MISSISSIPPI, USA - Today, we are proud to bring you the Mississippi Power 25 Preseason High School Team Ranking. The talent in this state solid from top to bottom, and this ranking represents our vast, year round, boots on the ground scouting all over Mississippi. Our goal is to bring you the most comprehensive list of the top teams in the state, no matter the size of the school, roster, or level. Today we release of the top 5 teams in our Preseason Power 25 list.

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1. DeSoto Central

2018 Record: 29-9
MHSAA Classification: 6A
MHSAA District:
Head Coach: Mark Monaghan
Playoff Run: State Championship
2018 Final Rank: 6A State Champions
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 3

The Jaguars return a young but loaded lineup and deep pitching staff from a team that won 6A state title in 2018. 2020 Cade Smith, a Mississippi State recruit, returns the most experience on the pitching staff, coming off a sophomore season where he recorded 78 strikeout in 53 innings pitched. W. Logsdon and Russell Musselwhite will also make a big impact in the rotation and should have increased roles in 2019 coming off of sophomore seasons where they combined to strike out 52 opposing hitters. Controlling the staff from behind the plate will be Chase Honeycutt who has displayed solid catch and throw ability.

Offensively the lineup is strong for the Jaguars as they return four of their top five hitters from a season ago. Tennessee recruit, Kyle Booker and Mississippi State recruit Blaze Jordan will lead the deep lineup coming off a 2018 season where they combined to drive in 61 runs and hit .427 and .426 respectively. Mississippi State recruits, Hunter French and Kameron James where not far behind with impressive offensive numbers as they hit .392 and .389, also providing rock solid defense in the middle of the field. Bolstering the lineup for the Jaguars will be Dylan Hale, Alex Frillman and Wesley Sides who should all have increased roles in 2019 as they have shown solid approaches at the plate.

Overall the depth and talent of the DeSoto Central club is undeniably one of the best in the state and should be an exciting club to watch as they fight to make a return trip to Trustmark park.

2. George County

2018 Record: 29-6
MHSAA Classification: 6A
MHSAA District: 8-6A
Playoff Run: State Runners-up
2018 Final Rank: 2^nd in District
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 6

Coach Brandon Davis has high expectations for this group after making in to the 6A state final game in 2018. Returning seven hitters in the lineup, the Rebels have  the experience necessary to make another deep run. On the mound George County returns arguably the best one-two punch in the state in Mississippi State signee, Logan Tanner and South Alabama signee, Trevor McDonald. Tanner and McDonald both logged around 70 innings in 2018 and combined to strike out 202 hitters. The performance on the mound cannot be understated but they also bring production at the plate that will be a big part of the success in 2019.

Defensively George County is lead by MS Gulf Coast CC signee, Ethan Coleman at shortstop. Coleman has soft hands in the middle of the field with the range to take away hits from the opposing team. Cody McDoniel, Colby Cochran and Cole Pugh will bolster the lineup and play a big role in how far the Rebel go in 2019. Pugh showed a quality run at an early spring inter-squad that is sure to be tough on the opposition.

Coach Davis and the Rebels have the experience and the talent necessary to make another run at the 6A state title.

3. West Jones

Last Season Record: 27-5
MHSAA Classification: 5A
MHSAA District:
Head Coach: Trey Sutton
Playoff Run:
2018 Final Rank:
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 2

Coach Trey Sutton returns a seasoned club from a 2018 team that finished with an overall record of 27-5. The lineup will be solid, as the Mustangs has gained a lot of playing experience in the past couple seasons. Southern Mississippi signee, Dustin Dickerson will lead the way both on the mound and the plate. Dickerson is returning off a junior season where he hit .333 and drove in 22 runs while posting 66 innings on the mound with 83 strikeouts. Another dual threat for the Mustang lineup will be Pearl River CC signee, Kris Riley who hit .333 and drove in 26 runs while recording 37 innings on the mound with 53 strikeouts. The Mustangs also return their top hitter from a season ago in Sam Hill who finished with an average of .355. Bolstering the lineup will be Walker Thompson, Colson Harris and Garrett McLaurin. Cole Tolbert will also have an increased role in 2019 as he has shown power potential at the plate with solid arm strength on the mound running his fastball up to 88 mph.

Coach Sutton and the Mustangs have an experience lineup and some young talent that should prove to be tough for their opponents and allow them to make a deep run in 2019.

4. Northwest Rankin

Last Season Record: 27-6
MHSAA Classification: 6A
MHSAA District: 3-6A
Head Coach: Jeff McClaskey
Playoff Run: 3^rd Round
2017 Final Rank: 2^nd in district
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 2

The Northwest Ranking Cougars return a solid core from a 2018 team that finished with an overall record of 27-6. Coach Jeff McClaskey and the Cougars will rely on stellar pitching as they return their most experienced arm from a season ago, Dalton Rogers. Rogers, a Southeastern Louisiana signee, finished the 2018 campaign with 94 strike outs in 56 innings. Cooper Gadman and Hayden Miller should see increased time on the mound this season as they help to solify the pitching rotation.

Look for Pearl River CC signee,  Reed Trimble  to provide a spark in the lineup offensively as well as solid defensive play up the middle as he returns from a productive junior season where he hit .350 with 18 runs batted in. Meridian CC signee, Bridley Thomas will also be a big piece to the puzzle and a productive bat in the linup as he drove in 17 runs a season ago and hit .306. 

Although the Cougars lack some depth on the mound, Coach McClaskey will have his talented group ready to compete at a high level.

5. Warren Central

Head Coach: Conner Douglas

2018 Record: 21-10
MHSAA Classification: 6A
MHSAA District: 4-6A
Playoff Run: 2^nd Round
2018 Final Rank: 2^nd in District
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 5

The Warren Central Vikings return a balanced and experienced team that finished 21-10 last season. Coach Conner Douglas has a number of quality options on the mound, including Farmer Abendroth, Louisiana State recruit. Transfering back in from Florida, Abendroth will enter the season with high expectations to carry the load on the mound.  Two-way player and Hinds CC signee, Vantrel Reed is coming off an impressive junior season and should provide rock solid defense up the middle as well as play a big role on the mound.  Leading the staff from behind the plate as well as logging innings on the mound will be Caleb Sterling, who has shown quality arm strength and athleticism that should translate well to his defensive play throughout the 2019 campaign. Mississippi State recruit,  Shane Lewis will be a threat to drive in a lot of runs in the middle of the lineup. Also providing strong defensive support will be seniors  Wesley Ricks, Hank Holdiness and Shane Ragan. Although he saw a lot of action in 2018, Alan Kivett will step into an increased role this season with expectations of doing more for the Viking's pitching staff.

After looking at the amount of experience and talent the Vikings return, look for this team to have a stellar season and make a deep playoff run.

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