By Sam Staff/Sports Writer

A quick look at “By the Numbers” this week before we get to the poll;

Fifteen.

Or maybe 16.

Those are the numbers we are looking at so far that signify how many “Southern Six” prep football teams will qualify for the state playoffs this season. There will either be 15, or 16, depending on one slot in Class 6A still to be determined.

In Class 7A, Gulfport and D’Iberville have clinched playoff spots and will be joined by St. Martin and either Biloxi or Ocean Springs.

In Class 6A, Picayune and Hancock have clinched and will be joined by Pearl River Central and either Pascagoula, Gautier, Long Beach and maybe GCHS.

In Class 5A, East Central will be joined by Stone.

In Class 4A, Poplarville, Pass Christian and Bay High have qualified.

In Class 3A, It’s St. Stanislaus.

In Class 1A, It’s Resurrection.

This is the last week of play in regular season action for Class 7A-5A before the state playoffs open next week.

The Class 4A, 3A, and 1A South State playoffs start this week. Both Pass Christian (Forest) and Poplarville (Northeast Lauderdale) open the postseason at home, while SSC travels to Magee and RCS heads to Rolling Fork to face South Delta.

“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 10 rankings for 2026.

“Super 7 in the Southern 6”

1. Poplarville
2. Gulfport
3. Pass Christian
4. D’Iberville
5. Picayune
6. St. Martin
7. Hancock

(Others receiving votes: Pearl River Central, East Central, Gautier, Long Beach, Stone)