Oak Grove looks to repeat as state champion, but Oxford could stand in the way.
Oak Grove (Hattiesburg) had an all-time best season in 2020, winning the second state championship in school history and finishing with the school's first undefeated season (13-0). The Warriors are the odds-on favorites to win another crown in 2021 and they top our look at Mississippi's top high school football teams heading into the season.
Five all-state players return for Oak Grove, including quarterback
Kabe Barnett (2,384 yards, 36 TDs), wide receiver
Tyrell Pollard and offensive lineman
Klabron Pollard. The defense returns all-state defensive backs
Dontavious Howard and
Quintin Sterling.
Oak Grove comes in just ahead of Oxford, which it defeated 29-28 in the Class 6A state final. Oxford is two years removed from winning the 2019 6A state championship, defeating Oak Grove 31-21 in the final. South Panola (Batesville), which has a state record nine state championships, comes in at No. 3.
See the complete list below.
South Panola and Madison Central, who hooked up in late October last season, both figure prominently in the preseason rankings.
Photo by Chris Evans
1.
Oak Grove (Hattiesburg), 13-0 record in 2020
2.
Oxford, 12-1
3.
South Panola (Batesville), 6-3
4.
Neshoba Central (Philadelphia), 9-2
5.
Madison Central (Madison), 7-4
6.
Columbia, 10-3
7.
Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison), 13-0
8.
Ocean Springs, 8-3
9.
Harrison Central (Gulfport), 8-3
10.
Clinton, 8-3
11.
Poplarville, 10-4
12.
Holmes County Central (Lexington), 7-3
13.
Magee, 12-0
14.
Greenwood, 0-0
15.
Starkville, 6-2
16.
West Point, 10-4
17.
Hernando, 6-5
18.
Lafayette (Oxford), 7-4
19.
East Central (Moss Point), 8-3
20.
Scott Central (Forest), 9-2
21.
Hartfield Academy (Flowood), 8-4
22.
D'Iberville, 10-1
23.
Horn Lake, 5-5
24.
Greenville Christian (Greenville), 11-1
25.
Northwest Rankin (Brandon), 9-4
