Best bets: 5 Mississippi high school football games to watch this Friday (Oct. 23)

Each week, SBLive Mississippi highlights five games with intrigue or big playoff implications in the Magnolia State. Here’s a look at five big games set for

Each week, SBLive Mississippi highlights five games with intrigue or big playoff implications in the Magnolia State. Here’s a look at five big games set for this Friday night (Oct. 23). (Feature photo by Keith Warren)

• STATEWIDE SCHEDULE FOR OCT. 23 | UPDATED REGION STANDINGS

Clinton at Warren Central, 7 p.m.

Warren Central (5-0) surged to No. 2 in the SBLive Power 10 rankings this week, but gets a big test at home against a good team from Clinton (4-2).

The Vikings, now 2-0 in Region 2 games, are the only team in the region that can take the region crown outright by winning out. At 3-1 in region play, Clinton is in a two-way tie for third place in the region, but could improve its seeding with a couple more wins.

Both are teams that rely on solid defense to win close games, so this one could very well come down to the wire.

• PICK THE WINNER

Madison Central at South Panola, 7 p.m.

Madison Central (6-2), once lost in offensive limbo after losing starting quarterback Tate Collins to a season-ending injury, is back on track after knocking off No. 1 Starkville last week. South Panola (4-2) likewise has righted its ship with a 19-16 win over Germantown in its last outing on Oct. 8.

The Jaguars are 3-1 in Region 2 games and need a win to stay in contention to host a playoff game. At 1-2 in region games, South Panola needs a win to have any chance of making the playoffs at all.

Will Vic Sutton be able to lead the Jags to another win against a solid Tiger defense?

• PICK THE WINNER

Ridgeland at Neshoba Central, 7 p.m.

The biggest matchup in 5A this week features a massive showdown in Region 2. Neshoba Central (6-0) is hanging strong at No. 3 in the SBLive Power 10 rankigns, but faces its biggest challenge to date when Ridgeland (5-1) brings its high-flying offense to town.

Both teams are 3-0 in region games, which means whoever wins Friday will have an inside track to the top seed coming out of the district. Neshoba Central has played some fantastic defense this season, allowing fewer than two touchdowns in all three of its region games. On the other side, Ridgeland has scored at least 40 points in its three region contests.

Both teams have had this game circled on the calendar for a month, and we can't wait to see what happens.

• PICK THE WINNER

Choctaw County at Noxubee County, 7 p.m.

Choctaw County (5-2) and Noxubee County (4-1), both undefeated at 2-0 in Region 4-3A games, are set for a big showdown in Macon Friday night.

Noxubee has played incredible defense the past couple of weeks, limiting its last three 3A opponents to 8.3 points a game. Choctaw County counters with an offense that has averaged better than 35 points a game the last three weeks.

Whichever team wins this matchup will have an inside track to home field advantage in the playoffs, and it should be a good one.

• PICK THE WINNER

Jeff Davis County at Magee, 7 p.m.

Jeff Davis County (4-3) hasn't been as dominant as everyone thought they'd be this season, but they are still in the hunt for a playoff spot thanks to a big 40-14 win over Seminary last week. Magee (6-0) has done nothing but take care of business in four wins since its bout with COVID-19 back in September.

The Jaguars present the biggest challenge remaining on the schedule for the Trojans, who can all but lock up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win Friday.

Will the Jag defense rise to the occasion, or will quarterback Chandler Pittman and the Magee offense roll again?

• PICK THE WINNER