2007 Football Playoff Predictions, Week I

MHSAA Class 4A
Predicted Champion: Laurel
Predicted Runnerup: Clarksdale

Yes, it's a homer pick, but Laurel did win Region 5-4A, which many people consider to be the toughest region in 4A. Look for Clarksdale to beat West Point in North State.

First Round
Cleveland (Region 2 4th) at Itawamba AHS (Region 1 1st)
West Lauderdale (Region 4 3rd) at Canton (Region 3 2nd)
Tishomingo County (Region 1 4th) at Clarksdale (Region 2 1st)
Yazoo City (Region 3 3rd) at Noxubee County (Region 4 2nd)
Kosciusko (Region 4 4th) at Ridgeland (Region 3 1st)
Lafayette County (Region 2 3rd) at Shannon (Region 1 2nd)
Vicksburg (Region 3 4th) at West Point (Region 4 1st)
New Albany (Region 1 3rd) at Oxford (Region 2 2nd)
Florence (Region 6 4th) at Laurel (Region 5 1st)
St. Stanislaus (Region 8 3rd) at Forrest Co. AHS (Region 7 2nd)
West Jones (Region 5 4th) at Brookhaven (Region 6 1st)
Vancleave (Region 7 3rd) at D'Iberville (Region 8 2nd)
Long Beach (Region 8 4th) at Moss Point (Region 7 1st)
McComb (Region 6 3rd) at Northeast Jones (Region 5 2nd)
Gautier (Region 7 4th) at Picayune (Region 8 1st)
NE Lauderdale (Region 5 3rd) at Lawrence County (Region 6 2nd)

MHSAA Class 3A
Predicted Champion: South Pike
Predicted Runnerup: Louisville

Both schools are historical Class 4A powers playing in 3A, so why not choose them?

First Round
Amory (Region 2 4th) at Ripley (Region 1 1st)
Lexington McClain (Region 4 3rd) at Senatobia (Region 3 2nd)
Kossuth (Region 1 4th) at Louisville (Region 2 1st)
North Panola (Region 3 3rd) at Charleston (Region 4 2nd)
Humphreys County (Region 4 4th) at Byhalia (Region 3 1st)
Aberdeen (Region 2 3rd) at Booneville (Region 1 2nd)
Independence (Region 3 4th) at Velma Jackson (Region 4 1st)
Corinth (Region 1 3rd) at Winona (Region 2 2nd)
Crystal Springs (Region 6 4th) at Newton County (Region 5 1st)
Perry Central (Region 8 3rd) at Jefferson County (Region 7 2nd)
Morton (Region 5 4th) at Hazlehurst (Region 6 1st)
Franklin County (Region 7 3rd) at Sumrall (Region 8 2nd)
Purvis (Region 8 4th) at South Pike (Region 7 1st)
Collins (Region 6 3rd) at Raleigh (Region 5 2nd)
Tylertown (Region 7 4th) at Greene County (Region 8 1st)
SE Lauderdale (Region 5 3rd) at Magee (Region 6 2nd)

MHSAA Class 2A
Predicted winner: Taylorsville
Predicted runnerup: West Bolivar

Another matchup of historic powers. Both the Tartars and Eagles (formerly known as Rosedale) have won multiple titles.

First Round
Ackerman (Region 2 4th) at Baldwyn (Region 1 1st)
Riverside (Region 4 3rd) at West Tallahatchie (Region 3 2nd)
Hamilton (Region 1 4th) at Eupora (Region 2 1st)
Ruleville (Region 3 3rd) at Hollandale Simmons (Region 4 2nd)
Leland (Region 4 4th) at West Bolivar (Region 3 1st)
J.Z. George (Region 2 3rd) at Walnut (Region 1 2nd)
Leflore County (Region 3 4th) at South Delta (Region 4 1st)
Mantachie (Region 1 3rd) at Bruce (Region 2 2nd)
McLaurin (Region 6 4th) at Philadelphia (Region 5 1st)
Bassfield (Region 8 3rd) at Bay Springs (Region 7 2nd)
Lake (Region 5 4th) at St. Andrew’s (Region 6 1st)
Enterprise Clarke (Region 7 3rd) at East Marion (Region 8 2nd)
Lumberton (Region 8 4th) at Taylorsville (Region 7 1st)
Madison St. Joseph (Region 6 3rd) at Forest (Region 5 2nd)
Mize (Region 7 4th) at North Forrest (Region 8 1st)
Scott Central (Region 5 3rd) at Wesson (Region 6 2nd)

MPSA Class AAA Division I
Predicted winner: Jackson Prep
Predicted runnerup: JA

Yet another Prep-JA title game?

First Round
MRA (South 2nd) at Jackson Academy (North 1st)
Pillow Academy (North 2nd) at Jackson Prep (South 1st)

MPSA Class AAA Division II
Predicted winner: Washington
Predicted runnerup: Lamar

Why not the Generals?

First Round
East Rankin (South 2nd) at Washington School (North 1st)
Magnolia Heights (North 2nd) at Lamar School (South 1st)

MPSA Class AA
Predicted winner: Leake
Predicted runnerup: Centreville

I'll choose the Rebels to win their first-ever football title.

First Round
Canton (Wild card 4th) at Marshall (District 1 1st)
Kirk (Wild card 2nd) at Manchester (District 2 2nd)
Indianola (Wild card 3rd) at Leake (District 2 1st)
Winston (Wild card 1st) at Lee (District 1 2nd)
Riverfield (South wild card 2nd) at Trinity Episcopal (District 3 1st)
Oak Forest, La. (District 5 2nd) at Brookhaven (District 4 1st)
Central Private (South wild card 1st) at Centreville (District 5 1st)
Copiah Academy (District 4 2nd) at Prairie View, La. (District 3 2nd)

MPSA Class A
Predicted winner: Central Hinds
Predicted runnerup: Briarfield

The Cougars advanced to the second round of the playoffs in Class AA last year. I think that they can win Class A this year.

First Round
Hebron Christian (District 3 2nd) at North Delta (District 1 1st)
Marvell (North wild card 2nd) at Briarfield, La. (District 2 1st)
Humphreys (North wild card 1st) at Winona Christian (District 3 1st)
Bayou (District 2 2nd) at DeSoto, Ark. (District 1 2nd)
Huntington, La. (District 6 2nd) at Wayne (District 4 1st)
Wilkinson Christian (South wild card 2nd) at Central Hinds (District 5 1st)
Sylva-Bay (South wild card 1st) at Glenbrook, La. (District 6 winner)
Porter's Chapel (District 5 runner-up) at Heidelberg (District 4 2nd)