Six games to watch in Mississippi High School football this weekend (Oct. 21-22)

JACKSON — Here's a look at the best six games from Mississippi High School Football this weekend.

Holmes County Central (5-1) at Callaway (6-1) (Thursday)

The Jaguars will cross the county line to play Chargers with the No. 2 spot in Region 2-5A on the line. Vicksburg - Neshoba Central will get a lot of the attention this week, but this game has huge implications as well. Simply put, the winner of this game will have the inside lane to hosting a game in the first round of the 5A North Playoffs, while the loser will likely be on the road.

East Central (6-1) at Gautier (6-1)

This Region 4 showdown features two teams with explosive offenses. Gautier quarterback Kaden Irving is one of, if not the best, players in Class 5A, and the Gators can stay undefeated in the district keep their region title hopes alive with a win Friday night. East Central has already lost a game to Picayune, and will likely have to go on the road in the first round of the playoffs if they can’t find a way to win this one.

Brandon (7-0) at Oak Grove (6-2)

As 6A games go, this rematch from last year’s South State Championship is as big as any this week. Brandon has sat atop the SB Live Power 10 Rankings all season. But the Warriors present maybe the biggest challenge to date, especially considering the way they are playing coming off three-straight wins over Petal, Meridian and Terry.

Starkville (5-3) at Oxford (4-3)

You wouldn’t think a game between two three-loss teams would make this list, but the “Little Egg Bowl” has some added significance this year. Both of these teams were ranked preseason, but have dealt with injury issues. Starkville already needs the stars to align just right to have even an outside shot at a playoff berth, and Oxford desperately needs a win to stay in contention for the fourth playoff spot.

Neshoba Central (6-2) at Vicksburg (6-2)

Both of these teams have played great down the stretch, but only one of them can take sole possession of first place in Region 2 Friday night. Neshoba Central has been dominant in two wins over Ridgeland and Jim Hill this month, while Vicksburg comes in hot as a firecracker after enjoying a blowout win over then-unbeaten Callaway two weeks ago and a running-clock win over Ridgeland last week.

Poplarville (7-1) at Columbia (7-1)

The last two undefeated teams in Region 7-4A will tangle Friday night in a game that is both a rematch of last year’s 4A South State Championship and a possible preview of this year’s 4A South State Championship. Columbia won 12-7 last year, and went on to win the whole shebang. You know Poplarville wants to flip that script on its head this year, and Mark Will and Co. can take a big step in that direction Friday night.