The 2026 Mississippi high school baseball season is quickly approaching and, as usual, excitement is abound throughout the state. Players and coaches have been working in preparation for the upcoming season and, as is the case each year, there are some very talented players and teams across Mississippi.

Teams across the state have goals and aspirations to finish their seasons at Pearl’s Trustmark Park, in the State Tournament finals at the end of May, but there is plenty of work to be done before that becomes reality. We hope to familiarize our readers with many of the teams across the state as we preview individual teams across Mississippi. We will take you right up to first pitch this season with these team previews, eventually releasing our Preseason Power 25 rankings that’ll carry us into the opening week of action.

Please keep checking back throughout the season as we will be your one-stop shop for everything related to high school baseball across the state. Each week we will be releasing our Players of the Week and updating the Power 25 rankings.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Yazoo County High School
Head Coach: Corbin Ellis
MHSAA Classification: 3A
District Number: 3
2025 Record (Playoff Finish): 18-11 (Second Round Playoffs)

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ROSTER PREVIEW

+ Top Returning Position Players:

• UTL Gabe Shaffer (2027)
• 3B/RHP Josh Snow (2026)
• SS Trey Kennedy (2027)
• C/RHP Will Andrews (2029)
• 2B/OF Chris Rials (2029)
• OF/RHP Broc Willingham (2027)
• UTL Jamarion Edwards (2026)

+ Top Returning Pitchers:

• RHP Josh Snow (2026)
• RHP Will Andrews (2029)

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TOP NEWCOMERS

+ Impact Underclassmen:

• Chris Rials (2029)
• Will Andrews (2029)

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2026 OUTLOOK

+ Yazoo County enters the 2025 season coming off an 18–11 campaign that included a trip to the Second Round of the 3A playoffs, and the Panthers look poised to remain a strong contender in District 3-3A. Head coach Corbin Ellis returns a deep and experienced group of position players, highlighted by multiple two-way contributors who will play major roles on both sides of the ball.

The Panthers' lineup will once again be anchored by versatile sophomore Gabe Shaffer (2027), who brings athleticism and reliable production in multiple spots. Josh Snow (2026) returns as a key two-way presence, holding down third base and serving as one of the staff’s most important arms. Up the middle, Trey Kennedy (2027) provides stability at shortstop, while Will Andrews (2029) looks to build on a strong freshman season as both a catcher and a rotation arm.

Young talent continues to emerge across the field for Yazoo County, with Chris Rials (2029) offering speed and versatility at second base or in the outfield, and Broc Willingham (2027) giving the Panthers another dependable outfield bat with the ability to contribute on the mound. Jamarion Edwards (2026) returns as a do-it-all utility option who adds depth and competitiveness to the roster.

On the mound, Snow and Andrews headline the returning pitching staff as they look to lead a rotation capable of competing with the top teams in the district. Their development and durability will be central to the Panthers’ success this spring.

A strong mix of upperclass leadership, promising youth, and multiple two-way producers gives Yazoo County a well-rounded foundation heading into the season. With several of their top newcomers already making an impact, the Panthers enter 2025 with the potential to push beyond last year’s playoff run and continue trending upward in Class 3A.

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Find more information on Yazoo County High School’s 2026 season below:

+ Follow them on Facebook: Yazoo County School District
+ Find more 2026 team previews on our MHSAA Season Preview page

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