2021 Preseason - MS High School Football Guru Top Ten
Jake Wimberly
2020 was a heck of a year, and the same could be said for Mississippi High School Football. Major props to those decision makers in the MAIS and the MHSAA for moving the ball forward and giving our kids a season and a dang good one a year ago.
2021 looks to be more “normal” as we should see fans in the stands, packed houses and again, unreal moments on a football field on a Friday night.
Because we cover high school football all the time, on 105.9 - ESPN Radio - and now on 106.3 The Fan - and the fact that ESPN 1059 is the radio home to the MHSAA State Championships and Alpha Media carries several school(s) and their games this fall; It only made sense to expand the Hour Glass to fit our high school brethren.
Starting this year - right now - we will drop our MS High School Football HG poll. Very similar to all we do with CFBHG, just MSHSHG - but the HG will represent High School Guru.
A guru is an influential teacher or popular expert and we know with all things football - this site is guru worthy. To be a top team in the state of Mississippi, you have to be a guru of sorts as well.
We will drop our preseason poll below, but update it every week in our Guru Rankings. This poll runs the gamete, and throws everyone in one box from MAIS to MHSAA.
So without further ado, let’s get to the 2021 Mississippi High School Football Preseason Guru Top Ten.
Do you even Guru? See below.
2021 HG Preseason Top Ten
NO. 1 - The Oak Grove Warriors
Classification: Region 3 - 6A
2020 Record: 13-0; 6A State Champions
Opening Game: Wayne County
It’s been a while since we had an undisputed preseason team, but this year it’s without a doubt the Oak Grove Warriors out of the Pine Belt.
Drew Causey has continued the tradition set before him by Nevil Barr and doubled down. The Warriors dominated 6A a year ago and have a combined 24-4 record the last two years and back to back state championship appearances.
Oak Grove returns Kabe Barnett at quarterback, but must find replacements in the backfield for Courtland Harris and Eugene Newell.
Wide receiver Tyrell Pollard should be one of the best in the state and OG returns several key components to a salty defense.
The target will be on the back of the Warriors in 2021, but make no mistake about it- this team is the GURU of Mississippi High School Football going into 2021.
NO. 2 - The Oxford Chargers
Classification: Region 2 - 6A
2020 Record: 12-1; 6A State Runner Up
Opening Game: Brandon
Oxford and head coach Chris Cutcliffe were just seconds short of knocking off Oak Grove and repeating as 6A State Champions in a thriller in Jackson last winter, but Oak Grove won round two of their back to back title game thrillers.
The Chargers move from Region 1 to Region 2 this year and that will be a major challenge for the boys from Oxford, but they return seasoned quarterback Michael Harvey, who’s been through the fires and running back Omar Howell. Roman Gregory is an up and coming junior who should add even more punch to the Charger backfield.
Alex Sanford led the team in tackles for loss a year ago with 23 and will again make Friday nights hard on opponents.
Don’t be surprised if you see Oxford standing in Jackson again this fall, looking for another shot at the title.
NO. 3 - Madison Central Jaguars
Classification: Region 2 - 6A
2020 Record: 7-4
Opening Game: West Jones
Toby Collum’s takes over as the head football coach for Madison Central in 2021, after a heck of a run, across town at Northwest Rankin.
Collum’s inherits a great group of young men, that should have a say in how rugged Region 2-6A unfolds.
The Jags are led by talented tight end Blake Gunter, who continues to draw offers from around the SEC. The Jags have options at quarterback and up and coming quarterback Vic Sutton could be one of the best in the state. At 6-3 and 200, with room to grow as a class of 2023 athlete, Sutton has “big juice on the ball when he throws it”, as 247sports Greg Biggins described at an Elite 11 camp.
The Jags have been a staple in 6A North over the years and that shouldn’t change this year.
NO. 4 - The South Panola Tigers
Classification: Region 1 - 6A
2020 Record: 6-3
Opening Game - Neshoba Central
Ricky Wood’s Tigers head back to Region 1 this year in the realignment portion of a year and for the Tigers that comes at a good time.
The Tigers return quarterback David Hubbard as well as running back D’mariun Perteet, who had 16 touchdowns a year ago.
If the Tigers defense can improve on the 21 points per game given up a year ago, don’t be surprised if South Panola wins region one, and sets themselves up for a nice playoff run come November.
NO. 5 - West Point Green Wave
Classification: Region 1 - 5A
2020 Record: 10-4, State Runner Up
Opening Game: Louisville
I don’t care if you told me West Point returns three starters and they are all ninth graders. What Chris Chambless and the brass in the Golden Triangle have done over the years, deserves merit, praise and a spot in any top ten. West Point finished as runner up last year to West Jones, but the Wave has now 29 winning seasons since 1983, 11 state championships and three runners up.
To say this club just expects to be there is an understatement and again, West Point should have a stake in 5A football as the GURU of the class.
NO. 6 - The Clinton Arrows
Classification: Region 2 - 6A
2020 Record: 8-3, North State Runner Up
Opening Game: Ocean Springs
Judd Boswell just knows how to coach football and has built Clinton back into a 6A power during his time at Clinton. The Arrows are gonna do a few things annually, which is protect the football, play very well along the line of scrimmage and tackle well.
Those things sound simple, but it takes you a long way in the game of football. The Arrows will be looking for a new quarterback come week one, but make no mistake about it - Clinton will have a lot to say about what goes on in loaded 2-6A.
NO. 7 - The MRA Patriots
Classification: MAIS 6A District 1
2020 Record: 12-0, State Champions
Opening Game: Greenville Christian
The Patriots of MRA haven’t lost a game since September 27th of 2019, and that was on the road at Briarcrest, Tennessee. Since that time, Herbert Davis’s club has reeled off back to back State Championships and show no signs of slacking off.
The Patriots don’t back down from anyone, on any year - as this year they will play Oakland, TN, Raleigh and more.
Led on the defensive side of the ball by Mississippi State commit, Stone Blanton; and seasoned guys like running back Tylor Latham, wide receiver Davis Dalton and more - MRA is the class of the MAIS and could tangle with just about any team from any classification on a Friday night.
NO. 8 - The Ocean Springs Greyhounds
Classification: Region 4 - 6A
2020 Record: 9-3
Opening Game: Clinton
Head coach Blake Pennock is a hot name in Mississippi High School Football, and will continue to be moving forward. Pennock has made Ocean Springs football a contender again and they look to be the class of the coast in 2021.
Dual threat quarterback Bray Hubbard returns for his junior year and will be a serious headache for opponents on Friday night, especially when paired with running back David Humphries. Both guys combined for over 25 touchdowns a year ago.
Jacob Williams and Keshawn Thomas anchor a defense that gave up just 15 points per game a year ago.
NO. 9 - The Holmes County Central Jaguars
Classification: Region 2 - 5A
2020 Record: 8-3
Opening Game: Greenwood
Marcus Roger’s club has made major strides over the last several years, and this should be his best club yet in Holmes County.
The Jags return quarterback Adrian Moore, who tossed 14 touchdowns a year ago, as well as Jerrell Boyd who had nine scores from the running back position.
University of Miami commit, Khamauri Rogers is back for his senior year, where he caught 6 touchdowns and picked off 2 passes a year ago.
With Rogers and Dandreyus Giles leading the secondary - it’s gonna be tough sledding throwing the ball against the Jags this year.
HCC should be one of the top teams in north 5A, and in 5A collectively in 2021.
NO. 10 - The Harrison Central Red Rebels
Classification: Region 4 - 6A
2020 Record: 8-3
Opening Game: South Pike
With Ocean Springs and Harrison Central playing the way these clubs are playing, they have truly made 4 - 6A relevant again.
The Rebs return quarterback Christian Turner, who you could argue is the best in the State as a junior. Turner tossed 27 touchdowns a year ago, and threw only 3 interceptions.
Isaiah Atkins leads the club in receiving and is a playmaker. Atkins caught 10 touchdowns a year ago and this offense will press and attack on every play.
New faces will be depended on, on key spots on both sides of the ball, but this team should be in the thick of things in Region 4-6A this year.
Other teams knocking on the door for GURU Status: West Jones, Starkville, Warren Central, Noxubee County, Jackson Academy, Greenville Christian
Photos courtesy of the Jackson Clarion Ledger
