[ROCK’S LOCKS] Picking 7 prime prep games

At least two region titles are on the line, and quite a few other games have serious playoff implications as the prep football season prepares to leave October behind and enter that all-important month of November.

Rock’s Locks went 11-2 once again last week, and now stands 90-27 on the season for an overall winning percentage of 77 percent.

Let’s do the time warp again…

1. Gulfport at Ocean Springs (Game of the Week) — The Admirals sail into Greyhound Stadium to face the home Dogs with the Region 4-6A title on the line Friday night. The Greyhounds are the defending league champions and will put a school-record 18-game regular season win streak on the line. Ocean Springs stands 8-0 on the year, and Gulfport is 8-1 with its only loss to powerful Picayune. Both teams are led by senior veterans at quarterback, with Bray Hubbard behind center for the Greyhounds and Jacob Palazzo calling the shots for GHS. We can’t find any reason at all to pick against the Greyhounds at home. Ocean Springs 27, Gulfport 21.
2. Hancock at Biloxi — Both of these teams harbor postseason hopes as well in Regin 4-6A, as the Indians are 4-1 in the loop and stand in the third spot at the moment and the Hawks hold down the fourth slot at 3-2 this week. Biloxi could finish as high as second with a pair of wins in the final two regular season games combined with two losses by Gulfport. Hancock can qualify for the upcoming Class 6Aplayoff with a win next week at home against Pascagoula no matter what happens Friday night against the Indians. Biloxi 30, Hancock 23.
3. Jefferson Davis County at St. Stanislaus — The three-time defending Class 3A state champion Jaguars make their first trip ever to Brother Phillip Memorial Stadium Thursday night, facing the home-standing Rock-a-Chaws for the Region 8-3A championship in the regular season finale for both. Both teams will open the upcoming Class 3A state playoffs at home next week, so all that’s left to decide is the actual seeding in the region. JDC 37, SSC 20.
4. West Harrison at Vancleave — In Region 4-5A, Picayune and Gautier are headed for a showdown for the league title next week, but both of these teams are in the playoff race as well. Vancleave is 3-2 in the region race and can lock up a postseason berth with a win over WHHS Friday night. That outcome, coupled with an East Central win over George County this week would set up a showdown for third place next week between the Bulldogs and Hornets. The Hurricanes are 2-3 in the region and need a win over VHS and a win over Pearl River Central next week to possibly earn its first-ever state playoff berth in school history. Vancleave 35, West Harrison 22.
5. George County at East Central — The aforementioned Hornets under the direction of first-year head coach Sam Huff stand 3-2 in the Region 4-5A race and host a disappointing George County team Friday night. East Central can earn a playoff berth with a win over GCHS, which stands just 1-4 in league play. Mathematically, the Rebels are still just barely alive in the race for the postseason. That won’t be the case when this one is over. East Central 38, George County 14.
6. Pass Christian at Greene County — A key game in Region 8-4A takes place at Johnny Ainsworth Stadium in Leakesville as the Wildcats host the Pirates Thursday night in the regular season finale for both squads. Both teams are already assured of spots in the upcoming Class 4A state playoffs, which begin next week. However, whom and where they each will play will be decided in this contest, as well as it will be for Moss Point also. We see a close win for the home team, which will be good for the Wildcats and Tigers but not so much for the Pirates. Greene County 21, Pass Christian 20.
7. Bay at Stone — The Tomcats wrapped up their first district title in almost 30 years last week with a big Region 8-4A win ver Pass Christian, and thus will be the top seed in the loop when the Class 4A state playoffs start next week. We think they’ll celebrate that accomplishment with a big win over the Tigers Thursday night. Stone 40, Bay 14.

A six-pack to go: