Weekend Rewind: 7 things we noticed in the “Southern 6” Friday night

Many region races began to take shape after action in prep football in the “Southern Six” and across the state Friday night.

There were some major steps taken, both forward and backward, for squads in South Mississippi as far as the race for the state playoffs is concerned last week.

Here are 7 things in the “Southern Six” we noticed last week:

1. First time — Hancock lost its first game of the season Friday night as George County pulled out an exciting 28-26 upset in Region 4-6A play at Brett Fave Field. The Hawks were looking to move to 8-0 on the season for the first time in 23 years, but the Rebels had other ideas. George County and Picayune now each sit atop the region race with 2-0 marks.
2. Six straight — Ocean Springs won its sixth straight game Friday night cruising past home-standing Harrison Central 49-13 in Region 4-7A action. The Greyhounds got back-to-back pick-six interception returns for touchdowns by senior cornerbacks Christian Bingham and Kristian Dillard in a 16-second span to win their 16th consecutive region game.
3. Smooth Sailing — It seems as if the only thing Gulfport needed to return to its early season success was for the beginning of region play to arrive. The Admirals won their second consecutive league game in impressive fashion Friday night, hammering home-standing D’Iberville 56-32 in Region 4-7A play. Gulfport is now just 4-3 overall but 2-0 in league action and tied atop the region race with OSHS and Gulfport has scored a total of 98 points in the two region wins.

   

4. Pirate Power — Pass Christian clinched a Class 4A South State playoff berth under first-year head coach Jeff Stockstill with a big 41-12 win over visiting Moss Point in Rgion 8-4A play at McDonald Stadium Friday night. Pirate junior standout tailback Jacquez Alexander-Dedeaux not only scored a trio of touchdowns on the ground in the win but he also picked up 230 yards rushing in the contest and eclipsed the magical 1,000-yard rushing mark on the season with his impressive performance in the win.
5. Greater Gators — Gautier went on the road and moved to 4-3 overall on the year and 2-0 in Region 4-5A with their first-ever win over the War Eagles in Waynesboro with a 49-33 thumping of the home team. Quarterback Trey Irving completed 12 passes for 232 yards and the three touchdowns in the winning effort, while tailback Baggett rushed for 185 yards including a 76-yard scoring scamper and wide receiver/return man Kelvin Beavers also registered over 100 yards in receptions and one scoring catch and he ran back a kickoff 86-yards for a score.

   

6. Rolling Rocks — St. Stanislaus thumped St. Patrick Friday night in the renewal of the “Catholic Collison” 42-7 and in the process, the Rocks rolled out not only to a 6-1 overall mark but clinched a Class 3A South State playoff berth with the win in Region 8-3A play. Rock quarterback Ian Gael Gonzalez Rioz accounted for five touchdowns, throwing for three and running for two more while SSC tailback Isaiah Haynes rushed for just over 100 yards and a touchdown as well.
7. Eager Eagles — Resurrection won its fifth straight game and move to 3-0 in Region 8-1A with a 28-12 win over visiting East Marion at War Memorial Stadium Friday night. The win also clinched a Class 1A South State playoff berth for the Eagles for the ninth time in the past 10 seasons. Resurrection was led by senior team captains Daniel Pickens at running back and Luke Schnoor at quarterback as Pickens toted the ball 19 times for 122 yards and a touchdown and he hauled in a touchdown pass from Schnoor as well. Schnoor threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.