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2019 Preseason Super 10: Who are the top Mississippi high school football teams?

Anthony McDougle
Mississippi Clarion Ledger

High school football season officially kicks off Friday, which means it's time to unveil the Clarion Ledger's Preseason Super 10 rankings. This year's preseason rankings were compiled with the help of a panel of coaches from various classifications around the state. 

It will be updated every week until the end of the season. Here's a look at the teams that made it.

1. Starkville (11-2 in 2018)

For the second year in a row, Starkville, which lost to Horn Lake in the second round of the 6A playoffs, opens the season as the top team in the Super 10 rankings. The Jackets lost Rodrigues Clark, who was a 2018 Dandy Dozen, but the Jackets return quarterback Luke Altmyer (1,952 passing yards and 19 touchdowns) and leading receiver Rufus Harvey (935 yards, 8 TDs). The defense will be led by Jaylan Ware, who finished second on the team with 73 tackles last season. 

2. Madison Central (10-4 in 2018)

Madison Central quarterback Jimmy Holiday (1) runs the ball against Ridgeland in the Madison County High School Football Jamboree at Germantown High School in Gluckstadt, Miss., on Friday, August 16, 2019.

The Jaguars enter 2018 with high expectations after making it to the 6A North state title game last season. Quarterback Jimmy Holiday (2,975 total yards and 34 TDs) and running back Duke Arnold (979 rushing yards, 11 TDs) return to lead the offense. A defense that held opponents to 12.1 points per game returns two of last year's top three tacklers, plus talented twin linebackers Joseph and Josiah Perryman. 

3. Brandon (13-2 in 2018)

Brandon quarterback Will Rogers is a member of the 2019 Dandy Dozen.

Jonathan Mingo, Dallas Smith, Jay Stanley and Dakara Shoto are all gone but Brandon still returns enough talent to be a serious contender in 6A. Mississippi State commit Will Rogers along with wide receiver Ashton Nickelberry will set the tone for the Bulldogs. Defensively, linebackers Zihenryon Perry (183 total tackles) and Shepherd Robbins (178 tackles) combined for 30 tackles for loss last season and should continue to give opposing backfields fits. 

4. Oxford (9-3 in 2018)

Oxford athlete J.J. Pegues is a member of the 2019 Dandy Dozen.

Oxford's second season in Class 6A ended with a first-round playoff exit after a 35-3 loss to Madison Central. Expect them to get much further in the playoffs this season with a returning cast headlined by athlete J.J. Pegues, quarterback John Meagher, wide receiver Babyde Pegues, and linebacker Rontavious Person. Early games against Starkville and Lafayette will prove just how good this team can be. 

5. Horn Lake (15-0 in 2018)

Josaih Hayes of Horn Lake High School.

It won't be easy for the defending 6A champions to replace the output of Raydarious Jones, Nakobe Dean or Omar Pew. While plenty of talent may be gone from this team, there's still plenty returning. Defense will likely be the focal point as Ole Miss recruit Josaih Hayes and tight end-turned-linebacker Jakivuan Brown lead the way. This week's season opener against West Point will go a long way in showing if they can defend their title this season.

6. Pearl (8-5 in 2018) 

Pearl running back Kenyatta Harrell (23) runs the ball in traffic against Brandon during the Northwest Rankin Football Jamboree held Aug. 16 in Flowood, Mississippi.

Last season, the Pirates took Brandon to the brink of elimination but came up short in a thrilling overtime game in the second round of the playoffs. Now junior quarterback Shade Foster is coming off a full season under center and running back Kenyatta Harrell is expected to be one of the better running backs in the state. A deep playoff run could be in this team's future. 

7. West Point (14-1 in 2018) 

West Point's Brandon Harris (2) runs against West Jones on Saturday, December 1, 2018, in the MHSAA BlueCross BlueShield Gridiron Classic High School Football Championships in M.M. Roberts Stadium on the University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Some thought that last year would be a down year for the Green Wave. They ended up going undefeated in 5A competition on the way to defeating West Jones for their third straight state championship. This season, they are once again one of the favorites to come out of 5A North. A senior group that has put up a 43-2 record over the last three seasons will be led by running back Brandon Harris (1,225 yards and 20 TDs), who was last year's title game MVP.

8. Olive Branch (12-2 in 2018)

Olive Branch turned heads last season by reaching the 5A North state title game. They'll be making the move up to 6A in 2019 but they have the talent to make it a smooth transition. The offensive line is anchored by Alabama recruit Xavier Hill. He'll be clearing running lanes for senior running back Gary Banks II (1,011 yards, 12 TDs). What's expected to be one of the better defenses in the state will be led by Mississippi State recruit Jevon Banks and linebacker Latarius Carr, a South Alabama recruit. 

Jevon Banks and Xavier Hill of Olive Branch High School take a break during summer practice.

9. Holmes County Central (11-2 in 2018)

Head coach Marcus Rogers will have one of the most talented teams in all of 5A this season. Senior quarterback Justin Smith (1,730 yards, 18 TDs) will lead the offensive effort. The Jaguars are especially brimming with talent on the defensive side of the ball, led by defensive tackle Montra Edwards, and linebackers Jodie Williams and Kelvin Gipson. Let's not forget about sophomore Khamauri Rogers, who's rated a five-star prospect and the No. 1 defensive back in the Class of 2022, according to Maxpreps. 

10. Lafayette (9-4 in 2018)

The Commodores have all the talent they need to make a deep playoff run and possibly represent 5A North in Hattiesburg this season. Do-everything quarterback Randy Anderson returns to give defenses fits after leading Lafayette in passing (1,319 yards, nine TDs) and rushing (1,508 rushing yards, 18 TDs). He'll have offensive linemen Levi Lott and Austin Wilson protecting and clearing lanes for him. Defensive end Tavion Prather will set the tone for the defense.

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