It seems like just yesterday the high school football season kicked off and here we are at playoff time. The regular-season games are in the past and all teams are dead even as the race for championship gold starts Friday night.
The last team from the Southern Six to register a state title was Picayune in 2021 and 2022. The Maroon Tide have the talent to make it three in four years as they finished 9-2 overall and took the top seed in Region 4-6A with a 5-0 record. They open against a Pearl River Central team that won only two games, but one of those was a region victory that got the Blue Devils in the playoffs.
Playoff experience can be the edge a team needs to pull off an upset and there are plenty of teams returning that made it into the championship hunt last year. They are Ocean Springs, Gulfport and Biloxi in 7A; Picayune, Pascagoula, George County and Hancock in 6A; and Gautier and Vancleave in 5A.
Wick’s Picks slipped a little last week, going 6-3 to finish the regular season 74-26 for an even 74 percent. The Picker said he would be happy with a regular-season mark of 60-65 percent, so he’s more than happy with the percentage thus far. It won’t get easier for The Picker and the teams beginning Friday night.
Pearl River Central at Picayune (6A): Does PRC have a glimmer of hope to pull off the upset of upsets? Not in your life. The ground forces of the Tide will steamroll the Blue Devils in a game that will be over after the first quarter. Picayune 56-7.
Terry at Pascagoula (6A): The Panthers (8-2) felt like they didn’t play up to their potential last year in the playoffs and that has been a motivation all season. Now the Panthers are playing solid on both sides of the ball, and they will need that to get past a Terry team that opened the season with four straight wins but has struggled in winning only two of its last five. Home team prevails. Pascagoula 38-24.
Northwest Rankin at Ocean Springs (7A): The Greyhounds (6-4) have won their region for four straight years, but they haven’t been able to continue that success in the playoffs. With four wins in a row, the Hounds have momentum and a good opportunity to advance. Northwest Rankin team was 5-2 before losing three straight to stagger into the playoffs as a fourth seed. Advantage home team. Ocean Springs 28-21.
Biloxi at Oak Grove (7A): The Warriors (7-3) from Forrest County have been playoff participants for years. Biloxi (5-5) is in a rebuilding mode and has done well to make the playoffs. It’s a battle of tribes and the nod goes to the hosting Warriors. Oak Grove 35-14.
Petal at Gulfport (7A): The Admirals (7-3) and the Panthers (7-4) have played three common opponents, and the outcomes have been similar with the exception of Gulfport’s win over Picayune and Petal’s loss to the Tide. A toss-up with the coin landing heads up for the Admirals. Gulfport 35-28.
D’Iberville at Brandon (7A): The Warriors (5-5) are going to have to play lights out on defense to even stay in the ballgame. To have a chance, D’Iberville will need turnovers and sloppy play on offense by the Bulldogs (9-1), whose only loss was 65-62 to Clinton. The Dogs are averaging 41 points a game and should get that again. Brandon 42-14.
Natchez at Gautier (5A): It’s a long drive from Natchez to Gautier, and that may be just enough for the Gators (9-1) to get by the Bulldogs (7-4). Gautier 24-21.
Hancock at Hattiesburg (6A): The Hub City Tigers have had only two close games in cruising to a 10-0 record. Hancock (4-7) has not had much trouble scoring, but defense has been another matter as the Hawks have allowed 36 points a game in their defeats. Don’t see the Hawks halting the Tigers’ winning ways. Hattiesburg 55-13.
Florence at Stone: (5A): The Eagles (6-4) appear to be the better team by looking at their schedule and results. Stone (5-5) has played roller coaster this season, never winning more than two games in a row. Going with the visitors here. Florence 21-20.
George County at West Jones (6A): The Rebels have been a disappointing team as injuries and inconsistent play have them stumbling into the playoffs at 6-5. During one three-game stretch, the Rebels averaged 55 points, but in their final two games, they only scored five touchdowns. West Jones (8-2) fell to undefeated Hattiesburg 24-9 in its final regular-season game. The host Mustangs have the forces on defense to slow down the Rebels just enough to win. West Jones 49-42.
Poplarville at Columbia (4A): The Hornets (9-2) actually opened the playoffs last week and squeaked out a thrilling 27-26 win over Mendenhall. Columbia (8-3) plastered Richland 55-3 in its playoff game. Can the Wildcats win at home…not. Poplarville 49-48.
Vancleave at Brookhaven (5A): The Panthers’ only loss in a 9-1 campaign was a 35-30 decision to Northwest Rankin. Vancleave (5-5) won five of six in one stretch but is on a two-game skid. The Panthers will keep that streak going. Brookhaven 45-20.
