Barry Harper

Please, please accept my apologies. I will never doubt you again. Last week I predicted the score to be Picayune 24, Hattiesburg 10. What was I thinking? This apology goes out to the Picayune Maroon Tide defense, otherwise known as the "GOOSE EGG GANG" defense, who has pitched 4 shut-outs out of 6 games this year. This defense is made up of more than just 11 players. Every Friday night there is a steady stream of 2 or 3 players shuffling in and out. However, the 11 that are on the field always execute and always fly to the football. When you have 6, 7, and 8 kids gang-tackling it makes it hard for an offense to make big plays. Gang-tackling is nothing more than attitude and desire. And when you have 11 kids on defense with this attitude no wonder they have shut out 4 high school teams this year so far.

It may not be fair to put this nickname on them because of the competition of the rest of the schedule, but as long as we have this GOOSE EGG GANG defense, I think this team can make a run through late November and possibly early December. So please once again accept my apology, I will never underestimate the GOOSE EGG GANG defense again.

Now, this Friday night will be a huge ballgame for both teams. Only 4 teams out of Division 3-5A will make the playoffs. That leaves 3 really good teams out. If these left-out teams were in any other division, they would probably get into the playoffs. So from here on out, every game, every quarter, and every play will be critical.

Meridian defeated Natchez last Friday night by the score of 60-14. The half-time score was 48-0. Meridian is coached by Ed Stanley, who is in his second year coming over from South Panola High School in Batesville, MS. He is used to being around a lot of talent and he knows what to do with it. They started the season by loosing their first 2 games. Stanley inserted a new quarterback, sophomore, Justin Baylor, into the lineup and Meridian won their next 4 games. He is a good running quarterback, and the GOOSE EGG GANG defense will have to contain him on every play. However, this young quarterback is not their biggest threat on offense.

Meridian has a very talented 214-pound sophomore running back, Cordera Eason. He carried the ball 5 times last Friday night for 115 yards. If my Gazenta's are right (5 Gazenta 115), that's a 23 yard per carry average. He ran the ball 5 times and scored on 4 of those carries. Coach Stanley simply says Cordera is "special". The GOOSE EGG GANG defense will have their hands full.

My final score: Picayune 14   Meridian 0

Please, GOOSE EGG GANG defense accept my apologies.

Carey Meitzler

First, let's dispel the rumors. I did NOT have to go to Forrest General to get an i.v.(fluids) after the broadcast. Yes, I was exhausted, yes it was emotional, but a Diet Coke and a Golden Arches Apple Pie later and I was ready to go again. Yes, that's the post game meal I had, but an endorsement is not forthcoming. Playing sports and watching sports for a long time have taught me to never look back so I won't after this one statement. Thanks Coach Lee and the crew for the memory created against Hattiesburg . The effort ranks up there with the likes of the “Two Between the Bricks” in 2001. Talk about needing to replenish fluids.

This week it's the rejuvenated Meridian Wildcats under Ed Stanley. After a 3-8 campaign in 2002 in Stanley 's first year, the 'Cats are much improved and very confident. They are going to run the football. And run it some more. Get ready here they come. QB Justin Baylor (Soph, 175 lbs), RB Codera Eason (Soph, 6-2, 214 lbs), and RB Cordae Campbell (Senior, 6-0,193) will run behind a offensive line that averages over 260 lbs per player. They changed their scheme in week 3 of the season, along with their QB (moving Dominique Spinks back to cornerback where he started for the ‘Cats last year) and have won their last four. Their kicker/punter is Andrew Gambrell. He has already clubbed a 55 yard field goal this year against St Martin and according to Stanley has kicked a 65 yarder in practice. He has a 4.2 GPA and has been offered by Mississippi State to come and kick for them next year. Oh yea, he stands 6-2 and weighs in at 190 pounds. Let's hope he doesn't get many chances this Friday. Meridian is confident, well coached, good backs, good line, great kicker. I bet their band is good too. Get the picture.

The Tide defense came up with big play after big play last week. They will need to do it again and again during the stretch run. Last week, it was "home run" throw one after another.  This week, the 'Cats will come right at us.  "Double Nickel" Byrd and "Brick" Walls will need to be in the thick of it all night.

On offense, the Tide did what they had to do with limited weapons available on offense and probably couldn't do some of things they wanted to exploit against those Felines. This week, everyone should be back in their familiar roles just in time for the ‘Cats and ready to go. Thank you Lester and Quincy for stepping in and getting it done.  After a Friday night off, Justin Magee will be hungrier than Barry & Geri at one of those all-u-can-eat seafood buffets. If Whitfield, Smith, Hoffman, Dunn, Parker, Griffin, and Cole get untracked with their assignments, then look out. Chris Stewart once again is key in running the Tide offense, even more so this week.

This game is going to be the toughest challenge for the Tide thus far. This bunch of Tidesmen seem to be on a mission. They know that they can ill afford to take a week, let alone a down off, in Division 3-5A.  Most of this group has played in so many big games the past couple of years, they know what this game means. Homefield advantage is HUGE in this one. My prediction is based on one item: Turnovers. The team with fewer will win. I think this one will be a wild one and it gets “Wrapped in Maroon and White”.      Picayune 24   Meridian 19