Friday Night Blitz: Week 6

I don't know about you guys, but I'm glad that we won't be playing football this Friday in a pond. A rain-drenched Friday last week made for some interesting performances and lots of sloppy play. It's good to see some dry grass and, hey look, cooler temps. Fall is getting here. So I had my worst week of picking games since week one but I did finish with a winning record for the week taking my overall picking record to 18-7.

Last Week's Record: 3-2

Season Record 18-7

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

Game of the Week: Bassfield at Jackson Prep Well this one should be fun. Jackson Prep really is not scared to play anyone as evident of their schedule as they try to find competition outside of Jackson Academy in the MAIS. A tough loss to start the season proved to be warranted with Oxford becoming the team to beat in 5A. Bassfield is a different animal. Competing in 2A, the Yellow Jackets might play small-school ball, but they don't play like it. 21-consecutive victories are on the line for Bassfield including 20-consecutive regular season wins tracing back to 2011. The Prepsters should put up a fight defensively but Bassfield's defense is second-to-none. I think the Yellow Jackets keep their winning streak alive and pass another tough test.

Bassfield

Germantown at Callaway: This is another interesting matchup in the midseason and especially this week. The Mavericks of Germantown have only been a school for a few years but they're already showing they can play with the big boys. Being able to pull from a talent-rich area in Madison has a lot to do with it. Callaway has a strong group of players themselves with a trio already committed to Ole Miss for next one and possibly another in Breeland Speaks on the way. It should be a great matchup between two entirely different schools and systems.

Callaway

Southaven at Olive Branch: A rivalry game between two teams with explosive playmakers as always. Olive Branch has a quarterback in Ross Trail who is fighting a transfer rule that is trying to keep him from playing. The talented junior just committed to Charlie Strong and company at Louisville and could be Olive Branch's big chance to make it to the Big House in a couple of months. I think the Conquistadors stay on track and move to 5-1 over a solid Southaven squad.

Olive Branch

Kemper County at Philadelphia: The Tornadoes of Philly got back on the right path last week against Bay Springs just a week removed from a tough loss against Louisville. Philadelphia boasts one of the state's best defenses and hope to continue to move on against 2A power Kemper County. Kemper tries to stay undefeated and take out a solid 3A program at the same time this week but I think the Tornadoes will be too much to handle and they'll continue pushing forward towards the playoffs.

Philadelphia

West Point at Oxford: Well here is West Point again. I don't know why I like the Green Wave so much, but something tells me they're going to be in the conversation the whole year. They got a big win on the road at Noxubee County last week and have a chance to get a marquee win against 5A contender Oxford this week. The Chargers have yet to be beaten this season and I don't know if they will this week. The Green Wave has to continue to get better on the defensive side of the ball and also give Aeris Williams a break in the backfield as he carries the Wave on his back. If they can find some more weapons and get some stops they can win, but I see the Chargers pulling this out and remaining the team to beat in 5A.

Oxford

Player of the Week: Kirk McCarty: Pearl QB- The Pearl Pirates have been one of the pleasant surprises this season with a 4-1 start winning three-consecutive ball games. In fact, their only loss this season came to cross-town rival Brandon who is the consensus number one team in the state. One of the main reasons they've become a contender again is McCarty who's leading a stout offense. The qb totaled 505 yards of total offense combined through the air and on the ground with six touchdowns last Friday as the Pirates knocked off Hattiesburg, 45-30.

Now let's take a look at this week's top 25 for the state of Mississippi. South Panola lost their first game of the season to Memphis University School and fell from number two. Petal is my new number two team in the state.

Top 25:

1. Brandon (4-0)

2. Petal (4-0)

3. Oak Grove (4-0)

4. Oxford (4-0)

5. South Panola (4-0)

6. Olive Branch (4-1)

7. Louisville (5-0)

8. Bassfield (5-0)

9. Meridian (3-1)

10. Madison Central (2-2)

11. Picayune (2-1)

12. Tupelo (4-0)

13. Callaway (5-0)

14. Pascagoula (3-1)

15. Starkville (2-2)

16. Wayne County (2-2)

17. Hazlehurst (4-1)

18. Noxubee County (2-2)

19. West Point (2-2)

20. Gulfport (3-1)

21. Laurel (4-0)

22. Pearl (4-1)

23. Jackson Prep (4-1)

24. Germantown (4-0)

25. Grenada (4-0)