By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PASCAGOULA — Veteran Pascagoula head football coach Lewis Sims is in his 15th season at the helm of the Panthers.

And as he enters what will in all probability be his final season in charge, he is armed with one of the most loaded senior class crews he has had to date in that time frame.

Sims welcomes 22 Panthers who are entering their final campaign as PHS not only aims for its fifth state playoff berth in the past seven seasons but also looks to grab its first region title in five years as well.

“Our motto this year is just shut up and play,” Sims said, in a recent interview. ‘We’ve got 22 seniors that have all bought into what we do as a program. We’ve got guys that are coming back that are playoff-seasoned that know what it takes to elevate to that next level. All the talking is over.”

The Panthers went a solid 9-3 last season and finished as the second seed in Region 4-6A and Sims’ squad is 17-7 over the past two seasons. Since winning that last league title in 2020, the Panthers have four South State playoff wins, which is the most in a four season span since 2012-2015.

Sims has eight starters back on the offensive side of the ball, including standout senior tailback Amarie “Action” Jackson. He registered 1,136 rushing yards with 16 touchdowns on 147 carries last season and added 229 receiving yards with three scores.

Jackson has steadily solidified himself as a force to be reckoned with coming out of the backfield after experiencing a solid sophomore season at PHS. Sean Norvell is expected to get a lot of touches as well, operating out of he backfield in addition to Jackson.

Jason Glaude returns to handle the offense at quarterback after making some key contributions at times last year. He threw for over 300 yards in a win against Hancock.

In addition to handing the ball to Jackson and Norvell, Glaude has even more weapons out wide in returning wide receivers Duke Carter and D.J. Nunnery who were among the top PHS play makers last season also combining for over 1,200 yards in receptions and 14 scoring catches.

Up front, Sims gets four returning starters on the offensive line back including Thomas Ashe, who recently committed to Nicholls State.

Defensively, PHS is loaded as well with even more senior stalwarts. Linebacker Jarrad Loper enters his final campaign with the Panthers after making heavy contributions defensively over the past two seasons.

The multi-sport and versatile standout registered 112 total tackles as a junior last year with six tackles for loss as well as three sacks. He also picked off two interceptions, had five quarterback hurries as well as two fumble recoveries and several passes defended.

He also led PHS in tackles as a sophomore.

In the secondary, Tylan Wilson is considered one of the top defenders in the Gulf South region after he produced 73 tackles, two for loss, had six interceptions and six pass deflections last season.

He committed to Texas A&M recently

His fellow defensive back and classmate Tomareo Johnson has turned a lot of heads in just his one season on the gridiron so far in his high school career and he recently committed to Mississippi State.

Last year in his junior season, he made a smooth transition from the basketball court to the football field and finished up with 70 tackles, six interceptions and 12 pass break-ups.

That trio is a part of six returning starters on defense this season.

In addition, both Loper at fullback and Wilson at the slot are expected to see some time on offense as well this year.

Pascagoula opens the season on Fri., Aug., 29th traveling across Jefferson Street to face its oldest and longest-running rival Moss Point in the annual “Battle of the Cats”.