By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

Poplarville — Poplarville’s Ty Keys gets the “Baria Law Firm Game Ball of the Week” as presented by SouthMiss6 Sports this week.

Every week throughout the end of the school year, we will honor student/athletes across the “Southern Six” with our “Game Ball of the Week” sponsored by David Baria, Attorney-Mediator.

Keys continues to make the amazing look routine this season.

The junior running back for Poplarville High, who was named “Class 4A Mr. Football” in the state Friday afternoon, was in rare form just a few hours later Friday night in the opening round of the Class 4A South State playoffs running all over Forrest County AHS in a 49-20 victory in front of a loud crowd at Henley Field.

The Hornets (6-4 overall) continue their state championship defense in the second round, where a trip to Forest awaits this week. ”

So, how good was Keys against Forrest County?

Keys came into Friday’s contest with 2,051 rushing yards this season, averaging 11.0 yards per carry and 227.9 yards per game. And he surpassed both averages by a healthy margin, running 22 times for 281 yards and four touchdowns.

“We’re on a roll now,” said Keys. “We’re practicing as hard as we can. Seniors are stepping up, everybody’s taking accountability, and we’re coming together.

The Aggies were on their heels for most of the night, after surrendering a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but fought back and played on even terms with Poplarville through the rest of the first half.

“You put men in the box, and if they get to him, he’s going to break tackles,” said FCAHS coach Bo Russum. “He’s so elusive. On film it doesn’t show up as much as it does when you see him in person, how elusive he is, how it doesn’t take much of a hole for him to hit and be there at the next level. There’s a reason he’s got 10,000 offers from Power 5 programs. He’s that good.”

The Baria Law Firm, the Gulf Coast branch of Cosmich, Simmons and Brown, provides a beacon of trust and reliability in a complex legal landscape. Our firm’s unwavering dedication to you is at the core of everything we do. Choose David Baria of Baria Law as your legal ally, and let us handle the details while you focus on what matters most. Reach out to David at 228-395-8303 or dbaria@barialaw.com and at https://barialaw.com.