Mississippi High School Football Rankings: Top 25 Teams - September 9
There has been a shakeup at the top of the Mississippi high school football rankings following a week that saw a No. 1 vs. No. 2 battle.
Brandon knocked off top-ranked Madison Central last week while Northwest Rankin upset then-No. 8 Clinton in a nailbiter.
Below is the updated Mississippi On3 Massey Ratings top 25, as of Sept. 9.
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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1. Brandon
Previous Ranking: No. 2 (+1)
Brandon won the headliner of the week in the state of Mississippi, handling top-ranked Madison Central 21-7. Four-star junior cornerback Preston Ashley is the No. 8 junior in the state, per the On3 Industry Ranking, and leads the No. 4 defense in the Magnolia State. Brandon is 2-0 on the year and will play No. 17 Clinton on the road this Friday.
2. Oak Grove
Previous Ranking: No. 4 (+2)
Oak Grove is 2-0 on the year following a 35-21 over a ranked Ocean Springs. The Warriors were the preseason No. 1 team in Mississippi despite losing championship-winning quarterback and now Ole Miss freshman AJ Maddox. Maddox’s brother, Ole Miss four-star commit Andrew Maddox, stars along the defensive line on a top-10 defense. Oak Grove are at home this Friday against No. 12 Hattiesburg in what will be one of the state’s top matchups of the week.
3. Starkville
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Starkville beat then-No. 20 West Point 33-23 to stay No. 3 in the state of Mississippi. The Yellowjackets lost in the state title to Oak Grove last season and are working to get back for another shot at the crown. Next up is a home contest against Meridian.
4. Madison Central
Previous Ranking: No. 1 (-3)
Madison Central entered the season with the state’s projected No. 2 strength of schedule. The Jaguars rose to No. 1 after beating Ocean Springs in week one, but fell from the top spot in the Mississippi high school football rankings this week after losing 21-7 to Brandon last week. The Jaguars will be at home for the first time this season for another top-10 matchup — this time against No. 9 Gulfport.
5. Tupelo
Previous Ranking: No. 5
Tupelo stayed put in the rankings after a dominant 40-13 win over Southaven. The Golden Wave are big favorite once again this week with Hernando playing host, but major clashes with No. 22 Oxford, No. 24 West Point, No. 4 Madison Central, No. 11 Germantown, No. 17 Clinton and No. 3 Starkville are coming down the road.
6. Louisville
Previous Ranking: No. 6
The Wildcats 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. Louisville is 2-0 in 2024 after shutting out Neshoba Central 22-0. The Wildcats will play host to Columbus this weekend.
7. West Jones
Previous Ranking: No. 7
West Jones ran the table last season and claimed its second 6A state title in the last four years. After beating Northeast Jones 35-7, the Mustangs will play South Jones this Friday as 42-point favorites. West Jones defensive edge Tyzavien Hopkins recorded nine tackles three tackles for a loss and a sack against Northeast Jones.
8. Grenada
Previous Ranking: No. 16 (+8)
Grenada beat Winona 42-6 to improve to 2-1, bounding back nicely from a 38-24 loss to Oak Grove the previous week. The Chargers now have the No. 19 offense and No. 9 defense in the state of Mississippi. A ranked showdown with No. 22 Oxford is on deck.
9. Gulfport
Previous Ranking: No. 12 (+3)
Gulfport moves up in the rankings once again after beating Vancleave 35-0 last week. The Admirals went 6-5 a year ago and lost to Pearl in the first round of the playoffs, so the 2024 campaign certainly appears to be off to a stronger start. That will be put to the test this week against No. 4 Madison Central, which is looking to overcome its loss to Brandon.
10. Picayune Memorial
Previous Ranking: No. 17 (+7)
Picayune shot back up the rankings this week after beating Northshore (La.) 35-0, rebounding from its 60-34 loss to Brandon. This week kicks off a slate of three consecutive ranked games for the Maroon Tide: No. 20 D’Iberville, No. 9 Gulfport and then No. 16 Ocean Springs lay in wait.
Teams 11-25 in latest Mississippi High School Football Rankings
11. Germantown (+3)
12. Hattiesburg (+6)
13. South Panola (+9)
14. Hartfield Academy (+1)
15. Madison-Ridgeland Academy (-5)
16. Ocean Springs (-5)
17. Clinton (-9)
18. Warren Central (+6)
19. Jackson Prep
20. D’Iberville (+1)
21. Pearl (-8)
22. Oxford (-13)
23. Northwest Rankin (NR)
24. West Point (-4)
25. Poplarville (-2)
Dropped from rankings: Gautier