By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

For the second straight season, Ocean Springs and Gulfport will battle for the top seed in Region 4-7A during the last week of play in the regular season.

And that’s why Tuesday’s series-opening game in Ocean Springs is the “Sonic Big Game of the Week” in the “Southern Six” as sponsored by Sonic Drive In of South Mississippi.

Both the defending region champ Greyhounds and Admirals are sitting deadlocked at 10-2 in the region race entering this week, and the squad that wins this three game series will earn the top seed and the other team will finish second.

Just like last season, when OSHS took two from GHS in this annual affair to claim the league title, both teams have already secured berths as well as home-field advantage in the opening round of the upcoming Class 7A South State playoffs also.

“It’s a big week, whoever wins the series wins the district and there is two talented teams battling for it,” second-year OSHS head coach Ryne Long, who is aiming for his second consecutive region crown at the helm of the Greyhounds, said. “Gulfport has been playing well and I have no doubt they’ll be ready to play. Coincidentally, the district will come down to the last week just like last year, and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Last season, OSHS won both games in Gulfport which were games one and three in the match-up to take the title.

However, this season Gulfport is the only team in the region to sweep three out of its four series’ in league play so far this year including a clean sweep over Harrison Central last week that forced this deadlock in the league standings.

“We’re excited about the opportunity,” acting Admiral head coach Kelly Weems said Monday afternoon. Weems took over for first-year GHS head coach Justin Edwards just as region play after Edwards took a leave of absence.

“Before the season, a lot of people outside of our locker room didn’t expect us to be here.” Weems added. “We have a lot of confidence in ourselves and our ability to compete. We know OS is a talented team, but that’s what it’s all about. We have a locker room full of guys that love to compete and are ready to get after it. We’re looking forward to it.”

The teams will meet in Gulfport at Herbert Wilson Park Thursday night and then close out the series back in Ocean Springs Friday afternoon.

Sonic Drive In of South Mississippi has long been a staunch supporter of prep sports in the “Southern Six” and all across the Southeast. There are several Sonic locations in both Ocean Springs (at 740 Bienville Blvd., and at 3909 Bienville Blvd.) and Gulfport (at2505 17th St., 12046 US Hwy. 49, 11150 Lorraine Rd., and 532 Courthouse Rd.) for all of your pre-game and pos-game meal needs.