There are more than just Madison County bragging rights on the line this Friday night when Madison Central travels eight miles north of campus to face Germantown in our C Spire Game of the Week. Right now, the two teams are tied in the Class 7A Region 2 standings at 1-1 and the winner will have a leg up in securing one of the top four region spots to earn a playoff berth in a few weeks. This is a rivalry in its early stages as the two teams have played each other just seven times and the Jaguars have won them all. This may be the year the Mavericks break their losing streak as they have a very talented, senior-laden team, while the Jaguars are building experience as they go with many young players stepping up.
Germantown is coming off a heartbreaking 43-42 double overtime loss at Oxford last week. Despite outgaining the Chargers by more than 200 yards and leading by 14 points twice in the second half, Oxford clawed its way back to tie the game and send it to overtime. In the second OT, quarterback Knox Kiffin, son of Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin, tossed a 2-point conversion pass to end the game.
Madison Central dominated Murrah 45-14 to even its region record after a physical, bruising loss against Oxford 16-14 the week before. While both the Jaguars and Mavericks have the common opponent in Oxford, the games were so different that it’s hard to use the outcomes as a gauge for this week and also add in the rivalry factor.
“This has become a very good rivalry game for both Madison and Germantown. These families know one another, the kids played youth ball together. It really makes this special,” said Madison Central Head Coach Toby Collums. “These games are fun to coach in, but they are stressful. It matters to a whole lot of people, and we know there is zero room for error now. You’ve got to be in the top four out of six teams and every year a very good team is going to get left out of the playoffs. That’s stressful. Our loss to Oxford was a gut punch as we had a chance to win at the end, but I was super proud of how our kids responded against Murrah.”
Germantown Head Coach Russell Mitchell is looking for his team to bounce back in a big way after the loss to Oxford.
“We played well enough to win, but we’ve got to reset and get refocused. I think having Madison will certainly get us focused,” said Coach Mitchell. “It’s about pride. Our school and really the whole community are excited about it. These families go to church together and have watched the kids grow up together. We are happy to be hosting it and know we are going to have a big crowd. We haven’t beaten them and want to get over that hurdle. Our guys are confident, they believe in themselves and I know they won’t be intimidated.”
The Germantown offense is one of the most explosive in the state, averaging 41 points per game, behind quarterback King White. The senior is a dynamic dual threat that keeps defenses on their heels. White has thrown for 1,668 yards, 16 touchdowns to just one interception and also run the ball 76 times for 388 yards and nine touchdowns. If you blitz him, he can hit a quick pass or take off and run. If you drop back in coverage, the defense gives way to the running game. It’ll be interesting to see how the Jaguars try to neutralize White.
“King White does an excellent job of protecting the football. He can pull it down and take off running, he leans forward and gets five yards,” said Coach Collums. “He doesn’t take a negative play and distributes the ball to his playmakers in space.”
The Jaguars defense is their strength, allowing a mere 17 points a game average through the first seven with an extremely physical, hard-nosed effort. The linebackers will play a huge role in the outcome of this one with senior Ronderious King, who is seemingly all over the field, leading the team in tackles with 77 along with three sacks and junior Corey Wiggins right behind with 72 tackles and two sacks. The literal mover and shaker along the defensive line is senior Keevon Jacobs. At 6’1, 260 pounds, Jacobs has a whopping 16 tackles for loss and four sacks. Look for senior defensive lineman Dillion Marshall to play a big role next to Jacobs to try to get pressure on the quarterback and fill some running lanes.
“Our front seven, the box players, need to try to make them one dimensional, to force them to do something they don’t want to. We’ve got to give them multiple looks defensively, delay blitzes, disguise coverages and try to keep their offensive coordinator off balance. Our goal will be to get home or disrupt the play, it’s the whole cat and mouse game of football,” said Coach Collums.
Coach Mitchell knows they are in for a battle, “I was able to watch their game against Oxford where they held them to just 16 points. They played old school slobber knocker football. We have to match their physicality.”
The Jaguars offense is very young and making strides each week scoring more than 30 points in three of their last four games. Sophomore Quarterback Tripp Smith will be under pressure this week to make every snap count. Smith has thrown for 1,133 yards and nine touchdowns with four interceptions. He’ll look for his two main targets in junior receiver Tylan Hutchins, 428 yards and four touchdowns, and senior Eli Dampier, 350 yards and three touchdowns, to make moves with yards after the catch. The Jags also have a tough runner in junior Mikel Stephen, who is approaching 100 carries on the year for 390 yards and four touchdowns.
“They are fairly balanced and can hurt you either way. They are going to make you defend everything,” said Coach Mitchell.
There’s plenty on the line Friday night at Germantown for both teams. The winner can breathe a little easier in the race for the playoffs and have Madison County bragging rights. For the Mavericks, they want their first ever win over the Jaguars. For Madison, it’s about making it eight straight. There may be 10,000 fans filling the stadium and they should see a doozy.
MADISON CENTRAL'S KEYS TO VICTORY
On Offense: Bend but don’t break. The Mavericks will move the ball down the field but make them run as many plays as possible to force a mistake.
On Defense: The Jags will have to establish the run. The young offensive line continues to improve and will need to open holes for Mikel Stephen.
GERMANTOWN'S KEYS TO VICTORY
On Offense: Look for King White to challenge the Jaguar secondary. If he can connect downfield, it will force the linebackers to drop back and open up the running game.
On Defense: Defensively, expect the Mavs to try and put immense pressure on the young quarterback Tripp Smith.
GERMANTOWN AT A GLANCE
Class/Division: 7A Region 2 (MHSAA)
Record: 4-3 overall, 1-1 in Region
Head Coach: Russell Mitchell
Assistant Coaches: Chris Lee, Dustin Barrick, Bruce Brady, David D’Angelo, Damain Davis, Jordan England, Charles Houghton, Bubba Nettles, Charlie Shearer, Brad Smothermon, Michael Washington, Sharone Wright
MADISON CENTRAL AT A GLANCE
Class/Division: 7A Region 2 (MHSAA)
Record: 4-3 overall, 1-1 in Region
Head Coach: Toby Collums
Assistant Coaches: Dusty Finley, Jay Livingston, Mike Hendershot, Terrance Robinson, Tate Rogers, Keenan Barnes, Justin Hunter, Cody Upton, Brady Hoda, Blake Hall
The Series: Madison Central leads 7-0
Last Match-Up: Madison Central won 45-14 in the 2024 playoffs.
