By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

There is no doubt in the fact that both Ocean Springs and Gulfport will be the top two seeds in Region 4-7A and each will open the upcoming Class 7A South State playoffs at home for the second straight season next week no matter what happens in the match-up between the two this week.

However, who else will join them is one of the biggest questions in the state at this point.

All four remaining members of the region are still alive, almost inexplicably in some cases, in the playoff chase as the regular season winds down this week.

D’Iberville, St. Martin, Biloxi and Harrison Central are all still harboring postseason hopes as the Warriors and Yellow Jackets face off this week as do the Indians and the Red Rebels.

Currently, D’Iberville sits in the third spot in the region race at 5-7 while St. Martin and Biloxi are tied for fourth place both at 4-8 and HCHS sits at 3-9.

There are too numerous scenarios this week to fully mention. However, if the Warriors can take at least two games from SMHS this week then they will secure the third seed for playoff purposes in the loop. And, if that happens and the Indians win at least two over HCHS then Biloxi would get the fourth and final seed.

But, if St. Martin takes two out of three over DHS in that series, then the Yellow Jackets earn the third seed. And, if that happens and the Indians win at least two over HCHS then D’Iberville would get the fourth and final seed and Biloxi would be left out.

But, if any one of the four teams sweep, then there are again all types of scenarios at play.

In fact, a sweep by the Red Rebels over Biloxi is the only chance they have to get back to the playoffs for the third straight season. And even then, HCHS would need D’Iberville to take at least two out of three from St. Martin to qualify.

Whew! Stay tuned Y’all….