It’s November — the time of year when I’m sprinting between basketball gyms and football playoff fields, and now with Southern Miss having a great season, Saturdays are getting busier too.
For my column this week, I wanted to look at four Pine Belt teams I believe could be holding a gold ball in Starkville in early December.
I cover 10 high football teams, and as of today, it looks like nine of them will make the playoffs. There’s plenty of quality football across our area, but these four stand out as the most capable of finishing the job. Each has carved its own path to November and has a formula that could translate into a state championship.
The question is simple: who among my teams can win four or five straight to even reach the championship game? Several programs have the right mix of coaching, talent and momentum to make deep playoff runs — and maybe, just maybe, bring another trophy back home.
In no particular order, here are the four teams I think could win a state championship.
Hattiesburg (Class 6A)
Hattiesburg is one of the hottest teams in the state right now. After starting 1-2, the Tigers have rolled off six straight wins.
First-year head coach Kendall Lacey’s team has rediscovered its identity — fast, physical and fearless. I saw them early in the season against Petal and Laurel, and when I caught them again against West Jones, the transformation was obvious.
Quarterback Gavin Ducksworth has grown into a steady leader, and his connection with a deep stable of skill players has made Hattiesburg’s offense as dynamic as any in 6A. Ducksworth has thrown for 1,295 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Then there’s Tristen Keys, a five-star receiver and Tennessee commit, who is a mismatch for any corner in 6A. Don’t overlook Davion Young either — 30 catches, 761 yards and nine touchdowns on the year.
This team’s blend of speed, swagger and talent makes them a legitimate contender. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see the Tigers playing for it all at the end of the season. Their matchup this week at Terry (8-1) will tell us even more about where they stand.
Petal (Class 7A)
Few teams have built momentum like Petal this fall. Under Marcus Boyles, the Panthers have mixed veteran leadership with a physical identity on both sides of the ball. They’ve taken every punch in one of the state’s toughest regions — and kept standing.
The Panthers’ success comes from doing exactly what Boyles preaches: pound the rock.
They’ve found great balance in the backfield between Acely Brown and Chavez Walker, who have each stepped up in big moments. Wide receiver Trey Barnes is one of the best playmakers in the state.
Petal’s most impressive win came on the road at Oak Grove — not only beating the Warriors, but controlling both sides of the line of scrimmage from start to finish. The defense has been just as sturdy, especially the front seven. Against Oak Grove, they held the Warriors to just 48 rushing yards on 19 carries.
This is a team that can absolutely win a state championship. For Petal, it may come down to matchups and staying healthy, but the pieces are all there.
Oak Grove (Class 7A)
Don’t let a couple of close losses fool you — Oak Grove is built for the playoffs. Head coach Drew Causey has guided this program through just about every possible postseason scenario, and his teams always seem to peak when it matters most.
After an 0-2 start, the Warriors have won seven of their last eight, with all three of their losses coming against state title-caliber opponents.
Quarterback Kellen Hall is among the best in Mississippi, throwing for 2,121 yards with 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Running back Roman Causey has added 829 rushing yards, giving the Warriors balance and power in the backfield.
The receiving corps is just as dangerous. KJ Roberts (663 yards, nine touchdowns) and Chavel Williams Jr. (368 yards, five touchdowns) give Hall two reliable targets who can flip a game in a single play.
Oak Grove can score quickly and often, and few teams in 7A can match their offensive firepower. If the defense continues to gel, the Warriors could easily be playing deep into December.
Presbyterian Christian School (Class 3A)
Last but certainly not least is PCS. In their first season as a member of the Mississippi High School Activities Association, the Bobcats are already making noise — clinching a No. 2 seed in Class 3A.
If quarterback Smith Stringer hadn’t gone down with an injury against West Marion, they may have won the region outright. Even still, PCS gets a home playoff game Friday night against Jefferson County — a matchup where they’ll be heavily favored.
Before his injury, Stringer had thrown for 2,304 yards and 30 touchdowns with only six interceptions. The Bobcats also boast a 1,000-yard receiver in Jet Henderson (14 touchdowns) and another deep threat in Reed Bridges (722 yards, nine touchdowns).
Add in a 1,000-yard rusher in Colt Robertson, who’s averaging 6.0 yards per carry, and PCS has one of the most explosive offenses in 3A. Programs like McComb, Columbia and Senatobia should all be on alert.
The Bobcats might be new to the MHSAA, but they’ve adjusted quickly — and they have the kind of offensive balance that could fuel a Cinderella run.
Each of these four teams is built differently — some thrive on explosive plays, others on defense and toughness. But they all share the same championship DNA.
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if any of these teams are the ones holding the gold ball at the end of the year.
