Desoto County prep football preview
The Commercial Appeal continues its high school football preview series with a look at Desoto County. There will also be previews of Class 6A and 5A, Class 4A and 3A,class 2A and 1A and Division II.
Top players
Josaih Hayes, Horn Lake, Sr.: Hayes is a four-star Ole Miss defensive line commitment who had 76 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last season. He is the No. 2 prospect in the state, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Jakivuan Brown, Horn Lake, Sr. Brown was a first-team all-state selection at tight end last season. He is primarily being recruited at outside linebacker. He is committed to Ole Miss.
Xavier Hill, Olive Branch, Sr. Hill impressed scouts in his first season playing organized football. The 6-foot-3, 325-pound offensive lineman is committed to Alabama.
Jevon Banks, Olive Branch, Sr. Banks is a three-star defensive end who is committed to Mississippi State.
Kahlil Benson, Southaven, Sr. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound three-star offensive lineman is committed to Ole Miss.
Caleb Offord, Southaven, Sr. Threestar cornerback who is committed to Notre Dame.
Cameron Threatt, Lewisburg, Sr.: Three-star cornerback who is committed to Mississippi State
Isaiah Brevard, Southaven, Jr.: Four-star receiver with offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Texas A&M and Duke, among others.
Fred Watson, Lake Cormorant, Sr.: Three-star safety is committed to Louisiana Tech.
Top games
West Point at Horn Lake, Aug. 23, 7 p.m.
Defending 6A state champ Horn Lake opens the season by hosting defending 5A state champ West Point, which shut out Olive Branch in last year’s 5A North Half title game.
Whitehaven at Southaven, Sept. 20, 7 p.m.
Southaven hosts TSSAA Class 6A runner-up Whitehaven. The game will feature four Power-five commitments in Martavius French (Arkansas), Tamarion Mcdonald (Mississippi State), Kahlil Benson (Ole Miss), Caleb Offord (Notre Dame), as well as four-star linebacker Bryson Eason, who hasn’t committed yet.
Horn Lake at Olive Branch, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.
Olive Branch was Desoto County’s best 5A team last year. This year the Conquistadors take on new region foe Horn Lake.
Storylines to watch Can Horn Lake repeat?
Last year Horn Lake went 15-0 and captured its first football state title. The question is, with Nakobe Dean and Raydarious Jones now in the SEC, will the Eagles be able to do it again?
Olive Branch in 6A
Olive Branch has finished the last two seasons the same way, with a 12-2 record and a loss to the Class 5A North Half title game to West Point. This year, the Conquistadors move up to 6A.
Trench work
The county’s top-three highest rated players according to the 247Sports Composite — Hayes, Hill and Benson are lineman who are committed to SEC schools.
Region predictions
Region 1-5A
1. West Point 2. Lafayette
3. Lake Cormorant 4. Center Hill 5. Grenada 6. Saltillo 7. Columbus 8. New Hope Region 1-6A
1. Horn Lake 2. Olive Branch 3. Oxford 4. Southaven 5. Tupelo
6. Desoto Central 7. Hernando 8. Lewisburg