August 26, 2022: Pascagoula quarterback Keilon Parnell (10) keeps around the end during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
228 SPORTS: Game of the Week: Pascagoula vs. Moss Point
In the renewal of a longtime rivalry, Lewis Sims’ mastery as a head coach in the “Battle of the Cats” between Pascagoula and Moss Point continued Friday night.
Sims, a head coach on the sidelines for one team or the other for the past 13 contests, was once again on the winning side as the home-standing Panthers knocked off the visiting and arch-rival Tigers at storied War Memorial Stadium 23-14 in the season opener for both teams. It marked the 82nd meeting between the neighboring foes.
August 26, 2022: Pascagoula Jeffery Rush (11) comes in for the sack on Moss Point Ryan Smith (7) during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Moss Point Ryan Smith (7) sets up for a long pass during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Moss Point Taboris Charles (3) returns a punt during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Pascagoula quarterback Keilon Parnell (10) attempts a 2 point conversion late in the third quarter during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
Pascagoula wasted no time in taking a quick lead it would never relinquish, as the Panthers scored on their first offensive possession of the season. Silas Corder hooked up with Jahkobian Maye on a touchdown toss.
Then, early in the second stanza, Jeffery Rush bulled his way to paydirt on a 1-yard plunge to extend Pascagoula’s lead to 14-0.
August 26, 2022: Moss Point head coach W. Eugene Harmon on the sideline during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Moss Point Ryan Smith (7) sets up to pass during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Moss Point Lyntavius Feazell (4) is tackled by Pascagoula defensive end Jaydon Kinnard (6) during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Pascagoula Jeffery Rush (11) runs over Moss Point Cameron Reed (8) during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
Moss Point cut into the lead in the third frame when Jamayl Ducksworth picked off a Panther pass to set the Tigers up in Panther territory. Kevon Ford then grabbed a scoring pass from Ryan Smith a few plays later to make it 14-6.
The Tigers never got closer than that eight-point deficit the rest of the game
Sims, a former MPHS standout player, was the head coach for his alma mater from 2008-2010 and went unbeaten in three tries against PHS. He then crossed Jefferson Street in 2011 and took the helm of the Panthers, and proceeded to win the first five meetings against his former team. The squads then split four games from 2016-2019, before the series took a two-year hiatus for the first time in over 70 years due to Covid.
August 26, 2022: Pascagoula quarterback Keilon Parnell (10) keeps around the end during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Pascagoula quarterback Silas Corder (9) runs for short yardage during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Pascagoula Mason Cramer (93) makes the stop on Moss Point Taboris Charles (3) and causes a fumble which was recovered by the Panthers during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Pascagoula quarterback Silas Corder (9) looks downfield for open receivers during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Moss Point Ryan Smith (7) scrambles out of the pocket during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Moss Point Lyntavius Feazell (4) returns the opening kickoff during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Pascagoula head coach Lewis Sims during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Moss Point Lyntavius Feazell (4) carries during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 SportsAugust 26, 2022: Pascagoula running back Amarie Jackson (24) tries to turn the corner during FridayÕs game between the Moss Point Tigers and Pascagoula Panthers at War Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Photo: Bobby McDuffie/228 Sports
Ironically enough, when Sims was the head coach at MPHS, the Tigers had the all-time series lead for quite some time. But since taking over at Pascagoula, the Panthers have snatched the all-time lead in the series away from the Tigers and now lead 42-37-3.
Next week, Pascagoula travels to Gautier for the annual “Singing River Classic” while Moss Point hosts East Central at Dantzler Stadium.
Curtis Rockwell has almost three decades of experience at four different daily newspapers across South Mississippi, specializing in Sports and live music.
