For the third straight year, we’ll discuss the potential Top 15 matchups of the upcoming high school football season. For three weeks, five of those matchups will be discussed and it’s not in any particular order. Here’s Part 2 of the series:
Hattiesburg at Oak Grove
Last season, this game was getting a lot of hype. Both teams were 3-0 entering this contest and both looked primed for a serious run through region play. The Battle of the ‘Burg, however, did not live up to the hype. Unfortunately, Oak Grove quarterback John Rhys Plumlee missed the game due to a hand injury, and the Tigers jumped on the Warriors quickly.
Again, this game is the third contest of the season for both teams and it's on the first Friday night of September. Both teams could very easily be 3-0 heading into the matchup, too. Hopefully this year this game will have the fireworks we expected last season.
Brother Martin at Petal
When two teams play out of state, it’s always an interesting dynamic. When Mississippi and Louisiana high school football programs clash and there’s sort of an unknown about it. At the end of the day, it’s just football.
After a couple of road games to Hattiesburg and Gulfport, this Week 3 game will be the first one at home for Petal. The new-look Panthers will probably need a couple of games to find an identity, so they should start to find their way when this contest rolls around.
Brother Martin will look to get some revenge on the Panthers after last year’s beat down in the Crescent City.
Stringer at Lumberton
A week after traveling to Resurrection for what should be an intense battle, Stringer comes to town for an important matchup. I hate to look ahead, and Lumberton coach Zach Jones probably doesn’t want me to say this, but this game could be a region-clinching win if everything plays out the right way.
The Red Devils return a lot of talent from last season’s 10-4 team, so this game isn’t a gimmie by any accounts, but at least this game is in Lumberton. The road trip to Resurrection the week prior will be a tough test, so the Panthers will have to be on their A-game for this one.
Greene County at Sumrall
Like in 2017, the regular season comes to an end with this matchup, and it should determine a lot when it comes to the 4A playoffs. The Wildcats have had a nice run the past couple of years and Sumrall has improved, too.
Greene County has taken it to the Bobcats lately, but I expect this game to be a lot closer in 2018. Just based on statistics, Greene County will have to replace a lot on offense, but it brings back a few of its top tacklers. By the time these two meet on the gridiron, Greene County should have found its way.
East Marion at Sacred Heart
At this point of the season, Sacred Heart is in the middle of a tough three-game stretch. It’ll host Resurrection and East Marion in back-to-back weeks before traveling to Lumberton, and I believe this the best opportunity for the Crusaders to get a win.
East Marion lost a really good running back from last season, but it has a true dual-threat quarterback returning for his junior season.
Obviously, Sacred Heart doesn’t want to start 0-3 in region play, and if it can earn this big win here, it can collect a few more after this tough stretch is over.
