By Theron Fly
Sports Writer

After many weeks of hard work and preparation, high schools across the state kicked off their 2009 football seasons with one ultimate goal in their minds: to capture a state championship.

Although much is the same from year to year, there are many ways in which Mississippi high school football is different than in seasons past.

The Mississippi High School Athletics Association, or MHSAA, has reclassified schools into a new six classification system, a step up from the five class system used in the past. Many other states already have a six class system in place.

The former Mississippi Private School Association, or MPSA, has changed its name and will now be known as the Mississippi Association of Independent schools, or the MAIS.

Another thing that is different than in recent years is the top team in the state is someone not named South Panola, as the Jaguars of Madison Central look to be the team to beat in Mississippi’s highest classification.

In the opening week of action, nine of the Clarion Ledger’s top 10 football teams won their respective openers. The one loss was no.10 West Point to Shannon, 27-21.

There was also one game that came as a bit of a surprise.

Yazoo County, a public school in the 4A class whose defense is anchored by defensive end Kaleb Eulls, was on the receiving end of a 41-0 thrashing at the hands of Madison-Ridgeland Academy, a class AAA member of the MAIS. Eulls committed to Mississippi State but also has offers from Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU, Georgia, Alabama and Southern Mississippi.

Both Oxford, who moved up to class 5A this season, and Lafayette opened their season with victories.

Oxford defeated Grenada 41-13 on the road, while Lafayette delivered a 24-13 win at home over Cleveland.

Week two is shaping up to be a good one with several intriguing matchups across the state. Madison-Ridgeland Academy, coming off the Yazoo County win, faces a stiff test this week as they travel to face Jackson Prep, the top ranked team in Academy football.

Perennial powerhouses square off Friday in Meridian as the defending state champion Wildcats host Wayne County’s War Eagles.

Meridian will be looking to gain a measure of revenge as the War Eagles handed the Wildcats the only blemish on their otherwise perfect season in the form of a 41-13 loss.

Madison Central will play host to one of the top teams in Memphis, Melrose. Madison Central, coming off of a 28-16 win over Vicksburg, faces a tough challenge in the Golden Wildcats, who are currently ranked number five in the Commercial Appeal’s Dandy Dozen.

The Oxford Chargers hit the road again this week, this time travelling to Charleston to take on the Tigers. Charleston, a 3A school, is coming off a 12-6 away victory over 6A opponent Horn Lake.

The Lafayette Commodores remain at home this week, this time hosting Trezevant High School out of Memphis. The Commodores will be tested as, like Melrose, Trezevant is also in the Dandy Dozen, ranked twelfth.

Another regional game of note is the South Panola Tigers versus the Memphis University School (MUS) Owls in a game that is going to be televised on ESPNU and is set to start at 7 p.m. The game will present two conflicting styles of football. MUS is led by Rivals.com four-star quarterback, and current West Virginia commitment, Barry Brunetti, while South Panola features the bruising running style of Nick Parker.

This marks the second time in two years that SP will be featured on ESPNU after beating Apopka (Fla.) last season in a game televised by ESPNU.