Barry Harper

The Goose Egg Gang defense is BAACK!  Man, what a job they did on Friday against the Hancock Hawks. After the Maroon Tide offense turned

the ball over 3 times deep in their own territory, our defense did not give up one point. Hancock missed two field goals and on a fourth down

completed a pass that the refs ruled the catch was made out of the back of the end zone. Hancock's offense, really, was not a threat the rest

of the ball game. Our secondary played another great game. Our two cornerbacks, Jones and McDougal, each had an interception and great returns.

My prediction of Friday's game was Picayune 31-Hancock 0. With the score 23-0, late in the fourth quarter, McDougal intercepted a pass and it looked
like he was going to score. I was doing everything I could from my stadium seat to get him into the end zone. He was dragged down at around
the 10 yard line. That score would have made it 29-0. The only other help I would have needed would have been a two point conversion. That
probably was not going to happen either. However, I was close.  Unfortunately, close only garners points in the game of horseshoes.

Speaking of games and horses, how did I get myself in this situation?  I mentioned to Mr. Meitzler that I would like to know what Scott Hillery's

field goal percentage was for this year and he said he would research it and have an answer this Saturday on “ The Sam Adkins' Morning After Show ".

My research, on the other hand seems to be a little more difficult.  He wants me to find out the origin and the history of the song "HORSE". You

know the song that is played every Friday night by every high school band from Maine to Spain.  Now, I realize that I may look stupid, but this is

unfair for many reasons. First Mr. Meitzler shares the press box with DR. STAT (Jason Pigott) every Friday night.  Secondly, Mr. Meitzler is on a

first name basis with our Sports Editor (Rob Sigler), from whom he could probably get this information. And finally Mr. Meitzler could probably just

pick up the phone and call Scott Hillery.  I, on the other hand, have no music background. The only experience I have had with any music is when

my family asked me not to sing too loud during church services.  I went to WWW.HORSE.COM, but only got information on, well, horses. I need

help please, someone, anyone, please.  Mr. Meitzler you got me again!

Now, enough of that foolishness, we have a very tough and important division game this Friday against Northwest Rankin. The Maroon Tide has
qualified for the playoffs, however now we are fighting for a high seed.  Remember if you do not finish first or second, you will play on the road
during the first round of the playoffs. Northwest Rankin has a very good team.   This team has been ranked most of the year and barely lost to
Oak Grove in overtime.  Now, add in the fact that this is homecoming week and the much anticipated game against Oak Grove is coming up the

next week, this could be a dangerous game for Picayune. Our kids must stay focused on Northwest Rankin and not get too caught up in the

homecoming festivities. The way I see it. Picayune 24 Northwest Rankin 6

Carey Meitzler

On Barry's assignment (above), I have one comment: At least he has learned to call me “Mr.” after all these years. www.Horse.com? He'll probably

come back with something like Mr. Ed and Wilbur started the tradition after their sitcom days dried up and they had nothing better to do.

Or maybe, Barry will say it was University of Southern California with the Trojan mascot riding the horse that came up with the song and applied it

to sporting events. Can't wait to hear what he comes up with this week. By the way, I was a junior in college when someone broke the news to me

about Mr. Ed not really being able to talk and saying his lines. I never enjoyed the show as much after that.

Last week, the Tide took care of business when they had to do so against Hancock. Defense, Defense, Defense. As sluggish as they appeared in leaving

it on the turf three consecutive times, they rebounded well and got a great effort from the offensive line. Justin Magee is the real “Horse” after his effort

with 29 carries. Hancock played us tough and they always do regardless of the score. In the end, the GEG defense did it again. The eggs "00" have been

achieved five times during the current campaign.

Mit Cole (6-5, 255, Sr) and Matt Roberts (5-11, 235) had great games against the Hawks and will need to do the same this week.

The "Good Hands People"  a.k.a Jimmy Jones (5-7, 165, Sr) and Desmond McDougal (5-11, 160) will have to come up big once again this week. 

Stephen Hall (6-0, 188, Jr) gave us a huge lift with his "pick" and return last week.  I look for Quincy Coleman to do some big things for the Tide on

offense and special teams this week. By the way, I finally got a picture for Quincy on the roster link.

This week the Tide hosts a Northwest Rankin Cougar team that is in a near must win situation for their playoff hopes. They have all seniors on their big

offensive line. Make no bones about it; they will be as Jason Pigott says “a tough out” this Friday night. They have a very solid backfield anchored by Jeremy Bibbs (6-2, 212, Jr.). Bibbs is out of the same mold as Cordera Eason of Meridian ; big, strong, and break-away speed. Their fullback Branden Franklin

(5-8, 190, Jr) is a great blocker. Their quarterback is Tyler Moore (6-1,195, Jr) and he is a steady performer. His receivers are good, especially Stuart Davidson (6-1,179, Jr) and Jake Milner (5-7, 186, Sr). Their place kicker is a good one. Ragan Walters (5-10, 160, Sr) has kicked seven (7) field goals including one from 57 yards earlier this year. Northwest Rankin is a real good team and by far the biggest challenge for the Tide this season.

The Tide will have their hands full with all the elements: Northwest needing a win for the playoffs; homecoming for the Tide and the upcoming game against that team west of Hattiesburg in the back of their minds. The Goose Egg Gang will face the best offensive team we've played this season in the Cougars. The Tide offense will have to do their part and move the ball (long drives are always a good thing) and turn Bibbs & his teammates into a bunch of spectators watching from the sideline. It will not be easy, in fact, Northwest has the best chance of anyone in the division to beat the Tide thus far. We will need to play our best game to beat them.    Picayune 27   Northwest Rankin 22