By Tony Holeman, Southern contributor
This week features an absolute bombshell of competition over in Alabama, a stacked undercard (plus the undisputed champion) in Mississippi, and a loaded mid-tier bout in Tupelo. Be sure to follow along as we break down each event and the different storylines going on with the different competing groups!
HOMEWOOD SOUTH CENTRAL CLASSIC
Where does one even begin? Oak Mountain. Petal. Auburn. A feature from kings up north in Wheaton Warrenville South. That’s barely half of the top division. This event has everything to ever hope for. And the best part? Five spots in finals. It’s a bloodbath through and through and the audience will be more than ready to watch this competition go down. Rounding out the Large/X-Large tier is Northwest Rankin, Spain Park, and Enterprise. This competition also hosts a tight single-gender division as well, featuring womens groups from Oak Mountain, Petal, Wheaton Warrenville South, Enterprise, Auburn, and a few others. At the end of the day though, there has to be a winner. With that being said, full predictions are below:
Predictions (five finalists):
GC) Oak Mountain “Singers” (BC/Show Design)
1RU) Petal “Soundsations” (BV)
2RU) Wheaton Warrenville South “The Classics”
3RU) Auburn “Varsity Singers”
4RU) Northwest Rankin “The Ambassadors”
1st in X-Large/Large) Oak Mountain “Singers”
Only group in Middle Division) Albertville “CenterStage!”
1st in Small Division) Prattville “Spotlight”
1st in Womens) Wheaton Warrenville South “Esprit”
1st in Mens) Auburn “Men at Work”
WEST JONES INVITATIONAL
While this competition looks to be a surefire sweep for southern king Clinton Attaché at the top in their season debut, the highlight of this competition lies in the 2A and 1A divisions. In the 2A division, there is a highly-anticipated matchup between a red-hot South Jones and longtime divisional ace Northeast Jones. This division will also be rounded out by Pearl River Central and Sumrall. In the 1A division, there is a similar situation, as long-time divisional blue-blood Pisgah will be facing off against a full-steam West Marion. This division is rounded out by Wayne County, Clinton Christian Academy, Columbia Academy, Morton, and others. With such a stacked early morning and evening list, the undercard for this competition looks to be a great one. Full predictions are as below:
Predictions (no finals):
GC) Clinton “Attaché” (Sweep)
Only group in 4A) Clinton “Attaché”
1st in 2A) South Jones “Company”
1st in 1A) West Marion “New Era”
Only group in Womens) Purvis “Pizazz”
TUPELO KING CITY CLASSIC
Grenada Visions looms as the overwhelming favorite to sweep this competition, and there isn’t much debate against the claim. This competition, however, although not as top-heavy as at Homewood, features a slammed 3A division with eight competing groups. Biloxi, Jackson Academy, and Briarwood lead the pack as the initial favorites, but with a division this full, you can never rely on being the favorite. The single-gender division features just two competing groups in womens groups from Briarwood and Biloxi. Full predictions are below:
Predictions (five finalists):
GC) Grenada “Visions” (Sweep)
1RU) Jackson Academy “Encore”
2RU) Biloxi “Sound Surge”
3RU) Briarwood “Radica”
4RU) Oak Grove “Center Stage”
Only group in 4A) Grenada “Visions”
1st in 3A) Jackson Academy “Encore”
1st in Womens) Biloxi “Sound Sirens”
OUT OF TOWN
This weekend features two Southern groups on the road to two very different places. Brandon will be returning to the Chesterton Trojan Classic to compete against the likes of Linn-Mar, Carmel, Mt. Zion, and many others as they look to avenge their runner-up finish last season. Oxford will be heading slightly northeast to the state of West Virginia to compete against the best small division group in the state, as they’ll face off against Poca Visual Volume at the Capital City Classic with a genuine chance to make finals. Best of luck and safe travels to both groups as they brave the roads this weekend!
Come right back here after the weekend is over for a dissection of all the results, whether they be chalk or upsets. Good luck to all the groups!
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