Here are ten games to watch for Week 6 of the high school football season.

No. 6 Oxford (4-1) at Madison Central (3-2)

The sixth-ranked Chargers make the trip down to “The Jungle” to face the Jaguars in the Region 2-7A opener. Both teams are coming into this matchup with a lot of momentum as Oxford bounced back with a big second half to beat previously fourth-ranked Grenada, while Madison Central had to rally in under a minute to beat Warren Central. The Chargers, ranked No. 4 in Class 7A, comes into the matchup averaging 35.8 points, 251.4 yards passing, and 150.4 yards rushing on offense anchored by quarterback Drew Dean (whose tossed for 1,148 yards with 11 touchdowns), running back Jamarion Pegues along with a plethora of receivers in Kingston Gregory, Christian Fields, Jack Shoaf, and Kevin Smith. Linebackers Zayvien Cristal, safety Wesley Gaia, and defensive back London Gregory lead the Oxford defense that gives up 21.2 points per game. The Jaguars, ranked No. 9 in Class 7A, will lean on a balance offensive attack that is averaging 21.4 points, 88.6 yards rushing, and 156.4 yards passing anchored by quarterback Tripp Smith, running backs J.D. Kelly and Mikell Stephen along with receivers Tylan Hutchins, Eli Dampier, and Landon Hathorn. The Madison defense is stingy as always that is allowing 18.2 points per game that is led by linebacker Ronderious King, defensive backs Triston Watkins, Will Shoemake, and Jeff Flanagan along with defensive tackle K’veon Moore. This will be a close game, but the Jags are tough at home.

Pick: Madison Central 27-24

Gulfport (2-2) at No. 3 Ocean Springs (5-0)

The Admirals make the short trip along Highway 90 over to Hugh Pepper Field to face the rival and third-ranked Greyhounds in a critical Region 4-7A matchup. Ocean Springs began region play last week and blew out Biloxi, while Gulfport had a non-region game last week and ran all over Pascagoula. The Greyhounds, ranked No. 3 in Class 7A, will lean a very balanced offensive attack that is averaging 34 points, 187.4 yards passing, and 220.6 yards rushing led by Chalmers Berglind, running back Solomon Baggett, tight end Hayden Berglind along with receivers Ian Harlan and Sharroid Whitehead. Ocean Springs defensively only allows 15.8 points per game anchored by linebackers Jacolby Bailey, Brody Saenz, and Gabe Virga along with strong safety Ayden Watson. The Admirals have been up and down to begin the season trading wins and losses but will lean on an explosive offense that is averaging 30.5 points, 177.5 yards passing, and 173.8 yards rushing anchored by quarterback Patrick Nettles, running back Cooper Crosby along with receivers Javious Hales and Camden Morgan. Linebackers Andre Peters, Cordarious Payton, and Deandre Williams anchor a Gulfport defense that allows 20.1 points per game. The Greyhounds have had the Admirals number as of late winners of five in a row and make it six in a row.

Pick: Ocean Springs 34-24

D’Iberville (5-0) at No. 10 West Harrison (5-0)

It’ll be a matchup of two-run heavy teams as the Warriors make short cross county trip over to Gulfport to face the tenth-ranked Hurricanes in a pivotal Region 4-7A matchup of unbeaten ranked teams. Both teams kicked off region play last week as D’Iberville ran all over Harrison Central, while West Harrison previously unbeaten St. Maritn. The Hurricanes, ranked No. 7 in Class 7A, is coming into this one rolling on offense averaging 38.8 points per game that is anchored by a potent rushing attack that is averaging 377.4 yards per game led by quarterback De’Mario Davies along with running backs Jordan Stapleton, Austin McInnis, Sean Fairley, and Julian Chong. Defensive end Jazear Carter and linebackers Victor Labega and Dajontae Foxworth lead a defense that only allows 16 points per game. The Warriors, ranked No. 8 in Class 7A, comes into the matchup on offense averaging 36.4 points and 225.8 yards rushing anchored by quarterback Jordan Walley along with running backs Jaylen Johnson, Caleb Washington, and Chan Harvey. Linebackers Roman Green, D’Andre Hunter, and Josh Johnson along with defensive tackle K.J. Washington anchor a D’Iberville defense that only allows 14.2 points per game. Defense travels and the Warriors have never loss to West Harrison and keep that streak going in a close one.

Pick: D’Iberville 28-21

West Jones (4-1) at Petal (3-2)

The Mustangs make the trip down to Petal to face the Panthers in a non-region matchup of ranked teams in Class 7A and Class 6A. Both teams are coming off big wins last week as Petal handled Clinton, while West Jones survived on the road over rival Wayne County. The Mustangs, ranked No. 6 in Class 6A, will lean on quarterback Tootie Lindsay to lead the offense that averages 33.5 points, 165.8 yards passing, and 121.7 yards rushing along with running back Caleb Holmes, receiver Chandler Watson and offensive lineman Bryson Cooley. Defensively, West Jones does allow 23 points per game that will on the front seven led by linebacker Harrison Pierce and defensive tackle Travon Moffett. Petal, ranked No. 10 in Class 7A, will have Caiden Belton at quarterback to lead the offense that averages 23.8 points per game and will have several weapons to spread the ball around in running backs Chavez Walker and Acely Brown along with receivers Malcolm Fornerette and Jacob Bridges. The Petal defense does allow 22.8 points per game looks to be stout especially up front anchored by Texas commit Corey Wells and Arkansas State commit Trey Bridges. This the first meeting since 2020 between the Pine Belt area teams, but the Panther defense is the difference at home.

Pick: Petal 24-14

Poplarville (3-2) at McComb (5-0)

The Hornets head up to McComb to face the Tigers in the Region 7-4A opening matchup of ranked teams in Class 4A. Poplarville is coming a tough loss to rival Picayune, while McComb continues their hot start. The Hornets, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A and the defending the Class 4A state champions, offensively are averaging 34 points per game and will as usual will lean on a run-heavy ground game attack that is averaging 352.36yards per game anchored by quarterback Ian Magee and promising junior running back Ty Keys, who rushed has 1,238 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns this season. Defensive back Payton Hart and linebacker Ayden Harmon will lead the Poplarville defense that does allow 30.2 points per game. The Tigers, ranked No. 5 in Class 4A, is coming into the matchup averaging 38.8 points, 160.8 yards passing, and 150.8 yards rushing led by quarterback Tramarion Davis, running backs Jace Jackson, Sammy Badon, and Jarvis Anderson along with receivers Sheldon Isaac, Latedrick Mallard and tight end and Southern Miss commit Broderick Peters. The McComb defense only allows 8.4 points per game. The key to this game will be the Tiger defense against the Hornet rushing attack and Ty Keys is the difference.

Pick: Poplarville 30-20

New Albany (4-1) at North Pontotoc (4-0)

The Bulldogs make the short trip down Highway 15 to Ecru to face the unbeaten Vikings in the Region 1-4A opener. North Pontotoc has been rolling through their first, while New Albany continues to pile up points on offense. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 7 in Class 4A, has a ton of firepower on offense that is averaging 45.2 points per game, 270.6 yards passing, and 191 yards rushing anchored by quarterback Braden Shettles, whose already has 1,353 yards passing with 14 touchdowns, along with running back Kylen Knox and receivers Kam Ray, Travon Scooter, and Isaiah Simpson. Linebacker William Hardy, defensive back Tyler Evans, and Parker Hicks lead a Bulldog defense that does allow 34 points per game. The Vikings come into this matchup averaging 42.3 points, 212.8 yards passing, and 185.8 yards rushing anchored by quarterback Drew Winfun, running back Donovan Winfun along with receivers Cooper Warren and Dee Slaughter. Linebackers J.P. Cockrell and Luke Hale along with free safety Levi Gooch lead a North Pontotoc defense that only allows three points per game. There could be a lot of points scored in this one and the Bulldog offense is just a tad too much.

Pick: New Albany 45-40

Shannon (3-2) at Pontotoc (3-1)

The Red Raiders make the short trip over to Pontotoc to face the Warriors in a non-region matchup of ranked teams in Class 5A and Class 4A. Pontotoc is coming off their first loss of the season last week to New Albany in game that saw the Warriors have two first half turnovers, while Shannon had a bounce back week by beating Saltillo.  The Warriors, ranked No. 6 in Class 5A, offensively is averaging 27.5 points that will lean on a ground that will lean on quarterback Courtland Pass and running back Markavion Jones. Defensively, Pontotoc is stout that only allows 18 points per game anchored by linebacker Rylan Mounce, defensive tackle Marcale Bell and defensive back Keontae Griffis. Shannon, ranked No. 10 in Class 4A, on offense is averaging 26.6 points, 143.6 yards passing, and 199 yards rushing anchored by quarterback Dashaun Clifton, running back Brayden Hooks, along with receivers Damari Shannon and Dagarrioius Clifton. Linebackers Jackson Loving, Donavon McGaughy, and Jaiden Clark along with safety M’Kilynn Barr will lead the Red Raider defense that only allows 18.8 points per game. Warriors use defense and bounce back at home.

Pick: Pontotoc 

Biggersville (4-1) at Baldwyn (5-0)

The Lions head down Highway 45 to Baldwyn to face the Bearcats in a non-region matchup of ranked teams in Class 2A and Class 1A. Both teams have been consistent heading into this matchup with very balance offenses. Biggersville, ranked No. 3 in Class 1A, offensively is coming in averaging 36.6 points, 200.8 yards passing, and 167.6 yards rushing anchored by quarterback Xae Mayes, who passes for 1,004 yards with 12 touchdowns and rushed for 524 yards and five touchdowns, along with receivers Zialis Blackmon and Brooks Seago. Defensive tackle Logan Doss along with Taylor at linebacker along with Blackmon and Seago in the secondary will lead the Lion defense that allows 19.8 points. Baldwyn, ranked No. 7 in Class 2A and the defending Class 1A state champions, offensively is coming in averaging 37.6 points, 173.4 yards rushing, and 173.2 yards passing anchored by quarterback Rush Watkins, running backs Calvin Price and Jourdan Crump along with receiver Gray Earnest. Defensive tackle Braxton Stewart, defensive end Chanceton Price, and linebacker Ridge Mask lead a Bearcat defense that only allows 11.6 points per game. Bearcats tough at home.

Pick: Baldwyn 26-19

Clarkdale (5-0) at Bay Springs (4-1)

It’s an all-Bulldog matchup as Clarkdale heads over to Bay Springs in the Region 5-2A opener. Clarkdale has been on a roll through the first five weeks, while Bay Springs has been steady since their Week 2 loss to Forest Hill. The Bulldogs offensively are coming into the matchup averaging 39.6 points, 185.4 yards rushing, and 122.4 yards passing led by quarterback Jake Lee, running back Leland Harris along with receivers Cale Culpepper and Ellis Wright. Defensively, Clarkdale only give up 8.8 points per game anchored by linebacker Jaxon McRee, free safety Cameron Crowell, and defensive lineman Forrest Robinson. Bay Springs, ranked No. 4 in Class 2A, offensively is coming into the matchup averaging 22.4 points per game that will lean on a ground game that is averaging 185.2 yards per game led by quarterback Jaylen Flowers along with running back Malaki Owens. Defensive end Roy Payton, linebacker Caleb Keys along with defensive back Zavian Johnson and safety Tyrick McLaurin lead a fast Bulldog defense that only allows 14.6 points per game. Bay Springs just too much at home.

Pick: Bay Springs 30-18

 

Jackson Academy (4-1) at Magnolia Heights (6-0)

The Raiders make the trip up I-55 to Senatobia to face the Chiefs in a key MAIS District 1-4A matchup and a contest of ranked teams. Magnolia Heights has been rolling through their first six games, while JA will be coming off their first loss of the season. The Raiders, ranked No. 2 in the Little 10, MAIS Top 10, and MAIS Class 4A, is anchored by an explosive offense that is averaging 40 points, 203.4 yards passing, and 176.6 yards rushing led by quarterback Josef Walker, running backs Kingston Mays and Aaric Beasley along with receivers Jaydann Hollins and North Carolina commit Omari Johnson. Defensively, JA only allows 18.2 points per game and will be anchored by linebackers T.J. White and defensive tackle Dereon Albert, both Tennessee commits. The Chiefs, ranked No. 5 in the MAIS Top 10 and in MAIS Class 4A, is averaging 44.2 points per game offensively anchored by quarterback Brannan Overstreet, running backs Cole Prosek and Jack Price, along with receivers Cayden Prestage. Defensively, Magnolia Heights only allows 17.3 points per game. Raiders bounce back on the road.

Pick: Jackson Academy 35-17