Note* - For the sake of priority ranking, AP - which was polled by the media - will be used for ranking purposes. Maxpreps uses computer rankings. If the Clarion-Ledger or AP ranks one team - who uses just a top 10 - but the other is not ranked in the MPB poll - who uses a top 25 - the AP/CL will be used. MPB poll will be used if teams are ranked outside the AP/CL top 10
What?: Sixth Region Game
Where?: Center Hill High School
When?: Friday, November 1st @ 7:00 PM
How can you keep yourself updated?: 95.5 FM Radio, Bullseye955.com, @OxChargerSports Twitter Account, Channel 97 (Metrocast) Monday @ 6 PM, LIVE scoring updates via Maxpreps at this LINK.
The Lowdown: I have to admit, when I saw this matchup listed late this season in August, I was thinking this would be a big time matchup for playoff implications with a serious home crowd behind them. Center Hill won 1-5A in 2011 just two short years ago and beat West Point to do so (however did NOT beat Oxford that year - their lone loss in 1-5A). Center Hill made the playoffs last year and with a D1 Wide Receiver in the mix, I expected them to do some big things. Usually I'm near exactly right about things like this.
If I'm not right, I'm usually dead wrong - that is what happened here.
Center Hill's defense has really let them down this year - they are allowing a whopping 37.4 PPG, more than what Oxford averages on offense (35.7 PPG). Again, this is another matchup where Oxford is in position to blow them out. The Mustang offense hasn't been terrible - they have scored at least 21 points in each of their last 7 games and at least 28 in 4 of their last 5 - but when the defense gives up point totals of 69, 47, 43, and 55 points, that will lose games every single time unless you have the Baylor offense.
Center Hill has Dee Gillespie - who is a D1 prospect in every right. After that...well, you'll see. That's really all I have to say about this game. This next part will be short and sweet...
For Oxford to Win, They Must: Execute - That's really it. Play like you have played all season and put this team away early. Don't make this any harder than it has to be. | For Center Hill to Win, They Must: Play the Best Game of Their Lives - It will really take that from them with the way Oxford has been playing during region play spanking each opponent this year and the way they have been this year. The talent gap is way too wide. |
Weather: (for Olive Branch, MS location:) At kickoff, 59*F and Clear (no chance of rain), Temps to drop to the mid 50s by the end of the game. Winds from the WSW at 4-8 MPH (Crosswind toward the visiting side line)
Other Notes: Oxford can win the 1-5A title outright OFFICIALLY with a win Friday and the coveted one-seed from 1-5A in the playoffs OR can clinch the one-seed with a Lake Cormorant loss to Clarksdale. Oxford is looking to go 10-0 for just the second time in school history. Despite other publications saying that we won region 1-5A last week - that is false. Should Oxford lose and Lake Cormorant wins Friday night and defeats Oxford next week - Lake Cormorant can win the 1-seed from Oxford.