This is Cam Akers’ final opportunity.
The Clinton High School senior, who many consider the state’s top prep football player, will have a final chance to win a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) state championship at 7 p.m. Friday when Clinton faces Pearl at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville.
For the second time in three seasons, state championship weekend will take place on the MSU campus. With six exciting matchups on tap, here is What to Watch For in the 16th and final week of the prep football season:
Arrows or Pirates
Class 6A: Will Cam Akers win a state championship?
Akers has donned the cover of many regional and national publications. The honors have come steady for three seasons.
However, Akers hasn’t won a state championship despite leading the Arrows to 31 wins in the last three seasons. Along the way, he has accounted for 12,798 yards of offense and 143 touchdowns. In each of the last two seasons, Clinton (13-1) has lost in the second round of the playoffs — falling to South Panola in 2014 and Starkville last season.
Pearl is enjoying its move to Class 6A with a first appearance in the Class 6A championship game. The Pirates are 11-3 and have been in dominant in the postseason with victories against Biloxi (38-13), Meridian (44-6), and Petal (24-3).
Green Wave or Tornadoes
Class 5A: Can West Point return to the top for the first time since 2010?
It seems nearly impossible that West Point last won a state championship when it took the Class 5A crown in 2010. The most recent near-miss took place in 2012, when West Point fell in heart-breaking fashion to Starkville in overtime in the North State championship game.
In each of the last two seasons, Oxford ended West Point’s playoff run. With the Chargers rebuilding and the Green Wave reloading, one felt this might be West Point’s year. The Green Wave then began the season as the state’s top-ranked Class 5A team and has backed that ranking by winning 12-straight games.
Getting running back Chris Calvert — Marcus Murphy’s running mate in the backfield — has been a huge lift for West Point (13-1). On the defense, the Green Wave has allowed two touchdowns in the postseason.
Laurel (13-1) had the most impressive comeback of the third round when it rallied from down 27-10 at halftime to beat Picayune, 45-27. The Golden Tornadoes are looking for their second title in three seasons, and fourth overall. Laurel is also is riding a 12-game winning streak. However, the playoffs have been far more dramatic, including a 45-42 victory against Hattiesburg in the second round, which avenged the only loss from the regular season.
Commodores or Hornets
Class 4A: Who gets Noxubee County’s spot?
After winning back-to-back Class 4A state championships, Noxubee County will give way this season, as Lafayette (12-2) and Poplarville (12-1) will play for the crown.
St. Stanislaus, the state’s top-ranked team in 4A this season, also is absent. After losing in each of the two title bouts to Noxubee County, Stanislaus lost to Mendenhall in the first round. Noxubee County was eliminated in the third round by Pontotoc.
Lafayette is in the state championship for the first time. The Commodores have won 12-straight games. Poplarville is also a rookie in the championship game and, like West Point, Laurel, and Lafayette, riding a 12-game winning streak.
Tigers or Wildcats
Class 3A: Which high-flying offense will get the upper hand?
There should be plenty of points scored when Charleston (13-2) and Kemper County (14-1) meet for the Class 3A State championship. Looking for its first title since 2011, Charleston is back in the championship game after suffering a 28-20 overtime loss to Collins in the 2014 championship and a 34-32 loss to Collins in the 2015 championship.
Led by senior Billy Kimble (236 rushes, 1,639 yards, 19 touchdowns), Charleston is averaging 36.4 points per game.
Kemper County has won 14-straight games since a season-opening loss to Columbus. The Wildcats are averaging 37.1 ppg.
Senior quarterback Eric Clark has thrown for 3,145 yards and 47 touchdowns. He was hurt in the first half of the 26-12 loss to Columbus and didn’t play the final three quarters. Clark may be the state’s purest passer.
Wildcats or Bulldogs
Class 2A: Will Ward’s Restaurant get to celebrate a state championship for Bay Springs?
The small community of Bay Springs has produced quite a number of athletes. The city’s best eating establishment is Ward’s, which is next to the school. However, the Bulldogs have never won a football state championship.
That could change when Bay Springs (12-3) meets traditional power Calhoun City (14-1) for the Class 2A title. Calhoun City has reached the state championship game 10 times, with only the 1989 championship for its efforts.
Calhoun City comes to Davis Wade on a 13-game winning streak. The Wildcats have posted five shutouts. In 2014, Calhoun City dropped a 60-35 decision to Bassfield in another state championship game played at Davis Wade Stadium.
Bay Springs is in its first state championship game. Seniors Jaylin Jones and Damerious Jones have eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark and have combined to rush for 2,926 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Blue Devils or Panthers
Class 1A: Is there anything more fun than the Class 1A State championship game?
One of the better sporting events on an annual basis is the Class 1A State championship game. Typically, the game involves young people playing for the love of the game and not Division I scholarship offers. Small communities shut down and the passion is intense.
This season, Simmons (12-0) will face Lumberton (12-2). Most remember Simmons. It made headlines earlier in the postseason with a 98-18 victory against Falkner in the first round of the playoffs. None of those 98 points will help this weekend as the squad looks to win Class 1A for a second-straight season.
Lumberton hasn’t scored 98 points in a game, but it has a higher scoring average (41.6 to 39.6 for Simmons). It also has a Ward’s. That should tell you the Panthers have a chance.
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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