MagnoliaPreps.com Must See Games

Classic Weekend in Mississippi High School football was one of the most memorable opening weekend games with half a dozen games in which both teams were ranked in the Top 20 Power Ranking.

Week too is no different with some huge instate games as well as some important out of state games where Mississippi squads get to shine on a regional level.

MagnoliaPreps.com brings you can't miss games for the weekend:

National Spotlight Game:

No. 10 South Panola (1-0) at No. 73 Hoover (0-0)

Two of the regions big bullies over the last two decades finally meet on the field when Missisissippi's No. 1 ranked team travels to Hoover to take on the No. 3 ranked team in Alabama. South Panola may be the defending National Champs but that won't intimidate Hoover who has won 6 State Championships in the last decade in Alabama's largest classification.

This will be Hoover's first game of the season, last week defending 5A Champs West Point gave South Panola a game for three quarters but the Tigers pulled away to a 37-17 win.

Major Must See Games:

No. 9 Wayne Co. (0-1) at No. 3 Meridian (1-0)

It doesn't get any easier for the Wayne Co. War Eagles, this past week they were clipped by No. 5 Petal 21-14. This week they hit the road again to take on No. 3 Meridian. Meridian opened the season at Clinton and handed the Arrows a 35-7 shelling.

While this isn't a must-win game for either teams as far as state play-offs are concerned there's no way the War Eagles want to start the season 0-2 and Meridian will be playing their home opener.

No. 8 Picayune (1-0) at No. 5 Petal (1-0)

These two teams played two of the most competitive games of the opening weekend. On Saturday evening these two teams hook it up in Petal for a crowd that will push 10,000. This will be a major statement game for the winner.

A week ago Picayune surprised with a win over then No. 2 ranked Gulfport. The Maroon Tide score with under a minute to play to take a 17-14 win at Milner Stadium. Super senior Anthony Alford lead the Panthers to a hard fought 21-14 win over Wayne County in a game that wasn't decided until the final play of the game, when a War Eagle pass to the end-zone fell incomplete.

Tylertown (1-0) at No. 12 Forest (1-0)

If Tylertown had not moved up to 4A this could have been a preview of the 3A South State Championship. Two top quality teams tie one on early in the season. This should make for some very good football. Forest may be ranked but this game could go either way, Tylertown is very good and is just outside of the Top 20 Power Ranking.

Tylertown opened the season at home with a 48-18 win over Class 6A Jim Hill. Forest had an equally impressive win over West Lauderdale 45-14.

Hattiesburg (1-0) at No. 13 Laurel (1-0) - Little Brown Jug Game

The state's most historic rivalry played in the state's most historic stadium. Once again Hattiesburg and Laurel will lock it up "Between the Bricks" for the Little Brown Jug. The oldest continuous rivalry in High School Football in Mississippi always draws a lot of interest and with both teams entering the game 1-0.

Hattiesburg picked up a 22-13 win on the road to open the Trey Dickerson era on Hutchinson. Laurel routed county rival South Jones 48-7 in a game that could have been much worse.

The former South Panola OC, Dickerson, is trying to rebuild the once proud Tiger program at Hattiesburg. A win over a ranked Laurel team would do wonders for the program. While the Tigers have been struggling the Tornados has been surging and have their eyes set on another state title.

No. 17 Noxubee Co. at Spain Park (Hoover, Ala.)

Noxubee Co. stepped up in class during last week's action and took out 6A power Starkville 33-20. It won't get any easier this week as they face a much larger opponent in Alabama 6A contender Spain Park (Hoover, Ala.). This will be Spain Park's opening game.

Noxubee is ranked No. 17 in Mississippi by MagnoliaPreps.com while various outlets have Spain Park ranked as high as No. 14 in Alabama. When Tyrone Shorter decided to take his program out of state he sure didn't take the easy road.

Other Top Games:

No. 11 West Point (0-1) at No. 18 Columbus (1-0)

No. 15 Jackson Academy (1-0) at Northeast Lauderdale (1-0)

No. 20 Gulfport (0-1) at No. 14 Moss Point (1-0)