Head Coach: Kendall Lacey (Second Season)
2025 Record: 12-3 (5-0 Region)
2025 Finish: Class 6A State Runner-Up
Classification: MHSAA Class 6A
First Game: Aug. 28 vs. Petal
Home Stadium: D.I. Patrick Stadium
For most high school football programs, reaching the state championship game is the ultimate goal. For Hattiesburg High School, it’s becoming the expectation.
The Tigers enter the 2026 season looking to make a third consecutive deep playoff run after another outstanding campaign in 2025. In Kendall Lacey’s first season as head coach, Hattiesburg finished 12-3, captured another region championship and advanced to the MHSAA Class 6A State Championship Game before falling to eventual champion Warren Central.
While several of the biggest stars from last year’s team have graduated, Hattiesburg still returns enough talent to once again be considered one of South Mississippi’s premier programs.
The biggest question isn’t whether the Tigers can compete.
It’s whether they can take the final step.
Building on Last Year’s Success
Replacing legendary head coach Tony Vance was never going to be easy. Vance left Hattiesburg as the winningest coach in school history and built one of Mississippi’s most consistent football programs. When Kendall Lacey arrived before the 2025 season, he inherited tremendous expectations.
He handled them well. After opening the season with a few growing pains, Hattiesburg found its rhythm and won 10 consecutive games. During that stretch, the Tigers dominated region play and defeated Pearl River Central, Pascagoula and Picayune on their way to another appearance in the state championship game.
Although the season ended with a loss, the Tigers once again proved they belong among Mississippi’s elite programs. Now comes the challenge of replacing a senior class that helped define the last two seasons.
The Offense Belongs to Gavin Ducksworth
The biggest reason for optimism starts at quarterback. Senior Gavin Ducksworth returns after an impressive junior campaign in which he completed over 67 percent of his passes while throwing 27 touchdown passes.
Perhaps more importantly, Ducksworth now has experience leading a team through a championship run. He’s played in rivalry games. He’s played in packed playoff stadiums. He’s played on Mississippi’s biggest stage.
That experience is invaluable entering 2026. While he’ll be breaking in several new receivers, Ducksworth gives Hattiesburg one of the most experienced quarterbacks returning in Class 6A.
Replacing Two Dynamic Playmakers
Graduation hit Hattiesburg’s offense hard. Five-star receiver Tristen Keys heads to Tennessee after finishing one of the most decorated careers in school history. His ability to stretch defenses changed the way opponents defended Hattiesburg every Friday night.
Just as important was Davion Young.
Young quietly became one of Mississippi’s most versatile offensive weapons, leading the Tigers in receiving while also scoring 14 rushing touchdowns. Together, Young and Keys accounted for a huge portion of Hattiesburg’s explosive plays.
Replacing that production won’t fall on one player.
It will have to be done by committee.
Senior receiver JB Bryant appears ready for a much larger role after serving as the Tigers’ third-leading receiver last season. With more targets available, Bryant has the opportunity to become Ducksworth’s favorite weapon.
Several younger receivers will also be counted on to emerge throughout preseason camp.
A Strong Running Game Returns
One area where Hattiesburg returns plenty of experience is the backfield.
Senior Haedyn Leverette rushed for over 60 yards per game last season while scoring six touchdowns.
Alongside him is junior Bryson Barnes, who averaged over 61 rushing yards per contest as only a sophomore.
Together, the duo gives Hattiesburg one of the better returning running back combinations in South Mississippi.
With Ducksworth leading the passing game, expect offensive coordinator adjustments that lean on a more balanced attack than last season.
A consistent running game could become the difference between simply making another playoff run and winning a state championship.
Defense Built Around Antavion Allen
Few defensive players in Mississippi had a breakout season quite like Antavion Allen.
The rising junior defensive end recorded an incredible 18 sacks as a sophomore.
Those numbers immediately place Allen among the state’s most dangerous pass rushers.
Opposing offenses will certainly dedicate extra blockers toward slowing him down this fall, but Allen has already proven he can take over football games.
Behind him, senior linebacker Christopher Veal returns after averaging nine tackles per game last season.
Veal becomes the leader of a defense replacing several veteran starters.
If Allen continues creating pressure up front while Veal controls the middle of the defense, Hattiesburg should once again field one of the better defensive units in Class 6A.
Five Players to Watch
Gavin Ducksworth – Quarterback (Senior)
The returning starter becomes the face of the offense after throwing 27 touchdown passes in 2025.
Haedyn Leverette – Running Back (Senior)
Expected to carry an even bigger workload after a productive junior season.
JB Bryant – Wide Receiver (Senior)
Moves into the No. 1 receiver role after playing behind two future college standouts.
Christopher Veal – Linebacker (Senior)
The emotional leader of the defense enters his final season after averaging nine tackles per game.
Antavion Allen – Defensive End (Junior)
One of Mississippi’s premier young defenders after recording 18 sacks as a sophomore.
2026 Schedule
Aug. 28 – Petal (Home)
Sept. 4 – Laurel (Home)
Sept. 11 – Oak Grove (Away)
Sept. 18 – Biloxi (Away)
Sept. 25 – Meridian (Away)
Oct. 2 – Open
Oct. 9 – Jim Hill* (Home)
Oct. 16 – Forest Hill* (Home)
Oct. 23 – George County* (Away)
Oct. 30 – West Jones* (Away)
Nov. 6 – Terry* (Home)
*Region Game
Magnolia Coast Sports Outlook
Don’t expect Hattiesburg to take a major step backward.
Yes, replacing Tristen Keys and Davion Young is no small task. Those two players could change games with a single play.
But championship programs don’t rely on one graduating class.
They reload.
Ducksworth gives the Tigers one of the state’s most experienced returning quarterbacks. Leverette and Barnes provide stability in the backfield, while Allen may already be one of Mississippi’s most feared defensive linemen.
The schedule is challenging enough that a loss or two early wouldn’t be surprising.
By October, however, expect Hattiesburg to once again be playing its best football.
If the Tigers develop new playmakers around Ducksworth and continue their tradition of dominant defense, another trip to the Class 6A South State Championship Game—and perhaps another appearance in the state title game—is well within reach.
Magnolia Coast Sports Prediction: 9-1 regular season, Region Champion, South State contender and legitimate Class 6A state championship threat.
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