Oak Grove (Hattiesburg, Miss.) at Brandon (Miss.)
Kirk McCarty and Oak Grove will look to keep the top spot in the state rankings.
Photo by Chris Evans
Oak Grove (8-0) would all but clinch its first region championship since 2006 with a win over Brandon (7-1). Friday night's tilt matches teams that have each spent time as the No. 1-ranked team in the state Class 6A media rankings. Oak Grove currently holds the top spot. Brandon had it before losing at Petal (20-13) on Oct. 11.
Just the facts: Under the tutelage of former NFL legend Brett Favre (offensive coordinator), quarterback
Kirk McCarty is having a fantastic senior season. The left-handed Southern Mississippi baseball recruit has completed more than 60 percent of his throws for 2,341 yards and 25 touchdowns. … Senior
Kyle Strickland leads Brandon's defense. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end has 12 sacks and eight tackles for loss this season.
Mitch Stephens: Oak Grove 35, Brandon 28
Kevin Askeland: Oak Grove 40, Brandon 28
Jamie DeMoney: Oak Grove 23, Brandon 21
Stephen Spiewak: Oak Grove 28, Brandon 27
Leland Gordon: Oak Grove 27, Brandon 17
Colin Ward-Henninger: Oak Grove 28, Brandon 21
