7 South MS schools advance in high school football playoffs. Here’s how & what’s next
South Mississippi has seven schools remaining in the postseason following first and second round games Friday.
The Coast’s highest region struggled again, but did narrowly avoid a second straight first round sweep. In contrast, the 6A region sent a trio of teams forward.
Here’s a full breakdown of the week’s action, as well as the players who showed out when it mattered most.
Region 4-7A First Round
- No. 1 Ocean Springs 24, No. 4 Northwest Rankin 17
In a game that featured a little bit of everything, Ocean Springs defensive back Connor White intercepted a Northwest Rankin pass in the end zone in the final seconds to help the Greyhounds avenge an early-season loss to the Cougars and secure a first-round playoff victory.
Trailing 10-7 at the half, Ocean Springs’ Lucas Sinopoli picked up a Northwest Rankin fumble and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, the first of 17 unanswered points from the Greyhounds.
Down two touchdowns and without its starting quarterback, Northwest Rankin mounted a rally, cutting the lead to 24-17 before falling just short of tying the game in the final seconds.
The Greyhounds will host Oak Grove in the second round, with kickoff Friday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.
- No. 3 Petal 20, No. 2 Gulfport 17
Gulfport became the Coast’s only hosting team to lose its first round game when the Panthers nailed a game-winning 28-yard field goal in the final moments.
The Admirals tied the game at 17 late in the fourth quarter with a 66-yard pass from Dane Sullivan to Cooper Crosby, but elected to try and steal another opportunity with an onside kick. The recovery was initially ruled in favor of the Admirals, but was reversed after a discussion amongst the officials.
Gulfport’s season comes to an end at 7-4 and have three straight first round home playoff games.
- No. 2 Oak Grove 34, No. 3 Biloxi 20
Biloxi was within one score when the fourth quarter began, trailing just 20-13 on the road. Oak Grove scored on the first play of the final quarter and added another with 5:24 remaining to put an end to Biloxi’s upset bid.
The Indians trailed 20-0 at one point before scoring twice in the final three minutes of the first half. The comeback ran out of gas, though, and Biloxi couldn’t end a growing streak against Oak Grove. It was Biloxi’s fourth consecutive first round meeting with the Warriors, losing each one.
Biloxi finishes the year 5-6 in Jamey DuBose’s first season.
- No. 1 Brandon 43, No. 4 D’Iberville 28
D’Iberville couldn’t overcome a bruising first half on the road. Brandon jumped out to a dominant 43-14 lead by the break, creating enough separation keep the Warriors at bay despite a strong second half showing.
Jordan Walley scored on the ground twice for D’Iberville and Andre Crosby provided 94 rushing yards and his own score.
The Warriors finish the year 5-6 after making the postseason for the first time under third-year coach Josh Ladner.
Region 4-6A First Round
- No. 1 Picayune 48, No. 4 Pearl River Central 7
A rivalry renewed served as a tune-up for the Maroon Tide. Triston Cooper scored three times in the first quarter, two on the ground and one on defense via pick six, as part of a four-touchdown night for the senior.
It was Pearl River Central’s first playoff trip since 2015 under first-year coach and Picayune graduate John Feaster. Picayune is now 11-2 in the playoff in year five under Cody Stogner.
Up next: vs No. 3 George County
- No. 2 Pascagoula 41, No. 3 Terry 0
Jarrad Loper Jr returned two interceptions for touchdowns and Darius Carter turned a one-handed snag into an 88-yard score to lead the Panther romp.
Loper made it a hat trick with a goal line plunge near the halftime break that gave Pascagoula a comfortable 34-0 lead. The Panthers are first-round winners for the second year in a row and did so with the most points the program has scored in a playoff game since dropping 49 on Hattiesburg in 1988. Guess who’s next?
Up next: at No. 1 Hattiesburg
- No. 3 George County 26, No. 2 West Jones 22
DJ McNair caught touchdown passes of 61 and 55 yards, both of which gave the Rebels a second-half lead and the second put George County on top for good.
McNair caught a short pass on the boundary side, slipped a tackle and raced to the end zone to put the Rebels up with 2:10 remaining on the clock. George County then stood tall on 4th-and-1 on the ensuing Mustang possession.
The upset was the reigning 6A state champions’ first opening-round loss since 2017 and gave George County its first playoff win since 2007.
Up next: at No. 1 Picayune
- No. 1 Hattiesburg 48, No. 4 Hancock 14
Hancock was on the wrong end of a vengeful Deuce Vance and his Hattiesburg Tigers. Hattiesburg had lost three consecutive first round games heading into the matchup, including losing to Coast four-seed Vancleave in 2022.
Hattiesburg wasted no time putting the streak to bed. Anthony Ponce returned the opening kick for six and Vance added two more scores via run and pass to race the Tigers out to a 25-6 halftime lead. Hancock quarterback Kaisonn Koenenn would turn a busted second-half play into a long touchdown run, but Hattiesburg pulled away without issue.
Hancock’s season ends at 3-9 after making the playoffs for the third straight year.
Region 4-5A First Round
The Gators left points a lot of points on the field, but avoided the upset thanks to Kasin Thomas’ 55-yard touchdown catch in the final minutes of the game.
Gautier had three consecutive red zone trips come up short, but Natchez failed to convert any of its five point-after attempts, had a snap sail over the punter and through the end zone for a Gator safety and dropped a punt snap inside its own five to set up a short Gautier touchdown.
Mr. 5A Football Trey Irving was responsible for four touchdowns, including two rushing scores in the first half and two passing in the second.
Up next: vs No. 3 Wayne County
No. 2 Stone 17, No. 3 Florence 14
Tomcat freshman Ayden Green provided rushing touchdowns of 24 and 46 yards as part of a 188-yard game to lift Stone and hand head coach Jacob Aycock his first playoff win.
Stone took a slim 7-0 lead into the fourth quarter, added a field goal with 3 minutes remaining and put the game to rest with the latter of Green’s touchdowns with 1:04 on the clock.
It was the Tomcats’ second first round playoff win in three years.
Up next: at No. 1 Brookhaven
No. 1 Brookhaven 42, No. 4 Vancleave 21
A 155-yard rushing performance from Kyle Capers and 137 receiving yards from Daylon Moore was not enough for Vancleave to keep pace with Brookhaven.
The Bulldogs were within striking distance, down just one score heading into the fourth quarter. But a 50-yard rushing touchdown by the Panthers followed by a pick six put an end to Vancleave’s season at 5-6. The Bulldogs reached the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven years.
Region 8-4A Second Round
No. 2 Poplarville 21, No. 1 Columbia 20
The team of destiny moves forward. One week after beating Mendenhall in thrilling fashion, the Hornets took down the defending 4A South State champs on the road by the slimmest margins.
Columbia had an opportunity to take the lead with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, but missed a field goal. Poplarville took over and melted the rest of the clock, denying the Wildcats another opportunity.
The Hornets advance to the third round for the ninth consecutive season.
Up next: vs No. 1 McComb
Top performers
- Trey Irving, Gautier: Irving was responsible for four touchdowns in the win over Natchez, rushing for two and passing for two more.
- DJ McNair, George County: McNair caught seven passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the win over West Jones.
- Deuce Knight, George County: Knight totaled four touchdowns for the Rebels, two of which came on the ground and the other two through the air.
- Will Smith, Ocean Springs: Smith scored two touchdowns on the ground in the win over Northwest Rankin, including a 66-yard run in the third quarter.
- Jarrad Loper, Pascagoula: The linebacker scored twice on defense via returned interceptions and once on offense by way of rushing touchdown in the win over Terry.
- Tristan Cooper, Picayune: Cooper scored four touchdowns, three rushing and one pick six, in the Maroon Tide’s win against Pearl River Central.
- Ayden Green, Stone: The freshman carved 188 rushing yards and two touchdowns through Florence in the first round victory.
- Kyle Capers, Vancleave: Capers rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Brookhaven.
This story was originally published November 17, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
