Jared’s Guide to the 2A State Championship Game: Leflore County vs. Scott Central
***Scott Central players hoist the gold ball after the 2018 MHSAA Class 2A State Championship game. Photo courtesy of Keith Warren, MHSAA.***
Here’s your David versus Goliath game of the weekend. We all know what happened in that story so don’t count David out. All bets are off in the state championship. One team is making their fifth trip to the big dance, the other is looking to make their first time count.
The Tigers of Leflore County unfortunately didn’t field a team in 2020 after their best season since 2010. However, they picked up right there they left off in 2021 and have won 10 games for the first time since 2001. They overcame a slow start to become one of the north’s hottest teams. They’ve dominated in most games they’ve played, but showed that they can survive and hold on in close games. Their last three games have been decided by a combined nine points. It’s going to take their best performance of the year to knock off Saturday’s opponent.
It wasn’t long ago when the Rebels hoisted a gold ball in Hattiesburg. It was 2018 when they knocked off Taylorsville to win it all. Times have changed, but they look like the best team their school has ever assembled. They are physical on the line of scrimmage and have some great balance on the offensive side of the ball. Not one guy just purely dominates, they have a number of players that can hurt you at any given moment. Can they do it one more time?
Leflore County (10-2):
Head Coach: Eric House
Championship Road:
1st – vs. Potts Camp (36-0)
2nd – vs. Northside (12-6)
3rd – @ East Webster (14-13)
4th – @ Charleston (24-22)
Championship History:
Wins: None
Losses: None
Player Watch:
ATH Dekari Johnson
SS Khirous Dixon
QB Dequarionne Jones
CB Dante Kelly
CB Dezmond Ray
Keys to Victory:
– Handle emotions
– Pressure up front
Scott Central (14-0):
Head Coach: Jeff Stockstill
Championship Road:
1st – vs. Amite County (54-8)
2nd – vs. Lake (54-25)
3rd – @ Newton (60-14)
4th – vs. Pelahatchie (60-14)
Championship History:
Wins: 1999, 2018
Losses: 1997, 2003
Player Watch:
QB Quez Gross (136/224, 2,447 yards, 35 TD…94 car, 329 yards, 5 TD)
ATH Zechariah Parodi (82 car, 392 yards, 9 TD… 83 tot tkls, 52 solo tkls, 6 sack, 2 FR)
ATH Dee Burks (54 rec, 942 yards, 14 TD… 3 INT)
DL Zytavius Wash (72 tot tkls, 38 solo tkls, 7 TFL, 6 sack)
LB Omarion Jackson (76 tot tkls, 16 TFL, 2 sack)
Keys to Victory:
– Play clean
– Control LOS
The Outlook:
Leflore County is such a great story after everything they’ve been through. They’ve had their best consecutive seasons in program history and are on the right track. However, they’re running into an absolute buzzsaw on the other sideline. Championship experience is another factor in this too. Give me a significant victory for the Rebels as they win a third state championship.
PICK: Scott Central 42, Leflore County 21
