Head Coach: Brad Hankins
2025 Record: 6-5
Region Record: 3-2, third in Region 4-5A
Classification: MHSAA Class 5A
2026 Season Opener: Aug. 21 at Presbyterian Christian
Purvis did not dominate its way through the 2025 season. The Tornadoes did something arguably more important for a program trying to establish consistency in Class 5A: they found ways to survive.
There was a two-point loss to Sumrall. A two-point victory over Long Beach. A 10-point road win at East Central. A seven-point win over Northeast Jones. Then came a 30-0 shutout of Vancleave that punched Purvis’ ticket to the postseason. By November, the Tornadoes were 6-4 and headed back to the playoffs.
Their season ended with a 39-3 loss at Laurel in the opening round, but after winning only four games in 2024, Purvis had taken a noticeable step forward. The Tornadoes finished 3-2 in Region 4-5A and earned their first postseason appearance since 2020. Now Brad Hankins has an interesting team entering 2026.
Purvis graduated several important seniors. But a large portion of last season’s production returns, and many of the players coming back were already major contributors as juniors or sophomores.
Senior athlete Paxton Cooper is the name to know. Cooper led Purvis in both rushing and receiving last season while scoring nine total touchdowns. Senior linebacker Jake Clinton led the team in tackles. Junior Danny Parker Yawn intercepted four passes while also emerging as one of Purvis’ better receivers, and senior running back Slade Thompson gives the Tornadoes another experienced option in the backfield.
The Tornadoes are not loaded with four-star prospects or a roster full of Division I commitments. What they do have is experience and for a team that played so many close games last season, that could matter.
Paxton Cooper Becomes the Centerpiece
If there is one player who represents what Purvis wants to be offensively in 2026, it is Paxton Cooper. Cooper was essentially everywhere last fall. As a junior, he led Purvis with 63.8 receiving yards per game and also led the team with 58.1 rushing yards per game. He scored six rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns for a team-high nine total scores. He even attempted a pass.
Purvis can line Cooper up outside, put him in the slot, motion him into the backfield or simply hand him the football. Defenses have to account for him before every snap. At 5-foot-9 and roughly 170 pounds, Cooper is not an imposing player physically, but he does not have to be. His value comes from getting into space and forcing defenders to tackle him one-on-one.
Last season he was one of several weapons but this season he may become the player everything revolves around.
A New Look at Quarterback
Senior Hunter Brewer appears positioned to take on a larger role at quarterback. Brewer saw some action last season, completing 53.3 percent of his passes and throwing two touchdowns. That experience is limited, but it means Purvis does not enter August with a quarterback who has never taken meaningful snaps.
The 2026 roster also includes sophomore Levi Dewease, giving Hankins another option at the position. Purvis does not necessarily need its quarterback to throw the ball 30 times every Friday night. The Tornadoes have enough versatility around the backfield to lean on their running game and short passing attack. What they need is efficiency.
How quickly Brewer settles into the job could determine whether Purvis takes another step forward or spends another season around the .500 mark.
Slade Thompson Gives Purvis Another Running Option
Cooper may receive most of the attention, but senior Slade Thompson gives the Tornadoes an established runner. Thompson averaged 50.3 rushing yards per game as a junior and scored three touchdowns.
That production becomes more important following the graduation of Gabe Franklin, who averaged 51.1 rushing yards per game last season. Hankins should have several options behind them.
Senior Jakylan Williams and junior Kolby Kromeke are listed at running back and linebacker, while Anderson Nicholas returns as another junior back. Senior Taylor Adkins can also contribute in the backfield and at linebacker. That depth gives Purvis an opportunity to rotate runners rather than asking one player to absorb every carry. The Tornadoes were at their best last season when they could stay balanced and control the football. Expect that formula to remain.
Parker Yawn Could Be Ready for a Breakout
One of the most intriguing returning players is junior receiver and defensive back Danny Parker Yawn. As a sophomore, Yawn finished second on the team at 26.6 receiving yards per game and caught two touchdown passes.
His biggest impact came on defense. Yawn led Purvis with four interceptions, twice as many as anyone else on the team. He enters 2026 listed around 6-foot and 160 pounds, giving him length in the secondary and enough size to become a more prominent receiving target.
The opportunity is there. Jackson Walker graduated after finishing third on the team in receiving yards per game and catching two touchdowns. Purvis needs another player to emerge alongside Cooper.
Yawn looks like the obvious candidate. His combination of receiver and cornerback responsibilities also makes him one of those classic small-school football players who may rarely leave the field. A strong junior year could begin attracting recruiting attention.
Jake Clinton Takes Over the Defense
Purvis lost some recognizable names on defense, but its leading tackler is back. Senior linebacker Jake Clinton averaged 6.7 tackles per game last season, leading the Tornadoes. He also recorded four quarterback hurries while contributing at tight end offensively.
Senior Bradley Saujon can help at defensive end, while junior Kylon Travis and sophomore Jayce Bailey provide additional options on the edge. Junior Rama Zehentner brings one of the bigger frames on the roster at roughly 6-foot and 240 pounds.
Purvis does not need one player to replace the talented Defensive line it graduated from last year. It needs four or five players to collectively replace the pressure and physicality last year’s senior group provided.
The Secondary Could Be a Strength
While the defensive front undergoes changes, Purvis may have the pieces to be dangerous in the secondary. Yawn already proved himself as a ballhawk with four interceptions. Cooper can play defensive back. Senior Derrick Robinson returns at receiver and defensive back, while senior Daqualin Page gives the Tornadoes another experienced athlete on the perimeter. Thompson is also listed as a defensive back.
Purvis intercepted enough passes last season to demonstrate an ability to create turnovers, with Yawn leading the way. Turnovers become especially valuable for a team that may not consistently overwhelm opponents physically.
A short field can change a game. Last year’s wins over Long Beach and Northeast Jones were decided by a combined nine points. One interception or fumble recovery can be the difference in games like those.Purvis will likely find itself in several more of games like that.
Five Games to Watch
Aug. 21 – at Presbyterian Christian
Purvis opens the season against one of the Pine Belt’s most intriguing small-school teams. PCS features Wake Forest quarterback commitment Smith Stringer and an explosive passing attack, meaning Purvis’ experienced secondary will be tested immediately.
Sept. 11 – Sumrall
Last year’s meeting was one of the area’s best games. Purvis led late before Sumrall escaped with a 26-24 victory on a game-winning field goal. This time the rivalry comes to Purvis.
Sept. 25 – Forrest County AHS
Purvis went to Brooklyn and beat the Aggies 34-20 last season. The series is one of the longest-running local matchups for both programs, and there usually is not much love lost when the two schools meet.
Oct. 16 – Stone
Stone shut out Purvis 26-0 in 2025 and went on to finish ahead of the Tornadoes in Region 4-5A. For Purvis to climb the region standings, this is the type of game it eventually has to win.
Oct. 30 – Wayne County
Wayne County defeated Purvis 27-17 last season. With the game falling near the end of the region schedule, the rematch could have major implications for playoff qualification and seeding.
2026 Purvis Schedule
Aug. 21 – at Presbyterian Christian
Aug. 28 – at Lumberton
Sept. 4 – at Pass Christian
Sept. 11 – Sumrall
Sept. 18 – at Long Beach
Sept. 25 – Forrest County AHS
Oct. 2 – Open
Oct. 9 – East Central*
Oct. 16 – Stone*
Oct. 23 – at Northeast Jones*
Oct. 30 – Wayne County*
Nov. 5 – at Vancleave*
*Region 4-5A game
Magnolia Coast Sports Outlook
Purvis enters 2026 looking much more like a program trying to build consistency than one starting over. Cooper gives the Tornadoes a proven playmaker, Clinton anchors the defense and players such as Thompson and Yawn already have significant varsity experience.
The biggest questions are quarterback and the defensive front. Purvis must replace Lawler’s experience under center and several seniors who provided pressure around the line of scrimmage. Against the stronger teams in Region 4-5A, those losses could show.
But this team should be competitive. Last season proved Purvis can win the close games required to reach the postseason. With another year of experience throughout the roster, the Tornadoes should again find themselves playing meaningful football in late October.
Magnolia Coast Sports Prediction: 6-4 regular season, a third-place finish in Region 4-5A and a second consecutive Class 5A playoff appearance.
About The Author
