If you were at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville this past December, you know. It wasn't just cold; it was electric. Mississippi high school football isn't just a weekend hobby. It is basically the heartbeat of every small town from the Delta down to the Coast. People are still refreshing their phones looking for ms h s football scores, even though the trophies have been handed out and the pads are put away for the winter.
The 2025 season felt different. Maybe it was the way the 7A title ended—literally on the final tick of the clock. Or maybe it was the smaller schools like Raleigh and Calhoun City proving that grit beats zip codes every single time. Honestly, if you missed the championship weekend, you missed some of the best football played in the South in a decade.
The 7A Heartbreaker: Gulfport vs. Tupelo
Let’s talk about the game everyone is still debating at the local barbershops. Gulfport versus Tupelo. For three quarters, it was a heavyweight slugfest. Defensive stops, hard hits, and neither side giving an inch. Tupelo looked like they had it in the bag. Jaeden Hill plunged into the end zone from 3 yards out with only 27 seconds left on the clock.
Tupelo fans were already celebrating. The score was 20–14.
Then, the "Miracle in Starkville" happened. Gulfport didn't panic. Parker Nettles, the Admirals' quarterback, somehow found Mylan Stubbs on a 33-yard heave as the clock hit zero. Touchdown. The extra point from Carter Platt was true. Final score: Gulfport 21, Tupelo 20. It was the kind of ending that makes you realize why we love this sport, and why people keep searching for those final numbers long after the lights go out.
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Breakdown of the 2025 MHSAA State Champions
If you’re looking for a quick reference on who took home the hardware in December 2025, here is the rundown of the MHSAA state title games:
- Class 7A: Gulfport 21, Tupelo 20 (The buzzer-beater heard 'round the state).
- Class 6A: Warren Central 56, Hattiesburg 34 (A second-half explosion where Warren Central scored 28 unanswered points).
- Class 5A: Brookhaven 31, West Point 19 (Brookhaven’s 21-point third quarter stunned the Green Wave).
- Class 4A: Columbia 6, Kosciusko 0 (A defensive masterclass decided by a Tra Lewis touchdown with 15 seconds left).
- Class 3A: Raleigh 12, Noxubee County 6 (Raleigh repeats behind Jamarcus McCullum’s two scores).
- Class 2A: East Webster 28, Heidelberg 16 (The Wolverines shut out Heidelberg in the second half to clinch it).
- Class 1A: Calhoun City 14, Simmons 8 (A rainy, muddy battle that went the Wildcats' way).
Why We Can't Stop Talking About Warren Central
The 6A title game was weird. In a good way. It was 21–21 at halftime. Hattiesburg looked like they had all the momentum. But Warren Central came out in the third quarter and basically decided they weren't losing. They ran the ball down Hattiesburg's throat.
Fifty-six points in a state championship game is insane. It wasn't just the score; it was the sheer dominance of the offensive line. If you look at the ms h s football scores from the playoffs leading up to that, Warren Central was building toward that peak. They played arguably the most complete half of football anyone saw all season.
The Defensive Duel in Class 4A
On the flip side, look at Columbia and Kosciusko. A 6–0 final score? In 2025? It felt like a throwback to the 1950s. Both teams were exhausted. Every time someone got near the red zone, a turnover or a massive sack pushed them back. Tra Lewis finally broke the deadlock with a 6-yard run at the very end.
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It’s proof that you don't need 50 points to have a classic. That game was intense. Every snap felt like it could be the one that ended the season.
Stat Leaders That Defined the Season
Numbers don't tell the whole story, but they sure help. Some of these kids put up video game stats this year.
Tylan Keys from Poplarville was a human highlight reel. He finished the season with 3,285 rushing yards and 46 touchdowns. Think about that for a second. That is nearly 300 yards a game.
Then you have Brady Chancelor at Seminary. He threw for 3,419 yards. In a state known for ground-and-pound football, Chancelor was out there airing it out like he was in the NFL. These individual performances are why Mississippi continues to be a recruiting hotbed for SEC schools.
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The MAIS Side of the Bracket
We can't forget the private schools. The MAIS (Mississippi Association of Independent Schools) has its own brand of chaos. Jackson Academy and MRA (Madison-Ridgeland Academy) are basically perennial powerhouses at this point.
Jackson Academy finished the season 11–1. Their only real test came against top-tier competition, and they handled it with a balanced attack that was hard to scheme against. In the 4A MAIS rankings, Parklane Academy also made a huge statement, finishing 11–1 and proving they belong in the conversation with the "big boys" of the Jackson area.
What's Next for Mississippi Football?
So, the season is over. What now?
Most of these players are already back in the weight room. National Signing Day is right around the corner for the seniors. For the juniors like Tylan Keys, the hype for the 2026 season has already started.
If you're a fan, keep an eye on the realignment talk. Every few years, the MHSAA shakes up the regions, and that can completely change the playoff landscape. A 7A powerhouse might find themselves in a "Group of Death" next year depending on how the numbers shake out.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check the Archives: If you missed the play-by-play, sites like MaxPreps and the MHSAA official scoreboard still have the full box scores for every championship game.
- Follow the Recruiting Trail: Watch for where stars like Jaeden Hill and Tylan Keys end up. Their college choices will be the big news throughout the spring.
- Mark the 2026 Calendar: Practice for the next season officially begins on August 10, 2026. The first games are set for August 27. It’ll be here before you know it.
- Support Local: High school sports rely on the community. Check out the spring sports like baseball and track, where many of these same football stars are currently competing.
The 2025 season gave us everything—blowouts, defensive struggles, and a last-second touchdown that people will talk about for twenty years. Mississippi football never disappoints.