Class 7a-5a South

[Vott]

Now that its officially 2024 lets look ahead to next season.

Region 3

Oak Grove

Brandon

Pearl

Petal

NW Rankin

Meridian

Region 4

Ocean Springs

Gulfport

Harrison Central

Biloxi

Diberville

St. Martin.

 

6a 

Region 3

Hattiesburg

West Jones

Terry

Forest Hill

Pearl River Central

Region 4

Picayune

Pascagoula

George Co

Hancock

West Harrison

Long Beach.

5a 

Region 3.

Florence

Brookhaven

Natchez

Provine

North Pike

South Jones

Region 4

Laurel

Gautier

Stone

Vancleave

East Central

Wayne co

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 1, 2024 by Vott

[maroontide06]

Well Vott I really don’t have a clue what to make of anything.  I feel like you might have your usuals in the playoffs, but then there may be some different teams that get in as well.  It kind of feels like it’s going to be a free for all.

[Vott]

19 minutes ago, maroontide06 said:

Well Vott I really don’t have a clue what to make of anything.  I feel like you might have your usuals in the playoffs, but then there may be some different teams that get in as well.  It kind of feels like it’s going to be a free for all.

We all know in 6a region 3 who the 4 playoff teams will be. Lol. All those other picks from other classes and  regions are pretty much how they did last season and how they have done over the past few yrs. 

[maroontide06]

2 hours ago, Vott said:

We all know in 6a region 3 who the 4 playoff teams will be. Lol. All those other picks from other classes and  regions are pretty much how they did last season and how they have done over the past few yrs. 

Oh I see what you did Vott.  You put them in a projected order of finish.  I guess I didn’t realize that initially.

 

I’m like you though 6A region 3 is going to play out like it did this past season and you’ll have Hattiesburg and West Jones vying for the region crown.

 

I’m not sure if I’m ready to touch 6A region 4 quite yet.  Picayune lost a good bit but you don’t pick against them until they prove otherwise.  I feel like Picayune will make the playoffs but how far they get is kind of the mystery at this point.  Thankfully we won’t have that many away games and that’ll probably help with a young Maroon Tide team.

[maroontide06]

Also, being able to go to your team’s respective Spring Game will let you know what you’re looking at.  It certainly won’t be a finished product, but you can kind of see what the roster will look like nonetheless.

[Rebel Bert]

Who replaces Wingfield in 5A 2025?

Where does Forest Hill and Jim Hill go after receiving kids from Wingfield? 

Ironically both Wingfield middle schools will be closed complicating where those kids go!

[maroontide06]

8 hours ago, Rebel Bert said:

Who replaces Wingfield in 5A 2025?

Where does Forest Hill and Jim Hill go after receiving kids from Wingfield? 

Ironically both Wingfield middle schools will be closed complicating where those kids go!

I'm confused.  Wingfield isn't in 5A - 7A South.  Jim Hill is independent and Forest Hill is in Region 3-6A.  Nothing should change this year as far as districts and classifications.  It'll be after this coming season when reclassification happens.

[Merlin]

West Jones lost their entire defense. Returns the entire offense.  On paper Hattiesburg should be the favorite in 6A south. But I got West Jones winning the south again next year. And probably the year after that. 

[maroontide06]

29 minutes ago, Merlin said:

West Jones lost their entire defense. Returns the entire offense.  On paper Hattiesburg should be the favorite in 6A south. But I got West Jones winning the south again next year. And probably the year after that. 

Time for that Maroon Tide to sneak in under the radar LOL!  Just kidding.  I'm curious to see what we'll have to work with this coming season.  As long as we'll be a work in progress that'll be good news for me.  Picayune just needs to show signs of progression throughout the season and hopefully some guys can emerge from underneath the radar.

[Tidesmanforlife]

Picayune will be Picayune.  They have coaches that develop kids quickly.  We gonna have a good Tailback and fullback  every year. We will jave young team but by mid-season we will be alot better. All of our kids buys into the system and works really hard. 

[maroontide06]

12 minutes ago, Tidesmanforlife said:

Picayune will be Picayune.  They have coaches that develop kids quickly.  We gonna have a good Tailback and fullback  every year. We will jave young team but by mid-season we will be alot better. All of our kids buys into the system and works really hard. 

I know we'll have some good tailbacks, but I hope we'll have a good fullback as well.  Having a good fullback will pay dividends in that offense.  I remember a time when we didn't have a good starting fullback and the offense definitely suffered because of it.  Thankfully that was many moons ago.

[Tidesmanforlife]

Oh we will have a good fullback. 

[Merlin]

On 1/4/2024 at 3:05 PM, maroontide06 said:

Time for that Maroon Tide to sneak in under the radar LOL!  Just kidding.  I'm curious to see what we'll have to work with this coming season.  As long as we'll be a work in progress that'll be good news for me.  Picayune just needs to show signs of progression throughout the season and hopefully some guys can emerge from underneath the radar.

Picayune going to Picayune so I don’t see a real need to mention them. They will win their districts and make it to second round of playoffs by default. I just feel like they lost enough they might kinda be a little down the next year or two. 
 

I just think Hattiesburg returns enough starters on both sides and that experience “should” have them a top 2 in south 6A at least this next season. But Hattiesburg could pull a Hattiesburg and get bounced in round 1.  Don’t bet on them of they have to play Pascagoula. 
 

West Jones returns all on offense but 2 and a half starting O line.  I say “and a half” because the third didn’t start every game this year. One was a starter for 2 years the other started o line just this past season after being a defense player the year prior. WJ has 6 more kids that got a lot of playing time this past year on o line to fill those spots. So the Offense should be better.  The defense is a bit of a question mark but I hear the coaches only worried about the d line.  But that’s compared to the last 2 years d lines. They got some big kids that would give them size but weight room will tell if they got the rest of tools needed for it. If they can piece together a defense equal to any they had from 2019-2021 then they should be the favorites out of the south if not to repeat. 

[coastfootballfanman]

4-5A (Coast) South I expect to shake out about like it did this year. Laurel is the clear favorite at the moment in my opinion. Gautier does return some good players on offense with their quarterback Irving and running back Baggett. I believe the offensive line will bring back 3-4 players as well. , but unfortunately, they are losing quite a lot from their defense last year and I think it will be hard to replace what they did lose. Vancleave returns a decent amount, but loses their best players on both sides of the ball I believe. East Central appears to be headed back to being the East Central they were 10-15 years ago. Talent level just is not there right now and from what I hear, it is not expected to be filling back up. Stone will be a wild card, not sure what all they bring back, but I imagine they will have some athletes and year two under a new head coach should benefit them. Not sure what to expect from Wayne County. Slick posted in another thread that their best player is headed out to Wayne Academy and others may soon follow. Seems like they are starting another down year in the face. I see it coming down between Laurel and Gautier again for 1-2. Vancleave, Stone, and Wayne battling out for the final spots. 

 

4-6A South is going to be really competitive I believe. Just based off who has what coming back, I expect George County to be early favorite. Picayune has to replace a ton, but they are Picayune. Always tough, physical and competitive. They probably will not be as good as they have been the last three years, but they will still be a tough out. I expect them to be right there. Pascagoula returns a decent amount on both sides of the ball including their leading passer, rusher and receiver. Defense brings back some good pieces but they lost some great players as well. I expect them to be in the hunt. I SAY THIS WITH ALL SERIOUSNESS, Long Beach may be competitive this year. If they do not lose their young backs to transfer, they could be dangerous. They return a good amount on both sides of the ball and Coach Massey has done a good job getting the kids to buy in from what I am told. I am not saying they are a playoff threat, but that they are going to be better. West Harrison returns a decent about on both sides of the ball, but unless they fix their secondary, they will be in trouble. They will have 2-3 good backs coming back and the defense brings backs some good defensive linemen and linebackers. They have started hot the past few years - mainly due to a weak schedule and have fizzled out as the year went on. I think they will battle with Hancock for the 4th playoff spot. Hancock I expect to take a major step back. They lose just about everything offensively outside of a few receivers. Defensively they bring back a few players but losing the seniors and experience they are, it is tough for me to imagine them being improved. As of right now, I see George County at 1. Pascagoula/Picayune winner at 2 and 3. West Harrison or Hancock for 4th. 

 

4-7A South should also be a good one this year. Ocean Springs has to be the favorite until taken down. They do lose 9-10 starters on defense and that is going to be HUGE. I know back ups were able to get reps, but replacing the talent they are going to have to will be a TALL task. Offensively they should be really good. I think Whitehead slides to quarterback. You have a great back in Will Smith. The offensive line returns experience and you have some solid receivers. I think they will be able to score, if the defense develops and comes along, they could be right back in the hunt. Gulfport I expect to be Gulfport. Really talented and athletes everywhere and yet they will win 8-9 games and exit in the 1st round. Pennock needs to make some noise this year or you will start hearing some rumblings about his job. They are paying him top dollar in the state and ponied up a lot of money to attract top notch assistants. There has to be growth in year 2. I am sure they will find some transfers to assist. Harrison Central will be a bit of a wild card. Usually always have the talent, it just does not translate to much success. They lose some key players on both sides of the ball, but also return some good ones as well. I expect them and Biloxi to battle it out for playoff spots 3 and 4. Biloxi lost a decent amount from a team that was average at best this year. New coach coming in, I expect them to start getting some transfers. DuBose comes from Alabama, he knows the game and knows to be competitive, you have to go get kids. St. Martin loses some key players on both sides of the ball, but they do return some young guys that can play. I am not sure how much growth we can expect to see especially after hiring a career defensive coach to be your offensive coordinator like they did in Tim Lala. I expect them to much more competitive, but I am not sure how many more W's it will lead to. d'Iberville really looked like they turned the corner when they upset Pascagoula earlier in the year and thrashing Wayne County, but then it ended in region play. I think Ladner is going to be on the hot seat if they do not improve and get into the playoffs this season. They do return some good players on both sides of the ball despite losing some talented kids. They are a wild card for me. I see the region finishing as OS/Gulfport 1-2 and Harrison Central/Biloxi 3-4. 

[maroontide06]

@coastfootballfanmangreat analysis there.  Very well analyzed and informative and you can't really argue with any of it.  I'm certainly not saying Picayune will win district again, but we do get Pascagoula and George County at home this year.  To not have to make those trips this year certainly is a blessing in and of itself.  Having that homefield advantage for your two toughest district opponents can't be a bad thing.

[Dubaction]

No offense…. But what exactly was Gulfport expected to do this year? 

[coastfootballfanman]

5 hours ago, Dubaction said:

No offense…. But what exactly was Gulfport expected to do this year? 

From my perspective, exactly what they always have done. There were many people in the community who felt that bringing in Pennock, letting him essentially bring in his own staff and pay them handsomely, that they would see more success. A lot of people in the community expected to win the region and make a playoff run. I get it, when you’re paying a coach what they are you expect improvement. In reality, that was never going to happen. 

[Dubaction]

In year 1? I wouldn’t be grumbling already. They didn’t have any bad losses. Mainly elite 6A and 7A teams. Even Pearl on paper in Round 1 was just as talented if not more. Obviously it’s hard to make the powers that be understand that but anyone with any real football knowledge knows Gulfport was just about right on par. Next year would be the year to really make some noise in my opinion 

[coastfootballfanman]

10 hours ago, Dubaction said:

In year 1? I wouldn’t be grumbling already. They didn’t have any bad losses. Mainly elite 6A and 7A teams. Even Pearl on paper in Round 1 was just as talented if not more. Obviously it’s hard to make the powers that be understand that but anyone with any real football knowledge knows Gulfport was just about right on par. Next year would be the year to really make some noise in my opinion 

You are not wrong. The way people who know ball view Gulfport is a lot different than those who do not. There will be a lot of community pressure for them to improve upon last season this year for sure. Will be interesting to see what Pennock has up his sleeve. 

[coastfootballfanman]

18 hours ago, maroontide06 said:

@coastfootballfanmangreat analysis there.  Very well analyzed and informative and you can't really argue with any of it.  I'm certainly not saying Picayune will win district again, but we do get Pascagoula and George County at home this year.  To not have to make those trips this year certainly is a blessing in and of itself.  Having that homefield advantage for your two toughest district opponents can't be a bad thing.

Like I said, this is all based off what I have been told is returning and all. Picayune WILL be in the mix. It is hard to imagine a world where they are not. Having them at home is definitely going to favor your guys for sure. I think south 6A is going to be as wide open as it can possibly be. West Jones, Hattiesburg, Picayune, George County, and Pascagoula will all most likely serious contenders for the South. Anyone have any info on Terry? They bring a lot back?

[doyouevencoachbro]

59 minutes ago, coastfootballfanman said:

You are not wrong. The way people who know ball view Gulfport is a lot different than those who do not. There will be a lot of community pressure for them to improve upon last season this year for sure. Will be interesting to see what Pennock has up his sleeve. 

The graduated a lot from my understanding.

[maroontide06]

Who's ready for some spring football? LOL!  I hate this lull between the end of the State Championships to when spring football starts back up.  Will we see any cellar dwellers make any significant improvements during this offseason, or will it be more of the same?  I feel like West Harrison and Long Beach are trying to make positive strides in Region 4 and that would definitely elevate the competition if they do get better.  There's still this big hovering cloud in 6A South, but will we even see a pulse under that cloud?  Some things just have no explanation and even if they do, why is that acceptable?  Maybe there's a solution out there, but if there is it sure isn't visible to the naked eye.  It could be one of those situations where you have to dig deep to find the solution and things aren't excavated to the depth they need to be.  It's one of those enigmas that will leave you scratching your head and yet it does no good.  Those kids need some positive hope and I hope they get it.

[Big Poppa]

20 hours ago, maroontide06 said:

Who's ready for some spring football? LOL!  I hate this lull between the end of the State Championships to when spring football starts back up.  Will we see any cellar dwellers make any significant improvements during this offseason, or will it be more of the same?  I feel like West Harrison and Long Beach are trying to make positive strides in Region 4 and that would definitely elevate the competition if they do get better.  There's still this big hovering cloud in 6A South, but will we even see a pulse under that cloud?  Some things just have no explanation and even if they do, why is that acceptable?  Maybe there's a solution out there, but if there is it sure isn't visible to the naked eye.  It could be one of those situations where you have to dig deep to find the solution and things aren't excavated to the depth they need to be.  It's one of those enigmas that will leave you scratching your head and yet it does no good.  Those kids need some positive hope and I hope they get it.

What's the cloud? I guess I been out of the loop. 

[maroontide06]

33 minutes ago, Big Poppa said:

What's the cloud? I guess I been out of the loop. 

The geographical area between Picayune and Poplarville.

[maroontide06]

@Big Poppalet me put it to you this way.  They broke a record for fewest points scored in district play since the start of the MHSAA.  That record was 42 points and it was set in consecutive seasons in 2008 & 2009.  This past year they beat that record by a point with 41 points scored.  You would think the only direction to go would be up, but for some reason or another that hasn't been the trajectory.  Will that trajectory change?  I honestly have no idea, but it needs to.