It’s the encore that 6A fans didn’t realize they wanted from last year’s 2019 state title game.
Both teams enter this year’s title game as the most dominant teams of the South and North in an undefeated bout.
Round Two
As Oak Grove fans unpleasantly remember, the Warriors held a 21-3 lead at halftime in last year’s state championship game before falling short in the second half and losing 31-21. However, both teams are extremely different compared to the previous season.
“I went back and watched that film on Friday (after Oak Grove’s win over Northwest Rankin),” Oak Grove coach Drew Causey said. “You have guys on both teams that are playing college football. I think both of us are different. I don’t think you can really use that (film). You can use it as a point of reference, but for the most part, you look at what they are doing this year.”
Oak Grove was forced to replace numerous starters, which was the same case for Oxford, which lost 18 starters from its state championship group.
“We definitely did lose a lot of great players and a lot of great leaders,” Oxford coach Chris Cutcliffe said. “I think we knew we had a chance to be a good football team, but I also think we knew we had to be a team that continued to improve as the season went on.”
Regardless of the change, both teams finished the season undefeated, with Oxford now having the state’s longest winning streak with 25 wins.
“It’s a program that knows how to win,” Causey said. “They have won ball games in a variety of different ways, from coming back late in ball games to taking leads to win. It’s a football team that’s never going to quit and knows how to win.”
Two Quarterbacks
One of the toughest replacements to make for the Chargers was their quarterback John Meagher, who threw for 1,702 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.
Cutcliffe has not only duplicated that production but even improved with a two-quarterback system. The Chargers have flipped between junior Michael Harvey and sophomore Trip Maxwell. The two have combined for 1,900 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. According to Cutcliffe, the original idea of having two quarterbacks was in case COVID-19 sidelined one of their starters, and so the team could still play on without the other.
“Both guys have had good years for us,” Cutcliffe said. “We tried to play multiple players at every position throughout the team, particularly early in the season. We wanted to develop depth and be prepared in case we ran into quarantine issues and thinkinh of that sort. We tried to prepare ourselves for all those scenarios. The quarterback position was part of it.”
However, for the majority of the playoffs, Harvey has gotten the nod over Maxwell. The last time both played was in the opening round of the playoffs against Madison Central. Maxwell was 7 of 11 and threw for 59 yards and two interceptions in that game, while Harvey was 9 of 16 and threw for 201 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Including the game against Madison Central, Harvey has thrown for 444 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
“They don’t really use either one of them really different,” Causey said. “They are both really similar in how they both play. They have a lot of talent around both of those quarterbacks.”
Cardiac Chargers
While Oak Grove has blown past its competition, the majority of Oxford’s season has been close.
Oxford has had six come-from-behind wins this season, with the Chargers trailing at halftime. The biggest comeback was a 22-6 deficit to Lafayette, which Oxford won 33-22.
Oxford orchestrated two come from behind wins in the playoffs alone. In the majority of those games, the Chargers relied on its run game and special teams to come away late.
“I think a lot of it is due to the tough schedule that we play in 6A football,” Cutcliffe said. “You are going to be in a lot of close ones with good football teams. I feel like it really helps our team to go against that level of competition.”
Running back Omar Howell has put together his two best games in the playoffs. In the last two games against Clinton and Hernando, Howell has run for 393 yards and scored two touchdowns.
“I think their offensive line and running game (is key),” Causey said. “Their running back is extremely talented. Last week, I know he had over 200 yards rushing, and he’s a bigger kid. He’s just a really talented running back. I think that’s probably the key to their success running the football.”
At the same time, Oxford’s kicker Jack Tannehill has had just as an impressive year as Oak Grove’s Michael Owens, who logged a field goal of 47-yards in the playoffs. Tannehill is perfect in his PATs and is 15-for-18 with a long of 45-yard, which he also kicked during the playoffs.
Who to Watch For
On offense, Oxford has three wide receivers that the Chargers have relied on all season. The top wide receiver has been Jordan Wordham, who leads the team with 36 catches and 10 touchdowns to go along with his 516 yards. Receivers Jalen Webb and Dekyren Johnson have combined for 989 yards and six touchdowns.
Oxford has a variety of play makers, but on defense, the breakout performance of sophomore linebacker Alex Sanford leads the team with 109 tackles and 19 tackles for loss.
Along with Sanford, linebacker Tristan Shorter and defensive back Xavier Walton each have recorded six interceptions. Notably, Oxford has forced 33 turnovers on the season.
“They don’t do a ton of stuff on defense, but what they do, they do very well.,” Causey said. “They fly to the football and play hard. “We are going to have to play our best football to even have a chance.”
Kickoff for the 6A State Championship will be at 7 p.m. at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson.
