By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

CARRIERE — Pearl River Central is just 5-33 in the past four seasons under three different head coaches.

Last season, however, the Blue Devils needed just one win in Region 3-6A play to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in nine years, and in the first campaign under new mentor John Feaster PRC managed to do just that.

Pearl River Central ended last year at 2-8, and will move into a new season by hosting Bay High on Friday, Aug. 29th, aiming for its firs winning season in a decade.

But it won’t be as easy to sneak into the Class 6A South State playoffs this season as the Blue Devils move back “South” into Region 4-6A and will compete in a full six team league as opposed to one with just five members in football last year.

PRC moves into the revamped Region 4-6A and joins longtime arch-rival Picayune, Pascagoula, Hancock, Long Beach and Gautier in the loop. The Gators are also new to the league after moving up to Class 6A for he first time.

The Blue Devils and Gautier replace West Harrison and George County in the region.

Picayune ended PRC’s season last year in the opening round of the state playoffs with a 48-7 thumping.

PRC quarterback Qorday Russell is back to guide the Blue Devil offense this season. Russell was effective at times in his first season on the scene last year as he accounted for almost 1,000 yards of total offense and 21 touchdowns. He led PRC in rushing with 555 yards and 12 scores.

One of the top targets for Russell, who completed over 50 percent of his passes last year, was Feaster’s namesake, John Feaster, Jr., who returns as one of the top playmakers for PRC this season. The younger Feaster hauled in three of those scoring catches last year.

Versatile junior standout Kendall Morrison returns out wide as well for PRC.

On defense, linebacker James Carpenter recorded 69 total tackles last season and is back, as is Luke Herring to patrol the secondary.

PRC’s last winning season came in 2015 when it went 11-2 in then head coach Eric Collins’ final season.