It doesn’t seem possible.
The playoffs are already here in some classifications, while the rest are finishing up regular season play this week. It seems like just last week that we were kicking off another prep football season.
But my how time flies when you’re having fun. And that’s exactly what Rock’s Locks has been doing over the past month.
Rock’s Locks went 11-2 for the third straight outing last week, and now stands 101-29 on the season for an overall winning percentage of 77 percent.
We just hope we keep up that type of success as teams across The “Southern Six” take aim on respective state titles throughout the rest of this month. As an old german soldier once said…”They remember November…”
Shine on you crazy diamond….
- Gautier at Picayune (Game of the Week) — This one is for all of the marbles in Region 4-5A Thursday night. It pits the powerful Picayune ground game featuring Oregon commit Dante Dowdell against the high-flying aerial attack of the Gators guided by standout quarterback Kaden Irving. This rapidly developed into one of the most highly anticipated match-ups in the state as Irving and the Gators stacked up win after win and the Maroon Tide continued to roll as well. Picayune is a perfect 12-0 all-time against Gautier. We’re looking for a competitive contest, but I just can’t pick against the defending Class 5A state champion at home that brings a school-record 21-game win streak into this game. Picayune 28, Gautier 27.
- Vancleave at East Central — This one will decide the third and fourth seeds behind Picayune and Gautier in Region 4-5A. This is the longest-standing rivalry on the football field for both of these schools, and the all-time series is pretty close with Vancleave winning 32 out of 62 total meetings. However, ECHS has dominated the series recently, winning six straight. We see that trend continuing Thursday night. East Central 34, Vancleave 33.
- Forrest County AHS at Moss Point — The Tigers become the first team in South Mississippi history to host a Class 4A opening-round playoff game Friday night after winning just two games in the regular season. This also marks the second time in nine years that MPHS has qualified for the state playoffs with just two total wins, but in 2013 they lost on the road at Columbia in the first round. Maybe playing on Dantzler Street will change their luck. Moss Point 20, FCAHS 14.
- Pass Christian at Poplarville — The Pirates travel to Poplarville for the second time in less than two months, but this time it’s to open the Class 4A state playoffs Friday night. The Hornets aren’t likely to be any more hospitable hosts than they were the last time when they hung a 35-point loss on PCHS. Poplarville 42, Pass Christian 7.
- Gulfport at Biloxi — This encounter at historic Milner Stadium Thursday night will decide the second and third seeds in Region 4-6A behind Ocean Springs and ahead of Hancock. This is what appears to be the 100th all-time meeting between these long-time arch-rivals, and GHS has won 65 of 99 total meetings with four ties involved. The winner of this one gets to host an opening round Class 6A state playoff game, while the loser has to hit the road. This may turn out to be the most closely contested game of several close contests this week. Gulfport 24, Biloxi 22.
- Port Gibson at St. Stanislaus — The Rock-a-chaws open the Class 3A state playoffs in the friendly confines of Brother Phillip Memorial Stadium Friday night hosting the 4-5-1 Blue Waves. This is the first-ever meeting between these two teams on the gridiron. St. Stanislaus has received productive seasons offensively from the likes of quarterback Hudson Osborne (1,176 yards passing/12 touchdowns)and running back Chandler Chapman (1,500 yards rushing/14 TDs) as well as Jacob Bradford (96 tackles/8 sacks) defensively. The Rocks have lost in the opening round of the state playoffs in each of the past four seasons, but we see that streak ending this week. SSC 34, PGHS 13.
- Harrison Central at Ocean Springs — The Greyhounds look to wrap up a second consecutive perfect 10-0 regular season under the direction of third-year head coach Blake Pennock Thursday night as the Red Rebels come calling. We think they will do just that. Ocean Springs 41, Harrison Central 16.
A six pack to go:
Stone 28, Sumrall 20
Hancock 21, Pascagoula 20
Taylorsville 44, Resurrection 14
George County 37, Long Beach 17
D’Iberville 28, St. Martin 13
West Harrison 45, Pearl River Central 14
