Believe it or not, the final week of the regular season is here for Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) teams in Class AAA and Class A/AA.
Heritage Academy and Starkville Academy will look to work their way up the seeding charts with critical home wins to complete district play.
In the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) ranks, Starkville and New Hope face must-wins at home. Columbus and West Point hit the road needing to win to keep their stocks high.
Here is what to watch for week in No. 10:
Falcons or Conquistadors
Can Columbus snag a critical road win?
With three Class 6A, Region 1 games remaining, it is all right here for the Columbus football team. While winning the region appears out of the question, Columbus still can snag second place and a first-round playoff game at home for a second-straight season. The Falcons will need to win out to achieve such a finish.
Columbus is 3-1 on the road this season. It will need to again summon a strong road performance to get past winless Olive Branch on Friday night.
Olive Branch (0-8) has had some near misses, including a 21-16 loss to Horn Lake last week at home. Olive Branch might have been eliminated from the playoffs, there is still plenty to play for, as no team wants to go winless.
It’s a huge test for Columbus. Falcons need to pack the bus with a win Friday night.
Tigers or Confederates
Will Noxubee County suffer a letdown against Caledonia?
Noxubee County will look to extend its Class 4A, Region 4 win streak with a victory at Caledonia on Friday night.
Noxubee County can secure a first-round playoff game at home with a win. Meanwhile, Caledonia needs a win in either of its final two games to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence.
Despite some strong offensive firepower the last couple of seasons, Caledonia has been unable to compete with Noxubee County. It will be interesting to see if the Confederates can reverse that trend.
After a lackluster victory against Louisville, Noxubee County coach Tyrone Shorter encouraged his troops not to look ahead and not to take Caledonia lightly. Look for that message to have been received.
Mustangs or Yellow Jackets
Is there any hope for Starkville to make the postseason?
The window of opportunity is there for the reigning Class 6A state championships. However, it isn’t open wide.
Staring at 2-2 in Class 6A, Region 2 play, Starkville faces the ultimate must-win scenario at home against Murrah on Friday night. The Yellow Jackets will need to win their final three or win two of three and receive lots of help to make the playoffs.
It’s a quite a fall for a team ranked as high as third in the state earlier in the season. However, Starkville has struggled to put a consistent lineup on the field.
With Warren Central and Clinton still remaining on the schedule, Starkville faces an uphill climb.
However, first things first, and that’s a big victory against Murrah.
Rebels or Patriots
Will Heritage Academy close out its undefeated run through MAIS Class AAA, District 2 play?
Heritage Academy was brought back down to earth last Friday when a 35-13 loss to Indianola Academy snapped a six-game winning streak.
Heritage Academy can put lessons learned from that game to good use Friday night when it takes on Leake Academy in the final district game in the regular-season finale.
At 7-2, coach Sean Harrison’s squad ranks as one the surprises in the area. After facing Indianola Academy, the Patriots have a better idea what it will take to compete for a state championship.
Look for Senior Night to be special as Heritage Academy returns home and bounces back in a big way to enter the playoffs on a strong note.
Patriots or Volunteers
Can Starkville Academy make playoff plans?
It is down to a one-game season for Starkville Academy. The Volunteers need a home victory against Winston Academy to qualify for the MAIS Class AAA playoffs.
With a lot of newcomers, Starkville Academy has competed and turned in a strong season. A dramatic double-overtime victory against Leake Academy allowed Starkville Academy to play this game of relevance.
In recent series history, Starkville Academy has had its way with Winston Academy. More of the same will be needed for the Volunteers to live to fight another day.
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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