Here is my first Top 25 power ranking of the season with the MHSAA getting underway last weekend. This ranking will likely change significantly week to week but this is how I see teams early in the season. Also, here are some loose notes on my thought process putting together this week’s ranking.
Tupelo is the unquestioned top team in Mississippi. That roster is loaded and Drew Dean has added a lot at quarterback.
Oxford and Gulfport are close for the No. 2 spot. Oxford may have the state’s best quarterback and Gulfport has more premier talent than most people know.
Madison Central looked good against what looked to me to be a much-improved Pearl team, particularly on both lines.
Starkville got the biggest win of the week on the road in a great game. Oak Grove is still right there. Both teams can compete for a title.
I think Brookhaven and Warren Central are solid in the No. 7 and No. 8 spots.
Petal may be too low after a big win over Hattiesburg. They have a lot of talent.
Louisville may also be too low after a big win over West Point but West Point is replacing almost all of last year’s team.
Hattiesburg deserved to not drop much. Their game against Petal could’ve gone either way. They can compete with Warren Central.
Brandon only drops a spot due to how good Tupelo is. They have some question marks early in the season but they have a lot skill talent.
Jackson Academy is not as talented as last year but they still have players and could run on the ball on most anyone this year.
Germantown hung 60 points on Northwest Rankin. They replaced a lot of players but their young skill guys looked good.
It’s too early in the season to drop West Point far in the rankings. They’ll figure it out.
I don’t know as much about D’Iberville as I’d like to but beating Raleigh is a good win regardless of classification.
MRA played a tight one at Jefferson Davis County, which is a lower classification but a tough place to play.
Laurels jumps in at No. 18 after a big win against a solid West Jones team.
Lake Cormorant is talented.
Jackson Prep is significantly better than last season.
Kosciusko will have a chance against most anyone with Caiden Wade at quarterback and the rest of the roster is solid.
Hartfield may be too low after winning at Columbia but Columbia replaced a lot of starters. It’s still a win at Columbia and I’ve seen Hartfield. They have players.
Meridian makes a big jump into the Top 25 after beating up Ocean Springs. That’s a huge win for that program. They have a couple of young players who could be special.
Desoto Central gets a spot after beating what I think will be a good South Panola team.
McComb got the last spot over Lanier. They have big time skill talent with what could be the best collection of wideouts in the state.
