Here are ten games to watch for Week 4 of the high school football season.
No. 6 Brookhaven (2-0) at Madison Central (1-1)
It’ll be a cat fight as the sixth-ranked Panthers head up to “The Jungle” to face the Jaguars in a critical non-division matchup of ranked teams in Class 7A and Class 5A. Brookhaven, the defending MHSAA Class 5A state champions, have rolled through their first two games and this game will be their first test of the season, while Madison Central is coming off their first loss of the year last week. Madison Central, ranked No. 10 in Class 7A, will lean on quarterback Tripp Smith, running back Ashton Williams, receiver Tylan Hutchins, and tight end Jack Brunini. Linebackers Corey Wiggins, Cooper Aguilar, and defensive back Orlander Edwards will lead the Jaguar defense. The Panthers, ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, will be led by quarterback Jaden Allen, running back Jordyn Kees, and receiver Freshawn Stewart on offense, while defense is where the Panthers lean their hat on. Texas commit, and defensive end Derwin Fields, linebackers Markiell Robinson and Hampton Smith along with safety Tanner Hardy lead the defense. This will be a close game and could go either way, but defense travels and the Panthers get it done on the road.
Pick: Brookhaven 28-27
No. 7 Warren Central (2-0) at Germantown (1-1)
Seventh-ranked Vikings head up to Gluckstadt to face the Mavericks in another key non-division battle of ranked teams in Class 7A and Class 6A. Warren Central rolled past Pearl last week, while Germantown is coming off a close loss to Oak Grove. The Vikings, ranked No. 1 in Class 6A and defending Class 6A state champs, will be led by quarterback and Mississippi State commit Nash Morgan along with running back Xavier Jackson to lead the offense, while defensive tackle Chrishun Brown and safety Jonas Green will lead the defense. Germantown, ranked No. 8 in Class 7A, will lean on quarterback Langston Branson, running back Sy McBeath, and receiver Bryce Johnson to lead the offense. McBeath did suffer a second half injury last week, so that is something to keep an eye on. Viking ground game is the difference on the road.
Pick: Warren Central 34-27
Hattiesburg (1-1) at No. 5 Oak Grove (1-1)
It’s a Hub City battle of ranked teams as the Tigers make the short trip over to Warrior Stadium to face the rival and fifth-ranked Warriors. Both teams are coming off close wins at home as Hattiesburg held off Laurel, while Oak Grove beat Germantown. The Warriors, ranked No. 5 in Class 7A, will lean on potent up-tempo offense anchored by quarterback and Old Dominion commit Kellan Hall, running backs Roman Causey and Kaiden Toney, and receivers Micah Caraway and K.J. Roberts will lead the offense. Defensive tackle and Oklahoma commit Devon Robertson, linebacker Josiah Barnes, and defensive back Drelin Warner will lead the Oak Grove defense. Hattiesburg, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A, will be once again explosive on offense this season anchored by quarterback Gavin Ducksworth, running back Haedyn Levertte, and receivers J.B. Bryant and Kahmaud Plump. Defense will be led by defensive tackles Antavion Allen and Bryson Keyes, defensive end Keshawn Lenore, linebacker Christopher Veal, defensive backs Tre McQueen and Jaylin Andrews. The Warrior defense comes up big at home.
Pick: Oak Grove 28-21
Columbia (1-1) at No. 8 Petal (2-0)
The Wildcats head over to Petal face the eighth-ranked Panthers in a key non-region matchup of ranked teams in Class 7A and Class 4A. Petal rolled past Ocean Springs, while Columbia bounced from their season opening loss by shutting out West Marion. Offensively, Petal, ranked No. 6 in Class 7A, will lean on quarterback Caiden Belton along with running backs Acely Brown and Chavez Walker to lead the offense that some questions especially at receiver. Defensively, the Panthers will lean on linebackers Kullen Hitson, Boris Baker, and Dashawn Jones, defensive tackle Vinson Moody and defensive back Kevaughn Peters. The Wildcats, the defending MHSAA Class 4A state champions and ranked No. 5 in MHSAA Class 4A, will be breaking in a new quarterback in Jonathan Lowery to lead an offense that will be breaking in new faces in key spots. Running back Kavon Bridges and receiver Christian Expose will be key factors on offense for the Wildcats. Defensive end Achilles Pittman, defensive tackle Greg Laird, and Junior Curney will lead the Columbia defense. Petal has been playing with a lot of momentum to begin the season and keeps it going at home.
Pick: Petal 31-20
Noxubee County (2-0) at West Point (0-2)
The Tigers make the short trip up Highway 45 to Hamblin Stadium to face the Green Wave in a matchup of ranked tradition-rich teams in Class 5A and Class 3A. Noxubee has been playing with a lot of momentum in their first two games with wins over ranked 2A teams in Heidelberg and Kemper County, while West Point is still searching for their first win after falling short to Louisville and Starkville. The Green Wave, ranked No. 3 in Class 5A, will be leaning on quarterback in Jaylen Hall to lead the run-heavy offense along with running backs Kingston Branham and Mike Williams. Defensive tackle Cameron Carothers, linebacker Josh Young, and defensive back Decoryion Mazie will lead the West Point defense. Noxubee, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A, will possibly play two quarterbacks in Jykeim Goodwin and Admadrion Conner to lead the offense that will be dynamic. Running back Adrian Bryant along with receivers Christon Glenn and Michael Dancy will be key factors on offense. Linebacker Derrious Burkhalter and defensive tackle Jhermey Payton will lead the Tiger defense. This will be a close one, but the Green Wave have won 13 straight over the Tigers and make it 14 in a row at home.
Pick: West Point 27-22
Laurel (1-1) at No. 3 Gulfport (1-0)
The Golden Tornadoes head down to Gulfport to face the third-ranked Admirals in another matchup of ranked teams in Class 7A and Class 5A. Laurel is coming off a tough loss to Hattiesburg last week, while Gulfport had a bye week. The Admirals, ranked No. 3 in Class 7A and the defending Class 7A state champions, will once again lean on up-tempo spread offense led by quarterback in Jackson Wolverton, running back Amaji Frederick, and tight end Travor Frost along with receivers Ja’vious Hales, Mylan Stubbs, and Cam Morgan. The front seven will be the strength of the defense led by defensive tackles Lawrence Robertson, Nic Strickland, and Jysavian Causey along with linebackers Victor Labega, Deandre Williams, and Cortell Crandle. Laurel will have quarterback Bryson Bivins along with receivers Zadrain McCormick and Martavious Collier to lead the offense. Linebackers Harlem Cochran and Dale Windham will lead a big and fast Golden Tornado defense. Gulfport breaks in their new stadium in with a win.
Pick: Gulfport 35-20
Clarksdale (1-1) at Charleston (2-0)
The Wildcats make the short trip over to Charleston to face the Tigers in a matchup of ranked teams in Class 4A and Class 2A. Charleston has rolled through their first two games with wins over Amanda Elzy and North Panola, while Clarksdale bounced back with their first win of 2026 last week over Coahoma County. Clarksdale, ranked No. 9 in Class 4A, will lean on quarterback Keyshawn Perryman along with a plethora of running backs to lead the offense in Braden Johnson, Omarion Perryman, and Chris Thomas. Receiver Eric Marshall looks to be the top target on the outside. Defensive tackle Cam McGee and linebacker Anthony Newson will lead the Wildcat defense. Charleston, ranked No. 5 in Class 2A, will lean on quarterback Laryce Bradley, running back Coreyun Spearman along with receiver Quay Kimble. Defensively, the Tigers will be anchored by defensive tackle Demario Shannon, linebackers Abekia Bradly and Deandre Booker. The Wildcat run game is too much.
Pick: Clarksdale 33-23
PCS (2-0) at Pass Christian (2-0)
Bobcats make the trip down to the Gulf Coast to face the Pirates in a battle of ranked teams in Class 4A and Class 3A. Pass Christian ran through their opponents in the first two games, while PCS had to get a late turnover to get past Mize last week. PCS, ranked No. 4 in Class 3A, will lean on a potent explosive offense anchored by quarterback and Wake Forest commit Smith Stringer, running back Colt Robertson along with receivers Colt Robertson and Reed Bridges. Defense is still a question mark for the Bobcats but will lean on defensive back Kade Welford and defensive tackle Luke McLemore. Pass Christian, ranked No. 8 in Class 4A, will lean on quarterback Paris Trivillion along with running backs Cecil Lizana and Doug White to lead the offense. Linebacker Marion Burks and Stefan King lead the Pirate defense. Pirates have been rolling to begin the season and keep the momentum going at home and get revenge from last year’s loss.
Pick: Pass Christian 24-14
South Delta (2-0) at Leflore County (2-0)
The Bulldogs head up to Itta Bena to face the Tigers in a key non-region matchup of ranked teams in Class 1A. Leflore County is coming off one of the biggest surprises so far this season by knocking off Simmons last week, while South Delta has had little trouble in their first two games with wins over Wilkinson County and Humphreys County. The Tigers, ranked No. 2 in Class 1A, will be anchored by quarterback Eric Cooper and running back Demarius Dunham to lead the offense. Linebackers Ja’Quon Thomas, Tavarus Addison and defensive back Myles Williams will lead the Leflore County defense. Quarterback Jeremy Pollard, running back Ladarious Myles, and tight end Amari Dunson will lead the South Delta offense. Safety Logic Powell with Myles and Dunson will lead the defense for the Bulldogs, ranked No. 6 in Class 1A. Tigers tough to beat at home.
Pick: Leflore County 26-14
Jackson Prep (3-0) at Tri-County Academy (2-0)
The Patriots head up to Flora to face the Rebels in a matchup of ranked teams in the MAIS. Both teams have been rolling to begin the season and look to keep the momentum going. Jackson Prep, ranked No. 3 in the MAIS Top 10 and No. 3 in MAIS Class 4A, will lean on quarterback Luke Essary along with running backs Wade Smith and Herrin Goodman to lead the offense. Linebackers Owen Brown, Gaines Reeves, Brogen McCluskey along with defensive back Asher Reynolds will lead the defense. Tri-County, ranked No. 8 in the MAIS Top 10 and No. 1 in MAIS Class 3A, offensively will be led by quarterback Brady Busby along with running backs Cade Hunt and Luke Moberley. The front seven is the strength of the defense for the Rebels anchored by linebackers John Hudson Bates, Hunt, defensive tackle Houston Mullins and defensive end Crews Albritton. The Patriot offense just too much.
Pick: Jackson Prep 35-20
