By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Editor
A quick look at “By the Numbers” this week before we get to the poll;
13.
A Bakers Dozen.
That’s the number of “Southern Six’ squads we have left alive vying for state prep football championships in five different classifications.
And, for the second straight season, Starkville will host the Mississippi high school football state championships.
Mississippi High School Activities Association executive director Rickey Neaves recently announced that the seven state tiile tilts will again be contested at Davis-Wade Stadium on the campus of Mississippi State University.
The MHSAA board voted to hold the 2026 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Gridiron Classic Dec. 3-5. It will only be the third time in 10 years that Starkville has hosted the event
Since 2016, the football championship games have been held at Mississippi State (2016, 2025), Ole Miss (2017, 2023), Southern Miss (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024) and Jackson State (2020).
Additional details, including information regarding tickets, parking, tailgating and other amenities, will be shared in the weeks leading up to the championships.
MHSAA 2026 football championship schedule
Thursday, Dec. 3: Class 4A – 4 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 3: Class 6A – 7 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 4: Class 2A – 4 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 4: Class 7A – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5: Class 1A – Noon
“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 12 rankings for 2026.
“Super 7 in the Southern 6”
- Poplarville 10-0
- Gulfport 9-1
- Pass Christian 11-0
- D’Iberville 10-1
- Picayune 7-3
- St. Martin 8-2
- Hancock 6-4
(Others receiving votes: Pearl River Central, East Central, Gautier, Stone)
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