Talking season is about done as we can see the dawn of high school football around the state of Mississippi. It’s a time of great hope for what the year holds and championship aspirations abound. In 2025 it’s also about change for many of the teams we cover here in the Northside Sun. Coaches are used to roster changes through graduation and transfers, but the MAIS has completely overturned the apple cart with a new classification system along with a wild playoff and championship format.
Much like learning a brand-new lesson on the first day of school, pay close attention as there will be a test at the end. For starters, there is no longer Class 6A. This year the 20 biggest MAIS schools are grouped into a new Class 4A with four divisions of five teams each. Each of our metro teams are scattered among the divisions. At the end of the year, 16 of the 19 teams will make the playoffs and there will be three state titles awarded. The MAIS will use a power points system to separate 4A into three groups. The system calculates points based on wins, losses and strength of opponent. The top four schools will compete for a Division I championship; the next six teams will play for a Division II title and the next six will battle for a Division III crown. That’s a lot of teams and a lot of trophies for one classification.
If we take history as a guide, you can pencil in Jackson Prep, Jackson Academy, MRA and Hartfield to grab those top four spots for a two-week playoff. The other 12 teams will have a three-week playoff to decide the Division II and III titles.
While this new system seems as clear as the Pearl River, this should come into focus as the year progresses.
Here’s a look at how Class 4A lines up:
District 1-Jackson Academy, Madison St. Joseph, Bayou Academy, Magnolia Heights and Pillow Academy.
District 2-Hartfield Academy, East Rankin, Heritage Academy, Lamar School and Starkville Academy.
District 3-MRA, Brookhaven Academy, Parklane Academy and Simpson Academy.
District 4-Jackson Prep, Cathedral, Copiah Academy, Oak Forest Academy (La.), and Silliman (La.).
Hope certainly springs eternal for all these teams as there are three titles up for grabs and 16 playoff spots.
Here’s a look at the teams we will be following closely this upcoming year:
Jackson Prep
The Patriots took a perfect record into last year’s state title game against Hartfield but fell to the Hawks in a 19-14 nailbiter. Head Coach Doug Goodwin is having to reload his offense after losing his starting quarterback and his top three receivers to graduation. Rising senior Thomas Hewitt Oswalt, who led the team in rushing, returns to pace the backfield. Prep opens the season August 22 vs. Battleground Academy in Tennessee.
Games to circle on the calendar: Two critical games back-to-back on September 19 at MRA and home against Hartfield on September 26. The annual rivalry game against Jackson Academy on October 10 off Ridgewood Road.
Jackson Academy
Second year Head Coach David Duggan certainly has the potential to bring the Raiders their first title in more than a decade. JA boasts the number one ranked player in Mississippi in offensive lineman Caden Moss, defensive lineman Dereon Albert who is already committed to the University of Tennessee, linebacker and another Volunteer commit TJ White, and star wide receiver O’Mari Johnson who is committed to North Carolina. Add running back Kingston Mays to a list of transfers from Clinton High School and MRA in the offseason and the sky is the limit this season. Duggan added the Arrows starting quarterback from last season Josef Walker to presumably lead the offense. The Raiders open the season at Oak Forest (La.) on August 29.
Games to circle on the calendar: JA has a tough two weeks with games at Hartfield on September 19 and home against MRA on the 26. Their showdown with Prep is October 10 followed by a match-up with Madison St. Joseph on October 17.
MRA
Madison Ridgeland Academy Coach Herbert Davis celebrates his 35th year of coaching this season and he’s got a group of seniors ready to return the Patriots to glory. Quarterback Samuel Stockett is coming off an excellent sophomore campaign in which he threw for 3,239 yards, and 33 touchdowns. His top two targets return in Case Thomas and Will Bizot who combined for 1,600 yards and 12 scores. The spread will be alive and well for the MPats once again. MRA opens the season at home on August 22 against Ravenwood out of Tennessee.
Games to circle on the calendar: MRA has a sizzling September with trips to Hartfield on the 5th and to Collierville, Tennessee on the 12th. The Patriots come home to play Prep on the 19th and at JA on the 26th.
Madison St. Joseph
Head Coach Jason Moore and his Bruins have the pieces to make some noise this year, especially with the expanded playoffs. Senior quarterback Drew Wamble returns to guide the offense along with junior running back Syrone McBeath and sophomore AJ Harris. Rising senior receivers Eli Dampier and Henry Turner are talented targets. Madison St. Joseph opens the season on August 22 at Natchez Cathedral.
Games to circle on the calendar: The Bruins host Greenville St. Joseph on September 5. A crucial October with Tri-County Academy at home on the 10th, a trip to JA on the 17th and at Pillow Academy on the 24th.
Madison Central
There’s no doubt that Madison Central is in the conversation for a 7A state championship. The Jaguars region 2 looks a little different this year as Murrah jumps back in to the fold along with Clinton, Germantown, Oxford and Starkville. Head Coach Toby Collums may see his offense as a work in progress early in the season with many of his big guns graduating last year, but he’s got a dynamic pair of rushers in Mykel Hogue and Mikel Stephen. The Jags also have one of the best kickers in the state in Ross Beavers. The defense is always stingy and this year should be no different. The Jaguars open the season August 29 at home against Pearl.
Games to circle on the calendar: September 5 at Brandon. A tough gauntlet to close the year with October 24 at Germantown, October 31 at Starkville and November 6 at home versus Clinton.
Ridgeland
Head Coach Todd McDaniel is entering his third season at the helm and his throwback Wing-T offense appears to be getting better traction. Senior quarterback DK Wallace leads the charge and, when the wing is working to a “T” it gives defenses fits. The Titans have a real shot to rise in Class 6A this season. Ridgeland opens the season August 29 at Mendenhall.
Games to circle on the calendar: A trip to Vicksburg on September 12. A road game at Warren Central on October 10. Home games against Callaway and Canton of October 17 and 24 followed by a Halloween trip to Neshoba Central November 2.
St. Andrew’s
St. Andrew’s moves up to MHSAA Class 3A this year. Second year Head Coach Channing Ward led his team to the 2A playoffs last season, just two years after having to play as an independent due to low roster numbers. It will be a challenge for the Saints as they move up in classification, but they return some key pieces. Quarterback Will Crowder racked up great experience as the starter as a sophomore and will have senior receiver John Walker White coming back after leading the team with nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. St. Andrew’s opens the season August 29 at home against Cathedral.
Games to circle on the calendar: A home game against McLaurin on September 26. The Saints welcome Pisgah on October 17. A tough test to close the regular season at home against Quitman on October 30.
