Friday Night Blitz: Week 10

Another week down and another week closer to the ultimate goal for every team in the state, Jackson. Each team has aspirations of making it to the Big House in Jackson where they have the opportunity to play for the gold trophy but as each week goes by, those opportunities get slimmer and slimmer for many teams. This week, region games continue to heat up around the state and the stakes are getting higher with only two weeks left of regular season games. It should be a great week of high school football in Mississippi and we've got you covered here on BulldogBlitz.com. Let's take a look at my picks from last week and where I am on the season picking my top five games each week.

Last Week's Record: 4-1

Season Record 31-14

Now, my game of the week and four more games to watch.

Game of the Week: Oak Grove vs. Brandon: It seems like every week there is a game of the year in 6A. One of the strongest years in the classification in recent memory, this one has huge implications in region play as the Oak Grove Warriors try to hold on to the top spot in the state going in to the playoffs. The Warriors took over the top spot after knocking off the Petal Panthers who would then knock off Brandon the very next week. Kirk McCarty leads the way offensively with a solid receiving corp in Jordan Mitchell and Cameron Myers hauling in over 1,000 yards between them.

Brandon continues to be led by Gardner Minshew at quarterback who got his team back on track with a blowout win against previously top 10, Meridian. The Bulldogs seem to be back on the right road making this game one to watch if you're around the area looking for football action. I think this game goes down to the wire with someone needing to step up to make the big play. I think Brandon finds a way to make that play and gets themselves back in position for a region title. Brandon

Lake at Union: The annual Breland bowl against brothers Brad and Jeff is going to be a fight. Union and Lake are two towns not far from each other and once you add the sibling rivalry into effect and district implications on the line, it makes it even more fun. Union is 6-3 overall but is tied with the 8-0 Lake squad with an undefeated region record. The winner takes control of Region 5-2A, but also sets themselves up well in the playoffs. I think Union gives Lake a run for the money but Lake stays undefeated and gunning for a 2A title. Lake

Meridian at Petal: This game doesn't seem as big as it might have been two weeks ago but it is just as big now. The Panthers are coming off a big upset over number one Brandon followed by a beat down of Jim Hill. The win didn't come without cost, however. MSU commit and Rivals.com three-star wide receiver Jesse Jackson went down with a knee injury in the first half after a big start with three catches, 92 yards and a touchdown. It was later determined that he tore his ACL and MCL and his senior season is now done.

Meridian is coming off a deflating loss to Brandon and is now sitting at 5-3 overall. Their backs are against the wall and this is a must win for them. I think Petal makes sure they put the Wildcats away and win some games for Jesse with several players looking to step up in his absence. Petal

Laurel at Wayne County: A battle between Wayne and Jones County is on the line in this ball game between traditional powers in Waynesboro. Wayne County is resurgent this year despite losing Head Coach Marcus Broyles to Petal a couple of years ago. The War Eagles have gotten back to their winning ways and will be one of the teams to beat in 5A as they've made it to 5-2 on the season. Laurel has made a strong push in 5A as well and hasn't been talked about nearly as much as they should with an undefeated start. A big battle with lots of implications will go down on Friday with Laurel coming out on top. Laurel

Jackson Academy at MRA: Jackson Academy has hit a wall at times this year but they've still one three out of the last four State Championships. The Raiders are still a team to watch for in the MAIS, but so is MRA as they've emerged as a contender led on the offensive and defensive lines by MSU commit Sean Rawlings. MRA gave Jackson Prep all they could handle for three quarters before falling late in that ball game and I feel like they get the job done this week and take over the number two spot in Jackson for now. MRA

Player of the Week: Darrell Henderson, Running back; South Panola: Henderson has had one of the better seasons of running backs in the state this year and was the go-to guy again on Friday. The work horse carried the ball 39 times last week for 229 yards and a touchdown while playing both ways and returning kicks. The 39 carries alone should have him in consideration for the player of the week.

Now let's take a look at this week's top 25 for the state of Mississippi.

Top 25:

1. Oak Grove (8-0) 6A

2. South Panola (8-1) 6A

3. Oxford (8-0) 5A

4. Petal (7-1) 6A

5. Louisville (9-0) 3A

6. Brandon (7-1) 6A

7. Callaway (9-0) 5A

8. Tupelo (7-1) 6A

9. Bassfield (8-1) 2A

10. Pascagoula (7-1) 5A

11. Gulfport (7-1) 6A

12. Starkville (6-2) 6A

13. Laurel (8-0) 5A

14. Wayne County (6-2) 5A

15. Picayune (5-2) 5A

16. Hazlehurst (8-1) 4A

17. Pearl (8-1) 5A

18. Olive Branch (6-3) 6A

19. Madison Central (5-3) 6A

20. Grenada (7-1) 6A

21. St. Stansislaus (8-0) 4A

22. Meridian (5-3) 5-3

23. Jackson Academy (6-2) MAIS-AAA

24. Charleston (7-1) 3A

25. West Jones (6-1) 5A