SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

June 6, 2025

Region Realignment: Loss of state champs changes the face of Region 8-4A in several sports

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

(Editors Note: This is the fifth of a seven part series on how new region alignments will stack up for teams in the “Southern Six” next season)

When the new region realignments were announced for the 2025-2027 school years by the Mississippi High School Activities Association some six months ago, the state football playoffs were in full steam, the state volleyball championships trophies had just been handed out and the prep basketball regular season was just getting cranked up.

Then, as the winter sports gave way to the spring teams, baseball, softball and other athletic endeavors stole the spotlight.

So, as one school year draws to a close, all eyes in the prep sports world in the “Southern Six” begin to focus on the upcoming new session starting in August as well as the new region realignments.

Both longtime rivals Bay High and Pass Christian will return to Region 8-4A for the next two school years. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Almost every one of the 24 “Southern Six” sanctioned high schools by the MHSAA were affected in some form or fashion by the bi-annual reclassification process.

Today, we’ll take a look at a league that saw minimal but arguably major changes as any other across the “Southern Six”, which is Region 8-4A.

The region loses just one school, but it just happens to be the defending Class 4A state football champion Poplarville. The Hornets will move into Region 7-4A, and Forest County AHS will move into Region 8-4A from Region 7-4A.

The move gives Region 8-4A a little less of a “Southern Six” flavor as it has in the past years as now only three schools in that footprint will comprise the revamped league.

Moss Point is back in Region 8-4A this go round. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Region 8-4A:

Moss Point

Bay High

Pass Christian

Greene County

Forrest County AHS

Both longtime rivals Pass Christian and Bay High will return to Region 8-4A for the next two school years. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

Poplarville’s departure, at least on paper, leaves the region substantially weaker in football. Although all five teams have qualified for the Class 4A South State playoffs numerous times recently, none have come close to even competing for or winning a state title like Poplarville did last season.

In boy’s basketball, Pass Christian continues to be the flag bearer in the region with the four others all enjoying some modest success over the past decade as well.

In girl’s hoops, Moss Point could well lead the pack.

The Pass Christian boys should be right in the thick of things in Region 8-4A for the next two school years. (Photo by Steve Coleman)

The Moss Point girls should be right in the thick of things in Region 8-4A for the next two school years. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

On the baseball diamond, it’s kind of wide open as Poplarville won the region last season. However, every team but MPHS made the Class 4A South State playoffs last season.