By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PEARL — Twenty seven years ago, George County used a solid senior class of starters to win its first state baseball championship in school history.

On Friday, a quintet of departing graduates wrapped up their careers on the diamond as the Rebels won their second overall state title and first since 1997.

Pitcher Andrew Nielsen, first baseman Garrett Dixon, shortstop Jacob Eubanks and outfielders Gage Reeves and Alex Wade were all in the starting line-up for the historic 3-2 win over Warren Central in what would be their final game wearing the uniform of the Rebels.

The seniors formed a nucleus all season long that provided a steady force as George County snapped that almost three decade long drought.

“All five were major contributors on and off the field,” veteran George County head coach Brandon Davis said. “They were all key in restoring accountability and a winning, never-give-up culture to this program.”

And Davis should know something about senior leadership leading to a state championship. After all, he was a senior standout catcher 27 years ago for that last Rebel state championship squad.

“This is why I came back home, to win more state championships at George County High School,” Davis added. “And we couldn’t have done it without this senior class. On the field during the year they all contributed to a win in a major way.”

Nielsen was the number one starter most of the season for the Rebels and went a solid 9-4 overall, while Reeves was one of the top standouts in Class 6A in the state and was in consideration for the “Mr. Baseball” award in that classification as he led the Rebels in home runs with four.

Meanwhile, Wade hit .383 which was the second best mark on the team and he collected a game-high three hits in the win on Friday. Eubanks, the shortstop, and Dixon the first baseman, each provided consistency on defense in the infield and both also came up with timely key hits during the campaign as well.

The group helped their Rebel teammates buy into the coaching staff’s “small ball” approach offensively that was a key to George County’s success this season.

On the 1997 state championship team, Brandon Davis combined with fellow senior starters Tim Davis, Danny Hudson, Ashley Mizelle, Jonathan Wallace and Adam Casey to form the crux of the crew that brought home the first-ever state title to Lucedale. In addition Jesse Radcliff, Jason Breland and Michael Shepard also were part of that senior class as well as Jason Moss.

 Tim Davis, in fact, is his cousin Brandon’s long-time pitching coach and won his second state championship ring with his alma mater this week as well.

Both senior classes will be fondly remembered by George County players, fans and the community in and around that area as well. The first for bringing home the first ever state crown and the current one for returning the Rebel program to the top of the mountain.

“They are amazing young men also, and that’s what it’s all about,” Head coach Brand Davis concluded.