Head Coach: Nick Griffin
2025 Record: 3-8
Region Record: 2-2, fourth in Region 8-2A
Classification: MHSAA Class 2A
2026 Season Opener: Aug. 28 at Loyd Star
Perry Central’s 2025 record was not pretty. The Bulldogs finished 3-8, lost their first three games, struggled against several larger non-region opponents and were eliminated by Wesson in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs.
But the record does not tell the entire story. Perry Central still went 2-2 in region play, beat East Marion and Sacred Heart late in the year and reached the postseason. More importantly, most of the players who produced for the Bulldogs last fall are back.
That makes 2026 different. Senior quarterback Kameron Moody returns after throwing 10 touchdown passes and rushing for eight more. Odarius Scott is back after leading Perry Central in receiving yards per game. Brayden Weathers returns after catching four touchdowns, while Keoni Jones, Skyler Tatum, Jarvis Bolton, Cayson Backstrom and Brandon Sumrall give the defense a large group of experienced playmakers.
For head coach Nick Griffin, the question is whether that experience can finally turn close losses into wins. Griffin has spent much of his tenure trying to build accountability and trust inside a program that has hovered around three or four victories for several years.
Before last season, Griffin said he wanted his players to become comfortable holding each other accountable and knowing the player beside them had their back. This year, many of those players are seniors. There are fewer excuses.
Kameron Moody Gives Perry Central an Experienced Quarterback
The most important returning player is senior quarterback Kameron Moody. Moody completed 62.2 percent of his passes last season and threw 10 touchdowns. He also led Perry Central with eight rushing scores and averaged 51.9 rushing yards per game.
That dual-threat ability gives the Bulldogs a clear offensive identity. Moody is not a quarterback who needs to stand in the pocket and throw 35 times a night. He can keep drives alive with his legs, turn broken plays into positive yardage and force defenses to account for him in the running game.
He also improved late in the season. Moody threw for 199 yards against Collins, 221 against North Forrest and 261 against Sacred Heart. That final number matters.
Perry Central did not just beat Sacred Heart. The Bulldogs showed they could throw the football effectively when opponents concentrated on stopping the run.
Moody enters 2026 with three years of varsity experience and the opportunity to finish his career with his best season.
For a team trying to move from the bottom half of the region into contention, that is a major advantage.
Odarius Scott Gives the Offense Versatility
Senior Odarius Scott may be Perry Central’s most versatile offensive player. Scott led the Bulldogs with 49.4 receiving yards per game last season despite being listed primarily as a running back and middle linebacker. He caught three touchdown passes and also contributed in the running game.
At 5-foot-10 and around 180 pounds, Scott gives Perry Central several options. He can line up in the backfield. He can motion into the slot. He can catch the football underneath. He can also remain on the field defensively at linebacker. That versatility becomes especially important after the graduation of Cephus Pruitt Jr., who led Perry Central with 58.2 rushing yards per game and scored six rushing touchdowns last season.
The Bulldogs will need someone to replace that production. Scott appears to be the most likely candidate.
Brayden Weathers Could Have a Bigger Senior Season
Senior receiver Brayden Weathers is another player whose production should increase. Weathers averaged 39.8 receiving yards per game and led the Bulldogs with four receiving touchdowns last season. He also intercepted a pass defensively.
At 5-foot-6 and 145 pounds, Weathers wins more with quickness than size. He gives Moody a reliable target in space and can be used on screens, quick passes and crossing routes where his speed becomes more important than his frame.
Perry Central also returns K’lon Sumrall, while junior Skylyn Powe provides another athletic receiving option.
Keoni Jones Leads an Experienced Defense
If Perry Central takes a step forward, the defense may be the reason. Senior linebacker and defensive back Keoni Jones led the team with 10.6 tackles per game last season and forced five fumbles. Those are impact numbers.
Jones has the speed to play outside linebacker and enough coverage ability to help in the secondary. At 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, he is not a traditional downhill middle linebacker, but his activity around the football makes him one of Perry Central’s most valuable defenders.
The Bulldogs also return several other productive defenders. Junior Brandon Sumrall averaged 9.8 tackles per game as a sophomore. Senior Skyler Tatum averaged 7.9 tackles per game and forced four fumbles. Senior Jarvis Bolton recorded four sacks and eight quarterback hurries. Senior Cayson Backstrom led the team with five sacks.
That is a substantial amount of returning production for a Class 2A defense. The issue last year was consistency. Perry Central allowed 41 points to Greene County, 47 to Forest, 40 to Tylertown, 42 to Collins and 49 to Wesson. But the same defense also held Franklin County to 10, East Marion to six and Sacred Heart to three. The Bulldogs have shown they can play good defense.
They simply have to do it more often.
Brandon Sumrall Is One of the Young Names to Watch
One of the most intriguing players on the roster is junior safety and receiver Brandon Sumrall. Sumrall was already making an impact before last season began. As a freshman in 2024, he recorded 92 tackles, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries in 11 games. Griffin identified him as one of the young players around whom the program could build.
He followed that with 9.8 tackles per game as a sophomore in 2025. Now he enters his junior season with two full years of varsity experience. At around 6-foot and 178 pounds, Sumrall has the frame to continue developing into a major two-way player. He may not have a Division I offer yet, but he is exactly the type of player whose recruitment could change quickly with another productive season.
Nick Griffin Is Coaching His Alma Mater
There is another reason Perry Central matters to Griffin. He played there.
Griffin was an outstanding running back at Perry Central and earned WDAM All-Area Offensive MVP honors after rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns during his senior season.
Now he is trying to rebuild the same program from the sideline. Griffin entered 2025 in his third season as head coach and has repeatedly emphasized accountability, leadership and players relying on one another. The rebuild has been gradual. Perry Central went 3-7 in 2023, 4-7 in 2024 and 3-8 last season.
There has not yet been the major breakthrough. But there is a precedent for success in New Augusta. Perry Central went 10-2 in 2017 under Chip Bilderback, won 10 games and reached the second round of the playoffs. The Bulldogs also produced a 12-win season and their only district championship in 2009. The program has won before. Griffin is trying to show it can win again.
Five Games to Watch
Aug. 28 – at Loyd Star
Loyd Star shut out Perry Central 20-0 in last year’s opener. The rematch immediately gives the Bulldogs a chance to show whether their returning offense has improved.
Sept. 25 – Tylertown
Tylertown beat Perry Central 40-20 last season. The home rematch should provide a strong test before region play begins.
Oct. 9 – at Collins
Perry Central scored 34 points against Collins last season but still lost 42-34. With both teams competing for playoff position, this could again become one of the most important games in Region 8-2A.
Oct. 16 – East Marion
Perry Central’s 26-6 road win over East Marion was arguably its best performance of 2025. This time East Marion comes to New Augusta looking for revenge.
Oct. 23 – North Forrest
North Forrest beat Perry Central 35-24 last season and finished ahead of the Bulldogs in the region. This game could have direct playoff-seeding implications.
2026 Perry Central Schedule
Aug. 28 – at Loyd Star
Sept. 4 – at Greene County
Sept. 11 – Forest
Sept. 18 – Franklin County
Sept. 25 – Tylertown
Oct. 2 – at Lumberton
Oct. 9 – at Collins*
Oct. 16 – East Marion*
Oct. 23 – North Forrest*
Oct. 29 – at Sacred Heart*
*Region 8-2A game.
Magnolia Coast Sports Outlook
Perry Central should be better than last season’s 3-8 record.
The Bulldogs return an experienced senior quarterback, their leading receiver, most of their top tacklers and several players who have already spent two or three seasons playing varsity football.
That matters.
The concern is depth. Perry Central’s published roster is small, and several key players will be asked to contribute on both sides of the ball. Injuries could change the outlook quickly.
The non-region schedule is also difficult enough that the overall record may not look impressive even if the Bulldogs improve.
Region play is where Perry Central has an opportunity.
The Bulldogs already beat East Marion and Sacred Heart last season, and they were competitive with Collins and North Forrest. If Moody and the offense become more consistent, Perry Central has a realistic chance to move up the standings.
This does not look like a team ready to dominate Class 2A.
It does look like a team capable of winning more often than it did a year ago.
Magnolia Coast Sports Prediction: 5-5 regular season, third place in Region 8-2A and a return to the Class 2A playoffs.
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