Pigskin Potluck: Mantachie vs Holly Springs

Welcome to Pigskin Potluck, where we shine a light on the games nobody else is talking about. This isn’t always the biggest matchup. It might not have the top-ranked teams. Heck, it might not even be the “best” game in the area. But that’s the point. Every week, we pick one high school football game at random and dig into the story behind it.

Tonight, Mantachie and Holly Springs will meet on the field. It’s not a rivalry that spans decades, but it’s a matchup full of storylines and history… two programs from two very different towns, each carrying the weight of their community.

Mantachie is the younger program, getting its start in 1958. It’s had its fair share of ups and downs. The 1990s were its golden era, going 68-40 and making a run all the way to the state semifinals in 1991. That season is still talked about down at the bait shop or in line at the gas station. Then came 2013, the best single season in school history, with nine wins. The Mustangs’ success comes in waves, but when it hits, it hits hard.

Holly Springs has been playing since 1921. Their glory days came in the 1950s, especially the 1954 team that won 10 games, scored 340 points, and went on a 13-game winning streak. Since then, wins have been harder to come by, and playoff victories are rare. But the Hawks carry a century of pride with them every time they step onto the field.

	Mantachie Mustangs	Holly Springs Hawks
First Season	1958	1921
All-Time Record	253-400-6	264-522-15
Winning Percentage	39%	34%
Most Wins in a Season	9 (2013)	10 (1954)
Playoff Appearances	18	7
Playoff Record	6-18	1-7

The games between these two teams have been surprisingly close. Their all-time series is tied at 2-2. Mantachie took the last two games, 34-12 in 2023 and 29-28 in 2024. Holly Springs won the first two, though the details are lost to time. It doesn’t matter… what counts is that on any given Friday night, these teams can match each other.

The towns behind the teams tell their own story. Mantachie, northeast of Tupelo, is a small town that’s growing and thriving. You’ll see families tailgating in the parking lot, kids running around, and neighbors cheering in unison for the Mustangs. Holly Springs, near Memphis, has a rich history. From antebellum landmarks to being the birthplace of Ida B. Wells, it carries tradition. The town faces economic challenges, but you’ll never notice that in the stadium. The Hawks’ fans are loud, proud, and fully invested in their team’s story.

On game day, it’s everything you’d expect from Mississippi football. The band starts a familiar tune. The announcer calls the first play. Coaches pace the sidelines. Fans wave towels, slap hands, and cheer like their team’s destiny depends on it. Every tackle, every pass, every big play is a moment that sticks. And for some of these kids, this is the Friday night they’ve dreamed about all summer.

Mantachie versus Holly Springs isn’t about trophies or titles this year. It’s about the experience. The lights, the fans, the band, the smell of stadium food, the tension of a close game. Two schools. Two towns. One night where everyone comes together to celebrate football Mississippi style.