Mississippi high school football standouts: Top players entering MHSAA, MAIS playoffs

As the MAIS and MHSAA regular seasons come to a close and playoff games start this week, we take a look at some of the top players in the state of Mississippi. The MHSAA Class 1A-4A playoffs begin Nov. 3, while Class 5A-7A teams have one week left in the regular season.

MAIS Class 1A-5A playoffs began last week, and Class 6A starts Nov. 3.

Stats provided by MaxPreps and Scorebook Live.

Jaeden Calender, Brandon

The senior linebacker leads all of Mississippi in tackles with 157, 65 solo. Calender also has nine sacks and a cumulative 72 yards lost against opponents. Brandon has one more regular-season game, against Northwest Rankin, before the MHSAA 7A playoffs.

Zach Ealy, Morton

The triple-threat senior is second in Mississippi in passing yards with 2,905 and has 34 passing touchdowns. Ealy also produced 1,164 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and has recorded 30 total tackles. On Friday, Morton faces Columbia in its first-round game of the MHSAA 4A playoffs.

Terrance Hibbler Jr., Holmes County Central

Hibbler, a Mississippi State commit, leads the state in sacks with 17 and has a combined 113 yards lost against opponents. He has 66 total tackles, 42 solo. Holmes has one regular-season game remaining, against Canton, before the MHSAA 5A playoffs.

Reed Jesiolowksi, Hartfield

The senior running back and Southern Miss commit leads all of MAIS in rushing yards with 1,414. Jesiolowksi has 26 total touchdowns and 267 receiving yards. Hartfield has a bye in the first round of the MAIS 6A playoffs; its first game is Nov. 10.

Demonte Martin, South Pike

Martin leads all of Mississippi in interceptions with seven, including three in one game against Jefferson County. The junior safety has produced 43 tackles in nine games this season. South Pike faces Noxubee County in its first-round MHSAA 3A playoff game.

Xavier McDonald, Morton

With Morton quarterback Zach Ely having the second-most passing yards in the state, his receiver has to be one of the best as well. McDonald has the most receiving yards in Mississippi, with 1,100 on 53 receptions and 16 touchdowns. The sophomore also has 249 kick return yards. On Friday, Morton faces Columbia in the first round of the MHSAA 4A playoffs.

Jamarcus Pittman, McComb

The dual-option quarterback has 39 total touchdowns, most in the state. Pittman has recorded 2,088 passing yards on 93 completions, and 332 rushing yards on 49 carries. McComb faces Bay in the MHSAA 4A playoffs Friday.

Omar Scott, Choctaw County

Scott leads all of Mississippi in rushing yards with 1,898 on 200 carries. The senior has 24 total touchdowns and 212 receiving yards. Choctaw County takes on Coahoma County in the first round of the MHSAA 3A playoffs.

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John White, Madison-Ridgeland Academy

The Southern Miss commit leads the state with 3,102 passing yards and has thrown 35 touchdowns. White also has three rushing touchdowns. MRA has a bye in the first round of the MAIS 6A playoffs, and plays its first game Nov. 10.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion-Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.