The best of the MS Coast: Meet the 2025 Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Football Team
The Mississippi Coast produced a state champion for the second year in a row and placed three in South State title games in 2025.
The season featured a deep class of senior talent that will soon be playing their games on Saturdays. The overwhelming dearth of athletes in an area already rich with them made for an exciting season with more surprises, upsets and twist endings than seen in recent memory.
In a year that was anything but chalk, the Coast saw its first top-class championship team in a quarter-century in Gulfport. Multiple 20-plus game district win streaks came to an end. Records were broken across the area.
Cooper Crosby, Andre Peters and Blake Pennock are all honored for their roles in bringing a title to the Port City while the stellar seasons from Kaison Koenenn and Ty Keys earned them Fan’s Choice Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, respectively.
Gulfport leads all schools with 11 players on First and Second teams while Ocean Springs and Pascagoula boast eight each.
Here is the complete 2025 All-South Mississippi Football team.
Sun Herald Player of the Year
Cooper Crosby, Gulfport
The stock of Gulfport’s star running back exploded in 2025. The main engine behind the Admirals’ offense caught the eye of the SEC and signed with Mississippi State after putting together a 42-touchdown season.
Crosby was the MVP of the state championship game against Tupelo where cemented a mountain of a legacy at the school. Crosby’s senior year included nine 100-yard rushing games and he complimented his 1,800-yard rushing season with over 600 more as a receiver.
Fan’s Choice Player of the Year
Kaison Koenenn, Hancock
It’s easy to see why Koenenn earned the fan’s vote after turning in one of the more electrifying seasons in recent Hancock history.
“K3” produced more total offense than anyone on the Coast through 2,326 passing yards and 1,540 rushing yards, the latter leading all Coast quarterbacks. The senior was responsible for 40 touchdowns and helped lead the Hawks to their first ever road playoff win.
Offensive Player of the Year
Ty Keys, Poplarville
Keys became the third Coast athlete to cross the 3,000-yard rushing mark with 3,285 yards in 13 games. The junior led the lower six counties in total touchdowns with 45 and in yards per game with 252.7.
One of the top prospects in the class of 2027, Keys had eight 200-yard rushing games and that included one of the greatest single game outbursts in state history when he collected 506 yards and eight scores against Hancock. Keys will enter his senior season with over 5,000 career rushing yards.
Defensive Player of the Year
Andre Peters, Gulfport
While Crosby was the engine to the offense, Peters was the heartbeat of the Admiral defense. The senior led every defender on the Coast in tackles with 156. Peters was named his region’s defensive MVP and landed a spot on the 7A All-State First Team list.
Peters would total 15 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while leading a unit that allowed just 15.5 points per game, the lowest mark at the school since 2012.
Coach of the Year
Blake Pennock, Gulfport
Pennock became the first coach to bring a state title to a top-classification Coast program since Jerry Alexander at Moss Point in 2000. The Admirals began the year 1-2 before rattling off 10 consecutive wins and capturing the school’s first class-era championship in dramatic fashion.
Gulfport’s 12 wins were the most in program history as were its 514 points scored. Pennock has won three of the last five region titles in the Coast’s highest district after ending Ocean Springs’ 25-game region win streak originally started by him in 2021.
Sun Herald All-South Mississippi First Team
QB Parker Nettles, Gulfport: Nettles made his lone season as an Admiral count, helping guide a state championship offense with 2,742 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. His 65.6% completion rate was highest among Coast quarterbacks with at least 150 attempts.
QB Paris Trivillion, Pass Christian: Trivillion spearheaded the most productive offense Pass Christian has ever produced with 2,570 yards through the air and a Coast-best 34 passing touchdowns. The junior also added 1,120 rushing yards with another 15 scores.
RB Xavier Dennis, Picayune: The junior averaged a modest 140.8 rushing yards a game through his first five, but exploded for 267 YPG over the final eight. Dennis would finish as one of the more productive backs in Coast history with 2,840 yards and 33 touchdowns.
RB Amarie Jackson, Pascagoula: Jackson missed a handful of games but still managed over 1,200 yards on 10.7 yards per carry. The senior found the end zone 18 times.
RB Solomon Baggett, Ocean Springs: Baggett turned a big senior season into a signature at Arkansas State. He powered the Greyhound offense with 1,429 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns.
WR Dwight Thomas, Pass Christian: No receiver in the state was more effective at putting up points than Thomas. The Pirate caught an incredible 18 touchdown passes, doubling the second-best mark on the Coast. He led the area in yards with 875 and picked off a pair of passes on defense.
WR Kasin Thomas, Gautier: Thomas led the Coast in receptions with 54 and was second in yards with 832. The senior scored seven times and will graduate with 20 total career touchdowns.
WR Javious Hales, Gulfport: Hales caught 50 passes as a junior for 800 yards and three touchdowns. He also intercepted four passes with three coming in the playoffs.
WR D’Lass Nunnery, Pascagoula: Nunnery led the Panthers with 742 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 39 receptions.
TE Malakai Knight, D’Iberville: The Warriors utilized Knight’s versatility on offense, where he was an effective blocker, the Coast’s leading receiving tight end with 540 yards and a powerful runner with another 179 yards on the ground, where he scored four of his five touchdowns.
OL Jayden Ross, Ocean Springs: Ross was the Coast’s only 7A First Team All-State offensive lineman and signed an SEC signature at Mississippi State.
OL Mitchell Smith, Picayune: Smith landed on the 6A All-State First Team list after playing both sides of the ball. The senior also signed SEC at Vanderbilt.
OL Dalton Toothman, Vancleave: Toothman will be joining Ross on the MSU offensive line after securing a spot on the 5A All-State First Team list.
OL Hayden Ainsworth, Biloxi: Ainsworth heads from one Big Red to another after signing with Nebraska following a campaign that earned him 7A Second Team All-State honors.
OL Cohyn Myers, Ocean Springs: Myers was a 7A All-State Second Team choice and was tabbed to the Bernard Blackwell All Star game.
ATH Jarrad Loper, Pascagoula: A career linebacker, Loper was called on to man the quarterback position and helped guide the Panthers to a 4-1 region record. The senior had 1,630 yards passing and made 40 stops on defense.
ATH Kevin Marshall, St. Martin: Marshall’s move to two-way athlete paid off. The junior produced 500 all-purpose yards and scored four times on offense while logging 83 tackles, four tackles for loss and two interceptions with two forced fumbles on defense.
DE Javon Anderson, Gulfport: Anderson was a disruptive force, getting 7.5 sacks among 18 stops in the backfield. The senior forced a Coast-leading five fumbles and led the area in fumbles recovered with another five.
DL Nolan Wilson, Picayune: The Alabama signee dominated off the edge with 19 tackles for loss and 11 sacks as a senior.
IDL Jazear Carter, West Harrison: Carter is continuing his career at Navy after picking up 96 tackles, 17 stops for loss and eight sacks.
IDL Lawrence Robertson, Gulfport: Robertson had a highly productive campaign from the interior, racking up 91 tackles and 23 tackles for loss with seven sacks and a forced fumble.
DL Jayden Curtis, St. Martin: Curtis is an Ole Miss signee who made 20 tackles in the backfield with five sacks and one interception.
DE KJ Washington, D’Iberville: Washington led the Coast and was top-10 in the state in sacks with 13 quarterback takedowns in 11 games.
OLB Deandre Williams, Gulfport: Williams led all Coast outside linebackers in tackles for loss with 19 as a junior. He registered seven sacks and two forced fumbles.
ILB Talan Johnson, Pearl River Central: Johnson led the Coast’s 6A region in tackles with 105 while making 14 of them in the backfield with seven sacks and two forced fumbles.
ILB Jayden Taylor, Pass Christian: Region 8-4A’s top defender, Taylor stuffed the stat sheet with 132 tackles, 25 tackles for loss and two interceptions. The senior recovered three fumbles.
ILB Trevor Wall, East Central: Wall anchored the Hornet defense with 113 stops. The senior had 19 tackles for loss, three sacks and three forced fumbles.
OLB Jacolby Bailey, Ocean Springs: Bailey made 81 stops as a senior with 12 tackles for loss, four sacks and five pass breakups.
CB Lavell Adams, Pascagoula: Adams emerged as a lockdown corner for the Panthers, breaking up 12 passes as a senior.
S Brandon Laneaux, Pass Christian: A sophomore breakout campaign saw Laneaux make 87 stops, break up nine passes and intercept another five. He also forced a pair of fumbles, recovered two and blocked two kicks.
S Tylan Wilson, Pascagoula: The Texas A&M signee made 65 tackles, broke up 10 passes and intercepted two his senior year.
DB Tomareo Johnson, Pascagoula: Johnson recorded 44 tackles and four tackles for loss with 12 pass breakups and two interceptions before signing with South Alabama.
CB Tyrell Seals, Gulfport: The junior was one of the more active pass defenders on the Coast, breaking up 14 passes and intercepting one. Seals also blocked a pair of kicks.
K/P Carter Platt, Gulfport: Platt hit nine of his 12 field goal attempts and scored the winning point in the 7A state championship game.
Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Second Team
QB Titus Feaster, Pearl River Central: Feaster reset the school record books as a sophomore, compiling 2,120 yards passing with 19 touchdowns and 953 rushing yards with another 13 scores.
QB Keon McNeil, Gautier: McNeil threw for over 2,200 yards as a freshman, completing 56.3% of his passes and throwing 19 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.
RB Jordan Stapleton, West Harrison: Stapleton’s final season saw him obtain over 1,100 rushing yards with 17 scores. He would total 1,517 all-purpose yards and score 20 total touchdowns.
RB Kyle Capers, Vancleave: The next in a line of great Bulldog running backs, Capers produced 1,974 all-purpose yards, good for fourth on the Coast. The senior found the end zone 22 times, including once by punt return score.
RB Ayden Green, Stone: Green built on his freshman season by leading the Tomcat offense with 1,476 all-purpose yards and 15 total touchdowns.
WR John Feaster Jr, Pearl River Central: The senior posted career highs across the board with 41 catches, 642 yards and eight touchdowns.
WR Larkin Lewis, Pass Christian: Lewis was second on the Coast in receiving touchdowns with nine and did so on 39 receptions for 653 yards.
WR Camden Morgan, Gulfport: Morgan caught 44 passes for 718 yards and four touchdowns as a junior for the Admirals.
WR Kendall Morrison, Pearl River Central: Morrison broke out as a junior with 32 catches for 626 yards and six touchdowns.
TE Hayden Berglind, Ocean Springs: Berglind’s senior year saw him haul in 17 passes for 392 yards and five touchdowns.
OL Aidan Graham, Poplarville: Graham helped open up holes for the explosive Hornet run game and was named to the First Team All State team for his efforts.
OL Jeremiah Moore, Pascagoula: The interior Panther lineman landed a spot on the 6A All State Second Team.
OL A.K. Burnett, Picayune: Burnett helped pave the way for Picayune’s ground attack and earned Second Team All State honors in the process.
OL Spencer Martin, Stone: The tackle is MGCCC bound after landing a spot on the 5A All State Second Team.
OL Jobe Lambert, Poplarville: Lambert is a two-way force on both sides of the line of scrimmage, but earned Second Team All-State honors for his play at offensive tackle.
ATH Jordan Walley, D’Iberville: Walley was must-watch football on either side of the line. He produced over 2,000 yards of offense with 21 touchdowns and made 31 stops with one interception on defense.
ATH Cecil Lizana, Pass Christian: Lizana starred at linebacker where he recorded 82 tackles with 15.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and three forced fumbles. The junior was also an efficient power back, totalling 335 rushing yards and finding the end zone 10 times.
DE Caden Dedeaux, Hancock: The senior racked up 73 tackles with 14 stops in the backfield for the Hawks.
DL Sam LeJeune, Poplarville: LeJeune is a four star prospect growing in popularity after a 14-TFL season in which he recorded four sacks, intercepted a pass and blocked five kicks.
IDL Landon Beasley, Gautier: Beasley had a strong junior campaign, recording 54 tackles with 11 stops in the backfield.
IDL Keegan Nix, Pass Christian: Nix made 48 tackles with 12 tackles for loss and three sacks as a senior.
DL Colton Ladner, Stone: Ladner earned his region’s Player of the Year honor after putting together a senior season that saw him pick up 89 stops, 17 tackles for loss and four sacks.
DE Jaxson Knight, Hancock: Knight made 66 tackles off the edge with 14 coming for loss, including three sacks.
OLB Brody Saenz, Ocean Springs: The senior logged 84 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and three sacks with one pass breakup and one blocked kick.
ILB Brayden Williams, Stone: One of the top tacklers on the Coast, Williams registered 136 stops his senior year with 10 coming for loss. He forced two fumbles and made one interception.
ILB Aiden Hall, Vancleave: Hall led the Bulldog defense with 121 tackles and 12 tackles for loss while also breaking up a pair of passes.
ILB Creevy Harness, Pascagoula: Harness switched positions ahead of his sophomore season and it paid off with 102 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and five sacks.
OLB Caleb Triplett, D’Iberville: Triplett played only six games, yet produced 56 tackles and eight tackles for loss with one sack and one forced fumble. The senior was a late add to the MS-AL All Star roster.
CB Jakaiden Smith, Biloxi: Smith broke up 10 passes as a senior, picked off a pair of passes and forced two fumbles.
S Cordarious Payton, Gulfport: The sophomore made 70 tackles, defended 10 passes and intercepted two more for the Admirals.
S Lucas Sinopoli, Ocean Springs: Sinopoli was one of the more active pass defenders on the Coast, breaking up 15 passes and intercepting three.
DB Chaston Ramsey, D’Iberville: Ramsey’s senior season saw him grab three picks, break up 10 passes and record three tackles for loss.
CB Jamari Hathorne, Picayune: Hathorne led the Maroon Tide secondary with five interceptions and 10 pass breakups.
P Peyton Williams, Ocean Springs: Williams earned an All-State spot after averaging 37.6 yards per punt for the Greyhounds.
Underclassmen Watch List
The top 20 stars of tomorrow
- QB Keon McNeil, Gautier
- QB Chalmers Berglind, Ocean Springs
- QB Maddox Dunn, East Central
- QB Titus Feaster, Pearl River Central
- QB Seth Crockett, St. Martin
- RB Latrell Pogue, Gautier
- RB Que Victor, Bay High
- RB Ayden Green, Stone
- RB Remy Naquin, Poplarville
- RB Lanny Waltman, Ocean Springs
- ATH Coleton Hopgood, Hancock
- DL Kylen Egana, Picayune
- DL Mario Burks, Pass Christian
- LB Creevy Harness, Pascagoula
- LB Dylon Foxworth, Long Beach
- LB Bryson Hathorn, Ocean Springs
- DB Cordarious Payton, Gulfport
- DB Keon Moore, Harrison Central
- DB Brandon Laneaux, Pass Christian
- DB Charley Paslay, Stone
Honorable Mention
RB Branden Gautier, George County; RB Sean Fairley, West Harrison; RB Junior Brown, Long Beach; RB Sean Norvell, Pascagoula; WR Aspen Favre, Hancock; WR Qorday Russell, Pearl River Central; Mylan Stubbs, Gulfport; TE Ontario Wilkins, Picayune; OL Drake Sykes, Pass Christian; ATH Sharroid Whitehead, Ocean Springs; ATH Jordan Hathorne, Picayune; ATH William Lai, Biloxi; ATH Liam Richards, St. Patrick
DL Eddie Hartwell, West Harrison; DL Carter Green, East Central; DL Tariq Noel, Stone; Lucas Smith, East Central; LB Cortell Crandle, Gulfport; LB Amare Scott, Picayune; LB Ayden Harmon, Poplarville; LB Landon Cato, Moss Point; LB Jonathan Shelby, Pascagoula; LB Dylon Foxworth, Long Beach; DB Aydon Watson, Ocean Springs; DB Ian Newton, Harrison Central; DB Rashad Foxworth, Long Beach; DB Pierre Felder, Gulfport; DB Ayden Westbrook, Pearl River Central; DB Dean Hunter, West Harrison; DB Jayden Dekle, Hancock; DB Semaj Jamison, Poplarville; DB Jhairus Todd, Vancleave
