All the warm-up games are over and now the nitty-gritty of region play begins. Everybody’s record really reverts to 0-0 as the chase for precious playoff spots are on the line. Our C-Spire Game of the Week takes us to Madison Central where the Jaguars (3-2) will play host to the Oxford Chargers (4-1) to open Class 7A, Region 2 play. For Madison Head Coach Toby Collums, the first five games have been a dress rehearsal as he’s had to rebuild and retool a roster that was hit hard by graduation. The Jaguars returned just two starters on offense and a few on defense. They have done well with a win over Pearl (20-6), tight losses to Brandon (17-7) and Brookhaven (20-17 in OT), but bounced back with back-to-back wins over Northwest Rankin (31-24) and Warren Central (32-24). Madison is averaging 21 points per game while only giving up a stingy average of 18 points on defense.
“I really feel like we have grown and gotten better every week, especially on offense where we only had two guys back,” said Madison Central Head Coach Toby Collums. “Defensively I’ve been pleasantly surprised. We replaced a bunch, but the newcomers have stepped up. Going into region play I feel we are where we wanted to be, but we need to keep improving.”
The Jaguar offense is being led by sophomore quarterback Tripp Smith, who has thrown for 769 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions through the first five games. The running game has been hampered a bit by a nagging knee injury to senior star Mykel Hogue who won’t be able to play this week. The Jags have leaned heavily on junior Mikel Stephen who has posted 294 yards on 66 carries with two touchdowns. The top wide receivers, Tylan Hutchins and Eli Dampier, have been a real bright spot so far. Hutchins, a junior, leads the team with 18 catches for 301 yards and three touchdowns. Dampier, a senior, has 16 catches for 232 yards and a score.
“We are beginning to zero in on our identity. Tripp has done a heck of a job. He’s had a few turnovers but coming off a week where he played his best football (against Warren Central). We’ve got something going in the run game which has been a struggle. We are figuring it out and adding new things every week. Our run game has been progressing every week and hopefully that continues,” said Coach Collums. “Tylan (Hutchins) has done a heck of a job too. We knew last year he was going to be a really good player for us. He’s worn a target from defenders which has helped free up other guys to make plays.”
The Oxford defense will be a great test to see where the Jaguars stand. The Chargers are giving up just 21 points per game and are led by senior linebacker Zayvien Cristal with 40 tackles, 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. Junior defensive back Wesley Gaia is coming off an 11-tackle game with a fumble recovery against Grenada and is second on the team with 39 tackles. Junior linebacker Hud Clark has been a run stopper and quarterback sacking machine with five tackles for loss.
“Defensively they are extremely solid. We will need to establish the run the game,” said Collums. “They have athletes at every position and are very physical up front. (Oxford Head Coach) Chris Cutcliffe does an excellent job and we’ve got to be disciplined.”
The Chargers offense is explosive, averaging 36 points per game with big performances against Collierville, TN (39-36 in OT), South Panola (29-6), Lafayette (63-20) and Grenada (35-17). Their only hiccup came against #1 ranked Tupelo in a 20-13 loss. This is an offense built around the pass and quarterback Drew Dean. The junior has completed 78 of 130 passes for 1,148 yards and 11 touchdowns to just one interception. He’s also run the ball for 147 yards and two scores. Dean’s top target is senior wide receiver Kingston Gregory who has 28 catches for 413 yards and four touchdowns. If the Jaguars focus too much on Gregory, they risk senior wideout Christian Fields and sophomore Kevin Smith getting loose as the two have combined for 540 yards and three touchdowns.
“Dean is a good player and doesn’t force the ball. They have a really good offensive line up front and can run it. We are very similar from a schematic standpoint, so this is going to be a tough match-up,” said Collums.
Oxford has a running game by committee as they feature three backs in Senior Jamarion Pegues, 59 carries for 222 yards and three touchdowns, along with sophomore running back Demar Johnson, 24 carries for 175 yards and three touchdowns, and senior Demaire Frierson, 168 yards on 18 carries and two scores.
The key for the Jaguars defense will be senior linebacker Ronderious King who has been smothering ball carries to start the year. King leads the team with 61 tackles, three sacks and three tackles for loss. You can be sure the Chargers will try to run plays wherever he isn’t lined up.
“Ronderious been very disruptive and a leader as a team captain. Week in and week out, I’m so impressed everyday how hard he practices and makes plays in the game. At 6’0, 190 pounds, he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He worked his way on to the scout team last year, became a starter and hasn’t looked back,” said Collums.
King has an excellent supporting cast around him on this defense. Senior Defensive lineman Keevon Jacobs will look to disrupt the quarterback as he comes in with a team leading eight tackles for loss and four sacks. Fellow senior defensive lineman Dillion Marshall has notched four tackles for loss with strong support from linebackers Javon Blackmon, five tackles for loss, and Cal Lloyd, four tackles for loss. The defensive secondary will have it’s hands full so keep an eye out for junior corner Triston Watkins, who has two interceptions, senior Will Shoemake and junior safety Jeff Flanagan.
If the game comes down to a kick, the Jaguars have one of the best in the state in junior kicker Ross Beavers. Collums says he trusts Beavers to hit from 45 to 50 yards without hesitation.
It’s the first Friday in October and the first region game. While this outcome won’t guarantee the winner a playoff spot, both these teams will battle as though it will because there are certainly no easy weeks ahead.
AT A GLANCE:
Madison Central Jaguars
Class/Division: 7A Region 2 (MHSAA)
Record: 3-2 overall, 0-0 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.
Oxford Chargers
Class/Division: 7A Region 2
Record: 4-1 overall, 0-0 in Region
Head Coach: Chris Cutcliffe
Assistant Coaches: Logan Dodson, Isaac Boose, Jeffrey Bullock, Benjamin Logan, Christopher Moore, Colton Skidmore, Bruce Taylor, Ian Willis
KEYS TO VICTORY:
For Madison Central:
On offense, look for the Jags to try for a 50-50 run/pass balance. The Madison offense can help it’s defense immensely with some long sustained drives.
On defense, Chargers quarterback Drew Dean will test the Jaguar secondary so keep everything in front of you. It’ll be important for the Jags defensive line and linebackers to get pressure on Dean.
The Series: Madison Central leads 5-2.
Last Match-Up: Madison Central won 56-43 in the 2022 playoffs.
