PATRICK'S PICKS: Plenty on the line on the Coast as playoffs get underway
The playoffs get under way in Class 4A while a handful of 5A and 6A squads hit the field with uncertain postseason futures.
It's never fun when you have to pull out a calculator to determine who makes the postseason and who stays home, but that may be the case once all the games come to a close Friday night.
Patrick's Picks continues to be plagued by upsets and a 9-5 performance last week is nothing to write home about. In week 12, I'm sitting at 109-35 and hoping to close out on a hot streak.
Gulfport 35, Biloxi 13: There are plenty of rivalries on the Coast, but this is the biggest one without question. It's been a special season for No. 1 Gulfport (8-2, 6-0) and a rough one for Biloxi (3-7, 0-6).
Ocean Springs 24, Harrison Central 21: No. 2 Ocean Springs (8-2, 5-1) needs to get its offense back on track in a hurry after failing to complete a pass in a 24-7 loss to Gulfport a week ago. No. 8 Harrison Central (5-6, 4-2) has the most complicated postseason picture at the moment with possibilities ranging from have a first-round home playoff game to missing out on the playoffs altogether. If Harrison Central wins, it's in. Ocean Springs is already in the playoffs.
St. Martin 31, D'Iberville 21: While D'Iberville has historically dominated this rivalry, St. Martin has played well of late and the Warriors have been up and down. No. 4 St. Martin (8-2, 4-2) needs a win today to avoid dealing with tie-breakers to get in the postseason. The Yellow Jackets are due their first postseason bid since 2003. D'Iberville (5-6, 3-3) is in a must-win situation.
Pascagoula 20, Gautier 17: No. 6 Pascagoula (7-3, 5-1) is guaranteed a first-round playoff game at home while Gautier (5-5, 3-3) has to win and hope that Stone High beats Hattiesburg to reach the playoffs. Pascagoula is banged up, but it does a good job of protecting its home field.
Long Beach 28, West Harrison 14: Long Beach (2-9, 1-5) took a surprisingly lop-sided 38-0 loss last week after beating Picayune the week before. I see the Bearcats finding a way against a West Harrison program (0-10) that hasn't won a game since the 2013 season finale.
Pearl River Central 28, Picayune 13: No. 3 PRC (9-1, 6-0) is a determined team and arch rival Picayune stands in the way of a perfect run through Region 4-5A. Picayune (5-5, 4-2) continues to battle injuries late in the season, but already has a spot in the playoffs.
Hattiesburg 21, Stone 17: Hattiesburg (7-4, 3-3) is as talented as any team in the southern half of the state, but it hasn't played up to its potential lately. Stone (4-6, 2-4) was impressive in its win at Long Beach, but this is a tough matchup. If Stone wins by six or more and Gautier loses, it's in the playoffs.
George County 35, Hancock 21: George County (5-5, 1-5) is very talented on offense this season, but it has only managed one region victory. Hancock is (4-7, 1-5) is feeling good after a win over Biloxi last week, but the Rebels will be hard to handle.
Resurrection 31, Salem 7: Resurrection (9-0, 5-0) has been a bulldozer in 8-1A play, out-scoring the competition 187-8. RCS appears set for a run to the 1A title game in Oxford.
McComb 35, Poplarville 24: Poplarville (6-4) is a fine team, but McComb (8-2) is a talented group with a win over Harrison Central.
Mendenhall 28, Vancleave 24: The Bulldogs (4-7) hope their new veer offense can deliver on the road, but Mendenhall (7-4) likely has the advantage on its home field.
West Lauderdale 21, Moss Point 20: West Lauderdale (9-2) is one of the better 4A teams in the state and Moss Point isn't quite at full strength with running back Cal'terrius Anderson (5-5) out for the season with a knee injury.
East Central 14, Northeast Jones 13: This should be a low-scoring affair with a good Northeast Jones defense. The only thing dividing these two teams is likely East Central's home field advantage.
St. Stanislaus 42, Quitman 17: After having trouble slowing down Mendenhall's spread offense last week in a 41-20 loss, I don't expected Quitman to have much success against the Rockachaws. SSC should have an easy start to the playoffs.
This story was originally published November 5, 2015 at 6:43 PM with the headline "PATRICK'S PICKS: Plenty on the line on the Coast as playoffs get underway ."