Football predictions

July 03, 2009 12:21 pm

— I can remember just a few short years ago when I wrote my first football preview. It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago. At that point in my sports journalism career, I was just getting started.
I’ve learned from reading different sport magazines that they like to predict things. Well, when reading those magazines I wouldn’t go bet the family house on it because after all, it’s just a prediction. Now, I will reveal my predictions for your reading enjoyment.
Region 3-5A
We’ll start off with Region 3-5A. I believe this will be the year of the Mustangs. I say this for the certain reason that these young Mustangs are grown now, and they have been battle tested. From what I’ve heard, there’s a lot of excitement brewing in Soso, and in my opinion the Mustangs should run away with the region.
The Mustangs won’t be the only team gunning for the Region 3 championship. A bunch of War Eagles from Wayne County will try to put an end to all the misery they have been receiving from West Jones. Either way, when it comes time for this big game, anything can happen.
Region 5-4A
In Region 5-4A, this could be one of the best showdowns in the area. With Northeast Jones having a strong defense coming back in linebacker Corvell Harrison, the Tigers could cause all kinds of havoc. In order for Northeast Jones to once again win Region 5-4A, they need to hold on to the football.
With Cecil Hicks finally bringing some stability in a coaching staff in Ellisville, the South Jones Braves will finally head to the playoffs for the first time in a long while.
The Laurel Tornadoes maybe young this year, but they have the potential to round off as the fourth seeded team from 5-4A. They need to win the games they are supposed to, and then get a few upsets along the way. West Lauderdale will come in second place.
On a side note, there will be some pretty interesting key matchups to begin the season, On August 20, the Stringer Red Devils will make history by traveling the short distance down to Bay Springs to take on Sylva Bay Academy. This game will surely be a doozy to start off the season, and if you want a seat, you should get there early.
On August 27, the West Jones Mustangs travel to Northeast Jones to take on the Tigers in a classic battle between two county rivals. In my opinion, these two teams very well could be representing the south in 5A and 4A in Jackson come December.
SEC
After watching the Ole Miss Rebels thump Texas Tech in the AT&T Cotton Bowl last season, this could be the year of the Rebels.
With Nick Saban as the head coach at
See SEC, Page B2
Alabama, the magazine writers seem to have jumped on the Crimson Tide bandwagon early. I believe Alabama is highly overrated.
After getting beat by Utah in the Sugar Bowl, that should have shown the writers something. In the end, Ole Miss will be headed to Atlanta in December, but the Rebels need to watch out because they have two key games. The first is Alabama October 10 at home. On November 28, they travel to Starkville where the Bulldogs, under new leadership, will seek revenge from a 45-0 thrashing last season.
Mississippi State finally has a key component in its system that it hasn’t had in a long time. That would be a field goal kicker.
With new head coach Dan Mullen implementing the spread offense, there should be plenty of excitement in Starkville, and Sean Brauchle will add a much needed kicker. The Dogs will win the games they’re supposed to with an upset here and there.
SEC West predictions
Ole Miss-1, Alabama-2, LSU-3. Mississippi State-4, Arkansas-5, Auburn-6. In the SEC East, Florida-1, Tennessee-2, Georgia-3. South Carolina-4, Vanderbilt-5, Kentucky-6.

John Blackledge is a sports reporter for the Laurel Leader -Call. He may be reached at 601-428-0551, or by e-mail at llcsportswriter@gmail.com.

Photos