Who will be the Mississippi Coast’s best football player during the 2024 season? Vote now
The high school football season is quickly approaching as summer camps are in full swing across South Mississippi.
As always, the Gulf Coast is full of talent from Picayune to Ocean Springs and from Bay High to Gautier.
Now is your chance to name the Sun Herald Fan’s Choice Preseason Player of the Year for the 2024 season. Ten players from 10 schools are up for the preseason honor.
The poll is not an exact science and you can vote as many times as you like. The poll closes at noon on Aug. 19.
Get to know the players here:
- RB Jaylen Antoine, Bay High: The senior is coming off a 1,224-yard season where the Tiger found the end zone 11 times on the ground and four more times as a pass-catcher.
- RB Solomon Baggett, Gautier: Baggett’s 1,500 rushing yards as a sophomore were the most a Gator had ran for in at least 15 years and are the most by a returning Coast player.
- QB Deuce Knight, George County: The Notre Dame commit and blue chip prospect threw for 1,420 yards as a Rebel in a short season with 15 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
- DB Tre’Von Deans, Gulfport: Deans travels south from Harrison Central to join the Admirals after picking off a Coast-high-tying six passes as a junior.
- EDGE Aidan Taylor, Hancock: The reigning Sun Herald defensive player of the year led the Coast with 35 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in ‘23.
- RB Will Smith, Ocean Springs: Smith broke out last season and led his district with 1,268 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.
- QB Silas Corder, Pascagoula: The Panthers’ all-time passing touchdowns leader threw 23 scoring strikes a year ago as part of a 1,981-yard campaign.
- RB Jacquez Alexander-Dedeaux, Pass Christian: Alexander-Dedeaux needs less than 100 yards to become a career 3,000-yard rusher after tallying 1,472 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior.
- RB Darrell Smith, Picayune: Smith was the leading rusher in a three-horse backfield last season, running for 1,087 yards and 15 touchdowns.
- RB Ty Keys, Poplarville: Keys burst onto the scene as a freshman with 1,222 rushing yards and tied for the Coast lead in rushing scores with 24.
This story was originally published August 12, 2024 at 1:25 PM.
Scott Watkins
Sun Herald