By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PASCAGOULA — Last season, Resurrection missed out on a spot in the Class 1A South State playoffs for just the second time in the past 11 seasons.

This year, the Eagles hope to rectify that situation and return to the postseason for the ninth time in the past decade.

Resurrection head coach Eric Denmark returns for his fourth season at the helm of the Eagles. The former RCS longtime assistant indicated that he has a smaller group out this season than in previous years, but he expects his squad to be right in the thick of things this season.

“We’re gonna be young and our depth worries me a bit,” Denmark, the former Ole Miss offensive lineman said. “We’re a little shorter on numbers than we have been in the past, but if we stay healthy, we’ll make a run for it. I really believe that.”

Denmark says he only has four seniors out at this point, as opposed to the 15 or so over the past three seasons since he took over as the head coach.

Also, the Eagles return to a revamped Region 8-1A, which now includes:

Region 8-1A:

Resurrection

Lumberton

Richton

Stringer

Taylorsville

Four of the five teams will qualify for the state playoffs. Since the last expansion to seven classifications two years ago by the MHSAA, Region 8-1A has been comprised of six schools, and for some years before that eight teams.

This year marks the first time that RCS will compete in a five team region, where only one team will miss the postseason.

“The new district sets the stage for an exciting and tough season,” Denmark added. “Overall, it might be the toughest district in the state in Class 1A. every game will be a battle.”

Denmark will rely heavily on a trio of key players this season, beginning with freshman quarterback Cortez King who started as an eight grader last year.

“He’s matured so much.” Denmark said of King. “He kind of got thrown into the fire last year because he was the best chance we had back there, but he has really taken a big step forward. He has taken control of the offense and we expect even more out of him this season.”

Big things are expected out of one of those seniors, versatile lineman Will Zender, a 6-foot-3, 225-pounder, as well as Aaron Moore. Moore, a junior, is a mainstay at linebacker, also.

Sully May also returns for RCS, and could be considered the so-called “X Factor” this season as he could possibly fill several roles for the Eagles.

The Eagles begin the new season at Clarkdale on Fri., Aug. 29th.