A Look Ahead: 7 games in the “Southern 6” to keep an eye on this week

It’s hard to believe there are only a few weeks left in the regular season for prep football teams across the state of Mississippi. Believe it or not, there are just three Friday nights (two for some teams, and just one for two squads in the “Southern Six”) left in before some teams will be packing up their equipment while yet others will be getting ready for the playoffs.

With the number of games dwindling, that means that for most teams the remaining games take on even more importance as the race for the postseason elevates.

Here are 7 games in the “Southern 6” to keep an eye on this week:

1. Resurrection at Sacred Heart — The battle for supremacy in Region 8-1A takes place at San Antonio Field in Hattiesburg FRIDAY night as the Eagles come calling on the Crusaders. Both teams are tied for the top spot at 3-0 in the region race, and both have already clinched berths in the upcoming Class 1A South State playoffs but a win in the Hub City will be a big step towards either team for not only earning a first round home playoff game but also perhaps winning the league crown.
2. Biloxi at Ocean Springs — This annual affair takes place a couple of weeks later this year than it has in the past 15 or so years when it served as the Region 4-6A opener for both teams and came during the week of Cruisin’ the. Coast. Despite the tardiness, the game carries connotations of importance for each, as the Greyhounds look to maintain pace with Gulfport atop the now Region 4-7A race while the Indians look to take another step towards postseason possibilities as well.
3. Hancock at Pascagoula — The Hawks head to War Memorial Stadium Friday for a key contest in Region 4-6A play as the Panthers await the flight east. Both teams sit at 1-1 in league play, and each needs a win to stay in contention for a possible home game in the opening round of the upcoming Class 6A South State playoffs. These two teams have met just 10 times all-time, and although PHS holds a 7-3 advantage overall the squads have split the past four games.

   

4. East Central at Gautier — A pair of Jackson County teams headed in seemingly opposite directions face off at Vaughan-Wallace Stadium on the campus of Gautier High School Friday night as the Gators host the Hornets in Region 4-5A play. Gautier sits tied atop the region race at 2-0 along with Laurel and the Gators are also the only team of the six in the loop that has an overall winning record at 4-3. East Central is 0-2, and a loss to the cross-county rival will further dampen the Hornets’ playoff hopes. East Central has made the state playoffs for nine straight years.
5. Gulfport at St. Martin — The Admirals and Ocean Springs are tied atop the Region 4-7A ranks at 2-0 in league play, and the Yellow Jackets are just the opposite at 0-2 in the league and 0-7 overall. St. Martin is in the midst of a 14-game losing streak dating back to the start of region play last year. Gulfports leads this annual series 16-1 overall, and the Admirals have won 12 straight games over the Yellow Jackets.
6. Greene County at Moss Point — For the second consecutive season, the once mighty Tigers stand at 1-7. This is not only a must-win situation for Moss Point and first-year head coach John Feaster but its the last regular season game of the season for the Tigers as well as they have an open date next week. A loss by MPHS in this one wraps up the season for the Tigers and sends the Wildcats and Bay High into the Class 4A South State playoffs.
7. D’Iberville at Harrison Central — A big game for these two teams in Region 4-7A play, as the Warriors head up U.S. Highway 49 to Lyman to face the Red Rebels at Earl Phillips Stadium. Both teams need a league win to keep Class 7A South State possibilities alive, especially DHS which comes in at 0-2 in league play but with losses to the top two teams in the first two weeks of region play in OSHS and Gulfport.