Friday Night Blitz: Week 7

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 are heating up around the state and the stakes are getting higher with less non-conference games from here on out. It should be a great week of high school football in Mississippi and we've got you covered here on BulldogBlitz.com. I've done a decent job at my picks with picking the top five games in the state every week. Check it out.

Last Week's Record: 3-2

Season Record 25-10

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

Game of the Week: Brandon at Petal: Well this was pretty much a no-brainer. Last week, Petal fell for the first time this season. The Panthers had a few close calls this season and finally lost their first game falling to the Oak Grove Warriors who have taken hold of the number two spot in my overall top 25 over South Panola. Brandon has started to really catch their stride and remains the top team in the state by most all the publications including myself. Talking to Petal wide out Jesse Jackson this week about this game, he says his team wants to play aggressive against the Brandon defensive line that has been one of the best in the state all year. Fletcher Adams and Kyle Strickland are a load up front and a major challenge for Petal's offensive front and Javon Patterson.

Gardner Minshew continues to develop as a quarterback and the Brandon team appears to be getting better with each passing week which spells trouble for the rest of the state and the very tough 6A. I think Petal gives the Bulldogs all they can handle but, in the end, Brandon stays undefeated. Should be a fun one to watch.

Brandon

Picayune at Pascagoula: Not to be outdone, 5A has some great teams as well. With Oxford making a major surge this year, the classification has gotten better every week and another big game is on the horizon in Picayune vs. Pascagoula. These two top five teams in 5A are looking to make a move to get right behind the Chargers of Oxford in this key battle. This week, Picayune comes in at number nine overall in the state in my top 25 and 'Goula is just on the outside looking in at number 13. This is an underrated matchup and should go down to the wire as the coast rivals battle it out to the final whistle. Picayune

Oak Grove at Meridian: The Warriors are back to prominence again and got there last week with a big-time win over Petal at home. Just like Petal, the games don't get easier, however. Oak Grove now travels over to Meridian to take on the Wildcats who are hanging around in the top 10 at number seven this week. J'mar Smith and C.J. Hampton might be the best quarterback/receiver combo in the state and will be a tough matchup for Oak Grove's defense. On the Oak Grove side, they'll be led by Cam Myers as one of the state's top juniors looks to continue to make an impression. The battle for the 6A crown is heating up and I feel like Oak Grove takes the next step to competing for the crown. Oak Grove

Jackson Prep at Jackson Academy: This game has been a big one every single year and usually is the first of two matchups of the year between them with the State Championship being the other. These two teams play for first place with everyone else playing for second and Jackson Prep is looking to stake their claim as the top team in MAIS. Jackson Academy saw their three peat of State Championships ended last year as Prep finally got the trophy back. This year, I think it's Prep's title to lose as, so far, their only loss has come at the hands at top-five Oxford in 5A public school ball. A win over Bassfield was all we needed to know about the Prepsters and they'll continue winning this week taking another step at a State Championship repeat under Ricky Black. Prep

Lamar School at Simpson Academy: Lamar School has become a power across the state in recent years with state coaching legend Mac Barnes leading the way. Simpson has been established for years in 2A MAIS football and have built a dynasty the past 10 years or so. Lamar hasn't seen the same offensive prowess that they've had the last three or four years, but the defense is there. This will be a hard-fought, smash mouth performance and I think the boys from Mendenhall pull this one out and cement themselves as the top 2A program in the state. Simpson

Player of the Week: Calwaun Street; Running back, Charleston: One of our games of the week last week was between Charleston and undefeated Water Valley. Water Valley had come in the favorite but Street and Charleston had other plans. Playing both ways, Street had a monster night rushing eight times for 204 yards and a touchdown on offense while recording nine tackles defensively.

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

Top 25:

1. Brandon (6-0) 6A

2. Oak Grove (6-0) 6A

3. South Panola (6-1) 6A

4. Oxford (6-0) 5A

5. Petal (5-1) 6A

6. Louisville (7-0) 3A

7. Meridian (5-1) 6A

8. Tupelo (6-0) 6A

9. Picayune (4-1) 5A

10. Olive Branch (5-2) 6A

11. Bassfield (6-1) 2A

12. Callaway (7-0) 5A

13. Pascagoula (5-1) 5A

14. Starkville (4-2) 6A

15. Wayne County (4-2) 5A

16. Hazlehurst (6-1) 4A

17. Gulfport (5-1) 6A

18. Laurel (6-0) 5A

19. Pearl (6-1) 5A

20. Jackson Prep (6-1) MAIS 3A

21. D'Iberville (5-1) 6A

22. Ripley (7-0) 4A

23. Grenada (5-1) 6A

24. Forrest County (5-1) 4A

25. St. Stansislaus (6-0) 4A