Capsule recaps and previews of the smaller Southern Six schools:
REGION 8-1A
RESURRECTION CATHOLIC
Head coach: Aron Frederic
The defending Class 1A state champion Eagles are coming off a magical season, posting a 27-9 record that included a 20-game win streak to end the season. They swept West Union in the state championship series.
Resurrection Catholic is hoping to build on that momentum to make another state title run.
After dropping their season opener against Greene County earlier this week, the Eagles played Gautier in the home opener Friday and will host perennial power Oak Grove on Saturday at 11 a.m.
REGION 8-3A
ST. PATRICK
Head coach: Kevin Burdine
The Fighting Irish are looking to improve on a season where they finished 14-15 and were ousted in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
St. Patrick opened its season earlier this week with a 13-1 win at Bay High and played the Tigers on Friday night in the home opener. The Irish will play at Long Beach on Saturday at 1 p.m.
ST. STANISLAUS
Head coach: Brad Corley
The Rock-A-Chaws are coming off an incredible 22-14 season that included a Class 3A state championship run where they came up a win short of beating Amory for the title.
SSC is looking to build on that momentum to make another run at a state title and is off to a 2-0 start after defeating Harrison Central and Stone High earlier this week. The Rocks will play Seminary on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Bay St. Louis.
REGION 8-4A
BAY HIGH
Head coach: B.J. Corr
Despite winning just four games last season, the Tigers advanced to the second round of the 4A playoffs with a series sweep of McComb before falling to Purvis.
Bay dropped its season opener at St. Patrick earlier this week and faced the Fighting Irish again Friday on the road. The Tigers travel to Purvis on Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest.
MOSS POINT
Head coach: Julius Bridges
The Tigers are looking to improve on a season in which they didn’t make the playoffs.
Moss Point opened the 2024 campaign with a loss at Hattiesburg and is scheduled to host Perry Central on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
PASS CHRISTIAN
Head coach: Ricky Smith
The Pirates went 10-7 last season and reached the second round of the Class 4A playoffs before falling to Newton County.
Pass Christian is hoping to make another playoff push but is off to a rocky start after dropping its first two games of the season to Hancock. The Pirates will host Harrison Central on Saturday at 1 p.m.
POPLARVILLE
Head coach: Slade Jones
The Hornets finished 11-10 in 2023 and were ousted in the first round of the 4A playoffs.
Poplarville is off to a tough start this season, losing its first two games to rival Pearl River Central. The Hornets will host Hancock on Saturday at 1 p.m. and will play the Hawks in Kiln on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
