Brandon High School has been placed on probation for violating practice rules.
Mississippi High School Activities Association Executive Director Rickey Neaves confirmed to SuperTalk Mississippi News on Tuesday that the Bulldogs have been fined and placed on probation for one year for practicing in pads too soon. The amount of money the school will have to pay in fines is undisclosed.
Brandon is accused of having players wear pads in practice on Aug. 13 — two days before the MHSAA allowed this year. Neaves noted that the probation and fine will not prohibit the Bulldogs from competing in the postseason this year.
The program faced similar penalties last year, but while under the leadership of ex-head coach Lance Pogue, who resigned from his post in October 2025. Longtime assistant Eugene Clinton took over as the Bulldogs’ full time frontman this past December and heads into his first season leading the charge.
Brandon, under Clinton’s leadership, ended the most recent campaign in the South State Championship, where the Bulldogs fell to eventual 7A state titleholder Gulfport 40-7. The Bulldogs had a 30-27 playoff win over Oak Grove before the season-ending loss.
Clinton’s team will begin the upcoming regular season against state champion runner-up Tupelo on Aug. 28. The Golden Wave are hosting the matchup.
