Three defending champions — West Point, Taylorsville, and Simmons — will be seeking a repeat when the Mississippi High School Activities Association holds its football championship games Friday and Saturday at the University of Southern Mississippi’s M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Friday games
3A -- 11 a.m. Seminary (12-3) vs Water Valley (13-2)
1A – 3 p.m. Simmons (14-0) vs. Nanih Waiya (14-1)
6A -- 7 p.m. Oak Grove (12-3) vs. Horn Lake (14-0)
Saturday games
4A -- 11 a.m. Louisville (14-1) vs. Poplarville (13-1)
2A – 3 p.m. Taylorsville (15-0) vs. Scott Central (14-1)
5A – 7 p.m. West Point (13-1) vs. West Jones (12-2)
CLASS 3A – Seminary advanced with a 15-9 victory over defending champion Jefferson Davis County in the South State final. Water Valley defeated North Panola 42-28 in the North State final after losing to North Panola 51-19 during the regular season.
CLASS 1A – It will be a rematch from last year when Simmons came from behind with two fourth quarter touchdowns for a 22-20 victory. Simmons has won the last three titles and has a 54-game winning streak, best in the nation. Nanih Waiya’s only loss this year came against 3A power Winona.
CLASS 6A – Horn Lake broke a 7-7 tie with Madison Central in the North State final on an 80-yard pass play in the final minute and added a safety for a 16-7 victory. Oak Grove lost to Brandon 31-21 in a regular season game, but scored two fourth quarter touchdowns for a 21-10 victory over Brandon in the South State final.
CLASS 4A – In the North State final, Louisville gave up third quarter touchdowns to Greenwood on a fumble return and an interception return to fall behind 14-10, but won the game 17-14 with a fourth quarter touchdown. The Wildcats only loss came against West Point. Poplarville defeated previously unbeaten East Central 33-17 in the South State final. The Hornets have won 13 in a row since an opening game loss to Picayune
CLASS 2A – Taylorsville has won 25 in a row, but will be without sophomore quarterback Ty Keyes. He has thrown for more than 8,000 yards the past two seasons, but suffered a broken ankle in the Tartars’ 15-8 victory over Bay Spring in the South State final. Scott Central blanked Calhoun City 27-0 in the North State final.
CLASS 5A – West Point has not been quite as dominant as last year’s unbeaten state champion. But the Green Wave played its most complete game in the North State final in a 35-0 victory over Olive Branch. West Point held Olive Branch to four first downs and 101 total yards. West Jones pulled a big upset in the quarterfinals, a 37-14 win over previously unbeaten Hattiesburg, and followed that with a 21-13 victory over Picayune in the South State final.
