By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

CARRIERE — After a two year absence, Pearl River Central returns to its roots as the Blue Devils move back into Region 4-6A.

For the past two seasons, and for the third time in the past — years, PRC was relegated to the “north” region, competing against teams from the Pine Belt and Jackson Metro areas.

But PRC fans won’t have to put as many miles on their vehicles this season. The Blue Devils move into a 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.

So PRC will be renewing rivalries on the football field with the Panthers, Gators, Bearcats, Hawks and Gators once again this season. Picayune ended PRC’s season last year in the opening round of the state playoffs with a 48-7 thumping.

Also, after opening the new campaign by hosting Bay High on Friday, Aug. 29th, in week two PRC will travel to a bit south down I-59 to Slidell, La., to face Pope John Paul for the first time ever on the gridiron.

It will also be a rare trip to Slidell for the Blue Cats, the first since a date with Slidell High in 2016.

Pearl River Central is just 5-33 in the past four seasons under three different head coaches. But The Blue Devils snapped a 17 game losing streak early last season with a 56-35 road win over Bay High. The season-opener will mark the third straight meeting between the Tigers and PRC after the series was renewed in 2023 after a 13 year hiatus.

Week One

That PRC-Bay game is one of eight opening week contests pitting a pair of “Southern Six” squads against one another to kick off the new campaign.

That’s the most such match-ups in week one in almost two decades.

The other seven games are Picayune at Gulfport, Pascagoula at Moss Point, St. Martin at Vancleave, Gautier at George County, West Harrison at Poplarville, Long Beach at Pass Christian and Stone at Hancock.