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Mississippi State women’s basketball has what Ole Miss, Coach Yo want. But it’s tough to obtain

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8 months ago

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Mississippi State women’s basketball has what Ole Miss, Coach Yo want. But it’s tough to obtain


STARKVILLE — Last month, fresh off losing to rival Mississippi State, Ole Miss women’s basketball coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin didn’t have much to say about the Humphrey Coliseum crowd of more than 7,000 fans.

With the seats matching the maroon shirts of most fans, McPhee-McCuin said, she didn’t even realize how large the gathering was. However, less than two weeks later after her team’s home victory against Florida in front of 2,450 fans, it was apparent that the crowd in Starkville did actually stick out to the Rebels’ coach.

She made that clear while voicing her displeasure for women’s basketball struggling to draw crowds like men’s teams in Oxford do.

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“Why can’t we be an everything school?” McPhee-McCuin said. “Because that’s a destination spot. It’s happening up the street. We went to that game and there was 7,000 people in there. You get what I’m saying? I don’t even want to call them their names. But it happened.”

McPhee-McCuin made clear the struggle women’s teams face when building programs. Recent regular season success for Ole Miss’ men’s basketball has drawn impressive crowds, but fresh off a Sweet 16 trip, the women’s team is averaging fewer than 4,000 fans per game.

Yet in the same state, Mississippi State ranks fourth among SEC teams with an average attendance of 5,457 and had a recent sellout against LSU.

As the programs meet for the return game in Oxford on Sunday (3 p.m., SEC Network+), it’s a reminder of how impressive MSU’s rise in women’s basketball is while its rival looks to catch up.

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How Mississippi State became a prominent women’s basketball brand

The country woke up to the tune of a cowbell on March 27, 2017, and Mississippi State women’s basketball was the reason why.

It was a normal morning for Robin Roberts in most regards as she took her spot hosting Good Morning America on ABC. However, the Bulldogs had just given her an excuse to ring a cowbell on one of television’s most popular shows.

Sporting an assortment of maroon and white, Roberts reminded the nation of what had happened the night before. With a win against Baylor, Mississippi State had just clinched its first trip to the Final Four.

For Roberts, who grew up and played basketball in Pass Christian, Mississippi, the cowbell was a chance to endorse what the Bulldogs just accomplished. For former MSU coach Vic Schaefer, it was the start of a week that changed women’s basketball in Starkville – and across the state – forever.

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Roberts became an iconic part of MSU’s success, highlighted by a postgame speech she gave in Mississippi State’s locker room after an upset of UConn in the 2017 Final Four.

“Thank you for elevating women’s basketball the way you have,” Roberts told the team.

But she also played a big role in helping grow the game, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Schaefer.

“That’s free advertisement,” Schaefer told the Clarion Ledger this week. “You get a 30-second blip on an ad for ‘Good Morning America,’ it’s $4 million from what I’ve been told. We got about $12 million worth of advertisement three straight days that didn’t cost us a dime.”

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Reaching the level of success required to get that national hype wasn’t easy, though.

Sharon Fanning-Otis spent 17 seasons as MSU coach, guiding the program to its first six NCAA Tournament appearances. However, room remained for Mississippi State to take the next step.

Schaefer inherited a team ahead of the 2012-13 season that was fresh off back-to-back losing seasons. He finished 13-17 in his first season and didn’t make the NCAA Tournament the following season despite a 22-14 record. Across his final six seasons, Mississippi State became a fixture in March Madness and the national polls.

“There’s an investment level that is required,” Schaefer said. “Once you get a return on your investment, it’s real easy to support it.”

Style of play was a big reason Schaefer’s teams appealed to Starkville.

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Success for Mississippi State, Ole Miss starts in Mississippi high school basketball

In-state products such as Victoria Vivians (Carthage) helped mold the best years of Schaefer’s tenure, but even since his departure, Mississippi has generated top players.

Debreasha Powe is a sophomore at Mississippi State out of Meridian High School in Meridian. Madison Booker, a freshman star for Schaefer at Texas, is a product of Ridgeland. In her first season, Powe started 32 games for an NCAA Tournament team. This season, Booker is averaging 15.5 points per game and has started all 24 games she has appeared in.

“I think in both cases, those kids played for really good high school coaches,” Schaefer said. “They had a lot of success in high school. They had to be the player on their high school team, so night in and night out they had to show up and be accountable. I think that’s what gets you ready for college more than anything.”

Added to the list is Ole Miss forward Snudda Collins out of Brookhaven. The state is producing talent at an impressive pace, though it doesn’t guarantee the top players are coming to your program.

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“I think the trend is becoming that elite players from their state are staying home,” McPhee-McCuin said. “What makes it difficult in Mississippi is you have two Power Five programs in the same conference … That makes it incredibly challenging because when you do get one that has a lot of talent, now you’re fighting in state against them.”

BREAKING IT DOWN: Explaining Ole Miss women’s basketball’s $8.4 million deficit in 2023 fiscal year

With success, though, comes the ability to recruit at a bigger scale. Collins and Powe are the lone in-state products across the two rival rosters this season. However, both programs have top players from other spots, ranging from MSU guard Mjracle Sheppard from Washington to Ole Miss guard Marija Avlijas from Serbia.

There are layers to creating the success women’s basketball has in Mississippi. It’s a cycle where fans, programs and schools work hand-in-hand to keep each other moving forward.

When the highs are reached and programs get to the levels Mississippi State and Ole Miss have gotten to, the benefits resonate throughout the state.

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“When you have two programs on the national stage that are able to give exposure to women’s sports, compete at the highest level and be two brands that are recognized on the women’s side, it’s not only great for our universities, it’s great for our schools,” MSU coach Sam Purcell said.  

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.





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Mississippi

What time, TV channel is Texas vs. Mississippi State football? How to stream for FREE

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6 hours ago

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September 28, 2024

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What time, TV channel is Texas vs. Mississippi State football? How to stream for FREE


Arch Manning and the top-ranked Texas Longhorns play their first official Southeast Conference game on their home field Saturday against Mississippi State. The game is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m. ET (3:15 p.m. CT) with TV coverage on SEC Network and streaming on-demand.

  • How to watch: Live streams of the Texas vs. Mississippi State game are available with offers from FuboTV (free trial), SlingTV (low intro rate) and DirecTV Stream (free trial).
  • For a limited time, FuboTV is offering $30 off the first month after the free trial period. With $30 offer, plans start at $49.99.

Mississippi State (1-3) at #1 Texas Longhorns (4-0)

NCAA football matchup at a glance

When: Saturday, Sept. 28 at 4:15 p.m. ET (3:15 p.m. CT)

Where: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas

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TV channel: SEC Network

Live streams: FuboTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | DirecTV Stream (free trial)

Texas is a huge 38.5-point favorite in its SEC opener over the Bulldogs with no decision yet as of Thursday afternoon whether Quinn Ewers (oblique strain) would return and in what capacity. Former 5-star prospect Arch Manning has made the past two starts in his absence and completed 24-of-41 passes for 481 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.

Mississippi State has dropped three straight games where the Bulldogs gave up 30-plus points to Arizona State (30-23), Toledo (41-17) and Florida (45-28). Mississippi State is a big underdog against Texas, then also has to go on the road and face No. 2 Georgia following a Week 6 bye.

#1 Texas Longhorns vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs: Know your live streaming options

  • FuboTV (free trial) – excellent viewer experience with huge library of live sports content; free trial lengths vary; monthly rate after free trial starts at $49.99 for duration of $30 first month discount.
  • SlingTV (low intro rate) – discounted first month is best if you’ve run out of free trials or you’re in the market for 1+ month of TV
  • DirecTV Stream (free trial) – not the same level of viewer experience as FuboTV, but the standard 7-day free trial is still the longest in streaming.

The Longhorns and Bulldogs are set for a 4:15 p.m. ET start on SEC Network. Live streams are available from FuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) and SlingTV (low intro rate).



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How to Watch Texas vs. Mississippi State: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – September 28, 2024

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13 hours ago

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September 28, 2024

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How to Watch Texas vs. Mississippi State: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – September 28, 2024


Data Skrive

At DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Jerrick Gibson and the Texas Longhorns (4-0) take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-3).

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You’ll want to check out SEC Network for the upcoming game between the Longhorns and Bulldogs.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Could Texas’ Manning and Ewers be the next Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe story? | All Facts No Brakes

Keyshawn Johnson and RJ Young recently discussed the Texas quarterback situation following Quinn Ewers’ injury, speculating on how this could set the stage for a potential Tom Brady-Drew Bledsoe scenario. With Ewers sidelined, backup QB Arch Manning steps into the starting role, and both Keyshawn and RJ emphasized how crucial this opportunity is for the young talent.

Learn more about the Texas Longhorns and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

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How to Watch Texas vs. Mississippi State

  • When: Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 4:15 p.m. ET
  • Location: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas
  • Live Box Score: FOX Sports

Read More About This Game

  • Texas vs. Mississippi State Predictions

Texas’ 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
8/31/2024 vs. Colorado State W 52-0
9/7/2024 at Michigan W 31-12
9/14/2024 vs. UTSA W 56-7
9/21/2024 vs. Louisiana-Monroe W 51-3
9/28/2024 vs. Mississippi State –
10/12/2024 vs. Oklahoma –
10/19/2024 vs. Georgia –
10/26/2024 at Vanderbilt –
11/9/2024 vs. Florida –
11/16/2024 at Arkansas –
11/23/2024 vs. Kentucky –
11/30/2024 at Texas A&M –

Texas 2024 Stats & Insights

  • Texas has been a tough matchup for opposing teams, ranking top-25 in both total offense (12th-best with 511.3 yards per game) and total defense (fifth-best with 211.8 yards allowed per game) this season.
  • Texas has been thriving on both offense and defense in the passing game, ranking 10th-best in passing offense (321.5 passing yards per game) and eighth-best in passing defense (116 passing yards allowed per game).
  • The Longhorns have been clicking on all fronts this season, as they rank 11th-best in scoring offense (47.5 points per game) and best in scoring defense (5.5 points allowed per game).
  • The Longhorns rank 46th in rushing yards this year (189.8 rushing yards per game), but they’ve been thriving on defense, ranking 25th-best in the FBS with 95.8 rushing yards allowed per game.
  • Texas has been a handful for opposing teams on third down, ranking top-25 in both third-down offense (16th-best with a 51% third-down conversion rate) and third-down defense (sixth-best with a 21.8% third-down percentage allowed) this season.
  • The Longhorns rank 32nd in college football with a +3 turnover margin after forcing 8 turnovers (15th in the FBS) while committing five (70th in the FBS).

Texas 2024 Key Players

Mississippi State’s 2024 Schedule

Date Opponent Score
8/31/2024 vs. Eastern Kentucky W 56-7
9/7/2024 at Arizona State L 30-23
9/14/2024 vs. Toledo L 41-17
9/21/2024 vs. Florida L 45-28
9/28/2024 at Texas –
10/12/2024 at Georgia –
10/19/2024 vs. Texas A&M –
10/26/2024 vs. Arkansas –
11/2/2024 vs. UMass –
11/9/2024 at Tennessee –
11/23/2024 vs. Missouri –
11/29/2024 at Ole Miss –

Mississippi State 2024 Stats & Insights

  • Mississippi State’s defense has been bottom-25 in total defense this season, allowing 416.8 total yards per game, which ranks 25th-worst. Offensively, it ranks 68th with 401.8 total yards per contest.
  • In terms of passing, Mississippi State ranks 36th in the FBS (268.5 passing yards per game) and 64th defensively (200 passing yards allowed per contest).
  • With 31 points per game on the offensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs rank 62nd in the FBS. Defensively, they rank 107th, giving up 30.8 points per game.
  • The Bulldogs have been struggling to stop the run, ranking 11th-worst with 216.8 rushing yards allowed per game. They have been more productive offensively, posting 133.3 rushing yards per contest (97th-ranked).
  • Mississippi State’s defense has been a bottom-25 unit on third down this season, ceding a 45.6% third-down conversion rate, which ranks 19th-worst in the FBS. On the offensive side of the ball, it ranks 38th with a 45.6% third-down rate.
  • The Bulldogs have a -1 turnover margin this season, which ranks 84th in the FBS.

Mississippi State 2024 Key Players

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Mississippi high school football scores for 2024 MHSAA Week 5

Published

23 hours ago

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September 27, 2024

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Mississippi high school football scores for 2024 MHSAA Week 5


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Here is our Mississippi high school football scoreboard, including the fifth week of the season for MHSAA programs. Due to weather, some games are subject to change.

Friday

Aberdeen vs Caledonia, 7 p.m.

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Adams County Christian vs Silliman Institute, 7 p.m.

Amite County vs Hazlehurst, 7 p.m.

Amite School Center vs East Rankin, 7 p.m.

Amory vs Corinth, 7 p.m.

Bartlett vs Grenada, 7 p.m.

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Bay vs Pearl River Central, 7 p.m.

Belmont vs Red Bay, 7 p.m.

Ben’s Ford Christian vs Discovery Christian, 7 p.m.

Ben’s Ford Christian vs Hillcrest Christian, 7 p.m.

Benton vs Manchester, 7 p.m.

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Briarfield vs Sharkey Issaquena, 7 p.m.

Brookhaven Academy vs Salem, 7 p.m.

Bruce vs Nanih Waiya, 7 p.m.

Byhalia vs Holly Springs, 7 p.m.

Calhoun City vs East Webster, 7 p.m.

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Canton vs Neshoba Central, 7 p.m.

Cathedral vs Parklane, 7 p.m.

Centreville vs CHEF of Lousiana, 7 p.m.

Charleston vs Cleveland Central, 7 p.m.

Clarksdale vs Gentry, 7 p.m.

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Coahoma County vs Simmons, 7 p.m.

Collins vs West Marion, 7 p.m.

Columbia Academy vs Bowling Green, 7 p.m.

Columbia vs North Pike, 7 p.m.

Columbus Christian vs Wayne, 7 p.m.

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Copiah vs Leake, 7 p.m.

Crystal Springs vs Port Gibson, 7 p.m.

Deer Creek vs Desoto, 7 p.m.

Delta vs Tunica, 7 p.m.

Desoto Central vs Olive Branch, 7 p.m.

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Discovery Christian vs Christian Collegiate, 7 p.m.

Discovery Christian vs Columbus Christian, 7 p.m.

East Central vs St Martin, 7 p.m.

Enterprise vs Newton, 7 p.m.

Eupora vs Noxapater, 7 p.m.

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Evangelical Christian vs Jackson Prep, 7 p.m.

Falkner vs Rossville Christian, 7 p.m.

Forest vs Scott Central, 7 p.m.

Forrest County Agricultural vs Seminary, 7 p.m.

French Camp vs Central Holmes Christian, 7 p.m.

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Greene County vs Perry Central, 7 p.m.

Greenville Christian vs Riverfield, 7 p.m.

Gulfport vs Brandon, 7 p.m.

Hamilton vs Smithville, 7 p.m.

Hancock vs Vancleave, 7 p.m.

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Hatley vs Thrasher, 7 p.m.

Heidelberg vs East Marion, 7 p.m.

Heritage Academy vs Sylva Bay, 7 p.m.

Hernando vs Center Hill, 7 p.m.

Horn Lake vs PURE, 7 p.m.

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Humphreys County vs Greenville-Weston, 7 p.m.

Humphreys vs Park Place Christian, 7 p.m.

Independence vs Strayhorn, 7 p.m.

Indianola vs Marshall, 7 p.m.

Jefferson Davis County vs Raleigh, 7 p.m.

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Jim Hill vs Lanier, 7 p.m.

Kemper County vs Northeast Lauderdale, 7 p.m.

Kemper vs Prentiss Christian, 7 p.m.

Kirk vs Carroll, 7 p.m.

Lafayette vs Central, 7 p.m.

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Lake Cormorant vs Southaven, 7 p.m.

Lamar Christian vs Heritage Academy, 7 p.m.

Laurel vs Oak Grove, 7 p.m.

Leake County vs Sebastopol, 7 p.m.

Lee Academy vs Hebron Christian, 7 p.m.

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Leflore County vs Greenwood, 7 p.m.

Lewisburg vs Itawamba Agricultural, 7 p.m.

Long Beach vs Petal, 7 p.m.

Louisville vs Noxubee County, 7 p.m.

M.S. Palmer vs O’Bannon, 7 p.m.

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Magnolia Heights vs Bayou, 7 p.m.

McAdams vs Riverside, 7 p.m.

McLaurin vs St Andrew’s, 7 p.m.

Mendenhall vs Harrison Central, 7 p.m.

Mooreville vs Mantachie, 7 p.m.

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Morton vs Pelahatchie, 7 p.m.

Moss Point vs West Harrison, 7 p.m.

Mount Olive vs Lumberton, 7 p.m.

Murrah vs Ridgeland, 7 p.m.

Natchez vs Jefferson County, 7 p.m.

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Nettleton vs Biggersville, 7 p.m.

New Albany vs Pontotoc, 7 p.m.

New Hope vs Houston, 7 p.m.

Newton County vs Kosciusko, 7 p.m.

Newton vs Calhoun, 7 p.m.

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North Delta vs Lee, 7 p.m.

North Forrest vs South Jones, 7 p.m.

North Panola vs McEvans, 7 p.m.

North Pontotoc vs Booneville, 7 p.m.

North Sunflower vs Marvell, 7 p.m.

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Northeast Jones vs Pass Christian, 7 p.m.

Northpoint Christian vs St Benedict, 6 p.m.

Northwest Rankin vs Brookhaven, 7 p.m.

Ocean Springs vs Picayune Memorial, 7 p.m.

Oxford vs Starkville, 7 p.m.

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Pearl vs Germantown, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia vs West Lauderdale, 7 p.m.

Pillow vs Starkville, 7 p.m.

Potts Camp vs Ashland, 7 p.m.

Puckett vs Bogue Chitto, 7 p.m.

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Purvis vs Oak Forest, 7 p.m.

Quitman vs Stone, 7 p.m.

Richland vs Pisgah, 7 p.m.

Richton vs Sacred Heart Catholic, 7 p.m.

Ripley vs Columbus, 7 p.m.

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Rosa Fort vs North Side, 7 p.m.

Saltillo vs Shannon, 7 p.m.

Simpson vs Presbyterian Christian, 7 p.m.

South Delta vs Amanda Elzy, 7 p.m.

South Panola vs Clinton, 7 p.m.

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South Pike vs McComb, 7 p.m.

South Pontotoc vs Tishomingo County, 7 p.m.

Southeast Lauderdale vs Clarkdale, 7 p.m.

St Aloysius vs Central Hinds, 7 p.m.

St Joseph Catholic vs St Joseph, 7 p.m.

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St Patrick Catholic vs Resurrection Catholic, 7 p.m.

St Stanislaus vs Mobile Christian, 7 p.m.

Stringer vs Loyd Star, 7 p.m.

Sumrall vs Hattiesburg, 7 p.m.

Taylorsville vs Magee, 7 p.m.

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Tensas Academy vs Porters Chapel, 7 p.m.

Terry vs Provine, 7 p.m.

Tri-County vs Canton Academy, 7 p.m.

Tupelo Christian Prep vs Okolona, 7 p.m.

Tupelo vs Houston, 7 p.m.

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Tupelo vs Houston, 7 p.m.

Tylertown vs Lawrence County, 7 p.m.

Union vs Lake, 7 p.m.

Velma Jackson vs Leake Central, 7 p.m.

Walnut vs Myrtle, 7 p.m.

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Warren Central vs Madison Central, 7 p.m.

Water Valley vs J. Z. George, 7 p.m.

Wayne County vs George County, 7 p.m.

Wesson vs Mize, 7 p.m.

West Bolivar vs Edwards, 7 p.m.

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West Jones vs Poplarville, 7 p.m.

West Lincoln vs Enterprise, 7 p.m.

West Lowndes vs Baldwyn, 7 p.m.

Wilkinson Christian vs Franklin Academy, 7 p.m.

Wilkinson County vs Franklin County, 7 p.m.

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Winona Christian vs Ethel, 7 p.m.

Winona vs Senatobia, 7 p.m.

Winston vs Clinton Christian, 7 p.m.

Yazoo City vs Vicksburg, 7 p.m.

Yazoo County vs Choctaw County, 7 p.m.

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Thursday

Bay Springs 26, Choctaw Central 20

Grenada 34, Bartlett 10

Itawamba Agricultural 47, Lewisburg 23

Meridian 35, Callaway 0

New Albany 29, Pontotoc 26

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