High school football is at the 2012 apex this weekend at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson.  Six MHSAA state champions will be crowned, starting with Class 1A Friday at 11 a.m. Stringer’s Red Devils (12-2) play the French Camp Panthers (11-2).

     Professor Hoopla B.S., couldn’t resist invading this column and making some predictions.

     Hoopla says, Stringer 36-12.

     Unfortunately, Bogue Chitto (13-1) won’t be in the Capital City tomorrow. The Bobcats lost 21-7 to Stringer in the South Class 1A championship game at Stringer. Like most of Stringer’s opponents, the Bobcats couldn’t stop Stringer junior quarterback Tevin Moore who has rushed for 2,034 yards and passed for 868 yards in 14 games. He’s accounted for 48 touchdowns.

     Tevin’s brother, tailback Anthony Moore, has rushed for 1,284 yards and 10 touchdowns. They run behind a tough and strong offensive line. Opponents must tackle hard and hang on tight when they meet the Moore brothers. Besides that talented pair, Stringer is pretty salty on defense, too.

     Coach Gareth Sartin’s Bobcats lose five starters to graduation in wide receivers Brandon Wells and Germie Martin, running back/defensive end  James Blackwell, cornerback Jimmy McNulty and fullback Robert Bonds. A solid group returns, led by quarterback Brock Roberts and twin brothers Jeremy and Jermaine Blackwell, plus a group of veteran offensive linemen.

     Hopefully, the Bobcats can go all the way in 2013.

     Mighty Bassfield (15-0) and Eupora (14-1) collide in the Class 2A title game at 3 p.m. Friday. Bassfield has been No. 1 all season in 2A but the Yellowjackets almost faltered last Friday, easing past East Marion 17-14.

     Bassfield 28-14.

     The Class 6A heavyweight bout is Friday night when South Panola (12-2) meets Brandon (12-2) at 7 p.m.

     Brandon coach Brad Peterson addressed the crowd during Monday’s MHSAA Gridiron Classic Media Day. This is Brandon’s first-ever appearance in the state title game.

     “The bad thing is, we have to play a university,” joked Peterson, referring to South Panola’s awesome status in the high school football ranks. The Tigers had made 10 straight trips to the title game before losing out to Olive Branch in the North state title game last year.

     South Panola 28-14.

     Football fans can catch all of the games on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. The games also will be streamed live on ESPN3.com

     After an early, Saturday morning breakfast, state title action resumes at 11 a.m. In Class 3A, Hazlehurst (15-0) and Charleston (14-1) collide in a rematch of last year’s championship game. Coach Randal Montgomery’s Indians have focused on a return to the state title game since last December. It’s a revenge match for them, trying to erase the memory of that 34-8 loss to Charleston.

     Hazlehurst 32-26.

     In Class 4A, powerful Noxubee County (15-0) meets Greene County (10-4). These Tigers are terrific, but upsets do happen. Kickoff is 3 p.m.

     Noxubee County 31-12.

     In Class 5A, Pascagoula (11-2) appears to be the Cinderella story after knocking off top-ranked Picayune and Pearl River Central in the South semifinals and finals.

     North champion Starkville (11-2) will be a tough assignment. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

     Pascagoula 21-17.

 

      Friday will provide a special experience for Brookhaven Academy quarterback Gage Posey and wide receiver Seth Rushing. They will represent their school in the MAIS All-Star Football Classic at Mississippi College in Clinton. Kickoff is 4 p.m. in Hale-Robinson Stadium.

     Posey and Rushing were instrumental in BA’s march to the Class AA state championship. Posey passed for six touchdowns and ran for another in last Friday night’s 49-40 win against the Marshall Academy Patriots.

     It was an exciting, exceptional game and folks will be talking about it for several months. For the players, assistant coaches and head coach Tripp McCarty, the memory will grow sweeter as the years roll by.

 

     Meanwhile, the Co-Lin Wolfpack are heading for the Gulf Coast and this weekend’s Mississippi Bowl. Co-Lin won the state championship two weeks ago and is the host team. The Wolfpack face Garden City, Kan. on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Biloxi Stadium.

     Coach Glenn Davis and his Wolfpack have enjoyed a remarkable season. Their 41-37 upset of the Gulf Coast Bulldogs gained Co-Lin its first state title since 1985. Currently, Co-Lin is ranked No. 7 in the NJCAA National Poll.

     Hoopla likes the Wolves: Co-Lin 27-14.

     A banquet for both teams is scheduled Friday night at Keesler Naval Base.

    

     Contact sports editor Tom Goetz by Email: tgoetz@dailyleader.com