Barry and Carey never collaborate on their commentaries, so when you read the predictions.....

Barry Harper

I had a great time Friday night on the way to Flowood. Our crew which  included Carey & Caleb Meitzler, Rob Sigler &John McMullan (Picayune Item), Jason Pigott (Carey's partner in the booth), Mr. Puyper (Maroon Tide fan supreme), and me were never without conversation. Topics that were discussed were: Tide's game plan, deer hunting, Heisman trophy candidates, supper plans, Michael Jackson, supper plans again, this year's basketball squads, best high school baseball fields, Pearl River's state championship, past broadcasts trips, 1940's Picayune football, LSU vs OLE MISS, USM's victory over TCU, the possible rematch between Picayune and Oak Grove, and finally supper plans again.  Applebee's finally won out over Taco Bell (Sorry Caleb).  You should have seen these guys munch out on those Bourbon Street steaks.  I went first thing Monday morning and purchased stock in Applebee's.

The game was fantastic and our offense was simply amazing. We have scored in the 50's before, but not against the caliber team of Northwest Rankin. The biggest story of the night however was the six (6) rushing touchdowns and the one (1) receiving touchdown scored by our senior tailback Justin Magee. I moved to Picayune in 1982 and had the good fortune of watching two great running backs that year in Robin Frierson and Dewayne Brown.  Little did I know there were going to be many more to come. Who could ever forget Dimitri Hall on our 1986 state championship team. Dimitri rushed for over 240 yards in the championship game against Clarksdale that year. Then there were more. Bernard Stubbs, Bernard Sellers, and Josh Carter. And who could ever forget the Nick's at Night! Nick Woodson and Nick Wash were two of the fastest and most talented kids to ever play for the Maroon Tide. Oh yea, what about Magee's predecessor Ian Oliver ? I know that I probably left someone out and I apologize for doing so. If you want to complain please e-mail Carey.

As good as these above mentioned players were, none of them ever accomplished what Justin Magee did this Past Friday night. Seven touchdowns, in one game, count 'em 1,2,3,4,5,6,7.  This is not hearsay.  I was there. I watched every one, and I might add enjoyed every time he went into the “land of the milk and honey”.  If it had been a hockey match, we would have witnessed two hat tricks.  The grounds crew would still be picking up hats off of Cougar Field. Does this make Justin Magee the best running back ever to play for the Maroon Tide?  I know some old timers would argue, but since I have been here he is simply the best.  He is also the best I have ever witnessed on the high school level.

Now you know Oak Grove will come out this Friday and try to shut Magee completely down. That's okay, because the worst thing Oak Grove could
do in this rematch is focus all of their attention on him. We have a few weapons and they will be on display in Lamar County this Friday night. Our quarterback, Chris Stewart went over the 1000 yard barrier passing for the year last Friday.   Congratulations Chris on this fine achievement.
Now excuse me for this important weather bulletin.

NATIONAL WEATHER ADVISORY
There is a high pressure system forming over southwest Mississippi in southern Pearl River County.  This system will be building all week and start moving on a northeastly track and moving into Lamar County toward Oak Grove late Friday afternoon.  All residents in this area should retreat to higher ground.   The good news is this system will be through doing its damage sometime around 10 P.M.  However, get used to these types of systems because they will be coming every year about this time. Now the way I see it, when it really counts...  Picayune 31 Oak Grove 17

Carey Meitzler

I've been to a couple of county fairs, goat ropings a time or two, deep sea fishing rodeos more times than you can shake a stick at it, NASCAR at Talladega and Bristol with Grubby, and a lot of tee ball games at PYAA, but I have never been entertained as much as I was by the Tide offense this past Friday at Northwest Rankin in the 56-35 win.  In particular, there are two plays that will be long remembered: The 73 yard pass from Chris Stewart to Justin Magee (did you see the TV highlights from ground level?) and the 81 yard sprint by Magee that put the game out of reach.  On the pass, Chris put the ball in Justin's hands perfectly. Magee outran the linebacker, juked one defender, and then another as he cut back to his right, and then cut back to his right again before coasting in for the score.  On the 81 yard run, Tim Gaff kicked out a defender toward the right sideline, Justin cut inside and it was over quicker than a hiccup (borrowed that one from Jason Pigott).  I watched the NW Rankin radio crew and some of their fans look on in amazement as they did in the Halloween game at Picayune.  It all happens because of the blocking of Scotty Dunn, Tim Hoffman, Steven Whitfield, Scott Southern (filling in great for Donel Smith), Kevin Parker, Eric Griffin, Mit Cole, and Tim Gaff.  They were the difference on that night.  Jeff Little (NW Rankin's radio play-by-play) and I did a conference call on Friday Night Lights with Russ Robinson after the game, and Jeff was asked what was the most impressive thing about Picayune. He said “watching their quarterback (Chris Stewart) pitch the ball to Magee and then become a blocker”.  He throws, he runs, he blocks.  And at times, he tackles.  Chris Stewart.  Our leader.

Our defense was a little suspect at times, but not due to effort. Northwest Rankin's Jeremy Bibbs is as good as anyone you'll see and he is only a junior.  If he isn't a Dandy Dozen next year, cancel my subscription to The Clarion Ledger.  In fact, Region 3-5A should have at least two and maybe as many as four Dandy Dozen recruits next year.  Some however may end up on Barry Harper's famous “Dandy Done Wrong” list like Nick Wash did a few years ago. Speaking of Barry, he kept us in stitches all the way to Jackson last Friday and over dinner he told us one of the funniest stories ever told.  It was a real “thriller” and I'll leave it at that.  By the way, Barry, when Cindy and Anna Kay get tired of the CD you purchased for them, I want to borrow it.

In the last meeting between Picayune and Oak Grove, we had our chances in the 21-14 loss. We dropped a sure TD; we were stopped short at their 19 once; and missed two field goals.  I think we found out a lot about them and know what to expect.  Also, I like playing them this week with our guys having everything to gain and with them feeling a little pressure of an undefeated season and all that goes with it.  Now don't go getting giddy.  Oak Grove's Coach Nevil Barr will have them ready after losing the South State Championship at home a year ago to Wayne County by a 28-21 count.  The surroundings (people standing/sitting around the end zones) might have been a slight distraction to our guys last time, but not this time.  Focused, we will be.

Their quarterback, Kyle Sellers (5-11, 175, Sr) is still the best passer we will face this season. When we can put pressure on him and put him on the turf, it disrupts their whole scheme. On defense, we have to contain Garry Pack (6-1, 212, Sr).   I said last time that Pack was going to get his yards on offense and make his tackles on defense.  I didn't expect him to have a career game, but he did.   I think we will show them a few different looks this time and hopefully slow them down.  It is next to impossible to shut them down, so let's focus on slow down.  I look for Walls, Hall, Robinson, and Byrd to be in the thick of the action all night.  Mit Cole and Eric Griffin may be two of the most unnoticed players on this defense, but man alive can they disrupt things for the other side.

I just think our guys will sell out their bodies every play and make it tough on Oak Grove.  MTXE (Mental Toughness, eXtreme Effort) is what it will be about on defense.

On offense, we should be able move the ball.  We need to put points on the scoreboard every time we get in the red zone (inside their 20 yard line).  If we stay away from those dreaded turnovers, we might surprise some people with our point total.  I just think our offensive line will give us another stellar effort while Magee and company find just enough seams to get it done.   Chris Stewart is playing QB as good as anyone in the entire state right now and if he continues his current level of play, we will be in good shape.

I recall what Barry wrote in his commentary during Ocean Springs' week about the Oak Grove/Picayune game the week before:

“Oak Grove may have won the battle last Friday night, but the war is far from over.” Coach Lee, his staff, and players have what it takes to win the war.

None of the experts expect us to win.  I am proud to be omitted from that group. If I didn't think we could win, I wouldn't predict it.  This one won't be a thriller, but a chiller to the rest of the state.  In front of 8,000 people, it's   Picayune 31   Oak Grove 21