Friday Night Blitz: Week 5

Well, well, well. Looks like someone (me) is getting the hang of these picks. From 2-3 in week one, to 4-1 and 5-0 in consecutive weeks. That brings my total up to 15-5 on the season which means in my ever-growing cockiness, I'm doomed to fail soon. Either way, great games continue every week in the state and really that's what it's all about, right? Let's jump right in, shall we?

Last Week's Record: 5-0

Season Record 15-5

Game of the Week: Columbus at Louisville I know, I have Louisville in the top games of the week constantly. In my defense, they have a big game every week and they continue to win those big games. At this point in the season, there's not many hurdles to jump for the Wildcats but this one might be one of the last. Columbus dismantled West Point in a statement win and now Louisville gets to have one of their biggest measuring stick games of the season. There might not be many teams that will hang with Louisville in 3A and a win over 6A Columbus might mean they are worthy of one of the top spots in the entire state. I think wide receiver Dontae Jones and Jacksonville State quarterback commit Wyatt Roberts will continue to roll offensively while Jeremy Sangster and the nasty Wildcat D holds down the fort on their side of the line.

Louisville

West Point at Noxubee County: West Point is another team that I usually have on this list and if they continue to fall, they won't be for long. They came up short big time last week but I still see them as a team with a lot of potential moving forward in 5A. Aeris Williams was completely shut down by the Columbus defense but the Green Wave defense has to do their part at some point as well. If Williams is held in check by a young Noxubee team that seems to get better each week, it could be another long nigh for the Wave. I think the Tigers continue to roar and cement themselves as one of the top teams in 4A.

Noxubee County

Hazelhurst at Bassfield: This is one of the most underrated matchups of the year and most definitely this week. Bassfield is riding high and hasn't lost a game in nearly two years. Their biggest challenge comes in the form of last year's 3A State Champion Hazelhurst in a huge matchup. Hazelhurst might be the team that has the biggest challenge ahead of them however as Bassfield continues to dominate 2A. I think Bassfield's vaunted D helps the Yellow Jackets prove another big point and they stay on track for another title.

Bassfield

Forrest County AHS at Purvis: Both of these teams are right on the outside of some of the best in the state, but there's some big-time stars on each team. Forrest County is led by MSU running back commit Dontavion Lee. Lee is right there with Williams as one of the top backs in the state of Mississippi and has backed it up with his production on the field leading FCAHS to a 2-1 start. Purvis is led by one of the top receivers in the state and Florida State commit Markell Pack who looks to make a breakthrough play on offense that puts Purvis over the top.

Purvis

Wayne County at Gulfport: The final big-time game of the week matches two teams in the south that both represent the top 25 in the state. Wayne County is trying to get back to prominence after a few years off. Gulfport is trying to keep up with the monstrous coast teams that compete with each other for spots in the postseason and this represents a big game for them as well. I think, in the end, Gulfport will spring the upset and move closer to getting in the hunt.

Gulfport

Player of the Week: I think this week we should change things up a bit. Defensive players haven't gotten the love they so rightly deserve because we, as fans, fall in love with stats that the offensive skill players put up. MSU is getting a solid, under-the-radar player in Oxford defensive end, ,Darius Liggins and he's helping lead the Chargers to a big season thus far. Quickly becoming the team to beat in 5A, Oxford got a blowout win over cross-town rival Lafayette on Friday and Liggins was a big reason that happened. The 2014 MSU commit had 10 tackles (four solo) with four tackles for a loss, three sacks and an interception. He will be a big asset to Geoff Collins in the next few years.

Now let's take a look at this week's top 25 for the state of Mississippi. There's a little movement here and there, but the top three teams stay the same.

Top 25:

1. Brandon (4-0)

2. South Panola (4-0)

3. Petal (4-0)

4. Oak Grove (3-0)

5. Oxford (3-0)

6. Olive Branch (3-1)

7. Louisville (4-0)

8. Bassfield (4-0)

9. Meridian (3-1)

10. Wayne County (2-1)

11. Madison Central (2-2)

12. Picayune (2-1)

13. Hazlehurst (4-0)

14. Tupelo (4-0)

15. Callaway (4-0)

16. Pascagoula (3-1)

17. Starkville (2-2)

18. Noxubee County (2-2)

19. West Point (1-2)

20. Gulfport (2-1)

21. Laurel (3-0)

22. Harrison Central (3-0)

23. Jackson Academy (2-2) (Forfeited first two wins)

24. Pearl (3-1)

25. Jackson Prep (3-1)