The rivalry between the Pascagoula Panthers and the Moss Point Tigers is one of the most storied and fiercely contested in Mississippi high school football.
Known as the Battle of the Cats, this clash has become a symbol of local pride, community spirit and athletic excellence. The rivalry, which dates back to 1925, is woven into the fabric of both towns.
As the 2024 season opens on Friday with Moss Point playing at Pascagoula in the 84th Battle of the Cats, the legacy of Lewis Sims remains a significant part of the rivalry’s history. His time at both Pascagoula and Moss Point has left a lasting impact on the schools and the communities they represent.
Sims was a standout player at Moss Point and returned to his alma mater as an assistant under legendary coach Jerry Alexander. Sims took over the Tigers program after Alexander retired following the 2007 season.
After three seasons as the coach, Sims crossed Jefferson Street in 2011 to become the coach for Pascagoula.
As the coach for Moss Point, Sims led the Tigers to a 3-0 record in the rivalry.
Sims’ success in the Battle of the Cats continued after he became the Panthers coach. Under Sims, Pascagoula won the next five meetings and has a record of 9-2.
This year’s contest marks the 29th Moss Point-Pascagoula game that Sims has participated in as a player, assistant or coach.
With a victory, Sims will stay ahead of Alexander as the winningest coach by percentage in the rivalry. Sims’ percentage would rise to 86.6 and his record would be 13-2. With a loss, his percentage would drop to 80.0 and his record would be 12-3.
Alexander’s record is 14-3 in the series with a win percentage of 82.3.
When asked what it would mean to remain the winningest coach, Sims said, “In this rivalry, only four coaches have been at the helm of either program 11 years or more—Billy Wayne Miller (20 years at Moss Point going 11-9), Jerry Alexander (17 years at Moss Point), Bill Matthews (4-7 at Pascagoula) and me (3-0 @ MP, 9-3 @ PHS).
“Those other guys are coaching legends. I’m just a guy that has been lucky to have great players and coaches to work with for the past 17 years.”
Julius Bridges could help make Jerry Alexander the winningest coach in the rivalry. Bridges is in his first year as the coach of the Tigers and is no stranger when it comes to the Battle of the Cats.
He graduated from Moss Point in 2008 and excelled in football and baseball for the Tigers.
Bridges spent the last six years as an assistant for the football team and more
recently has been the baseball coach for the Tigers.
He aims to “bring back love to the community and this rivalry.”
Bridges said that “there are so many ties between this game and both communities that the rivalry will always be there.”
He described this game as “emotional.”
Bridges played for Moss Point when Sims was the defensive coordinator under Alexander.
The Tigers look to start a new era under Julius Bridges, and it begins in the form of an old rivalry against Bridges’ old coach.
The game on Friday will be played at War Memorial Stadium. The kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Pascagoula leads the series 43-37-3 and the Panthers are looking to pick up their 44th victory.
