Playoff Previews for November 9

1st round game MS 6A
Warren Central (6-5) at Olive Branch (10-1)

Olive Branch
O-33.5
D-22.1

Warren Central
O-26.0
D-25.0

Olive Branch begins its quest for back to back state championships at home vs the Vikings. The teams last met in the playoffs back in 2009 and the Conquistadors won that easily 38-6. Warren Central is led by their JR QB, Carlisle Koestler. On the year, he is 87-164 (53%) for 1279 yds, 12 TD & 7 INT. JR RB Aaron Stamps has 755 yds rushing & 13 TD's. Koestler's favorite targer is SR 6'4 WR Kourey Davis who has caught 30 balls for 376 yds and 4 TD's. On defense, the Vikings are led by two SO LB, DeArius Christmas with 97 tackles and Derrick Thomas with 96.

Olive Branch is led by SR QB Sam Craft. Craft has rushed for 926 yds (5.8/carry) & 15 TD's while going 95-194 (49%) for 1510 yds with 11 TD's and 9 INT. RB Byrekus Payne has 624 yds rushing (5.8) & 7 TD's and has caught 30 passes out of the backfield for 293 yds and 3 TD's. The leading WR is SR Malik Mayweather who has 27 catches on the year for 547 yds (20/catch) and 3 TD. Jamil Collins has only 12 receptions but they total 403 yds (30/catch) and 4 TD's. On defense, there are a number of playmakers. JR LB Alfred Dickens leads the team with 109 tackles. SR LB & back up QB Josh Cooley has 90, SO LB Fred Walls had 87 tackles & 4 sacks while SR S Dontrell Nelson has 87 tackles as well. JR DB Bradley McCurdy has 6 interceptions.




1st round game MS 6A
Southaven (8-3) at Clinton (6-5)

Southaven
O-28.3
D-17.5

Clinton
O-19.7
D-20.8

The two teams last met back in 2009 with Clinton winning 31-23. Southaven's only losses on the year are to defending 3A champ Charleston in the season opener 34-26, to defending state champ Olive Branch 31-28 & to perennial power South Panola 35-33. They are led by JR QB Shea Chism & SR Hunter Bull.
The Arrows are led by SR QB Cale Luke-55-119 for 660 yds 4 TD's and 7 INT. He has also rushed for 757 yds (5/carry) with 7 TD's. He does have a problem holding onto the ball having fumbled 10 times on the year and losing 5. JR RB Demarcus Harried has 524 yds and 10 TD's. On defense, JR LB Quantus King leads the team with 94 tackles. SO LB Nic Chatman had 73 tackles & 7 sacks & JR DL Grant Harris has 61 tackles and 6 sacks.

1st round game MS 5A
Center Hill (5-6) at Ridgeland (8-3)

Center Hill
O-18.4
D-26.1

Ridgeland
O-24.0
D-16.9

The teams met last year in the playoffs with the Mustangs losing a heartbreaker 10-9. Center Hill is led by SR QB Jacob Marsh. Marsh is 126-243 (52%) for 1516 yds passing on the year with 11 TD's & 16 INT. If he is throwing the ball, there is a good chance that it is going to JR WR D'Marius Gillespie. Gillespie has 63 receptions for 804 yds and 8 TD's. The ground game is led by SO RB Kaelin Thomas who has 543 yds (6.8/carry) and 3 TD's & SR RB Curderion Hampton who has 510 yds & 7 TD's. Defensively for the Mustangs they are led by JR LB Cole Paulino with 89 tackles and SR DB Jaquarius Wilson with 73.

For the Titans, you have to find a way to stop RB Gary Adams. The 5'8 145 senior has 228 carries for 1251 yds (5.5) and 13 TD's. JR QB Patrick Lohman has 890 yds rushing of his own (6.7) and 12 TD's while throwing for 785 yds and 6 TD's. Defensively for Ridgeland, they are led by JR DL Jermon Johnson with 81 tackles, SO LB Keyshaun Simmons with 74 & SR LB Gary Plowden with 73.

2nd round game MS 4A
Itawamba (11-0) at Lewisburg (8-4)

Lewisburg
O-28.5
D-15.9

Itawamba
O-41.3
D-10.7

Making their first ever playoff appearance, the Patriots went on the road last week and got the win. Lewisburg jumped out to a 21-3 lead over Cleveland en route to a 28-23 victory. They are led by SR RB Xavier Morris with over 1000 yds rushing and 15 TD's. QB DJ Steakley & RB Chris Taylor each had TD's in the win and are major contributors to the success of the Patriot offense. Jacob Null leads the way on defense along with John Ferguson who raced down the sideline for a 59 yd TD on a 3rd and 25 play last week to put the game away.

The task is that much tougher this week with the undefeated Indians coming to town. A predominantly running team, they are led by SR RB's Ashton Shumpert & Charles Moore. Shumpert does it all for Itawamba. He has only 117 carries on the year yet has 1504 yds (12.9/carry) with 23 TD's. He has 9 receptions for 156 yds and 3 TD's and has intercepted 2 passes as well. Moore has 146 carries for 1270 yds (8.7) with 20 TD's. SR QB Tyler Dossett is completing 61% of his passes for 1091 yds & adds 505 yds rushing and 4 TD's. Defensively they are led by SR LB Reginald White white 78 tackles and 3 sacks & SR DB Keashun Gaston with 65 tackles.

1st round game AR 7A
Rogers Heritage (7-3) at West Memphis (7-3)

West Memphis
O-23.7
D-18.1

Rogers Heritage
O-35.5
D-31.2

Each team features nominees for the Arkansas version of Mr. Football which is sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance as well as some very highly rated college prospects. For West Memphis, it's SR RB Kendall Allen and JR RB/LB Jarvis Cooper. Cooper is the #2 prospect in the state for the class of 2014. Allen and Cooper will lead the way for the Blue Devils as they try to advance in the playoffs.

For Rogers Heritage, it's JR QB Josh Qualls who is the #4 prospect in the state for the class of 2014. Qualls leads a high powered offense and the player to keep an eye on for Rogers Heritage is WR Forest Johnson. Not a very big guy at 5'9 & 160 lbs, Johnson has over 1100 yds receiving on the year.

1st round 6A
Marion (2-8) at Lake Hamilton (6-4)

Marion
O-17.5
D-28.8

Lake Hamilton
O-29.9
D-26.2

The two teams met back on September 14 in Marion with Lake Hamilton winning 31-16. Over the last 6 years, Lake Hamilton has beaten Marion 3 times by an average of 20 pts/gm. The last time Marion defeated Lake Hamilton was back in 2006 42-14. Lake Hamilton lost in the state title game last year 24-20 as they had a pass intercepted in the end zone in the final seconds.

The Patriots are led by Mr. Football nominees Rashad Boyd on the offensive side of the ball and Robert Sallie on the defensive side. Lake Hamilton has 2 nominees of their own, Trey Martin on offense and Cody Smith on defense.

2nd round TN 6A
Southwind (8-3) at Whitehaven (11-0)

Southwind
O-25.0
D-20.5

Whitehaven
O-38.6
D-8.8

The Jags beat Houston for the second time in 3 weeks last week 28-13 as they won the first ever playoff game. SR QB Darius Henderson had a hand in all four TD's, throwing for 3 and rushing for another. The Southwind defense was up to the task as well led by SR DE Christian Johnson. The Jags held the Mustangs to 152 yds of total offense and picked off 2 passes.

The Tigers are one of 13 remaining undefeated teams in the state and their defense is 5th in the state in points allowed per game. Whitehaven defeated Collierville 42-7 last week behind that defense and SR RB & Mr. Football finalist Mark Dodson. Dodson has 245 yds rushing and 3 TD's and the defense, which had 5 first team selections to the 16-AAA All-District team, held their opponent to 7 points or fewer for the ninth time in 11 games.

2nd round TN 6A
Millington (6-5) at Germantown (8-3)

Millington
O-24.3
D-14.4

Germantown
O-31.5
D-18.6

The Trojans and the Red Devils have met three times in the playoffs and Germantown has won all three. Last time the teams met was back in 2003.

The Trojans defeated Brighton last week 35-14 to avenge an earlier loss. 14-AAA All-District first team selection RB Antonio Webber had 160 yds rushing & 2 TD's while FR QB Eldon Timbs threw 2 TD passes. Timbs has been a starter since mid year due to injuries to two other starting QB's. The defense is led by two first team All-District selections as well, SR FS George Odum & SO LB Patrick Macon.

Germantown defeated Bolton 34-22 and one of the big reasons why was the play of SR QB Sam Martin. Martin had 3 TD's  (1-rushing, 2 passing) on the night and 15-AAA first team All-District SR RB Damon Cox added 2 to lead the Red Devils. First team All-District selection at WR & KR Caylon Weathers caught 2 TD passes on the night.

2nd round TN 5A
Hamilton (8-3) at Jackson North Side (11-0)

Hamilton
O-17.7
D-13.7

Jackson North Side
O-32.8
D-12.4

Hamilton is coming off a dramatic 22-20 win over defending 5A state champ Henry Co. QB Josh Crutcher and WR Gary Childs hooked up for touchdowns of 43 & 75, the latter coming with 2:32 left for the game winner. The stout Wildcats D held the Patriots to 184 yds of total offense and had 3 takeaways. The Hamilton D has held opponents to 8 points or less in 5 of the 11 games this year and it will take another huge effort to slow down the undefeated Indians.

Jackson North Side defeated Munford 45-17 in a game that was close at the half at 17-10. Indians standout QB Adam Craig was again spectacular. Craig carried the ball 7 times for 175 yds and 2 TD's while going 9-15 for 101 yds and 2 TD's through the air. Craig now has over 1800 yds passing and 24 TD's and over 900 yds rushing and 12 TD's. WR/DB Jerry Neylon added a 56 yd INT return for TD and the Indians D held the Cougars to just 7 points in the second half.

2nd round TN 5A
Craigmont (9-2) vs Ridgeway (8-3) at Halle

Craigmont
O-28.3
D-17.1

Ridgeway
O-38.4
D-20.4

The two teams met last year in a shootout that Ridgeway won 49-42. The Roadrunners have also won the last 7 meetings between the teams.

Craigmont beat Hardin Co 42-26  for the first playoff win in the school's history. 14-AAA Offensive Player of the Year RB Walter Crutchfield had 196 yds rushing and 3 TD's to lead the way. All-District first team selection WR Damecio Ewing caught 5 passes for 128 yds and 2 TD's. But it was SO QB Andrew McIntyre who stood out. McIntyre was 10-13 for 201 yds and 3 TD's.

Another young quarterback was the reason for the Roadrunners success Friday night in their 42-3 win over Lawrence Co. SO QB Braxton Conard was 7-8 passing for 151 yds and 5 TD's. 15-AAA Offensive Player of the Year Orlando Johnson had 143 yds rushing on just 11 carries and a TD while All-District first team selection Toreano Barnes caught 2 TD passes as did Terris Gordon.

2nd round TN 4A
Sheffield (7-4) at Covington (11-0)

Sheffield
O-29.9
D-11.5

Covington
O-42.3
D-9.5

The Knights are coming off a 20-18 win over Raleigh Egypt. QB Brandon Leachman was 8-16 passing for 112 yds and 2 TD's. Larry Kimber caught 6 balls for 101 yds and one of those TD passes. Terrance Dixon had another TD to bring his total to 24 on the year. Sheffield is 17th in state in points allowed per game.

The Chargers remained one of 13 unbeaten teams in the state with their 55-0 win over Hillcrest. Mr. Football finalist Johnston White was one of the reasons for their success. White touched the ball 11 times in the first half and scored on 6 of them. He had 10 carries for 118 yds rushing and 5 TD's and caught a 69 yd TD pass. The Chargers D is the other reason for their success. Covington had 3 interceptions in the game and held the Vikings to -5 yds of total offense in the game. The Charger offense is 12th in the state in points per game and their defense is 8th in the state. Nobody has scored more than 20 points on Covington all year long and they have held their opponents to 8 pts or fewer in 7 of the 11 games.

2nd round TN 4A
Trezevant (9-2) vs Mitchell (9-2) at JP Freeman

Trezevant
O-34.9
D-10.5

Mitchell
O-23.5
D-10.5

The Bears shutout Dyersburg last week 26-0. It was the 4th straight shutout for Trezevant and 5th overall and they held the Trojans to 103 yds of total offense. They have held their opponents to 14 points or less in 8 of the 11 games. SO QB Jordan Spencer accounted for 2 TD's in the win.

The Tigers got a big game out of their young quarterback as well. SO QB Tamadreus Trezevant was 11-18 for 230 yds and 3 TD's in their win 30-12 win over Fairley. DeJuan McQuarters caught 4 of those passes for 126 yds and a TD. The Mitchell D is pretty good as well holding their opponents to 14 points or less in 9 of the 11 games. The two teams last met back in 2008 with Mitchell winning that one.

2nd round TN 2A
Peabody (8-3) vs Westwood (8-2) at Crump

Peabody
O-36.0
D-23.2

Westwood
O-25.4
D-13.1

Peabody defeated Humboldt last week 41-21. This game was tied at 7 at halftime and Peabody exploded for 22 4th quarter points to pull away. The Golden Tide has not had any problems scoring this year averaging 36 pts/gm.

Westwood is led by 16-A Offensive Player of the Year Nikia Cathey. Cathey is averaging 185 all purpose yds per game. He is averaging 43 yds on PR, 40 yds on KR and 20 yds on receptions. All-District first team selections Zephaniah Young and Tevin Reid are part of 5 first team selections for the Longhorns. Young has 1058 yds rushing on the year (7.7/carry) and Reid has 905 yds (8.2). 16-A Defensive Player of the Year Jeremie Glass leads 5 first team selections on that side of the ball. Cathey, Joseph Harris and Demetrius Johnson each have 4 interceptions for Westwood.


2nd round TN D2-A
Harding Academy (9-2) at Knoxville Webb (9-1)

Harding Academy
O-36.5
D-9.3

Webb
O-37
D-8.5

Last time the two teams met was back in 2006 with Harding winning 27-26. Both teams are very similar. They can score lots of points and their defense can hold an opponent down as well.

The Lions defeated Zion Christian 60-14 despite having only 173 yds of total offense in the game. Brayden Shelby returned a fumble for a TD and Jesse Atkins returned an INT for a TD as Harding intercepted 5 passes on the night. They are led by QB Chad Parker. Parker is 101-194 for over 1500 yds and 17 TD's with only 2 INT. Vanderbilt commitment Mack Weaver leads the defense.

The Spartans have won the state title in 2 of the last 3 seasons and were a preseason choice to make it back there again this year. Webb's only loss of the year came in the opening game of the season to always tough Alcoa 14-7. Their defense has held their opponent to 14 points or less in 8 of 9 games so far this year and is led by 5'9 SO Bennett Harrison with 73 tackles. Offensively, you have to stop JR RB Todd Kelly. Kelly is averaging a whopping 14.9 yds/carry (48-713 yds) with 13 TD's rushing. He has caught 7 passes for 158 yds (22.6/catch) with 4 TD's. SR RB Aaron Blance has 642 yds rushing as well (10.4/carry) and 13 TD's.

2nd Round TN D2-A
Fayette Academy (9-2) at ECS (4-6)

Fayette Academy
O-35.3
D-20.7

ECS
O-24.2
D-13.5

Fayette Academy beat ECS 21-20 back on Oct. 19. ECS had previously won the last 5 games between the two schools. Marcus Miller rushed for 189 yds and 3 TD's to lead the Vikings to the victory.

The Vikings beat Ezell-Harding last week 43-29. Miller rushed for 117 yds & 2 TD's in the win while Austin Johnson had 2 TD's, 7 tackles and a sack for Fayette Academy.  ECS is led by Mr. Football finalist QB Brent Rooker. Rooker has over 2,000 yds passing with 17 TD's and just 4 INT while completing 67% of his passes. He also has over 500 yds and 9 TD's on the ground.


2nd round TN D2-A
St. George's (10-1) at FRA (6-4)

St. George's
O-33.8
D-9.3

FRA
O-28.2
D-22.7

The Gryphons defeated Davidson Academy last week 42-7 behind the near perfect performance of SR QB Dean Brown. Brown was 10-11 passing for 209 yds & 4 TD's and rushed for another score as well. Chandler Loy added 148 yds rushing on just 9 carries.

The Panthers are led by seniors QB Matt Hissong, RB Hosea Baldwin and WR Dalton Ponchillia. Baldwin has 1101 yds rushing on the year (6.7/carry)and 12 TD's. Hissong is completing 63% of his passes (83-132) for 1328 yds with 12 TD's and 5 INT. Whenever Hissong throws the ball, it's a pretty good bet that Ponchillia catches it. He has 53 receptions on the year for 929 yds and 10 TD's.


2nd round TN D2-AA
Briarcrest (8-3) at Brentwood Academy (8-2)

Briarcrest
O-30.7
D-22.4

BA
O-38.3
D-16.2

The Eagles have won the last 5 meetings between the two schools but it has been five years since they have met. Last time was back in 2008 and BA won the game 40-6.

The Saints won last week 21-14 vs Pope John Paul. It was their first playoff win since 2009. Briarcrest rushed for 277 yds in the victory with Court Satterfield getting 127 yds on just 8 carries and Jay Moore had 126 on 16 carries and the game winning TD with about 3 minutes left in the game.

The Eagles are led by QB Max Staver, RB D'Montre Wade and WR Jalen Ramsey. Staver is 94-160 (59%) for over 1500 yds with 16 TD's and only 6 INT. Ramsey has caught 27 of those passes for 614 yds and 8 TD's. Wade does it on both sides of the ball. He has 681 yds rushing (7.6/carry) and 13 TD's. On D he has 42.5 tackles, 2 INT and 1 FF. The two leading tacklers on the team are junior Derek Barnett and sophomore Jackson Pittman. Each have 121 tackles on the year.

2nd round TN D2-AA
Chattanooga Baylor at MUS

Baylor
O-28.9
D-18.8

MUS
O-38.8
D-18.6

MUS leads the all time series 7-5 and last met back in 2009 with the Owls winning 38-7. This will be a reunion of sorts with former MUS coaches Phil Massey & Bubba Burr returning to take on the team they used to coach for.

Baylor beat BGA last week 49-35 behind the play of RB George Porter. Porter had 187 yds rushing on 14 carries and 3 TD's in the win.

MUS is led by SR QB and Mr. Football finalist Jordan Rodgers. Rodgers is completing 63% of his passes for almost 2100 yds with 29 TD's and just 4 INT. He spreads the ball around to a number of his receivers. Witt Hawkins has 38 catches for 428 yds and 3 TD's, Devin Perry has 31 catches for 519 yds and 8 TD's, Will Whitley has 25 catches for 336 yards and 8 TD's and Shane Tucker has 29 catches for 392 yds and 3 TD's. Tucker has also rushed for 558 yds (6.6/carry) and 8 TD's. The Owls defense is led by Mr. Football finalist Peyton Klawinski. He has 88 tackles for the year with 25 of those TFL. He also has 8 sacks, 1 INT and 3 FF.

Here is a link to the MUS site on what they think about the game:

http://mussports.typepad.com/football/2012/11/baylor-preview.html


2nd round TN D2-AA
MBA (8-3) at CBHS (9-1)

MBA
O-29.0
D-14.0

CBHS
O-38.6
D-9.7

Teams last met back in 2008 with MBA winning 34-0.

MBA beat Father Ryan last week 17-7. They are led by QB Dylan Hall, RB JaTerri Donald & RB Gary Jackson. Hall has completed 65% of his passes for almost 1100 yds and 12 TD's vs only 3 INT. Donald has 795 yds rushing (7.3/carry) with 10 TD's and Jackson has 510 yds rushing with 7 TD's.  Defensively they are led by Franklin Garsti who has 47 tackles including 8 TFL.

The Purple Wave have a solid 1-2 punch at running back with Ramadi Warren & Kurtis Hicks. Warren has 877 yds rushing and averages over 10 yds a carry with 17 TD's while Hicks has 752 yds rushing with 10 TD's. QB Breck Ruddick is very solid with almost 1000 yds passing, 6 TD's and 1 INT. WR Anthony Miller is the go to guy when they want to throw snagging 36 balls for 580 yds and 4 TD's.