Long time sportswriter and high school football expert Robert Wilson is doing a predictions column each week during the high school football season on teams from Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties. Robert went 21-1 last week (95.4 percent) and is 151-38 (79.8 percent) for the season. Judd Boswell’s Clinton Arrows spoiled my perfect record with their win over Warren Central.
Germantown (4-4) at Madison Central (5-3)
This is the second meeting in football between these two Madison County rivals. Germantown, the so-called “Little Brother” of Madison Central, is all grown up now. The Mavericks are in their 10th season and are in the second season of Class 6A football.
Germantown has been competitive in every sport, even winning state championships (a school record eight in golf). But football is the toughest one to break through, especially at the 6A level.
Germantown has played well with the exception of the Starkville game, a 41-7 loss. The Mavericks defeated Cleveland Central 72-38 last week behind junior running back Branson Robinson’s 281 yards and five touchdowns. It was the fourth time this season Germantown had scored at least 40 points. Scoring 40 won’t be easy this week against the stingy Jaguar defense. Madison Central hasn’t allowed more than 14 points since allowing 20 to Northwest Rankin in the season opener and the Cougars’ last TD on the last play of the game. The Jaguars even held high-powered Starkville and star quarterback Luke Altmyer to nine points in a big win two weeks ago. Guys like Creek Robertson, C.J. Barney, J.T. Evans and the Perryman twins (Joseph and Josiah) make it very difficult to move the ball down the field.
Madison Central’s difficulty has been scoring. The Jaguars are using their third quarterback this season. Starter Tate Collins was injured earlier this season, Robertson has played some in addition to playing receiver and defensive back, and now sophomore Vic Sutton made his second start in last week’s 12-10 loss to South Panola.
In last year’s historic first football meeting between the two rivals, Madison Central won 36-23. Then senior quarterback Jimmy “The Jet” Holiday gained 174 yards and scored on TD runs of 34, 29, 49 and 5 yards to carry the Jaguars. He also completed 12 of 15 passes for 87 yards. Colton Gardner, now a senior for Germantown, had quite a game as well, passing for 233 yards and two TDs. The Mavericks actually led at one point, 17-16, in the third quarter after Monterrio Walker intercepted a pass and ran 60 yards for a score.
Gardner will need another big game from Gardner and the Germantown defense, led by junior defensive lineman Zxavian Harris (6-6, 308), needs to limit Madison Central from getting big plays in order to pull off this important victory its program history.
Germantown 10, Madison Central 7.
Northwest Rankin (7-1) at Brandon (4-5)
Coach Toby Collum has the Northwest Rankin Cougars rolling this season. Since a 31-20 loss at Madison Central, the Cougars have reeled off seven straight victories. The offense has been solid, a hard-working offensive line, a powerful running back in Cam Marion (964 yards, 13 TDs), an accurate passer in Caleb Parten (1,534 yards, 15 TDs) and a talented receiver in Jordan Cavitt (42 catches, 499 yards, six TDs). The Cougar defense has played well also, led by senior linebacker Javian Gathright, junior defensive back Jalen Nelson and senior linebacker-defensive back A.J. Jones.
The post-Will Rogers era has hit Brandon hard. The Bulldogs have struggled the majority of the season. Something Brandon fans aren’t used to. Rogers, last year’s Priority One Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Year, led the Bulldogs to 29 victories in three seasons. There isn’t a Rogers at quarterback, Jerious Norwood at running back or Jonathan Mingo at receiver. A win over its Rankin County rival would make life a lot better for the Bulldogs. Brandon fans are used to beating Northwest Rankin. Seven of the last eight meetings were won by Brandon.
Northwest Rankin 21, Brandon 7.
Other games: (Winner in Bold)
Bowling Green, La. (5-3) at Canton Academy (4-6)
Christian Collegiate (2-6) at Rebul (0-10)
Florence (3-5) at Richland (7-1)
Greenville (1-5) at Clinton (5-2)
Hillcrest Christian (2-8) at Cathedral (9-1)
Jackson Prep (7-2) at Presbyterian Christian (7-3)
Kirk (3-6) at Tri-County (6-3)
Madison St. Joseph (3-6) at Riverside (3-2)
Meridian (1-7) at Terry (2-6)
Oak Forest, La. (4-5) at MRA (9-0)
Parklane (4-4) at Jackson Academy (7-3)
Park Place (5-4) at Copiah (6-3)
Pelahatchie (5-4) at Morton (6-2)
Pisgah (5-4) at Yazoo City (5-3)
Puckett (8-1) at Enterprise-Clarke (5-1)
Raleigh (5-3) at Velma Jackson (6-0)
Raymond (4-5) at McComb (4-2)
St. Andrew’s (1-7) at Crystal Springs (5-3)
Yazoo County (2-5) at McLaurin (0-8)
Great job in your coverage as is much needed for our great high schools/ coaches/athletes and athletic programs as they all deserve maximum coverage as well as team and individual honors and the CL has been lacking in their coverage. keep up the much needed and appreciated work I have been doing High School and college P.A. announcing for almost 20 years locally and enjoy the ability of our coaches and athletes and the latest two Zy McDonald and Richard Mayes !!! are exceptional student/atletes