By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

Catching up on a few notes as we approach the start of practice in less than 20 days…

Former Harrison Central wide out Darrion Kirksey is on the move.

Kirksey, expected to be one of the top offensive threats in South Mississippi this coming season, has transferred to Gulf Shores (Ala.) High and will suit up for the Dolphins this year instead of the Red Rebels, apparently, according to his social media account on X.

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Kirksey is considered a three star recruit and finished with 930 all-purpose yards, including 593 yards on 35 receptions as a junior for two touchdowns. He also has earned a reputation as one of the top kick returners in the state.

Kirksey originally committed to North Carolina, but recently backed down from that pledge and opened his recruitment again. He has offers from the Tar Heels, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Toledo, and Georgia Southern, among others, according to one source.

Kirksey continues an exodus of top prospects from HCHS over the past two seasons, including fellow wide out Tyree Barnett who left Lyman for Hattiesburg High last season, and defensive back Trevion Dean, who transferred from HCHS to arch-rival Gulfport before last year started.

New Admiral

All wide outs need a capable quarterback to get them the ball, and Gulfport High has brought in a new Admiral signal-caller to do just that.

Parker Nettles was recently recognized at the annual 601 Elite Quarterback “Under the Lights” Camp with the “Top Gun Award”. Nettles transferred in to join the Admirals earlier this year from Silliman Institute High in Clinton, La.

This will mark the third school in three years for Nettles, who earned Midsouth Association of Independent Schools Class 3A All-State honors at Centerville Academy as a sophomore before transferring to rival Silliman last year.

Silliman, a Class 5A member of the MAIS, finished 8-4 last season. Nettles recently committed to East Mississippi Community College.

New Warrior

Also, in the Region 4-7A ranks, St. Martin defensive lineman Caleb Estrada has swapped his loyalties and has landed at arch-rival D’Iberville.
The 6-foot-1, 280-pound defender recorded four sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 50 total tackles last year as a junior for the Yellow Jackets.