The Pearl River Central High Blue Devils (8-1) have a tough test in front of them when they head north to face the Hattiesburg Tigers (7-3).

Coming off a win against Pascagoula to put them in first for the division, PRC is poised to continue their success. Head Coach Eric Collins has guided the team to a perfect (5-0) district record.

The Blue Devils had a strong defensive showing last week behind the performances of Sun Herald Defensive Player of the week, senior linebacker Steven Gallodoro and senior safety Dalton Howe. Both had an interception in the game. Howe had eight tackles and Gallodoro had a fourth-down sack with under two minutes remaining to seal the game for PRC. The defense also held Pascagoula to a mere 7 points and only 155 total yards.

Hattiesburg features a strong running game on the shoulders of sophomore running back Fabian Franklin. Through 10 games, Franklin has amassed 929 rushing yards on 126 carries and 11 rushing touchdowns. 

For PRC their offense has been clicking thanks to a number of contributors. 

Junior quarterback Wyatt Davis has done a solid job of leading the offense by maintaining a confident leadership of the team at the line of scrimmage. So far this season, Davis has 30 completions in 49 attempts for a total of 617 yards.

Freeing up their strong passing game are three talented runners in senior Christian Roberts  with 954 rushing yards this season, senior Hunter Holifield who has 828 rushing yards and junior Michael Tatman who has 789 rushing yards. 

This Blue Devil team is balanced on both sides and if they continue playing the way they have been, they will be hard to beat. 

“Every game has huge implications for us and all we can control is winning. We control our own destiny. And at this point in the season we wouldn’t want it any other way,” Collins said.

“Hattiesburg has as good a talent as any team in the area. We have to come out and play our best and that’s all I’m concerned about.”