By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PEARL — Next season, perennial state baseball power Purvis is moving up a level from Class 4A to Class 5A.

But first, this week, the mighty, might Tornadoes have some unfinished business for veteran head coach Tony Farlow before he retires and they move on and up.

Farlow has enjoyed a successful career in the Pine Belt area spanning over 35 years. He started his career at Lumberton High School in 1988, winning two state championships.Farlow then had a short stop at Richton High, before finally settling in at Purvis in 1988.

Since his arrival, the Tornadoes have been a powerful program with as he’s guided Purvis to state titles in 2005, 2006, 2012, and the most recent in 2023. Purvis also played for the crown in 2002, 2007 and 2014 under Farlow.

“He is a real class act and has coached the way it should be done,” veteran George County head coach Brandon Davis, who won two state titles at Richton High, said. “He coached at Richton a few years before I took that job and I called him and he gave me some great advice about that community that helped us become successful. He has always coached the game the right way and his teams were always prepared.”

Farlow is trying to go out on top in Class 4A this week as Purvis faces West Lauderdale in the Class 4A state finals. And with another strong squad led by twin brothers JoJo Parker (Mississippi State signee; Co-Class 4A Mr. Baseball) and Jacob Parker (Mississippi State signee; Co-Class 4A Mr. Baseball), they certainly have a good shot.

““We’ve had some really good players come through this program, really good assistant coaches,” Farlow said.

“It’s a difficult decision,” Farlow said, over the weekend about his decision to retire. “I hope it’s the right decision. I’ve been part of baseball for 37 years. I got hobbies I like doing, but I’m sure I’m going to miss the competitive part of baseball and the kids that are around every day.”

And although Purvis played Ocean Springs, Harrison Central, Bay High and St. Patrick this season as well as competing in the annual “Battle at the Beach”, the Tornadoes will see much more action against “Southern Six” foes next year as they move into a newly realigned Region 4-5A with East Central, Vancleave, Stone, Northeast Jones and Wayne County.

Also, four of the seven head coaches representing the South side in this week’s state baseball championships were at one time the head coach at Richton High. In addition to Davis and Farlow, Clarkdale head coach Josh Palmer also spent time leading the Rebels as did Seminary head coach Clay Bush.

In addition, South Jones assistant coach Michael Barnes also was the head coach at RHS. He also spent some time at West Harrison as an assistant.