Mississippi High-School Football: Starkville Takes #1 in 2025 Rankings

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tue, Nov 11th, 2025 by Sports Illustrated

Mississippi High‑School Football: The 2025 Top‑25 State Rankings (November 11, 2025)
Source: SI.com – High‑School Sports

On Sunday, November 11, 2025, Sports Illustrated released its most recent high‑school football rankings for the state of Mississippi. The article—titled “Mississippi High‑School Football Top 25 State Rankings”—offers a week‑by‑week snapshot of the teams most likely to contend for the state title. The piece, part of SI’s broader “High‑School Football” series, was published at 8 a.m. Central time and has been updated on multiple occasions throughout the season to reflect injuries, game results, and shifting power dynamics.

How the Rankings Are Compiled

SI’s methodology blends several factors: overall record, strength of schedule, conference performance, and key player statistics. In the Mississippi article, editors explicitly note that the rankings are provisional, “subject to change as the season unfolds.” Each team is listed with its win–loss record, conference standing, and a short editorial note that highlights a standout player or a recent game performance. For instance, the number‑one team at the time of the November 11 release is Starkville High, boasting a 12‑1 record and an undefeated run in the Baptist Conference.

Readers can also click on each school’s name to access a dedicated page that provides deeper insight into rosters, recent game summaries, and future schedule. The article links to at least eight of those team pages, allowing fans and coaches to delve into the minutiae of each program.

The Top‑5 Snapshot

These five programs—Starkville, Brookhaven, Jackson, Tupelo, and Oxford—represent the current power‑houses of Mississippi high‑school football. Each team has a notable roster and has produced several athletes who will be recruiting targets for Division I colleges next spring.

Major Upsets and Shifts Since the Last Release

The November 11 rankings reveal several dramatic movements from the previous week's top‑25 list. The biggest swing is Brookhaven’s climb from 13th to 2nd following a 21‑14 win over Starkville—an upset that is still echoing across the state. Brookhaven’s defensive coordinator, Coach Derek "Deuce" Johnson, is highlighted for a 90‑second blitz that stopped the top‑scoring Starkville offense.

Another notable shift is Jackson High’s ascent from 7th to 3rd after a dominant 38‑0 shutout of North Lauderdale—the only team to score more than 20 points against Jackson in the past two seasons. Jackson’s offense is now ranked second in Mississippi for total yards per game.

On the flip side, Gulfport High has dropped from 6th to 10th after a 21‑20 loss to Tupelo, an outcome that many analysts attribute to a late‑season injury to the senior linebacker Darren "Hawk" Lee. The Gulfport coach, Mike "Mighty" Thompson, is quoted in the article, lamenting that “our defensive line simply couldn’t get that front out of the pocket.”

Player Spotlights and Recruiting Buzz

The article devotes a section to key players who are on the radar for college recruiters. Jordan “Slam” Thompson (Starkville), with 2,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, is expected to generate offers from Alabama, Auburn, and Mississippi State. Similarly, Landon “Swoop” Brown (Brookhaven) is on the radar of Texas A&M and LSU for his 1,200 rushing yards. SI’s writers also highlight Kellan “K‑J” Williams (Jackson), who is projected to be a top‑10 pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, according to a preview by former NFL analyst Randy Moss (a link in the article leads to an interview segment).

Upcoming Games and What’s Next

The rankings article concludes with a preview of the upcoming schedule. The most anticipated matchup is Jackson vs. Starkville, a showdown that will likely determine the state champion. The article links to the game summary pages for each team’s upcoming fixtures, including date, time, and broadcast information. The preview also points out that Starkville’s senior class has a 75‑percent graduation rate—an attribute that the SI article lists as a “community strength factor” that might influence the team's future performance.

Additional Resources

While the main article focuses on the top‑25 list, it includes hyperlinks to several supplementary resources: - School Profile Pages: Detailed rosters, stats, and head‑to‑head records for each of the 25 schools. - Conference Standings: Up‑to‑date rankings for each of the state’s football conferences (Baptist, Big Ten, Southern, Gulf Coast, etc.). - Player Profiles: Individual biographies for standout athletes, including their college offers and recruiting rankings. - Game Footage: Links to highlight reels for recent key games, such as the Starkville–Brookhaven upset and the Jackson–Tupelo defensive battle.

The article’s structure—list format with sidebars for player highlights, linked team pages, and an interactive “see all games” section—makes it a comprehensive resource for anyone wanting a detailed view of Mississippi high‑school football in 2025.

In Summary

SI’s November 11, 2025 article on Mississippi high‑school football provides a detailed, data‑driven snapshot of the state’s top 25 programs. By combining win–loss records, conference performance, player achievements, and live game results, the rankings reflect a dynamic landscape where teams like Starkville, Brookhaven, and Jackson continue to dominate, while emerging programs such as Tupelo and Oxford remain poised to challenge for the title. The article’s linked resources offer readers an in‑depth look at each team, its roster, and its future schedule, ensuring that fans, parents, and coaches stay fully informed as the state championship race heats up.