Friday nights in Mississippi aren't just about football. They're about survival. If you spent any time near Hattiesburg this past December, you felt it. The air at M.M. Roberts Stadium—fondly known as "The Rock"—was thick with that specific mix of humidity and desperation that only exists during the state championships. The Mississippi high school football playoffs 2024 didn't just crown champions; they dismantled dynasties and birthed new legends in a three-day marathon that felt more like a heavyweight title fight than a series of high school games.
Honestly, it's hard to wrap your head around the sheer volume of talent that hit the turf. You had five-star recruits like Caleb Cunningham finally getting his ring and workhorse backs like Tupelo’s Jaeden Hill putting an entire city on his shoulders.
People always talk about "tradition" in Mississippi football. But 2024 was different. It was the year of the "First." First state titles for schools that had been waiting decades. First perfect seasons for programs that were always "almost" there. It was a chaotic, beautiful mess of a postseason.
The 7A Heavyweights: Tupelo’s Perfect Storm
For the longest time, the narrative around Tupelo was "good, but can they finish?" They hadn't touched a state title trophy since 1992. That's a long time to wait. Heading into the Class 7A title game against Brandon, the Golden Wave were sitting at 13-0. They weren't just winning; they were suffocating teams.
The game itself was a masterclass in physical football. Jaeden Hill, the junior running back who basically lived in the end zone all season, carried the ball 34 times. Think about that for a second. Thirty-four carries in a single game. He racked up 224 yards and scored three touchdowns, including a 32-yard dagger in the final minute to seal a 28-16 victory. Brandon kept it close, trailing only 14-10 at one point in the third quarter, but Tupelo’s defense was just too much.
Watching the Golden Wave celebrate on that blue-tinted turf (metaphorically, though they played on the natural grass at The Rock) was a reminder of why we care about this stuff. A perfect 14-0 season. A 32-year drought ended. It wasn't just a win; it was an exorcism.
Grenada’s Shockwaves in 6A
If Tupelo was about ending a drought, Class 6A was about a complete takeover. Grenada didn't just beat Hattiesburg; they overwhelmed them 43-14. This was supposed to be Hattiesburg’s year. They were 13-0. They were playing in their own backyard.
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Then Macaleb Taylor happened.
The Grenada back went absolutely nuclear, scoring four rushing touchdowns. Hattiesburg actually led 14-7 in the first quarter, and for a moment, the home crowd was deafening. But Grenada scored 36 unanswered points. Thirty-six. It was one of those games where you look at the scoreboard in the fourth quarter and wonder if you missed a decade of football in the span of an hour. It was the Chargers' first-ever state title, and they earned every bit of it by holding a high-powered Hattiesburg offense to just 205 total yards.
West Point and the Number 13
You can't talk about the Mississippi high school football playoffs 2024 without mentioning West Point. At this point, the Green Wave winning a title feels as inevitable as the sun rising. Their 28-21 win over Gautier in the 5A final secured their 13th state championship. That’s a state record, for those keeping track.
They don't do anything fancy. They just run the ball until you stop caring about trying to tackle them. Shamane Clark was the engine this year, grinding out 168 yards and three scores. Gautier made a late run, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter to make things sweaty for the West Point faithful, but the Green Wave's "typical fashion" of ball control and physical line play held firm.
Heartbreak and History in the Lower Classes
The smaller schools honestly provided the most drama of the entire weekend. Take Class 4A, for example. Poplarville vs. Louisville.
Louisville is a powerhouse. They were looking for their own 13th title. But Poplarville, after losing four previous championship games, finally broke through. They won 29-28. One point. That’s the margin between immortality and a very quiet bus ride home. Tylan Keys, a name you’ll likely hear on Saturdays soon, rushed for 130 yards and had an 83-yard kickoff return that basically kept Poplarville in the game when things looked bleak.
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The 3A and 2A Rundown
- Class 3A: Choctaw County (14-1) took down Noxubee County 34-27. This was huge because it was Choctaw’s first title since the school merger in 2013. Caleb Cunningham, the 5-star recruit headed to Alabama (and later flipping or staying, depending on which recruiting board you follow), caught a 40-yard screen pass for a touchdown that showed exactly why every scout in the country was in his driveway.
- Class 2A: Heidelberg avenged last year’s loss by crushing Charleston 38-6. Sophomore QB Chase Craft threw for 257 yards and four touchdowns. If you're looking for a breakout star for 2025, put Craft at the top of your list.
- Class 1A: This was a defensive slog. Baldwyn beat Simmons 21-20 despite only having 122 yards of total offense. How do you win a state title with 122 yards? You force turnovers. Aiden Stewart’s 26-yard interception return for a touchdown was the difference.
MAIS: The Private School Powerhouses
While the MHSAA was rocking Hattiesburg, the MAIS (Midsouth Association of Independent Schools) was crowning its own kings. The big story there was Hartfield Academy. They took down the legendary Jackson Prep 19-14 in the 6A final.
Beating Jackson Prep in a championship game is like trying to win a land war in Asia—it rarely goes well for the challenger. But Hartfield’s defense was lights out. In other divisions:
- Class 5A: Parklane Academy beat Leake Academy 70-42 in a game that looked more like a basketball score.
- Class 4A: Tri-County Academy dominated Bowling Green 27-3.
- Class 3A: Kirk Academy handled Marshall Academy 35-10.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Playoffs
There's a misconception that the "best" team always wins. In the Mississippi high school football playoffs 2024, that wasn't always the case. The "hottest" team won.
Look at West Point. They started the season 0-2. People were writing them off, saying the dynasty was over. They finished 11-3 with a gold football. High school football is about peaking in November, not August.
Another thing? The impact of "Mr. Football" awards. Often, the winners of those awards (like Deuce Vance or Jaeden Hill) feel a massive amount of pressure in the playoffs. Hill rose to it; Vance’s Hattiesburg squad ran into a defensive buzzsaw. It’s a reminder that one superstar can get you to the Rock, but you need a cohesive unit to leave with the hardware.
Looking Ahead: What to Watch for in 2025
The 2024 season is in the books, but the ripple effects are just starting. Here is how you can stay ahead of the curve for next season:
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Track the Underclassmen Stars
Keep an eye on Chase Craft (Heidelberg) and Tylan Keys (Poplarville). These guys are only going to get better. If they stay healthy, their teams are early favorites to return to the finals.
Monitor the Coaching Carousel
After a big championship run, successful coaches often get lured away by bigger programs or college gigs. Any shift in leadership at places like Grenada or Choctaw County could change the landscape of those divisions instantly.
Check the Realignment
Every few years, the MHSAA shakes up the regions. Make sure you're looking at the new 2025-2027 reclassification blocks to see if your favorite team is suddenly facing a much tougher path to the postseason.
Actionable Insight: Support the Local Level
If you want to see the next Caleb Cunningham before he’s on national TV, start going to the early-round playoff games in November. The atmosphere at a small-town 2A playoff game is often more intense than the state finals because the stakes are so personal.
The 2024 playoffs proved that in Mississippi, football is the closest thing we have to a universal language. It doesn't matter if you're from the Delta, the Hills, or the Coast—everyone understands the weight of a gold football.
To prepare for next season, start by reviewing the 2024 stat leaders on sites like MaxPreps or the MHSAA official records. Knowing who is graduating and who is returning is the only way to win your local pick'em league when August rolls back around.