The 2023 high school football season in Mississippi kicks off later this month and MaxPreps has your look at the state's top teams.
Tupelo owns the No. 1 spot in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25 after a 13-1 season.
The Golden Wave return Texas A&M commit
Tristin Jernigan and Ole Miss commit
Shamaar Darden on defense.
Offensively, quarterback
Jerimiah Harrell is back for his senior year after throwing for 36 touchdowns against six interceptions while completing 61.6 percent of his attempts. Alongside him will be running back
Quay Middlebrooks, who rushed for 1,201 yards and 16 touchdowns a season ago.
Defending state champions include
Starkville in Class 6A,
Picayune in Class 5A,
Louisville in Class 4A,
Raleigh in Class 3A,
Scott Central (Forest) in Class 2A and
Bay Springs in Class 1A.
Rankings are computer-generated, factoring in past results and adjustments such as returners and statistical data when available.
Tupelo is the No. 1 preseason team in Mississippi after going 13-1 in 2022. The defense led by senior Texas A&M commit Tristan Jernigan (right) held opponents to 7.4 points per game. (Photo: Jody McRee)
1.
Tupelo, 13-1 record in 2022
2.
Starkville, 12-3
3.
Picayune, 15-0
4.
Oak Grove (Hattiesburg), 10-3
5.
Brandon, 12-2
6.
Ocean Springs, 12-1
7.
West Point, 11-3
8.
Madison Central (Madison), 8-4
9.
Warren Central (Vicksburg) 10-2
10.
Jackson Prep (Jackson), 12-1
11.
Louisville, 14-1
12.
Houston, 12-2
13.
Raleigh, 14-1
14.
Madison-Ridgeland Academy (Madison), 10-4
15.
Clinton, 7-5
16.
Hartfield Academy (Flowood), 9-3
17.
Mendenhall, 13-2
18.
South Panola (Batesville), 8-3
19.
Amory, 12-2
20.
Oxford, 5-5
21.
West Jones (Laurel), 8-4
22.
Bay Springs, 14-1
23.
Columbia, 9-3
24.
Winona, 10-2
25.
Itawamba Agricultural (Fulton), 12-1
