10/07/05

Pass Christian at Picayune

Carey Meitzler

What a great game last week in Carriere!  The game possessed a little bit of everything you could imagine with great runs, passes,

catches, special team plays, fumbles, interceptions, and field goals. Speaking of field goals, both Picayune's Erveng Gonzalez and

PRC's Adam Herrin handled their dual roles as punters and place kickers extremely well. It's not often you see two quality kickers

like that on the field. 

The good news is the Tide prevailed 38-18 to get their first win and more importantly a division win.  A lot of great efforts on

both sides of the ball, but a few plays that are etched in my mind:  The 4th down touchdown run by Courtney McDougle.

Great ball handling by QB Alex Riser and TB Corderis Brown, and then a great run as Courtney broke a few tackles on his

way to the land of.....you know.

Another one was Albert Richard busting loose on the first play of the second half.  And last, but definitely not least, was the block

Bryce May made (let's make that inflicted) on the Tide's last score, a 10 yard scamper by Justin Berry. 

The bad news is that Corderis Brown may miss a few games due to a hobbled knee.  Let's hope and pray we can get him back

in time for a playoff run, if not sooner. He has worked so hard to get ready for this season after missing all but three games in 2004. 

Keep Corderis on your prayer list.

The defense once again made the big plays.  Brent Acker (10 plus tackles the past two games) and Levi Slaydon can make your

evening miserable if you are not wearing the same colored jersey as them.  Defensive end Zach Robbins turned in yet another

solid game while the secondary, anchored by the Griffiths (Justin and Chance), seems to get a little better each week.  The O-Line

(James Brady, Clydell Jones, Bryce May, Gordon Cruse, and Tommy Dillard) opened up some good seams for the Tide running

backs and appear to be jelling.

This week is homecoming and I hope everyone enjoys the festivities and the game against Pass Christian.  Regardless of the outcome,

what can you say about this group from the coast?  Pass Christian have shown outstanding resilience in putting together a team after

the destruction of Katrina just weeks ago.  I say we let 'em know it by giving them a standing ovation before the game.  Maybe our

cheerleaders can arrange a special salute or something.  One of my good friends, Jim Smith, suggested and I plan to follow through

with it, that prior to game, we pass the hat to collect money to give to their team to help them as they try to rebuild their lives, their

school, and their athletic programs.  Look for the buckets around the gates and in the tailgate area just outside the stadium. Give what

you can.

One more note: Gator and Clay were close on their score predictions last week, especially Gator (30-19).  Let's see what they think about

this week's game.

Jason Pigott

After a spirited 38-18 win over rival PRC last week, the Tide return home to entertain the Pass Christian Pirates for Homecoming.

The Pirates (1-2) are to be commended for even participating this season after their school and athletic facilities were badly decimated

by Hurricane Katrina only a few short weeks ago. As a result, the Pirates will be working with about half of its opening day roster and

will dress out a total of only 25 players.

The Tide will have to work hard to stay focused in this one and rightly so. Many of these young men have gotten to know each other

over the years through competition in community Little League's for baseball, soccer, and yes, football. This must be what a professional

boxer would feel like if forced to fight his brother for the championship of the world.

On paper and on the field, the game is a mismatch and one that Picayune should win easily. However, don't get too comfortable Maroon

Tide Nation, something tells me there is some fight in these Pirates.

My Take: Picayune 28   Pass Christian 6

Clay Sweet

Coming off a big victory over county rival Pearl River Central, the Maroon Tide should have a good performance for homecoming.

Picayune ran the ball well against the Blue Devils with three backs amassing over 75 yards apiece.  I look for more of the same as the

running game will get in gear, and with some solid leadership being show at QB by senior Alex Riser, the Maroon Tide should be able

to put the Pirates away early and enjoy their homecoming.  The defense, led by linebackers Brent Acker and Levi Slaydon, and

defensive end Bryce May has been cleaning up offenses much like the Bobcats you have been seeing in your neighborhood.

Look for the Maroon Tide in a big way....Picayune 35  Pass Christian 7