09/30/05
Picayune at Pearl River Central
Carey Meitzler
This Friday in Carriere, Picayune and Pearl River Central will line up to play football for the first time
since 2002. It should be a good one as both teams are full of talented players. I hope it is a good one
for our community .
Webster's Dictionary defines the work community as “a unified body of individuals; people with common
interests living in a particular area.”
We have all been through a lot these past four weeks and I sincerely hope that everyone can keep things
in perspective so we can continue in that direction. It is has been very gratifying to live in a community
where people help each other all the time and especially in very difficult times like Hurricane Katrina has
created here in Pearl River County.
I always remember what the late Sam Adkins would say when Picayune and PRC would meet in the past.
“Years from now, people will probably forget the score, in some cases even forget who won, but if you act
like an idiot, everyone will remember how you acted for a long, long time.”
Let's keep that in mind and enjoy the game. God Bless You All and remember to keep our troops and those
who are suffering due to this devastating hurricane season in our prayers especially those in Waveland,
Bay St Louis, Pass Christian, and Long Beach.
Jason Pigott
For some it will be the only high school football game they attend this season. For others, it will be the cornerstone
of bragging rights with friends for the coming year. But for the players involved, it will become a night filled with
memories that will be shared with teammates forever. It's time to renew the rivalry once again…
Friday night's game between Picayune and PRC is approaching faster than my buddy, Carey Meitzler, to the
buffet line at Godfather's Pizza. That being said, here is how I see this week's match-up:
The Maroon Tide (0-3) is off to their worst start in years and is in dire need of a win in their Division 8-4A opener.
To the casual fan, a tough non-conference schedule along with a hurricane named Katrina would be a plausible
cause for the 0-3 start. The following circumstances probably have had something to do with it, but the numbers tell
a different story. During the three game slide the Tide offense has been more generous than a Red Cross employee
in Texas by committing a whopping 10 turnovers. In addition to that gruesome statistic, the Tide offense has been
able to muster a mere 3 TDs and has been stagnant late in games. (A meaningless touchdown scored in the final
seconds against Hattiesburg and a defensive TD not included.) The defense has played well enough to win in all
three contests and is the team's best unit to date.
The Blue Devils (1-1) are still a bit of a mystery. After opening up with a convincing win at Stone Co., the Devils
received a week off due to the weather before losing to Forrest Co. AHS (4-0). In that game, PRC scored first
on a 23yd TD pass from QB Derek Tortorich to P.J. Nixon but were held scoreless the rest to the way. Tortorich
has thrown for 4 TDs in two games and will look to get the ball to a couple of very capable playmakers, Warren
House and P.J. Nixon. After another week off last week due to the weather, the Blue Devils will be more than
ready to defend their home field against their cross-town rival in front of a packed house.
Key Match-Up:
PRC Offensive Line vs. Picayune Linebackers
The Blue Devils will try to create some favorable match-ups by spreading the field using 4 WR formations with the
QB in a shotgun set. If the Tide LB's can maintain coverage long enough for the D-Line to bring pressure up the
middle, or if they can effectively disguise the blitz - advantage Picayune.
If the PRC O-Line can keep pressure off Tortorich from the Picayune defensive front and force the Tide to blitz in
order to pressure the QB; or, if the Devils can establish the draw play early in the game to keep the Tide LB's
looking inside with “one eye” – advantage PRC
My Take:
In an emotionally charged game in front a capacity crowd at Hendrix Stadium, the better defense will prevail and
the Tide will get it's first win of the season. The game will be played a lot closer than the final score will indicate.
Clay Sweet
What a strange season so far for Tide fans, 0-3 is not the usual fast start from the Maroon and Gray. The schedule
as been ridiculous seeing three teams that you can count on being in the 5A playoffs take their shots at a Tide team
searching for identity. I must give credit to Coach Lee and staff it shows there is no fear in playing the best. But now
the question entering this week's ballgame against county rival PRC is “Where will the confidence come from?”
It will be a challenge, as the Blue Devils would like nothing more then to keep the Tide winless. The Devils (1-1)
who did not play last Friday night should be ready to go in their district home opener. The game plan will be to hit
Picayune with big plays on the edges with speed to burn from Nixon and Burkett. The Blue Devil faithful hope for
a track meet in which their offense spends a lot of time on the field. The Tide fans would like a grind it out defensive
battle. Neither will compromise and only one will get what they want, Boy, this sounds like fun!
The offense from Picayune must hold on to the ball and stay on the field long enough to give the defense a break.
The defense has done a good job this year they have given up some yardage and points, but that has been because
of turnovers, field position, and fatigue. Three factors which are a direct result of poor offense. The running game has
shown some signs of life, but it will need to explode Friday night for the Tide to mark in the win column.
Rival games are hard to figure and fun to watch. This should be filled with emotion, big plays, hard hits and a lot of
“want to” on each side. I wish they were playing tonight I can't wait!