Mississippi High School Football Games of the Week: August 29-31
Mississippi high school football will kick off the 2024 season this week, and multiple top teams are set to square off to start the year.
This weekend features three top-10 matchups and four additional ranked games in what should be a loaded Friday night in the Magnolia State.
Below are the Mississippi high school football games of the week.
The On3 Massey Ratings — which were officially used during the BCS era and have generated college high school sports team rankings since 1995 — rank sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.
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Top high school football games in Mississippi
#15 Grenada at #1 Oak Grove — Friday, Aug. 30
Although just a preseason game, Oak Grove took down Gulfport last week 28-21 in the final action before the start of the regular season. The Warriors are coming off of a 13-1 season and a MHSAA 7A state championship, but lose quarterback AJ Maddox to Ole Miss. AJ’s brother, Andrew, is a senior defensive lineman for Oak Grove and also committed to Ole Miss. Grenada went 11-4 in 2023 and rattled off three postseason wins before falling to West Jones.
#3 Brandon at #7 Picayune Memorial — Friday, Aug. 30
Brandon won 10 games last season and is looking to get over the hump in 2024 after losing a 49-45 heartbreaker to Oak Grove to end the year. 2026 four-star cornerback Preston Ashley is the No. 8 junior in the state. Picayune Memorial is the top 6A team in the state entering the season, looking to win its third title in the last four years.
#4 Madison Central at #6 Ocean Springs — Friday, Aug. 30
Madison Central is led by a pair of senior Power 4 commits in Florida tight end pledge Micah Jones and Mississippi State offensive tackle commit Josiah Clemons. Madison won eight games a season ago and fell to Starkville in the 7A playoffs. Ocean Springs made the jump to 7A last season, finishing with a 9-2 record. The Greyhounds are projected to have a top-five offense in Mississippi this fall.
#8 West Jones at #25 Laurel — Friday, Aug. 30
West Jones ran the table last season and claimed its second 6A state title in the last four years. The Mustangs are back for more in 2024 and are currently projected to win each of its regular season contests. Laurel finished 8-7 in 2023, winning three postseason games before falling to West Point. The Tornadoes’ offensive line is anchored by top-100 LSU commit Tyler Miller.
#9 Louisville at #10 West Point — Friday, Aug. 30
Louisville made history last season by going a perfect 15-0, winning its 12th state championship, tying a state record for the most titles of any school. West Point also claimed its record 12th state championship last season by climbing the top of the 5A mountain. The Green Wave lost now Florida freshman running back KD Daniels but are still poised to have a top-10 offense in the state this season.
#21 Clinton at #11 Warren Central — Friday, Aug. 30
Clinton is looking to rebound after a difficult 1-9 season a year ago, and the Arrows are set to enter the fall with a top-20 defense in Mississippi. Warren Central finished 9-3 on the season and come into the year with one of the state’s best defenses. Senior receiver Maddox Lynch will have a shot this season to break Warren Central’s career records for receptions and receiving yards.
#19 Northwest Rankin at #24 Germantown — Friday, Aug. 30
Northwest Ranking is coming off of a 5-5 season that failed to see the Cougars make the MHSAA postseason. Germantown finished 5-6 in 2023 and fell in the first round of the 7A playoffs to Oxford. Rankin took last year’s season-opening matchup against Germantown 35-28.