As the 2024 Mississippi high school football season nears its climax, two of the state’s top teams, Tupelo and Madison Central, are set for a thrilling playoff showdown. With both teams having dominant seasons, this game promises to be a hard-fought battle with high stakes. Tupelo enters the contest undefeated at 12-0, while Madison Central comes in at 10-2. Let’s take a closer look at their records, stats, and key players to get a better understanding of this exciting matchup.

Tupelo (24-25) Season Overview

Tupelo has been near-perfect this season, with a 12-0 record, making them one of the top teams in Mississippi. They’ve been particularly dominant in district play, where they boast a 4-0 record. With a strong offense and a solid defense, Tupelo has proven to be an all-around team that can win in various ways.

Scoring Averages

Tupelo’s offense has been potent, averaging 35.1 points per game. The breakdown of their scoring per quarter is as follows:

• Q1: 8.2 points
• Q2: 11.8 points
• Q3: 9.6 points
• Q4: 6.3 points

While Tupelo starts strong and maintains a solid pace, their scoring tends to dip slightly in the fourth quarter. However, they have more than enough firepower to hold on to leads late in games.

Key Wins

Tupelo’s key victories this season include a 27-7 win over Germantown (10/18/24) and a 49-0 blowout against Clinton (10/25/24). These dominant wins have helped establish Tupelo as one of the state’s top teams heading into the playoffs.

Madison Central (24-25) Season Overview

Madison Central has had an impressive season as well, with a 10-2 record. They finished 3-1 in district play, and while they didn’t go undefeated like Tupelo, they’ve proven themselves capable of beating tough opponents. Madison Central has been a balanced team, with both an effective offense and defense that have helped them secure their spot in the playoffs.

Scoring Averages

Madison Central averages 31.3 points per game. Their scoring per quarter breaks down as:

• Q1: 5.8 points
• Q2: 9.7 points
• Q3: 4.0 points
• Q4: 8.0 points

Madison Central’s offense tends to heat up in the second and fourth quarters, with their scoring in the third quarter being lower than in the other periods. This late-game surge could be a key factor in their playoff push.

Key Wins

Madison Central’s key victories include a 31-28 win over Germantown (10/25/24) and a 49-39 victory over Clinton (11/7/24). These wins show Madison Central’s resilience and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations.

Team Stat Comparison

When comparing the team stats, Tupelo shows a clear advantage in total offense and defensive consistency:

• Rushing Yards Per Game: Tupelo (231.6)
• Passing Yards Per Game: Tupelo (138.9)
• Receiving Yards Per Game: Tupelo (135.6)
• Total Yards Per Game: Tupelo (370.5)
• Tackles Per Game: Tupelo (64.3)
• Sacks Per Game: Tupelo (2.7)
• Points Per Game: Tupelo (34.5)

While Tupelo’s offensive numbers are solid across the board, Madison Central also brings a strong game. However, their numbers aren’t as overwhelming in terms of total yards or points per game.

Key Players to Watch

• Tupelo: The player to watch for Tupelo is Jaeden Hill, who has been a standout with 149.3 rushing yards per game and 167.7 total yards per game. His ability to control the game on the ground will be critical for Tupelo’s success.
• Madison Central: Madison Central’s offense is led by Devontray Brewer, with 0.8 sacks per game and Malachi Gilleylen, who averages 10 tackles per game. These players will be crucial for Madison Central’s defense, trying to stop Tupelo’s high-powered offense.

Head-to-Head

The two teams met earlier in the season, with Tupelo coming out on top 28-23 in a close contest on October 11. Despite trailing early, Tupelo’s defense and late-game scoring ability helped them seal the victory. Madison Central will be looking to avenge this loss in the playoff rematch, making this a highly anticipated game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced similar opponents and have performed well:

• Germantown: Tupelo defeated Germantown 27-7 (10/18/24), while Madison Central won 31-28 (10/25/24).
• Clinton: Tupelo dominated Clinton 49-0 (10/25/24), while Madison Central had a tough 49-39 win over Clinton (11/7/24).
• Starkville: Tupelo edged Starkville 29-14 (11/7/24), while Madison Central won 31-8 (11/1/24).

Record Breakdown

Here’s how the two teams stack up in terms of their overall and league records:

• Tupelo: 12-0 overall, 4-0 district, 6-0 home, 5-0 away, 1-0 neutral
• Madison Central: 10-2 overall, 3-1 district, 6-0 home, 3-2 away, 1-0 neutral

Tupelo has been perfect all season, including a flawless 6-0 home record. Madison Central, though strong, will need to step up their away game after a few losses on the road.

Conclusion: A Rematch to Remember

The Tupelo vs. Madison Central playoff game is shaping up to be a classic. Tupelo’s undefeated season and offensive dominance make them the favorites, but Madison Central has shown they can win big games, and they’ll be hungry for revenge after their earlier loss. With both teams featuring standout players and explosive offenses, this will be a matchup to watch closely as the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Expect a hard-fought game with Tupelo looking to continue their perfect season and Madison Central aiming to upset the favorites. The game will be an exciting chapter in Mississippi high school football!