We have officially passed the halfway mark of the football regular season in both the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA).
Playoff berths will actually be clinched in a few weeks. And yes Friday night, we say farewell to the heat timeouts for another season.
Let’s see how some of the region races are shaping up:
Region 1-6A: Tupelo and Horn Lake appear to be the best teams in this region.
In the opening week, Horn Lake shocked many by beating South Panola for the first time since 1972. Equally compelling was Southaven beating Oxford.
Both of those results should make Columbus feel better. The Falcons won their second straight by rallying in the fourth quarter to defeat DeSoto Central 34-28 in overtime.
Laterius Stowers has thrown for seven touchdowns in the last two game for the Falcons.
Columbus will play at Tupelo this week and host Horn Lake next week. Thus, any hopes for a region title will be decided quickly.
Both Tupelo and Horn Lake beat Columbus a year ago. This Falcons’ team is missing some key pieces off that team. Both, Tupelo and Horn Lake have essentially everyone back.
If Columbus can weather the storm the next two weeks, the final four region games should be considered 50-50 at best.
It may be a top-heavy region but the race for third place will be intense.
Region 2-6A: Starkville looks to get back on top in this region after a 4-3 finish in region play last season.
Starkville opened region play with a 42-0 win at Jackson Provine. The Yellow Jackets are rolling offensively and defensively.
Northwest Rankin (4-1, 1-0) should pose a stiff challenge this Friday. The annual breather at Greenville follows, before Starkville is back home for Madison Central.
The ending of the schedule is not as tough as years’ past. Both Warren Central and Clinton are slightly weaker than they have been being.
There should be a few scares here and there but Starkville should have no problem getting to the finish line.
Region 1-5A: This region race was over before it ever started. Well almost, West Point and Olive Branch play Oct. 13 at West Point.
West Point moved to 5-0 with a 49-14 road win at Lafayette. The Green Wave will now play a second straight winless team with Center Hill coming to Clay County.
Olive Branch is 5-0 after a 56-0 win over Saltillo. A 20-point win over Southaven is the lowest margin of victory for the Quistors.
Lewisburg is 4-1, while the rest of the region is at .500 or below.
West Point broke through and won this region for the first time since 2012 a year ago. A repeat title should not be that hard to come by.
Region 2-4A: This race should go down to the wire.
As we enter region play, Itawamba AHS is 5-1, Pontotoc is 5-1 and Shannon is 4-2. Each of those have some really good non-region victories.
Amory, Mooreville and Caledonia are below .500 in that region. The head-to-head games between those three should help decide the fourth and final playoff team.
Region 4-4A: We get this region race started on the right football Friday night when New Hope (4-2) plays Louisville (5-1) at Hinze Stadium.
Leake Central is also off to a strong start, at 4-2.
Noxubee County finished 2-4 against its powerhouse non-region schedule. That is not uncommon. The last state championship team started 2-4 and won its final 10 games to win state.
These region is loaded.
The good news it is a rare five-team region. Louisville, New Hope, Noxubee County and Leake Central can all make legitimate playoff runs. Winless Kosciusko is along for the ride.
Region 4-3A: As region play begins here, we will find out how legitimate is 6-0 South Pontotoc.
Former New Hope coach Michael Bradley has won with defense with the Cougars. South Pontotoc is allowing 18 points per game.
Hatley is 4-2, while Choctaw County and Houston are both 3-2 and Aberdeen is 3-3. Nettleton is 2-4.
Aberdeen will certainly have a chance at a playoff berth. The Bulldogs’ have enough offensive firepower to make a run at one of the two home-field advantage spots from this region. However, the turnover problem has to be solved fast.
Region 2-2A: This is a region where a good team will be left out.
Calhoun City, East Webster and Eupora are each 5-1. Leflore County and Winona are both 4-2.
East Webster is also winning with defense. First-year coach Ron Price has a team, which is allowing 17 points per game.
East Webster is at Eupora Friday night in the region opener for both teams. It is a great rivalry and a great way to open region play.
Region 3-1A: Nanih Waiya leads the way here at 6-0 overall and 3-0 in region play.
Nanih Waiya, Noxapater, Leake County and Vancleave are above .500. Nanih Waiya plays at Leake County Friday night.
From a local standpoint, Hamilton is 2-4 overall and 1-2 in region play. West Lowndes is 1-4 and 0-3. Both teams need to start winning games to find a berth to the postseason.
Scott Walters is a sports writer for The Dispatch. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @dispatchscott.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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