MS Coast star QB named Mr. Football winner by MHSAA, while state’s leading rusher snubbed

Gautier quarterback Trey Irving has been named 5A Mr. Football by the Mississippi High School Activities Association and the Mississippi Association of Coaches.

The senior earns the honor after leading the Gators to a 9-1 regular season record and the school’s first district championship since 2008.

The 2024 campaign has been Irving’s first full season as the starting quarterback due to injuries his junior year. Irving has thrown for over 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games. Since region play began, Irving has averaged 224.8 passing yards per game with 10 touchdowns against two interceptions.

Irving has added 788 rushing yards on 6.8 yards a carry and has scored 18 times on the ground. He had four consecutive 100-yard rushing games earlier in the season where he scored 11 of his touchdowns.

“We wouldn’t trade Trey for anybody,” Gautier coach Marc High told the Sun Herald following Irving’s four touchdown night against Vancleave. “Trey is a special football player. Does everything we need. He makes a lot of good reads and he’s a threat when he keeps the ball.”

It’s the sixth straight year a player from the Mississippi Coast has been named Mr. Football. Irving is the first from Gautier to garner the honor.

This is the first season since 2018 the 6A winner did not hail from the classification’s Coast region. Picayune’s Darrell Smith is currently leading the state in rushing with 1,897 yards, but 6A Mr. Football was awarded to Hattiesburg quarterback Deuce Vance.