If you want to know who the No. 1 prep football team in Mississippi is going into the 2010 season, you don’t have to look any further than Batesville.
South Panola, the defending MHSAA Class 6A Champions and the winners of state record eight titles overall, are the odds on favorite to end the year with the championship trophy once again.
Defending champions also hold preseason No. 1 rankings in Class 5A (West Point), Class 3A (Tylertown), Class 2A (Bassfield) and in the MAIS Overall (Jackson Academy) rankings.
Lafayette County has been tabbed the team to beat in Class 4A, with Durant holding down the preseason No. 1 spot in Class 1A.
While South Panola is unquestionably the team to beat, look for Meridian — ranked No. 2 in Class 6A — to be a real challenge for the Tigers. Taking the third spot in 6A is Petal, a team that should make up some major ground this year. Rounding out the top five are Clinton and Madison Central.
There is nothing really shocking about the top names in 5A, as West Jones is No. 2 behind West Point, followed by Wayne County. New Hope, last year’s big surprise, and Moss Point are fourth and fifth respectively.
Lafayette County opens the season on top of Class 4A, followed by perennial power Noxubee County, Shannon, Greene county and Forrest County AHS. Class 4A is the most fluid of all seven rankings categories, as multiple teams have a chance to come away with the championship trophy.
Tylertown holds an ever-so-slight edge over Aberdeen to open the year in Class 3A, followed by Charleston, Forest and Philadelphia.
Bassfield is looking for the repeat in Class 2A, as the South looks to be extremely strong at the top. Taylorsville is ranked second, followed by West Bolivar, North Forrest and Puckett.
While Mount Olive has a lot back from its 2009 championship, Durant still looks to be the team to beat. First-year head coach Sleepy Robinson looks to have the Tigers in Jackson in December once again.
Following Durant and No. 2-ranked Mount Olive are Nanih Waiya, Smithville and Sebastopol.
Jackson Academy opens the year as the top team in the MAIS, followed by arch-rival Jackson Prep, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Brookhaven Academy and Washington School.

THE RANKINGS/TOP 15
The Mississippi Prep Sports Source rankings are produced by Austin Bishop and Bobby Gray. Bishop has been covering high school sports in Mississippi since 1975, while Gray is a longtime follower of prep football in North Mississippi. The ranking service is in its third year and is subscribed to by more than 50 media outlets.

6A
1. South Panola (14-1)
2. Meridian (11-2)
3. Petal (7-5)
4. Clinton (11-2)
5. Madison Central (13-1)
6. Olive Branch (10-3)
7. Oak Grove (11-3)
8. Ocean Springs (11-3)
9. Southaven (9-3)
10. Natchez (9-5)
11. Gulfport (6-5)
12. Brandon (7-3)
13 Harrison Central (9-3)
14. Hancock (5-6)
15. George County (7-5)
Lurking Around:  Hattiesburg (6-6), Starkville (4-8), Columbus (3-8),  Northwest Rankin (4-8), Pascagoula (2-9).

5A
1. West Point (14-1)
2. West Jones (11-1)
3. Wayne County (11-4)
4. New Hope (11-2)
5. Moss Point (11-3)
6. Ridgeland (10-3)
7. Pearl (9-4)
8. Picayune (8-4)
9. Brookhaven (5-6)
10. Oxford (6-6)
11. Stone County (6-5)
12. Neshoba Central (5-6)
13. Callaway (8-4)
14. McComb (3-8)
15. Gautier (7-5)
Lurking Around: Forest Hill (5-6), Hernando (6-6), Provine (4-7), St. Martin (4-7), Yazoo City (3-8).

4A
1. Lafayette County (14-2)
2. Noxubee County (12-2)
3. Shannon (11-2)
4. Greene County (10-5)
5. Forrest County AHS (10-3)
6. West Lauderdale (9-3)
7. St. Stanislaus (14-1)
8. Itawamba AHS (13-1)
9. Purvis (6-5)
10. Lawrence County (9-4)
11. Pontotoc (8-3)
12. Senatobia (9-3)
13. Louisville (9-5)
14. J.J. McClain (4-8)
15. New Albany (6-6)
Lurking Around: Kosciusko (5-7), South Pike (4-7), Cleveland (8-5), Quitman (6-6), Northeast Lauderdale (6-5), North Pike (8-5), Magee (9-3)

3A
1. Tylertown (15-0)
2. Aberdeen (13-3)
3. Charleston (13-1)
4. Forest (10-2)
5. Philadelphia (11-3)
6. Morton (13-2)
7. Franklin County (10-4)
8. Velma Jackson (10-3)
9. Perry Central (12-1)
10. Belmont (9-4)
11. Water Valley (7-5)
12. Booneville (13-1)
14. South Delta (8-4)
15. Leflore County (8-3)
Lurking Around: Corinth (6-5), Nettleton (9-4), Kemper County (7-5), East Side (8-4), Collins (7-6)

2A
1. Bassfield (14-2)
2. Taylorsville (11-3)
3. West Bolivar (14-1)
4. North Forrest (10-3)
5. Puckett (11-2)
6. Hollandale-Simmons (10-2)
7. Baldwyn (7-6)
8. Eupora (10-2)
9. East Webster (7-7)
10. Calhoun City (7-6)
11. Loyd Star (10-2)
12. Wesson (8-3)
13. Lumberton (8-4)
14. Ackerman (15-1)
15. Pisgah (10-2)
Lurking Around: Mize (8-5), Union (7-5). Mound Bayou Kennedy (5-6), Pelahatchie (7-5), Greenville O’Bannon (6-6), Walnut (7-4).

1A
1. Durant (13-2)
2. Mount Olive (10-5)
3. Nanih Waiya (11-2)
4. Smithville (10-1)
5. Sebastopol (11-3)
6. Okolona (9-4)
7. Vardaman (9-4)
8. Coffeeville (8-5)
9. Weir (10-3)
10. French Camp (7-4)
11. Greenville St. Joe (6-5)
12. Shaw (6-4)
13. Bogue Chitto (5-7)
14. Ray Brooks (4-6)
15. South Leake (6-6)
Lurking Around: Wheeler (5-6), Natchez Cathedral (4-7), Dexter (4-7), Noxapater (4-7), West Oktibbeha (5-6).

MAIS OVERALL
1. Jackson Academy (12-1)
2. Jackson Prep (10-3)
3. MRA (6-5)
4. Brookhaven (15-0)
5. Washington School (10-2)
6. Simpson Academy (11-2)
7. Pillow Academy (9-3)
8. Trinity Episcopal (12-3)
9. Lamar School (12-2)
10. DeSoto School (13-1)
11. Winston Academy (-5)
12. Centreville (9-4)
13. Copiah Academy (6-6)
14. Magnolia Heights (6-4)
15. Parklane (7-4)
Lurking Around: River Oaks (11-2), Marshall (10-2), Clarksdale Lee (4-7), Presbyterian Christian (5-6), Leake Academy (7-4), Indianola Academy (7-5).

Opening Ceremonies, complete with the Parade of Athletes, the lighting of the torch and our fantastic fireworks show, will be held June 18 in downtown Meridian. You and yours will enjoy a tip-off party prior to the big event, with lots of fun things to do and great food to eat! Click the link below to hear the interview.

• State Games of Mississippi Interview

http://www.stategamesofms.org

2010 State Games of Mississippi Calendar of Events

June 2               All-Star Baseball Tryouts
June 4-6            Youth Baseball
June 5               Cross Country
June 5-6            U10, U12 Soccer Districts
June 11-13        Junior Tennis High School Team Baseball
June 18             Opening Ceremonies June 18-20 Youth Swimming
June 19             Canoe/Kayak. Fencing, Judo. 5K Run/Walk,
                          Adult Basketball, 2-person volleyball, Judo,
                          Powerlifting, Softball
June 19-20        Archery, Youth Soccer, Bowling
June 20             Cycling/Time Trial
June 23-27        All-star Baseball
June 24-26        Stickball
June 24-27        High School Basketball
June 25-27        Adult Tennis, Flag Football
June 26             Disc Golf, Martial Arts, Masters Swimming,
                         4-person volleyball, Dressage
June 27             Mountain Biking
June 29-30        Junior Golf

With the event being shortened to 54 holes the Eagles claimed the 2010 NJCAA National Championship runner-up after shooting 4-over, 869 (289-291-289).

MCC freshman, Brandt Garon, won the individual title and became the school’s first NJCAA individual national champion. The Baton Rouge native shot 5-under for the event (71-72-68) to win by two shots.

Garon was named a Golf Coaches Association of America First Team All American, a NJCAA First Team All American, he was named to the National Championship All Tournament Team as well as given the Arnold Palmer Award for being the NJCAA medalist.

Sophomore Garrett Westbrook finished at 2-over par (72-73-73) and was named NJCAA All American for the second time and was named to the National Championship All Tournament Team.

Joining Garon and Westbrook on the All Tournament Team was Eagle sophomore Cory Williamson, who shot 3-over par (71-71-77).

Nick Hawkes finished at 8-over par, shooting 77-75-72, while Clemens Dvorak finished with 10-over par, shooting 75-75-76.

“This was an incredible experience,” said MCC head golf coach Sean Covich.

“Wish we could have played today and seen if we could have won, but it was a great accomplishment for the team and for Brandt. We brought home a national champion to Meridian, that’s special.”

Twenty two teams from across the country competed in the event played at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail- Hampton Cove.

• Sportsline 1010 Hughes Family

Sister Rose Ann Fleming

Sister Rose Ann Fleming joins Daniel Self and The Wizard on Sportsline 1010. Since she became the academic adviser for Xavier athletics in 1985, every men’s basketball player who has played as a senior has left with a diploma. Click the link below to hear the interview.

• Sister Rose Ann Fleming

Kyle Veazey

Kyle Veazey joins Fredie Carmichael on Sunday Mornings with the Editor the day after Mississippi State loses to UNC in the NIT. Click the link below to listen.

• Kyle Veazey Interview

Rodney Hood

Meridian High Wildcat Rodney Hood is clearly one of the best basketball players in Mississippi. Rodney, only a junior, will attempt to lead the Wildcats to their first state championship since 1979. Rodney joins Bill Smith and Dave Owen on The Morning Show the day before the big game. Click the link below to listen to the interview.

• Rodney Hood Interview

John Fourcade

John Fourcade, live from Miami,  joins The Salesman and Lindsey Hall on The Pregame Show and talks about the Saints, the Super Bowl, the city of New Orleans, and much more. Click the link below to listen.

• John Fourcade Interview

Sarah Thomas

College referee Sarah Thomas joins Daniel Self on Friday Night Scores. Sarah Thomas made history at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in December, becoming the first woman to officiate a bowl game when she worked the matchup between Ohio and Marshall.

Click the link below to hear the interview.

• Sarah Thomas Interview

Hanging onto a precarious three-point lead and with momentum on the other side, linebacker Eryk Anders was determined not to let the Citi BCS National Championship Game slip away.

Read the ESPN article here.