The best of the best: Meet the 2023 Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Football Team

The Mississippi Coast failed to place a team in the state championship games for the first time since 2010 this season, but that didn’t represent the quality of product once again put on fields across the lower six counties.

South Mississippi produced some of the top prospects in the state, and had a pair of teams vie for South State titles.

There was also no shortage of storylines. A first-year coach led Pass Christian to its most successful season in history, Hancock produced what was arguably the most talented team in school history and an import from Mexico stole the show at St. Stanislaus.

Here is the complete 2023 Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Football Team.

Player of the Year

Ian Gonzalez Rioz, St. Stanislaus

A product of Mexico City, Gonzalez Rioz made his lone season of high school football in the United States count. The Rock-a-Chaw quarterback was responsible for 36 touchdowns across 11 games, leading SSC to a 9-2 record and the school’s first district title since 2016.

Gonzalez Rioz threw for 1,822 yards and 18 touchdowns and led all Coast quarterbacks in rushing with 1,431 yards and 17 more scores. He also returned a kickoff for a game-winning touchdown in the first round of the playoffs.

Fan Vote Player of the Year

Ian Gonzalez Rioz, St. Stanislaus

Gonzalez Rioz won the vote of the people, as well, earning 37,000 votes to claim the Fan’s Choice for Player of the Year. His lone season was enough to garner three scholarship offers at the next level.

The Rock-a-Chaw narrowly beat out Hancock quarterback Dylan Moran, who earned over 34,000 votes and 43 percent of the total vote.

Offensive Player of the Year

Dylan Moran, Hancock

Moran’s consistent growth as a starting quarterback culminated in a career-year that saw him lead the highest-scoring offense in school history.

The senior threw for 2,249 yards and a Coast-leading 28 touchdowns. Moran is committed to play Faulkner University in Alabama.

Defensive Player of the Year

Aidan Taylor, Hancock

Taylor was a one-man wrecking crew off the edge for the Hawks. The junior exploded with 106 tackles in 2023 and led the Coast in tackles for loss with 35 and in sacks with 11.

Taylor was named the All-Region 4-6A Defensive MVP and is holding an offer from Orange Coast College.

Coach of the Year

Jeff Stockstill, Pass Christian

Year one of the Stockstill era in The Pass was a success, to say the least. The Pirates reached nine wins for the first time in the classification era and for the first time since winning 10 games in 1975. Pass Christian reached the third round of the playoffs for the first time in school history, as well.

Stockstill’s offense was the second-most prolific the Pirates have ever had, as well, beaten only by Blake Pennock’s 2019 team. On the other side, the 14.9 points per game allowed was the best mark since 2015.

Sun Herald All-South Mississippi First Team

QB Tri Gaughf, Harrison Central: The Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. baseball commit led the Coast in passing yards with 2,310 and completions with 150 while connecting on 21 touchdown passes.

QB Ladd Scriber, Pass Christian: Scriber threw for 2,219 yards and 23 touchdowns and ran for another score as a senior.

QB Nico Williams, Gulfport: Williams is a Southeast Louisiana double-signee for football and baseball. The senior threw for 2,182 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for another 440 yards and eight scores.

RB Zach Gullung, Hancock: Gullung led all Coast rushers with 1,530 yards and found the end zone 18 times on the ground.

RB Jacquez Alexander-Dedeaux, Pass Christian: The junior tallied a career-high 1,472 rushing yards with 19 touchdowns.

RB Solomon Baggett, Gautier: Baggett’s 1,500 rushing yards were the most seen at Gautier in at least 15 years. Baggett scored 16 rushing touchdowns, as well.

WR Tyree Barnett, Harrison Central: Barnett was the Coast’s leader in receptions with 63 and in yards with 1,005. The junior caught nine touchdown passes.

WR Terry Patton Jr, Pass Christian: Patton Jr caught 55 passes for 1,002 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior.

WR Neil Acker, Hancock: Acker caught 53 passes for the Hawks for 919 yards and 11 touchdowns his senior season.

WR Bryhsen Smith, Ocean Springs: The versatile junior caught 42 passes for 765 yards and three scores while also rushing for five more touchdowns and returning two punts for touchdowns.

OL Ziron Brown, Bay High: Brown is a Stanford signee who earned an invite to Orlando as an Under Armour All-American.

OL Tristen Fortenberry, Pascagoula: Fortenberry was an All-State select and capped his season by signing with Tulane.

OL Zaylin Dedeaux, Ocean Springs: The 320-pound junior earned First Team All-State honors after picking up 19 pancakes.

OL Sean McGill, Gulfport: McGill was an All-Region MVP choice and is holding onto 13 scholarship offers.

OL Hubert Broadnax, Gulfport: Broadnax was also an All-Region MVP select as a tackle and has earned 14 offers.

EDGE Trace Carter, Ocean Springs: An All-State pick and the Region 4-7A Defensive Player of the Year, Carter racked up 32 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

DL Angel McGee, Gautier: An All-State choice and two-time powerlifting champion, McGee picked up 109 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five sacks as a senior.

DL Jacob Bradford, St. Stanislaus: The Rock-a-Chaw all-time sack leader wrapped up his high school career with a 101-tackle campaign with 26 tackles for loss and seven sacks before signing with Louisiana Tech.

DL Jabari McWilliams, Picayune: The Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. commit registered 68 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks as a senior.

DL Kai McClendon, Gulfport: The Mississippi State signee earned a spot in the Mississippi-Alabama All Star game after a 63-tackle season with 11 tackles for loss and three sacks.

EDGE Jamonta Waller, Picayune: Waller is the top-ranked prospect in the state in his class, 6A Mr. Football winner and an Auburn signee who picked up 22 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

LB Jeffrey Hopgood, Hancock: Hopgood led all on the Coast with 161 tackles as a senior, plus added 27 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception. Also rushed for 382 yards and four scores.

LB Amarion Tyson, Picayune: Tyson’s high school career ended as a Mississippi-Alabama All Star and with 124 tackles with 23 tackles for loss as a senior.

LB Blaine Green, George County: Green led the Rebel defense with 139 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks.

LB Fredrick Nicholson, Gautier: The junior led the Gators with 136 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four forced fumbles.

DB Willie Breland, Stone: Breland starred for the Tomcats with 72 tackles, four interceptions, 12 pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

DB Kristoff Ganier, Hancock: Ganier was an All-Region choice after a 55-tackle season with 12 pass breakups and two interceptions.

DB Tre’Von Deans, Harrison Central: An All-Region MVP select, Deans tied for the Coast lead with six interceptions and broke up nine passes.

DB Tylan Wilson, Pascagoula: Wilson was an All-State pick as a sophomore after turning in a season with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups.

ATH Benny Williams, Bay High: Williams dominated both sides of the field with 1,100 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, plus 21 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He also returned two kicks for touchdowns.

ATH Marlin Odom, George County: The senior tied for the Coast lead with six interceptions on defense while also catching six touchdown passes on offense.

ATH Darrell Smith, Picayune: Smith rushed for 1,087 yards and 10 touchdowns, plus recorded three pass breakups and a forced fumble.

K Evan Noel, St. Stanislaus: The top-ranked kicker in the ‘25 class and an Arkansas commit, Noel led the Coast with eight field goals and booted 49 kickoff touchbacks.

Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Second Team

QB Silas Corder, Pascagoula: Corder set the program record for career touchdown passes and finished the season with 23 tossing scores and 1,981 yards to go along.

QB Will Berglind, Ocean Springs: Berglind’s first year as starter produced 1,753 passing yards and 17 touchdowns.

QB Deuce Knight, George County: In just half a season, the Notre Dame commit threw for 1,420 yards with 15 scores and ran for 340 yards with another eight touchdowns.

RB Daniel Pickens, Resurrection: Pickens led the Coast in touchdowns scored with 28, 22 coming on the ground and six more as a receiver.

RB Will Smith, Ocean Springs: Smith erupted for 1,268 rushing yards with 18 touchdowns and 20 total scores as a junior.

RB Ty Keys, Poplarville: The freshman rushed for 1,222 yards and scored 24 touchdowns for the Hornets.

WR Ethan Galloway, St. Stanislaus: Galloway caught 38 passes as a senior for 711 yards and 11 touchdowns.

WR Cam Joseph, Gulfport: Joseph was on the receiving end of seven touchdown passes and picked up 675 yards on 38 receptions.

WR Tristan Haynes, Biloxi: Haynes led the Indians with 36 catches for 632 yards and nine touchdowns.

WR Montrell Dortch, George County: Dortch was an All-Region MVP choice who caught 29 passes for 617 yards and five touchdowns for the Rebels.

OL Gabe Miller, East Central: The senior was an All-State honoree and a Bernard Blackwell all star.

OL Brayden Jackson, Gautier: Jackson was an All-State First Team pick for the Gators.

OL Isaiah Morgan, Gulfport: The senior was an All-Region pick and is holding on to four scholarship offers.

OL Quinton Haynes, Picayune: Haynes was an All-Region MVP pick along the offensive line, plus recorded 21 tackles and three tackles for loss as a linebacker.

OL Donnell Lewis, Picayune: Lewis was also an All-Region choice for a team that produced three 900-yard rushers.

EDGE Aden Dedeaux, Poplarville: A Bernard Blackwell all star and All-State select, Dedeaux had 23 tackles for loss with nine sacks and five forced fumbles as a senior.

DL Lamar Vaxter, Ocean Springs: Vaxter was an All-Region MVP team pick and finished the year with 82 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and five sacks.

DL Jayden Acker, Pass Christian: Acker was a First Team All-State choice after picking up 27 tackles for loss with five sacks.

DL Charlie Brown, St. Stanislaus: Brown led the Rock-a-Chaws with 26.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks as a senior.

DL Talan Carter, Ocean Springs: The Mississippi-Alabama All Star was the Region 4-7A Player of the Year after recording 45 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.

LB Eric Moore Jr, Ocean Springs: The Arkansas State commit picked up 96 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception.

LB Michael Hudson, East Central: The senior recorded 123 tackles with 16 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

LB Boone Wilson, Harrison Central: Wilson had 117 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception and two forced fumbles as a junior.

LB Jaylon Parnell, Pascagoula: Parnell was an All-State pick after registering 107 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions.

DB JT Robinson, Poplarville: Robinson made the most of his lone year in Popvegas with 60 tackles, four interceptions and seven pass breakups.

DB Jaden Webb, Pascagoula: Webb led the Coast with 15 pass breakups and also picked up three tackles for loss and two interceptions.

DB Damon Felder, Gulfport: A Bernard Blackwell all star and All-Region MVP select, Felder led the Admirals with 11 pass breakups and picked off two passes.

DB Chesley Rhodes, St. Stanislaus: Rhodes was an All-State pick after putting up 95 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, eight pass breakups and three interceptions.

ATH Noreel White, St. Martin: The Ole Miss signee rushed for 491 yards and five touchdowns, had 610 receiving yards with six touchdowns and had 47 tackles with two interceptions.

ATH Niquis Ratcliff, Picayune: Ratcliff rushed for 1,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, plus had seven pass breakups and two interceptions.

ATH Kelvin Beavers, Gautier: The Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. commit had 821 passing yards and 11 touchdowns through the air, 210 yards and a score on the ground and 432 yards with three touchdowns as a receiver.

K Kyler Boothe, Poplarville: Boothe hit seven of eight field goal attempts and 57 of 61 extra point attempts.

Honorable mention

QB Xander Ladner, Bay High; QB Zach Marlin, Biloxi; QB Luke Schnoor, Resurrection; RB DJ Biggs, Christian Collegiate; RB Taboris Charles, Moss Point; RB Jaylen Antoine, Bay High; RB Trey Harris, West Harrison; RB Junior Brown, Long Beach; RB Lane Amacker, Poplarville; RB Chris Davis, Picayune

WR Kaleb Shaefer, Hancock; WR Bishop McGruder, Gulfport; WR Gavin Brown, Gulfport; WR KJ Galloway, Stone; WR Kainen Rush, Gautier; WR Darius Carter, Pascagoula; ATH Brenn Moody, George County; ATH Tyler Rose, Bay High; ATH Avery Harris, Bay High; OL Chase McLaughlin, Pass Christian; OL DeShawn Feazell, Moss Point

DL Braylon Laneaux, Pass Christian; DL Ziyon Polk, Gautier; DL Sam Lejeune, St. Stanislaus; DL Branden Davis, West Harrison; DL Andrew Daniely, Pass Christian; DL Josh Beck, Poplarville; DL Andrew Whitney, St. Stanislaus; DL Tyneke Davis, George County

LB Scottie Toothman, Vancleave; LB Harris Hinkel, Resurrection; LB Layton Hyatt, George County; LB Casey Wheat, Hancock; LB Jarrad Loper, Pascagoula; LB Xzavier Hye, Gautier; LB Coleman Gazzo, Biloxi; LB Brent Olsen, Poplarville; LB Spencer Cornell, St. Stanislaus; LB Ayden Harmon, Poplarville; LB Dalton Stringer, Stone; LB Marlos Walker, Harrison Central; LB Karsten Mooney, Pass Christian; LB Micah McKay, Pass Christian; LB Julyan Santee, Hancock; LB Alex Harris, Bay High

DB Lawrence Jamison, Poplarville; DB Nehemiah Sowders, Bay High; DB Prince Cottonham, Gulfport; DB Jaquian Payton, Gulfport; DB Christian Bingham, Ocean Springs; Kristian Dillard, Ocean Springs; DB Darrion Perkins, Biloxi; DB Kohl Bradley, George County