SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

September 22, 2026

Prep Football Notebook: Farewell “Coach Mac”; “By the Numbers” and the “Super 7 in the Southern 6” Poll

Gulfport saw its program record 13-game win streak end last week. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Director

We’ll take a look at some “By the Numbers” this week before we get to the weekly poll:

Gulfport’s program record 13 game win streak came to an abrupt end last week.

The defending Class 7A state champs lost for the first time in right at one year, and to the same team as the last time when home-standing Petal took an exciting 40-39 win in overtime Friday night. It marked the third meeting between the two teams in the past 12 months, and the Panthers have won two of those encounters.

Gulfport quarterback Jackson Wolverton threw for almost 400 yards and four touchdowns but also had three interceptions in a loss to Petal last week. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

However, the Admirals picked up that big win last season in the rematch in the Class 7A South State semifinals en route to taking that state title.

Petal, though, has dominated the all-time series overall, one that dates back just 19 years to 2017, as the Panthers are now up 11-3.

The longest win streak in the “Southern Six” now belongs to Poplarville, D’Iberville and Pass Christian, all of who have started the new season out at 4-0 so far this year.

Goodbye Coach Mac

News broke Tuesday of the passing of former East Central head coach Robert McRaney.

McRaney, known by most as “Coach Mac”, died Monday at the age of 73. He spent a long career in coaching and education. He was a fine man, and always very kind and courteous to this journalist.

Coach Mac was only head coach of the Hornets for three seasons, from 1996-1998. However, he will long be remembered as the first ECHS head coach to win a state playoff game, with a 21-6 road win at Petal in his first postseason at the helm of the Hornets.

That came after close first round losses in three straight playoff trips, in 1993, 1994 and 1995 with McRaney as an assistant coach.

So long “Coach Mac”. you will long be remembered. And let your pin be tended on the green in golf for eternity.

The Mississippi Press/11-25-1996

The Mississippi Press/11-21-1996

“Super 7” in the “Southern 6”

Every Tuesday through the first week in December, we will publish our “Super 7 in the Southern 6” weekly poll involving all 24 prep football teams in our coverage area.

The weekly poll is the only one in the state that is voted on by a panel of veteran sportswriters, a few selected area coaches and other media members.

This week is the week five rankings for 2026.