Barry Harper

Wow! What a performance by the Picayune Maroon Tide Friday night against the Brandon Bulldogs! I know that Brandon has lost a few games and there chances of making the playoffs are very slim, however,they have got some talent and have played some very good teams this year real close. The Maroon Tide played very well on offense, defense, and special teams. Their play was very indicative of the score, (Picayune 48 - Brandon 15). All of the Brandon players, coaches, and fans had to be very impressed with the way Picayune performed. Whether it was blocking punts, returning a punt for a touchdown, place kicking, or coverage on our kickoff teams, our special teams were, um, um, let's just say special .

It seems that Scott Hillery's leg has really gotten stronger since last year and his confidence is really showing. His 43 yard field goal Friday would have been good from 55 yards out. People who follow the Tide every Friday night know that Scott also plays wide receiver and had a touchdown catch from Alex Riser to end the tide's scoring Friday. Scott shares time with Quincy Coleman. They run plays in from the sideline every other play. Speaking of Coleman, all he did Friday night was block a punt, return a punt for a touchdown, make tackles on the kickoff team, and make several plays on the defense side of the ball. If this was a professional team, the team owner could say he got his money's worth out of Hillery and Coleman.

I really like the makeup of this team. We really have some good players that are expected to do big things every Friday night. We have the quarterback (Stewart), the running back (Magee), the big tight end (Cole), and the middle linebacker (Walls). These players are all seniors and have the ability to play on the next level. However, we always seem to find new heroes every Friday. This really takes the pressure off of certain players and puts the pressure squarely on the competition.

Now, this week- we travel down Hwy 43 to Hwy 603 to Hancock High School. Don't think for a minute that this will be an easy game. Our neighbors to the South are not having that great of a year. They would love nothing better than to put a whipping on us. Remember they beat us last year. However,  I really don't see it happening this year.    Picayune 31 Hancock 0

Carey Meitzler

The Tide played near perfect last week against Brandon . Brandon did what they had done the previous two weeks; good first half and faded in the second half due to a lack of depth. Give ‘em credit, they never quit, but Picayune has too many ways to beat you on a given Friday. I want to tip my hat to Brandon 's Blake Spiers (#42). The junior played every down on defense for the ‘Dogs and a few on offense (caught a pass in the 3 rd quarter). Blake ended up with seven tackles for Brandon and showed some promise for the future. His father Jimmy Spiers, a Picayune native and '78 Picayune graduate, and I visited briefly before the game. Jimmy was a good football player at Picayune and one of those guys that was liked by everyone. I hope Blake continues have a good year and a great senior year except for when we go up there to play them at Brandon . Good to see you Jimbo. Take care.

This week the Tide has to avoid becoming Florida 's LSU (a couple of weeks back). LSU got caught napping against the Gators because they believe they had lost their bite. The Tide faces a similar circumstance this week at Hancock. The Hawks haven't had the kind of year they had hope, however, they are mathematically still alive in the playoffs if they run the table against Picayune, Meridian , and Hattiesburg . Granted that's a tall order, but if they can find a way to beat the Tide, it will make their season regardless of what happens the next two weeks.

The Hawks changed their offensive philosophy entering 2003 as Coach Rocky Gaudin wanted to open it up a little. Rocky has decided to revert back to run first, pass second. The Hawks have some talent, particularly WR/DB David Brown (6-2, 175, Sr) who is a great runner after catching the football and will also play at defensive back. Robert Domke (6-0, 215, Sr) will probably get the nod at QB, although Jeremy Thomas (transferred to Hancock at beginning of the season) may get a few snaps. Myron Fairley (5-9, 175, Sr) and Jerrod Barrios (5-11, 220, Sr) will be called on the run the ball for the Hawks. They'll give it to Brown occasionally as well. On defense, DE Tyler Ball (5-11, 215, Sr) has been solid along with DE Matt Raybon (6-2, 255, Sr). The Hawks will gamble a lot on defense, so the Tide will have to make sure everyone picks up a body and blocks him.

The Tide offense should be able to move the ball against the Hawks behind Steven Whitfield (6-0, 190, Sr), Donel Smith (6-2, 190, Jr), Tim Hoffman (6-0,192,Sr), Kevin Parker(6-2, 270, Jr), Scotty Dunn (5-11, 325, Sr), and Mit Cole (6-5, 255, Sr). These guys turned it up a notch in the second half against Brandon , well, you say what happened. Justin Magee (5-7, 165, Sr) and Chris Stewart (5-11, 170, Sr) had great games last week and look to find openings to run through against Hancock this week.

The Tide defense is only allowing an average of seven (7) points per game and has allowed the fewest points (56) in Class 5A. Desmond “Dez” McDougle made as Jason Pigott (WRJW Color Commentator) described it “an ESPN highlight reel” interception.

The Tide secondary and linebackers have been and will need to be solid the rest of the way. The Tide's special teams with Coleman, Robinson, and Magee are solid. Scott Hillery continues to get better and better. Rumor has it that Fred Cruse is already lobbying to be the agent of the future for this one. That Fred loves Maroon Tide sports.

I expect Coach Dodd Lee and his coaches to have the Tide ready to play. The players know what is at stake each week in Division 3-5A. I look for it to be close early on, but the Tide will eventually get it done at Kiln.   As much as I am Maroon Tide through and through, I like Rocky Gaudin a lot. He is one of the best people in this sport.  I always hope that things go well for him the other 10 weeks out of the season.   Unfortunately, this is that other week.

Picayune 35  Hancock 7