coastfootballfanman

I actually like the thought process here. However, how would you determine who is 7A, 6A, 5A, etc.?

I believe that Hattiesburg, Picayune, Pascagoula, and West Jones are all good enough to win the South. I also think Terry and George County are capable of surprising a 2 seed as well. It is going to be a really, really good playoff year for South 6A.

Natchez is honestly a bad trip for just about anyone honestly.

If there are 24 teams that are going to compete in 7A, I imagine the MHSAA will have an even 6 teams per region. Stranger things have happened, but the association has shown in the past they do not care much about travel.

It is not official but they have had the most successful season they have had in a long time so I imagine they will stay independent in the hopes to build up some more interest and increase numbers and maybe join back next cycle.

Murrah is independent. So football wise, it will be 24.

Shoot Purvis too! You talk about a gauntlet!

Would it make more sense to put Sumrall and Purvis in region 4 and the jones county schools in region 3 with Laurel?

Do not be shocked if George is put in region 3. Geographically they are further north and it is an easier trip to Hattiesburg and West Jones as opposed to PRC. Getting on 49 to Jackson is not a difficult thing either.

Wayne County with a chance to be the 2 seed is mind blowing.

According to 24/7, Hattiesburg currently has 6 players alone in the 2025 class with Division 1 offers. They have the top player in the state in the 2026 class. That's not including the ones who have JUCO offers that will have the chance to play college football as well, plus sophomores that have not gotten on Division 1 team's radars yet. I personally think from what I have seen, this year's defense is better than '17 or '18. I will concede that those years were better offensively, though. Overall I just feel like this might be his most complete team. Hattiesburg is my pick to get out of the South this year. Much like West Jones last year, the defense gives them a big edge and can make up for whatever shortcomings the offense may have.

I expect it to come down to the final possession. Both are quality ball clubs with a lot of talent.

Hattiesburg in a 28-14 type of game is my prediction. I said all pre-season that this was probably Vance's best team since he has been at Hattiesburg and if there was a year to make a run and win it all. It is this year. They have lived up to that hype overall. Would have loved to seen them vs. Deuce Knight when they played George County, but we may end up getting that in a few weeks. As long as the offense holds up and can score some points, the defense is good enough to stop anyone.

It is going to be a really good game. I think Picayune edges it out because they are just a tough team to beat at home. However, I would not be surprised to see George County pull it out.

I have not seen either of the films from those games but from what I gathered was that both teams gave up some scores late against 2nd Unit/JV players. Not sure how true obviously, but it would be plausible.

They have a false sense of security playing in their awful region. Their offense is tough to defend. Their quarterback can fly and he basically makes it go. Things break down and he takes off and just out athletes folks. Defensively I have not been impressed with them. Some calls that fell their way vs. Pascagoula and Columbia helped them a lot in those wins. They are a good team, but 5A south being awful makes them seem so much better. It’s so ironic because back in 2022 when reclass dropped, so many people pegged 4-5A to be a gauntlet. And it’s been far from that.

The wheels have seem to come off for the Warriors after what appeared to be a strong start. 1-4 over their last 5. After beating Gautier and playing Picayune tough in 1st half. I thought they would have a chance to challenge for region because their defense looked good overall at the time. Offense has had its struggles though. I think they should run the table and finish 3-0 these last few weeks. I think it may be time for Ladner to look another direction offensively because they have some nice athletes that could be used better than they have.

It appears that they are going to move up number wise. I was told in the summer by a friend in the district they are 99% sure moving up to 7A. Freshmen class is very huge and apparently the next 2-3 behind them are large.

I think Hall was making 800k if I remember correctly? Woodson is making 700k at Arkansas. So I guess in theory they could.

I would wager a pretty penny that this does not happen. The whole reason he left USA was to be more marketable for P5 programs as a DC at Alabama (obviously may not work out) but I doubt he would go. Surtain would be one to keep an eye on. Derrick Nix would be a good hire. A guy I heard some people mention was Marcus Woodson at Arkansas. Has been looking for a HFC opportunity. Outstanding recruiter. Been in the SEC and ACC. He is a Moss Point native so it would be coming home of sorts for him. There are some quality candidates out there for sure.

I have to disagree to an extent here. They have had a top 2-3 recruiting class in their conference the last few seasons. There is zero excuse for how bad they have been this year. His claim to fame was being a QB whisperer who could develop talent and I saw none of that over 4 years. Revolving door at quarterback. Offensive line play did not improve at all (even after getting some transfers and a new coach). Sure, they do not have a ton of money but you mean to tell me that a program like UL-Monroe can find a way to get it going but USM cannot? I believe Hall is a good guy, but I was not overly impressed with him as a coach. There is good reason why many Tulane fans were not sad when he left us. He did not inherit some dumpster fire of a program. They were coming off 3 bowl games in 5 seasons and a winning record 4 of the previous 5. I know a lot of folks have a soft spot for him because he is a Mississippi boy, but at the end of the day, he did not get it done at any level for the program.

Appears to pretty much be Brookhaven or Gautier from what I have seen.

Has not really been mentioned but USM loses again to fall to 1-5. Irony of it all is the fact ULM gashed them with true freshman RB Ahmad Hardy from Lawrence County. USM did not even offer/recruit him apparently. Hits keep coming for Hall it seems. Will be interesting to see if they make a move in-season, or wait until his contract expires at the end of the season.

I imagine Jim Hill will remain independent in football like they are now. Will be interesting to see how it all shakes out.

That actually would make sense.