By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

With the kick-off for yet another prep football season across the state of Mississippi set for Thursday night, let’s get started with a bit of a different take on things as we take a quick glance at 7 things to know in the “Southern 6” this season:

7 come 11 — Gulfport became the first team in the largest classification in the state to win a state title in 25 years when the Admirals finished off the season with 11 straight wins last year to take the Class 7A championship. This season, Gulfport carries that 11 game win streak, the longest in the “Southern Six”, into the new season as the Admirals head to perennial state power Picayune to kick off the 2026 campaign at Lee-Triplett Stadium Friday night.

6 the Hard Way — Picayune enters the season with its sights set on reaching its sixth straight South State championship game as the Maroon Tide await the invasion by the Admirals this week. The Maroon Tide, which has won five straight region titles in that span, had  their program record 28 game league win streak stopped in the regular season finale last year.

5 New Guys — A new football season will kick off with five new (well, kinda) head coaches in place in the “Southern Six” this year. After leading a ferocious Gulfport defense to that Class 7a state title last year, Admirals defensive coordinator Zach Green left to take over as the new head coach at Pascagoula High. Biloxi promoted defensive coordinator Eric Collier to its top spot, and Harrison Central hired Columbia defensive coordinator Chip Fortenberry to lead the Red Rebels program. Evan Gay, a former St. Stanislaus assistant coach, returns to the Rock-A-Chaws as the new head coach, and former Resurrection hed coach Scott Sisson, after a seven year absence, is back at the helm of the Eagles.

4 Old Ones — On the flip side, a quartet of head coaches are back in the same role for at least their eighth season leading their respective teams. Veteran Poplarville head coach Jay Beech is now the dean of prep football coaches in the “Southern Six” after the retirement of former Pascagoula head coach Lewis Sims, as Beech enters his 13th season at the helm of the Hornets. Meanwhile, Quincy Patrick enters his ninth season as head coach at West Harrison, as does Marc High at Gautier. Lastly, Kevin Fant enters his eight season leading Vancleave.

3 All-Stars — Poplarville is the only team this season to have a “Dandy Dozen” on the football field, as selected every year by The Jackson Clarion-Ledger. However, the Hornets have not one standout, but two, named to the prestigious list in both running back Ty Keys and lineman Sam LeJeune. Also, one local head coach has been selected to coach in the annual Bearnard Blackwell All-Star Footbal Classic this season, as Ocean Springs mentor Jake Bramlett will serve as an assistant for the South squad in December.

2 New Homes — A pair of programs will be unveiling new stadiums to ply their wares in this season, as both Gulfport and Stone will have new on-campus surroundings. The Admirals are moving from Milner Stadium to their new stadium, and plan on having it ready for the home-opener against Laurel on Sept. 11th. The Tomcats are moving from their longtime home at A.L. May Stadium in Perkinston on the campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College at some point within the first five weeks of the season.

1 at a time — One “Southern Six” school comes into a new season looking for its first win in almost two years. Bay High endured a 0-9 campaign last season, and the Tigers’ come in on a 13-game losing streak, which is the longest in the area.