Jackson Free Press

A journey that began this summer is coming to an end. For six teams, the journey will end in triumph. Six other teams will have their dreams end in Jackson.

After lifting weights and two-a-day practices in the hot Mississippi summer, 12 teams will travel to the capital city with hopes of being crowned the best in the state in their division. This week the teams will meet at the Mississippi High School Football Championship Games in Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The smallest schools in the state start off the title-game weekend. In the 1A game, north champion Shaw faces south champion Noxapater Friday morning at 11 a.m. in the first title game. Later, in the 2A game, West Bolivar won the north title and the right to meet East Marion out of the south.

Friday's games are capped off when the biggest schools face off for a state title. North champion Olive Branch faces off against south champion Petal in the 6A game.

Saturday, the championship games start again at 11 a.m. with the 3A title game when Charleston out of the north meets Hazlehurst out of the south. In the 4A title game, north champion Lafayette will play south champion Laurel for the championship.

Ending the championships will be the 5A title game. The final championship game will feature Starkville out of the north against Picayune out of the south.

I strongly encourage anyone who is a high-school football fan in the tri-county area to get out and support the state championship games. You won't see teams from the metro area in the title games, but that does not mean you won't see good football played. Ticket prices are $13 at the gate for each game.

If you can't go to the games but want to watch, turn on MPB where you can watch every game live. Games start on Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. with additional games at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day. You can also stream the games online at MHSAA Network (http://www.misshsaa.tv).

For most of the senior kids playing in the state championships, this will be their final time on a football field. I wish them all luck and good health as they play the last games of the high school football season.

Follow Bryan Flynn at http://www.jfpsports.com, Facebook and @jfpsports.