(Editors Note: This is the second of a four part series on how the schedules shape up for the four “Southern Six” squads that reached their respective South State championship games last season.)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GAUTIER — Gautier has played in three straight Class 5A South State championship games, but the Gators will not repeat that feat this coming season.

That’s because the Gators were moved up a level in the recent reclassification process by the Mississippi High School Activities Association and will now be in Class 6A.

And, if the Gators hope to return to the state championship round after achieving that status last season in Class 5A, then they’ll have to do it in a new league while facing an almost completely new schedule as well.

Veteran Gators head coach Marc High and his troops have compiled a 30-13 record over those last three campaigns with seven postseason wins. It’s a record only surpassed by the 1997-1999 team, as those teams were the first three football squads ever in school history and they went 34-3, but won just two playoff games during that span.

Coming off their first-ever appearance in a state championship game, a close 28-21 loss to perennial state power West Point, Gautier moves in Region 4-6A this coming season.

“We’re playing a few teams we haven’t played in a few years,” High said. “It’s gonna make for a fun and interesting season.”

Gautier will compete in the newly revamped Region 4-6A with arch-rival Pascagoula, perennial state power Picayune, Long Beach, Hancock and another newcomer in Pearl River Central.

The annual “Singing River Classic” between school district partners Pascagoula and Gautier will move from early in the season to the regular season finale.

In non region play, the Gators will also keep Jackson County rival Moss Point on its new slate next year, as well as facing D’Iberville for the third straight season.

In addition, George County, West Harrison and Greene County also return to Gautier’s slate next season after a brief hiatus for each.

Gautier and PRC replaced the Rebels and Hurricanes in Region 4-6A, as GCHS moved into Region 3-6A and WHHS moved up to Class 7A.

The Gators must find a way to replace 15 seniors, including quarterback Trey Irving on offense and linebacker Fredrick Nicholson defensively next season, after each senior standout earned the highest individual awards possible in Class 5A last season.

Irving was named the “Offensive Player of the Year”, and for his stellar play he was also named the Class 5A “Mr. Football” in the state and  Nicholson was selected as “Defensive Player of the Year” on the Class 5A First Team All-State squad.