486 yard last season. On defense, senior defensive end Heath Jansen is back with his 39 tackles.

Clarksdale- The Wildcats will be trying to get back in the playoffs this year in a season that the rest of the district is rebuilding. They have some key players returning and hope they can benefit from those players. On offense, junior quarterback Cornelius Williams will lead the way. And on defense, the Wildcats will rely on senior defensive back Jordan Harris.

Lake Cormorant- The Gators will have to find a new quarterback with the graduation of Mike Williams. They may run the ball a little more since they have senior running back J'Monn Scott returning. Lake Cormorant also has a very talented senior wide receiver returning in Martice Buckley who had 470 yards receiving last season. Also returning is big time senior defensive back Steve Sanders.

Saltillo- The Tigers will have to replace a couple of big time running backs this year in hopes of making a playoff run. They will have the services of senior quarterback Chase Watson for another year. On defense, the Tigers will be leaning on defensive tackle Wesley Ragin who had 73 tackles.

West Point- The Green Wave will once again be the favorites to win the district this season. On offense, they have the running back tandem of Mario Virges and Tez Lane. On defense, the Green Wave will have linebacker Brandon Edwards and his 115 tackles and five sacks. They will also have talented senior defensive back Dequinten Spraggins and his five interceptions.

New Hope- The Trojans have a lot of players missing from last year's playoff team. They will be another team in the region rebuilding. New Hope will rely on their offense early and talented running back Jameel Johnson and tight end Lawrence Brown.

Oxford- The Chargers will have to learn to live without G.C. Billups. They will run the ball a lot with senior running back Lamont Dean, who had 980 yards last season. Also back is playmaker Stan Ivy and his 580 yards receiving and 400 yardds in returns. On defense, seniors D.J. Blake and Kelvin Lamar will lead the way.

BDJ Playoff team Prediction- Center Hill, West Point, Oxford and Lake Cormorant.

Region 2

Yazoo City- The Indians will have some playmakers returning this year. On offense, senior quarterback Dazmon Wright will return with his 900-plus yards passing. Also returning is senior running back Willis Haralson and his 600-plus yards rushing. On defense, seniors Jamie Jamison and his 79 tackles and Carlos Edwards and his 104 tackles return.

Canton- The Tigers are hoping to build on last year's record with some key players returning. Senior quarterback Xavier Kelly and his over 600 yards passing are back. Also junior running back Bobby Johnson returns. On defense, senior defensive tackle Nathan Jackson is back to lead the Tigers this year.

Starkville- The Yellow Jackets are new to 5A and they should have some players to make a run at the playoffs. On offense, the tailback tandem of senior Taego Catledge and junior Preston Baker will lead the way. On defense, explosive senior defensive end Erik Rogers will lead the way.

Neshoba Central- The Rockets can make some noise in Region 2 this season with some experienced players returning. Their two-headed quarterback tandem of sophomore Joseph Willis and senior Josh Stewart lead the way. On defense, sophomore Jacoby Lewis is back with his 71 tackles and five sacks.

Lanier-The Bulldogs will have some talent on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Devante Divinity is back to lead the team. Also back is junior running back Jarrid Smith. The defense will be led by hard hitting defensive back Antonio Morris.

Callaway- The Chargers will make a run again this year will a very talented offensive line and a talented running back in senior Daryl Jones Jr., who posted over 850 rushig yards last year. The defense will be led by senior defensive back Jacquez Ross and senior linebacker John Stewart. This should be a great season for Callaway.

Provine- The Rams have some talent returning on both sides of the ball this season. On offense, senior running back Jeremy Dotson will be back. He posted over 1,000 yards last season and will be the work horse this season. On defense, the Rams have a duo of outside linebackers in Dale Foster (66 tackles) and Donte Nelson (71 tackles) to lead the way.

Ridgeland- The Titans have a lot to replace on the offensive side of the ball. The will rely on their very talented defense. They have two big time defensive backs in Quardarius Armour and Kris Givens (five interceptions). The also have a great linebacker in Jymal Ellis (101 tackles) and defensive tackle Stedman Caplar (87 tackles).

BDJ Playoff Team Prediction- Ridgeland, Callaway, Neshoba Central and Starkville.

BDJ North State Championship Game Prediction- Ridgeland vs. West Point

BDJ North State Champion- West Point