PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WLOX) – It’s good, old school hate for the 2025 common season’s last Recreation of the Week.
On Thursday, the Gautier Gators take a stroll down the street to go to the #8 Pascagoula Panthers within the Singing River Traditional. Final yr’s state runner-ups are right down to 1-3 within the district, however might have been only some performs from the highest.
“I feel final yr on the street to the state championship, we gained 7 video games within the last drive,” defined Gautier Head Coach Marcus Excessive. “This yr, we’ve misplaced 5 within the last drive. It’s simply a type of years. The youngsters stored enjoying laborious, and I’m at all times pleased with that.”
“I’ll inform you what, Gautier is a fantastic soccer staff,” mentioned Pascagoula Head Coach Lewis Sims. “They’re about three performs from being 3-1 as effectively. They’re a very good soccer staff. They performed for a state championship final yr, and Coach Excessive and people guys are actually good coaches. They put their gamers in positions to achieve success. ”
Pascagoula, then again, has secured a house playoff recreation towards Terry and enters the conflict with momentum after lighting it up their final three video games, scoring no less than 35 every contest and touchdown two shutout wins over Hancock and PRC.
“We’re simply getting began,” added Coach Sims. “Our children knew that what we did within the pre-region schedule was going to arrange us coming into the area. We all know that it’s a gauntlet on the market, however the extra you play good competitors early? I discovered that from my mentor, Coach Jerry Alexander — at all times play good folks early, and it makes you play higher later within the yr.”
This one isn’t only a recreation. It’s a battle over territory with each groups trying to conquer.
“You already know, it’s a very nice rivalry,” described Coach Sims. “It’s harking back to the previous Pascagoula-Moss Level rivalry between us, and that river actually divides us, nevertheless it additionally brings us collectively. We wish folks to grasp that they’re our brothers after the sport, however for 48 minutes within the recreation, we’re going to struggle one another as laborious as we will.”
“If you discuss concerning the Traditional, it’s at all times a giant recreation,” mentioned Coach Excessive. “Each communities put rather a lot into it. We’ve even seen a few commercials about Gautier Excessive Faculty, so it’s at all times enjoyable. We’re wanting ahead to a superb recreation.”
It’s brother versus brother, and the winner will get the final word prize — bragging rights.
Kickoff between the Panthers and the Gators is slated for 7 p.m. Thursday at Struggle Memorial Stadium in Pascagoula.
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