South Mississippi dominated as usual at the state level by producing three boys champions in Jackson.
George County, St. Stanislaus and Bay High all brought home hardware. The Rock-a-Chaws denied St. Andrew’s a third consecutive title to win their 13th championship. The Bay completed its three-peat with a Class 3A win over New Albany and the Rebels made history when they appeared in their first championship game.
Bay High’s Aiden Boudro was the guiding force in all three of the Tigers’ championships and earns Player of the Year honors for his best season yet. George County’s Tyler Williams is the Coach of the Year for leading the Rebels to uncharted territory and Michael Baty rounds out the superlatives as the Fan’s Choice Player of the Year.
Sun Herald Player of the Year
Aiden Boudro, Bay High
Boudro earns his second career Player of the Year honor after posting a career-high and Coast-high 41 goals as a senior. Boudro led the Tigers to their third consecutive 4A state title this year and will be playing Division I soccer at Davidson.
Coach of the Year
Tyler Williams, George County
Williams led the Rebels to the program’s first state championship after defeating Center Hill in double overtime, 1-0. George County finished the season 19-4 and on top of the 6A world of Mississippi soccer and did so with 16 consecutive wins after a 3-4 start.
Fan’s Choice Player of the Year
Michael Baty, St. Patrick
Baty was the people’s choice for Player of the Year after dominating on the pitch with 33 goals scored and 18 more assisted on. Baty led the Fighting Irish to the South State title match and was a Mississippi Coast All Star.
The senior earned 22,000 votes to lead the pack. Boudro finished second with 14,300 votes.
Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Team
Mason Bosarge, Bay High: Bosarge was one of the Tigers’ leading scorers as a sophomore, putting up 14 goals with 11 assists.
Iker Rivera, Bay High: Rivera was a MS Coast All Star and scored 11 goals with 12 assists. The senior was a state title match MVP.
Brayden Pepperman, Bay High: The goal keeper recorded 14 shutouts and allowed just two goals in four playoff games.
Ashtin Yard, Biloxi: Yard was the MS Coast All Star game’s Defensive Player of the Game and is committed to Pearl River C.C.
Pedro Montoya, Gautier: Montoya led the Gators in total points with nine goals and nine assists and was a Coast All Star.
Aaron Villa, Gautier: Villa led the Gators with 10 goals scored and helped guide Gautier to its best season since 2016.
Oliver Everson, Gautier: Everson earned a spot on the MAC All Star after contributing to 10 shutouts.
Gavin Knowles, George County: Knowles found the back of the net 19 times as a captain for the Rebels. The East Central C.C. signee was also the 6A title game MVP.
Jordan Duran, George County: Duran was a captain defender with 11 clean sheets and assisted on the go-ahead goal in the state championship game.
Wesley Sanders, Gulfport: Sanders was the MVP of his team, was First Team All-Region and an All-Coast select.
Isaac Whitfield, Gulfport: Whitfield earned his team’s Defensive Player of the Year honor, was a First Team All-Region choice and All-Coast All Star.
Sam Powell, Hancock: Powell scored 12 goals with one assist and led the Hawks to their first-ever home playoff match.
Braiden Bonds, Long Beach: Bonds led the Bearcats in scoring with 17 goals and was the offensive MVP of the Coast All Star game.
Camden Hayes, Ocean Springs: Hayes led the Greyhounds with 18 goals and 11 assists and is continuing his career at Pearl River C.C.
Trey Roche, Pass Christian: Roche netted 30 goals and 10 assists as a senior and is signed with Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C.
Mason Ripoll, Picayune: The senior is Pearl River C.C. bound after putting up 22 goals and four assists in his final season.
Larry Davis Jr, Picayune: Davis recorded 12 goals and added seven assists as a senior for the Maroon Tide.
John Paul Mattina, St. Patrick: The Meridian C.C. commit scored 20 goals and assisted on 10 more as a senior.
Cameron Messer, St. Patrick: Messer was an MS Coast All Star after recording 20 assists and finding three goals himself.
John Dreger, St. Patrick: The junior goal keeper had 17 shutouts for the Fighting Irish.
Bernando Salvador, St. Stanislaus: Salvador was one of the top scorers on the Coast, recording 26 goals and assisting on 15 more.
Oren Doxey, St. Stanislaus: Doxey tallied 16 goals and assisted on 18 more for the Rocks.
Cole Shirley, St. Stanislaus: The Rocks’ top defender contributed to 13 shutouts and just 15 goals allowed for the year.
This story was originally published March 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
