Insight and commentary on Northeast Mississippi prep sports from the Daily Journal

New episodes released on Wednesday afternoons

Prep Rally

Prep Rally

#336: Tupelo, TCPS facing huge region matchups – 10/11/23

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Brad is joined by Brendan this week to talk about the volleyball playoffs and region play in football.

Mooreville beat Booneville in the second round of the 3A playoffs Tuesday (1:45), and Brad explains why it was an extra-special win for the Troopers. The guys look at some other notable results and preview the quarterfinals (3:45), where there are several area-on-area matchups.

On the football front, Hatley rode Cayson Williams to a win over Bruce last week (5:36), while Nettleton held off previously unbeaten Mooreville (6:47). Week 8 features some critical region matchups, including Tupelo’s 2-7A game versus Germantown (9:56). The Golden Wave are trying to fix some offensive issues ahead of meeting the Mavericks, who upset Starkville last week.

Tupelo Christian travels to Biggersville in a 1-1A showdown (13:40), while Pontotoc hosts Lafayette in a 1-5A tilt (15:22).

Be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week (17:00) by visiting our Twitter page, @djournalsports.

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#335: Tupelo trying to bounce back; Mooreville loses QB – 10/04/23

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Brad is joined by James on this week’s football-heavy episode.

But first, some volleyball updates: Alcorn Central won the Region 1-3A title (1:37), and the playoffs crank up this weekend (2:44).

On the gridiron, the guys recap West Point’s comeback win over Tupelo (3:45), as well as Tupelo Christian’s victory against Hatley (7:10). Looking ahead, unbeaten Mooreville must open Region 4-3A play against Nettleton without its quarterback, Wyatt McDaniels (8:24), who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Tupelo looks to rebound when it opens 2-7A action at Madison Central (12:16), and Hatley visits Bruce (13:24).

Also today, the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game roster was announced (14:33). And be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week (16:27) in our Twitter poll (@djournalsports).

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#334: Big-time matchups highlight football’s Week 6 – 09/27/23

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Brad is joined by Brendan today, and they break down a lot of the intrigue that’s emerged halfway through the football season.

For starters, Calhoun City beat East Webster on the road last week and vaulted to the No. 1 spot in the Small School rankings (6:36). Mooreville continued is impressive start to the season with a shutout of rival Mantachie (9:55).

And looking ahead, one of the big matchups this week is West Point at Tupelo (13:49). The Golden Wave are coming off their first loss of the season, and now they have to contend with West Point running back Kahnen Daniels, a Florida commit. Houston opens region play against reigning 4A state champion Louisville (16:37), which eliminated the Hilltoppers in last year’s playoffs. And Booneville opens 1-3A play with a very tough test against Kossuth (17:55).

The guys also talk some volleyball. Lafayette swept Pontotoc on Tuesday night (1:56), and the race for first place in Region 1-3A is a tight one (3:23).

Don’t forget to vote for Athletes of the Week (19:01) by visiting our Twitter page, @djournalsports.

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#333: Tupelo hammers Oxford; Calhoun City still unbeaten – 09/20/23

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Brad and James are here to provide you with a whole lot of football and volleyball talk.

Regarding the latter, Alcorn Central got revenge Tuesday night by rallying past Belmont in a big Region 1-3A match (1:24). And Tupelo Christian kept rolling with a sweep of Smithville (3:50).

On the gridiron, Tupelo’s defense turned in another strong performance in a 49-7 win over Oxford (5:12). East Webster tossed a shutout against Baldwyn (7:44), and Ripley won a defensive slugfest against Booneville (9:12).

Looking ahead to Week 5, East Webster should get a big test when it hosts unbeaten Calhoun City (9:51), which has a stellar rushing attack led by Jamajah Mayes. Also, Saltillo and Shannon renew their rivalry after a 15-year hiatus (12:30).

Be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week (13:48) by visiting our Twitter page @djournalsports.

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#332: Stars battling injuries; Week 4 football preview – 09/13/23

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Brad has a jam-packed episode this week.

He leads off with Belmont’s win over Alcorn Central in volleyball (2:02). It was extra impressive considering the Cardinals lost star player Kerstin Moody to a knee injury early in the match. And in another Region 1-3A contest, Mantachie rolled past Booneville (6:05).

On the gridiron, a couple of local standouts are expected to miss the next few weeks with injuries (6:50). In his Week 3 football rewind, Brad recaps Mooreville’s win over South Pontotoc (8:56), Ripley’s comeback against Choctaw County (10:31), and Kahnen Daniels’ monster night (12:15).

Week 4 games to watch include Tupelo at Oxford (13:25), Amory at Aberdeen (15:05) and East Webster at Baldwynj (15:45). Also, be sure to vote for Athletes of the Week at @djournalsports on Twitter (16:39).

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#331: Amory, Houston snag Week 2 football wins – 09/06/23

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Brad is joined this week by the other new guy, Brendan. They take a look at some of Tuesday’s volleyball action, including Tupelo Christian’s sweep of Hamilton (2:21). Also, Saltillo fell to Lake Cormorant (3:38), while Tishomingo County beat Itawamba AHS (5:16).

On the gridiron, a look back at Week 2 includes a recap of Houston’s 28-14 win over Shannon (5:45). Houston forced four turnovers in that game. Amory, meanwhile, opened its “home” slate by beating Saltillo (7:46).

Looking to Week 3, Ripley will host Choctaw County and its five-star receiver, Caleb Cunningham (10:42). Shannon looks to bounce back against Pontotoc (12:41), and Tupelo hosts Hernando (14:17). Also, check out our Athletes of the Week nominees (15:32) and then cast your vote on Twitter @djournalsports.

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#330: Wave dominate opener; Skunk Bowl on tap – 08/30/23

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It’s not just Brad and Podgator in the studio today. New guy James Murphy joins them for a jam-packed episode.

The high school football season opened last week, and the guys recap some notable games. Biggersville, led by Jathan Hatch, rolled past Hamilton (2:00); Kossuth pitched a shutout against Baldwyn (3:24); and Tupelo whitewashed Whitehaven (4:09).

Looking ahead, Week 2 has some big rivalry games, including the Skunk Bowl between Booneville and Baldwyn (10:44). Houston at Shannon should be a good one, too (8:18). And on Thursday, Amory plays its first “home” game when it faces Saltillo at Tupelo (6:07).

On the volleyball front, Tupelo let a win slip away against region foe Germantown (14:08), while East Union toughed out a win against Myrtle (15:50). Brad also announces the Athletes of the Week candidates (17:06), so be sure to cast your vote on Twitter, @djournalsports.

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#329: Football is back! – 08/23/23

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The high school football season has finally returned.

Week 1 kicks off this weekend, and Brad gets you up to speed on what to look for. He goes over the Daily Journal preseason rankings (6:55) before diving into a few game previews. Baldwyn is visiting Kossuth (9:28) for what should be an evenly matched game. The Crosstown Classic between Oxford and Lafayette is being played earlier than it ever has (10:37), and West Point is visiting 4A champ Louisville (11:53).

Brad also has some big basketball news. Post player Demetrius Duffy has transferred from Saltillo to Tupelo (1:52), and the Tangle on the Trail has announced its 2023-24 lineup (3:55). On the volleyball court, No. 2 Ingomar took down No. 1 Belmont on Tuesday (4:43).

Also today, Athletes of the Week returns – with a twist (13:14).

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#328: Lafayette volleyball pulls upset; QB rankings – 08/16/23

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There’s a nip in the air, which has bolstered Brad’s anticipation of football season.

But first up on this week’s episode are a couple of volleyball recaps. Lafayette knocked off No. 1-ranked Oxford on Tuesday (1:31), while Belmont swept past Hickory Flat behind the play of Addyson Liles (2:32).

Now, on to football. Aberdeen is looking to build on its recent success under coach Alex Williams (4:39). The season is just over a week away, and several teams will be participating in jamboree scrimmages this Friday (6:16).

Also today, Brad goes over his quarterback rankings (7:26). And don’t forget, our preseason football magazine comes out Saturday (10:08).

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#327: Volleyball begins; Blue Devils seek turnaround – 08/09/23

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The 2023-24 sports year has officially begun with the start of volleyball season.

Today, Brad has a couple of v-ball updates from Tuesday night. Led by “Lil Shan-Shan,” New Albany powered past rival Pontotoc (1:33). And Kossuth won an epic five-set battle against Tishomingo County (3:57).

On the football front, preseason camps continue for area teams. Booneville is looking to bounce back from last season’s 4-7 finish (5:23), with running back Zion Nunn and quarterback Noah Gillon leading the way. Also on this episode, Brad recaps his running back rankings (7:22), which are Pod Gator-approved.

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