JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Week 1 of high school football is here!
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Game of the Week: Brandon vs. Tupelo
Starting in Brandon, it was the highly anticipated 7A State Championship rematch from last year between the Tupelo Golden Wave and the Brandon Bulldogs.
It was a scoreless game for a good portion of the first quarter, but with just under 2 minutes to play in the first, Brandon’s Quarterback Sladen Shack handed it off to Tyson Robinson and he storms the Bulldogs all the way down to Tupelo’s one yard line.
That would set up Robinson again as he punches it in the endzone for a one-yard Bulldog touchdown.
The Bulldogs were able to keep the Golden Wave out of the endzone in the first half, but Tupelo’s defense came up big, tackling Robinson in his own endzone for a safety to get Tupelo on the board.
Tupelo racked up a few offensive penalties in the first half that kept them out of the endzone, but the Tupelo offense took over in the second half with star running back Jaeden Hill starting at Quarterback.
Final Score: Tupelo 36, Brandon 15.
Next opponents: Tupelo vs. Christ Presbyterian Academy, Brandon vs. Madison Central.
Germantown vs. Northwest Rankin
Next, it was a big 7A showdown in Rankin County Friday night as Northwest Rankin Cougars hosted the Germantown Mavericks.
The Cougars would get on the scoreboard first when quarterback Joseph Phillipson connected with Noah Williams for the touchdown.
Germantown looked to respond on the next drive when the Mavericks pitched it out to Keyshaun Coleman who was able to pick up a huge gain to move the chains, but that drive would eventually stall.
When Northwest Rankin went back on offense, the Mavericks defense stepped up in a big way.
Phillipson was picked off by Nolan Poynter who returned it all the way to the house for a pick six, giving the Mavericks their first score of the night.
In the end, it was Northwest Rankin edging out the close win.
Final Score: Northwest Rankin 24, Germantown 17.
Next opponents: Northwest Rankin vs. Clinton, Germantown vs. Oak Grove.
Warren Central vs. Clinton
For Warren Central, they made the trip up I-20 to take on Clinton Friday night.
The Arrows won this match-up last year when the two teams played, and looked to have that same success again this year.
Clinton’s Jayden Jones got things going early when he completed a deep ball to Jaden Johnson.
That Jayden to Jaden connection set up a touchdown run by sophomore running back Braylon Lowery.
The Vikings looking to respond, Warren Central turned to their sophomore running back Javid Scott.
The sophomore took a handoff and gained 17 yards on the play, picking up a first down.
However, that drive stalled and the Arrows defense forced a punt.
On Clinton’s next possession, Jones connected with Cayden Albert. That pitch and catch moved the Arrows into the redzone.
Lowery would punch it in for his second score of the game, and Clinton’s offense did not stop there, blowing this game wide open.
Final Score: Clinton 45, Warren Central 13.
Next opponents: Clinton vs. Northwest Rankin, Warren Central vs. Pearl.
Pearl vs. Madison Central
To Madison for a 7A clash between the Madison Central Jaguars and the Pearl Pirates.
The first half was a defensive battle, in fact, a just over 10-yard run from Peyton Parks was likely the longest play from scrimmage for either team.
Pearl had trouble punting the ball as well, and following one blocked kick, Christopher Barahona opts to run this one after a low snap, and Madison Central is in business… or so they thought.
Next play, Mykel Hogue can’t hang onto the football and Pearl turns the Jaguars over deep in their territory.
Madison Central did manage to find a field goal to close the half, but the Jags would find just enough offense in the second half.
Final Score: Madison Central 20, Pearl 6.
Next opponents: Madison Central vs. Brandon, Pearl vs. Warren Central
Hartfield Academy vs. Columbia
To Flowood, where the defending 6A MAIS state champions, the Hartfield Academy Hawks, played host to the Columbia Wildcats.
The Wildcats start off hot with the run game in the first quarter. Running back Tra Lewis makes a long run to put Columbia’s first points on the board early.
The Hawks struggled with their run defense in this one as running back Ashton Daniels runs in another TD to put the Wildcats up 14-0.
All is not lost for the Hawks though when quarterback Ethan Elliot connects with Logan Drummond to put Hartfield’s first points on the board.
The Hartfield defense would make some plays though as linebacker Kaden Catchings gets a huge sack to turn things around for the Hawks.
Still, the Hawks were not able to find enough offense late and lose a very close one.
Final Score: Columbia 22, Hartfield Academy 21.
Next opponents: Hartfield Academy vs. MRA, Columbia vs. West Marion.
MRA vs. Jefferson Davis County
Jefferson Davis County made the trip to the metro Friday night to take on Madison-Ridgeland Academy (MRA).
The Patriots looked to redeem themselves after a close loss last week to Ravenwood, a team from Tennessee.
MRA wasted no time getting things going. Sophomore running back Colsen Ocain took the handoff, found a crease up the middle, and sprinted into the endzone for the score.
The Patriots were just getting started. QB Samuel Stockett then throws a deep ball to his big time playmaker Case Thomas for the touchdown.
While the offense was lighting it up, the defense wanted in on some of the action.
The Patriots defense forced a Jaguars fumble, and the offense then capitalized on the turnover.
Ocain took the handoff and scored his second touchdown of the game.
It was all Patriots in this game as they bounce back from that loss last week.
Final Score: MRA 47, Jefferson Davis County 6
Next opponents: MRA vs. Hartfield Academy, Jefferson Davis County vs. Sumrall.
Murrah vs. Terry
To a Hinds County showdown out in Terry when the Bulldogs took on the Murrah Mustangs Friday night.
Terry’s Ronde Baker was unstoppable. The senior running was no stranger to the endzone, scoring four times.
However, it wasn’t just Baker who had a dominant game, the Bulldogs defense also came to play.
Final Score: Terry 47, Murrah 0.
Next opponents: Terry vs. Canton, Murrah vs. Callaway.
Richland vs. Florence
To Florence where the Eagles had a matchup against the Richland Rangers.
Both teams started hot on offense, both finding the endzone on their opening drives.
In the middle of the first quarter, we get a crazy play when Quarterback Kayne Ashley picks up his own fumble and throws up a prayer, but Kale Taylor comes down with it and is off to the races to the house to give Florence the lead.
The Eagles were not done there either, on their next drive, Caiden Boyd takes the end around and gets a big first down to keep the drive alive.
That would set up another scoring play when Ashley finds Jeremy Ross over the middle for the touchdown to extend that lead.
The offense continued for both teams in this one, but the Eagles just had too much in the end.
Final Score: Florence 44, Richland 27.
Next opponents: Florence vs. Kosciusko, Richland vs. Vancleave.
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