By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GAUTIER — For the first time in the 27 year history of the Gautier High football program, the Gators practiced on a Thursday afternoon in the month of December.
But that outing was just a prelude to what takes place on Friday night, as Gautier will compete in the biggest game ever in school history in any sport.
The Gators and head coach Marc High take on perennial state power West Point Friday night in the Class 5A state championship game at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. Kick off time is set for 7:30 p.m., at “The Rock”.

Gautier stands an impressive 12-1 overall entering the title tilt while the defending Class 5A state champion Green Wave sit at 10-3.
“Our goal when we first got here was to bring something to the community that they can get behind and be proud of,” High, in his seventh season at the helm of the Gators, said. “Hopefully we’ve been able to achieve that over the past couple of years.”
High was referring to the streak of three straight trips to the Class 5A South State championship game his Gators have made. But this is Gautier’s first ever trip to the overall state championship round.
“I have told the kids all week that the job’s not done,” High added. “We have yet to achieve what we set out to do at the first of the season.”
West Point is under the direction of a first-year head coach in Brett Morgan, who was elevated to the top spot when Chris Chambless retired last year.

But WPHS hasn’t missed a beat so far under Morgan as the Green Wave are playing in not only their eighth straight state championship contest but just played in their 10th consecutive North State title tilt.
West Point is tied with Louisville for most state football championships in sate history with 12, as the Green Wave have won Gold Balls in 2023, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2010, 2009, 2005, 1989, 1988, 1987 and 1982.
This also marks West Point’s 17th trip to the overall state championship round.
The Green Wave are led offensively by versatile athlete Shamane Clark who has recorded 1,703 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns and on defense by lineman Quantarrius Dawson who has collected 88 tackles including 14 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
“The previous eight years have no bearing on this upcoming game,” Morgan said, earlier this week. “We’ve got to make sure we play as a team on this Friday night focused on the goal being of going 1-0 this week. Gautier is the best team we’ve seen all year. They have 5A Mr. Football at quarterback and is a great player, athletic, and accurate with the football. Their defense creates havoc upfront, and their linebacker (Nicholson) will be the best we’ve seen all year. They present a huge challenge for us.”
Morgan was referring to Gautier senior standout Trey Irving, who was recently honored with the award of “Class 5A Mr. Football” in the state. He has combined for almost 3,750 yards of total offense and 43 touchdowns, as he 2,724 yards passing and 21 touchdowns plus 1,000 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns.

Senior linebacker Fredrick Nicholson, who Morgan also mentioned, leads the way for that scrappy GHS defense as he registered 169 total tackles including eight tackles for loss plus an interception return for a score and he has blocked four field goals.
West Point has defeated Yazoo City 41-0, Holmes County 31-28 and then unbeaten Cleveland Central 14-7 on the road last week so far in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, GHS has knocked off Natchez 36-30, Wayne County 28-27 and then Brookhaven 37-35 last week to earn their spot in the state championship. The Gators had home field advantage in all three games.

“First time in school history to reach this point,” High concluded. “It’s a great accomplishment for the program, school and community as a whole. We didn’t come this far to just be here. We have to control their rushing attack, and try to score one more point than them.  It’s no secret what both teams are going to try to do. They are without a doubt one of the most storied programs in the history of the state of Mississippi. They’ve been here so many times and this is our first trip. We just have to keep everything as normal as possible.”