This Friday, the Chargers will be making the drive down to Starkville for the seventh annual Little Egg Bowl.  Starkville lost their first game of the season in a close one against Brandon, 27-21. The Chargers are coming off of a blowout 43-7 win against the Northwest Rankin Cougars. In last year’s Little Egg Bowl, the Yellowjackets dominated the Chargers 56-7.

Players to watch:

Oxford DT AJ Toliver: The Yellowjackets put up 184 yards and four touchdowns rushing in last year’s Little Egg Bowl. Last Friday night, Toliver accounted for one of the Charger’s six touchdowns, with a fumble recovery for a touchdown. With Toliver’s arrival to Oxford, the Charger defensive line should put up much more of a fight against Starkville’s run game.

Starkville QB Luke Altmyer: While not having the most efficient game against Brandon last week, Altmyer lit up the Charger defense last year as just a sophomore.  He completed 17 of 22 pass attempts along with 207 yards and two touchdowns against the 2018 Chargers.

Oxford RB KJ Wadley: In last week’s matchup against Northwest Rankin, Wadley accounted for 100 yards, including a 81-yard touchdown run.  Against a strong Starkville front seven, Wadley will have a tough time getting to the 100 yard mark again.  If the senior running back can emulate the same success he had against Northwest Rankin, he’ll be giving the Chargers a good chance to win.

Starkville WR Rufus Harvey: Harvey was the Yellowjacket’s leading receiver in the 2018 season with 935 yards, in addition to eight touchdowns.  Last week against Brandon, Harvey only had two receptions for 33 yards. If the Yellowjackets want to be successful against a talented Oxford defense, Harvey will need to contribute more for his offense.

X Factor:

Oxford Special Teams:  In their week one matchup against Brandon, Starkville had multiple big plays on special teams, including a kick returned for a touchdown and another returned to the goal line. The Chargers also have one of the best special teams units in the state, including Ole Miss commit Jack Tannehill as a kicker and punter.  If the Chargers can create some big plays on special teams, then they should be able to narrowly beat the Yellowjackets.

Prediction:

These two teams are relatively evenly matched, both having a good offense but a better defense.  However, the Charger defense’s ability to produce turnovers and special teams prowess give them a slight edge. Oxford wins their first Little Egg Bowl since 2013 by a score of 24-17.