Prognosticating prep pigskin performances persistently is pretty preposterous for periods of time.
There are times when I look back at the previous week’s picks and feel like I’ve been tied to the whipping post. Then, there are those weeks when I feel like I’m a rambling man and it’s all blue sky ahead.
Rock’s Locks went 10-3 and last week, and now stands 68-23 on the season for an overall winning percentage of 76 percent.
Remember, you gotta let your soul shine, shine to the break of day….
- Gautier at Vancleave (Game of the Week) — The Gautier-Vancleave Road rivalry is renewed once again, and in addition to the neighboring proximity between the two schools this is one of the bigger games in South Mississippi this week as well. The Bulldogs take on the visiting Gators in a pretty big Region 4-5A contest, with possible and probable playoff seeding implications on the line in this one as a pair of teams standing 5-1 overall and 2-1 in league play meet. Contrasting styles square off as Gautier is led by Super Senior signal-caller Kaden Irving, who has completed 60 percent of his passes and thrown for over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns in just six games, and Vancleave counters with standout senior tailback John Peterson who has rushed for 1,300 yards and 16 scores in just six contests. But, even on the road, we’ll go with the air attack over the ground game. Gautier 33, Vancleave 27.
- Pascagoula at Ocean Springs — The Greyhounds host the Panthers for Homecoming Friday night, as OSHS looks to extend the longest regular season winning streak in school history to 17 straight games dating back to the beginning of last season. This marks the 37th all-time meeting between the schools on the gridiron, and even though PHS holds a 21-15 lead overall in the series, OSHS has won six of the past eight contests. I don’t see that trend changing this week…Ocean Springs 38, Pascagoula 21.
- Harrison Central at Gulfport — The Admirals host the Red Rebels in an attempt to stay in stride with Ocean Springs in the Region 4-6A race, as both stand 3-0 in league play. But Harrison Central has started region play almost as successful, at 2-1, and the Red Rebels are looking for a big win to keep their hopes of a possible league title alive as well. Not so fast. Gulfport 28, Harrison Central 14.
- Pass Christian at Bay High — The Pirates are off to their best start in four seasons and head to McCullough Stadium in Hancock County looking to catch Stone in the Region 8-4A race. The Tigers are 0-1 in league play, and are coming off an open date last week. This rivalry is one of the longest-standing all-time on the gridiron in South Mississippi, as this game marks the 70th all-time contest between the two teams. Bay has a 41-26 advantage. But look for the Pirates to slice into that deficit a bit this week. Pass Christian 34, Bay High 16.
- St. Martin at Biloxi — A pair of teams coming off of losses in Region 4-6A action look to get back on the winning track as the Indians host the Yellow Jackets. This is just the 23rd all-time meeting between the two schools that basically lie just across the county line from one another, and the series has been close as Biloxi has a slight 12-10 advantage. The Indians can stay in the thick of the region race with a win. And I think Damaryion Fillmore, who has four interceptions on defense and has scored five touchdowns on offense this season, and Biloxi will get it done. Biloxi 23, St. Martin 20.
- Richton at Resurrection — A key mid-season match-up in Region 4-1A play as the Rebels face the home-standing Eagles. Both squads stand just 1-2 in league play in a league that’s very top heavy with a trio of teams at 3-0 (Taylorsville, Lumberton, Bay Springs) and both have already lost to BSHS and LHS. it appears at this point that the winner of this game will be in prime position to take the fourth and final playoff spot in the region race. We’ll stick with the home team in a close one. Resurrection 21, Richton 20.
- Greene County at Moss Point — The Wildcats face the home-standing Tigers in Region 8-4A action, in another match-up of teams coming off league losses last week. For GCHS, it’s coming off a 26-14 loss to league-leading Stone last week, and while Stone has an open date this week the Wildcats are in desperate need of a league win this week against the win-less Tigers. Moss Point is 0-7 on the season, with just two games (including this one) left in the regular season. Time is running on the Tigers to avoid becoming the first MPHS team in 70 years to finish a season with no wins or ties in a season. Greene County 27, Moss Point 20.
A six pack to go:
Picayune 42, West Harrison 9
George County 14, Pearl River Central 13
East Central 47, Long Beach 7
D’Iberville 23, Hancock 13
Poplarville 40, Forrest County AHS 12
St. Stanislaus 28, Seminary 21
