Rock's Locks: Predicting prime prep pigskin proceedings

Like many teams in the “Southern Six”, Rock’s Locks seems to be making that playoff push at just about the right time.

The ole prep pigskin prognosticator went 11-2 for the second consecutive outing last week, moving to 79-25 on the season for a winning percentage of right at 76 percent overall.

Some big key region games are on tap this week, as the regular season moves into its ninth week of action.

Hancock QB Dylan Moran throws on the run in action from earlier this season in Jackson County. Photo by Jamey Foster / 228 Sports

“When the blues come callin’ at the break of dawn, when the rain keeps fallin’ but the rainbow’s gone…”

Hancock at Pascagoula — The Hawks head to War Memorial Stadium Friday for a key contest in Region 4-6A play as the Panthers celebrate Homecoming and await the flight east by the Hawks. 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 have split the past four games. The question in this one is how will Hancock respond to its first loss of the season last week. Hancock 27, Pascagoula 24.
Biloxi at Ocean Springs — This is the 51st all-time meeting in this series all-time that dates back 124 years when the neighboring rivals met twice in 1899, and the results couldn’t be more even as the all-time results sit at 25-25. However, of late, this affair hasn’t been as competitive as the Greyhounds have won six straight games and eight of the last nine contests to pull int that aforementioned deadlock. We think that trend will continue. Ocean Springs 35, Biloxi 14.
East Central at Gautier — A pair of Jackson County teams headed in seemingly opposite directions face off at Vahghn-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 in league play for the first time in nine years, and a loss to this cross-county rival will further dampen the Hornets’ playoff hopes. East Central has made the state playoffs for nine straight years. Gautier 30, East Central 23.

Gulfport cornerback Prince Cottonham covers a Gautier receiver in recent action. (Photo by Tim Isbell/228Sports)
Resurrection at Sacred Heart — The battle for supremacy in Region 8-1A takes place at San Antonio Field in Hattiesburg this week as the Eagles call 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 by SHHS in this one clinches the league crown for the Crusaders while a win for RCS clinches at least a home game in the opening round of the playoffs and sets up another big league game next week with Lumberton. Resurrection 20, Sacred Heart 17.
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. Convinced yet…??? Gulfport 42, St. Martin 7.
West Harrison at George County — The Rebels host the Hurricanes for Homecoming at Gill-Martin Stadium this week, and the teams are the exact opposite in Region 4-6A play as GCHS is 2-0 and WHHS is 0-2. George County looks to build upon the momentum gained last week when the Rebels handed Hancock its first loss of the season, and they also look to earn a measure of revenge after the Hurricanes out-scored them 50-49 last season. George County 34, West Harrison 21.
Greene County at Moss Point — Ironically enough, the Tigers will celebrate their first-ever state championship Friday night honoring the 1983 title team while Moss Point is in the midst of its worst back-to-back regular season span in over 50 years. 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. We’re not even sure an appearance by the ghost of the legendary Billy Wayne Miller can save the Tigers…Greene County 33, Moss Point 30. Resurrection’s Daniel Pickens and the Eagles head to Hattiesburg on Friday. (Photo by Kerry Bass/228Sports)