August 26th: Moss Point at Picayune
Carey Meitzler
Sitting here watching the Little League World Series on ESPN put me in a reminiscing train of thought. I remember when some of
this year's senior class were 12 year olds trying to make the jump from St Petersburg, FL to Williamsport, PA. Unfortunately, a
team from Texas and a long, lanky kid named Ross Haggard had other thoughts. I am pretty sure he was not related to my favorite
male vocalist named Merle, but Merle couldn't pitch like Ross and it didn't matter if Ross could sing; he could definitely pitch.
Picayune was turned away; Texas won the regional and went on to win the World Series that year. That trip with “Doc” Riser
seemed like yesterday. Man, how time flies. Dale, my oldest and a junior on this year's Maroon Tide squad, was a skinny 11
year old who, along with younger brother Caleb, tagged along with me to be there pulling for our PYAA team. Bill and Scott
Hillery came down for a few days. All in all, we had a blast. Fast forward to now. Scott is kicking for The River and the others
are suiting up as seniors and juniors. It seems like I am getting older faster. I am beginning to understand why my head is getting
a “little shiny” on top like my broadcast partner Jason. (Okay, I had to fire the first shot of the season before Gator and Sweetness
load up)
This year will be a little bit easier for me thanks to Jason Pigott and Clay Sweet. They are going to do the Pre-Game show
allowing me to spend time tail gaiting with Jeff & Karen Robbins, Bill & Belinda Hillery, Barry & Cindy Harper, my wife Michelle,
and a host of other friends. Not doing the pre-game may not sound like much to you, but preparing, producing, and delivering a
good pre-game show is the most exhausting part of game week for us. Allowing me to show up, get the coaches interviews, tailgate
and enjoy the fellowship of the other parents and fans, and then participate in the Tide Walk just before kickoff will be special.
Thanks guys. I really appreciate it. I guess John & Dot and Eugene & Jan raised you right and instilled the importance of being
nice to old folks like me.
As we enter the season, I want to share some feelings I have about our team.
First, this year's team is a fine group of young men. I know about all of them by first name, particularly the seniors and juniors.
I've watched ‘em, filmed ‘em, feed ‘em, dragged 'em to games, and at times, hugged ‘em whether they needed it or not. They
are like family. I can't express to you in words what good young men they are. They come from good families and we should
be extremely proud of how they handle themselves both on and off the field. I know Coach Lee will share my sentiment.
Secondly, one can only imagine how hard this team has worked in the off season. Trust me, unless you have witnessed their
preparation efforts first hand since last December, you may not be able to comprehend it. Their level of commitment at times
has been remarkable. If I have learned anything over the past few years, it is that nothing is easy in this game of football. What
appears to be simple to us as fans, in reality, is not. I have learned a lot from our players and coaches. What is asked of them
and what they give is amazing. There is a togetherness, a bond for each other, that seems very unique with this year's team.
Lastly, be thankful for our coaches who bring passion to everything that they do. The way Dodd described it on Tuesday at
Kellie's Poor Boy Express during WRJW's Talkin' Sports--Pearl River County was like this: “We love our kids. When
we are out there in the middle of the game, sitting up there in the stands, you may not think that at times, but we are doing
our best to get the best we can out of them. When it's over, we let our kids know how much we love them. They are the kind
of kids who want to please you and give their best."
I hope this year becomes something special for our community. When people find a common goal, a common purpose to rally
behind, good things happen. The night before the spring game, Allen Hickman hosted a pork chop dinner at his church for the
entire team. He showed a video about a handicapped young man who just wanted to be part of a cross county track team,
let alone compete. It stressed togetherness. It stressed faith. It stressed the importance of the team; not the individual. It was
a great night for the team. I encourage you to make this your team. Let's all get behind our team beginning Friday against
Moss Point . Win or lose, they are still our team. Coach Lee said this about as to what to expect from our kids against Moss
Point: ”Our kids won't be intimidated and they'll give their best effort. That's all we ever ask of them.” Enough said.
May God Bless and Keep You. See at the Tailgatin' before and after the game.
Clay "Sweetness" Sweet
Football season is here and what a great time of the year it is. Maroon Tide fans have plenty to be excited about this year.
A core unit returns along with many new starters that look to learn from what could be called a disappointing season of a
year ago.
The Tide will be learning on the job at the quarterback position and in the defensive secondary. These two spots are very
important to any good football team. The Moss Point Tigers will waste little time making sure both are ready to play. I do
believe that depth on the roster and more speed on this years Tide team will make the defense a strong point. The experience
on the D-line and the monsters of Levi Slaydon and Brent Acker at linebacker will give help to the before mentioned secondary.
The Tigers are going to throw the ball early and often; the key will be how much pressure can be applied to the Moss Point
quarterback.
The other important spot that lacks experience is QB, which will see junior Micah Hickman get the start. This transition should
be helped by a running game that will have at its disposal a handful of fresh and good backs at any time in the ball game. Hickman
should be able to pick his spots as he and his teammates grow with time. The Tide looked good up front on the offensive line
and the backs ran the ball well a week a go in the USM Jamboree. Justin Berry, who gained over 260 yards on the ground, is a
good change of pace with Corderis Brown, who Tide fans are happy to have back from his season ending knee injury a year
ago. These two guys will joined by Dale Meitzler and Tyler Lee at fullback to help open space and occasionally bust one in
the middle. The Tide running game should be back to moving the sticks the way Tide fans are accustomed to seeing in years
past.
With all of the positives mentioned before eventually, I have to get to the negative, which is Moss Point. The Tigers are back to
where they have been many times and that is a top team on the coast and a 5A contender. The places where the home standing
Tide have questions, are strong points for the Tigers. My heart says the Tide wins in their home opener, but
Moss Point 28 Tide 21 is how I see the game ending. I will say after giving the Tide's schedule a look this is only time I would
reasonably pick against the Tide. A young team with a high ceiling will only come away with positives from a tough early test in
which promises to be a long, fruitful season that could last into December for the Maroon Tide Nation.
Jason "Gator" Pigott
After a seemingly endless summer of second tier sports and reality TV (Tour de Lance, NHL, WNBA, and "Dancing with the
Stars" - sad, huh?), it's finally that time of year again. No, not hurricane season…Football Season. So dust off the portable
stadium seats Maroon Tide Nation and get ready for another exciting year.
The first game on the schedule should be a good measuring stick for each school. For the third consecutive time the Tide will
open the season against the Moss Point Tigers. Each team had encouraging performances in their respective pre-season
jamborees and should come ready to play on Friday.
Picayune will once again feature a power ground game with some misdirection plays and play action passing mixed in to keep
opposing defenses off balance. This year, the Tide will have a new signal caller and some new faces carrying the football but
the cupboard is far from bare when it comes to speed and talent. Coach Dodd Lee will at times try to use this speed by using
a 4 WR formation to create mismatches in the defensive secondary. I'll stop short of saying there will be 20 pass attempts
per game, but it should provide a nice change of pace.
The Tigers come in as the favorite, and are led by senior QB C.J. Bailey. Bailey has put up some good numbers passing over
the past two seasons and will also see time in the Moss Point secondary at cornerback, a position he should play at the next
level. The Tigers will also return an experienced squad of young players that have taken some lumps of late. Coach Jerry
Alexander expects great things from his team as do many in the media on the Gulf Coast .
I see this game much like the previous two match-ups. Once again, Moss Point is the favorite to win and once again C.J. Bailey
and the Tigers are a bit over-rated by the news publications on the Gulf Coast . Bailey is a playmaker and one of the better
athletes in the area, but I'm not convinced the Tigers are "returning to glory" just yet. The pre-season thumping placed on
d'Iberville last week has led to some unrealistic expectations.
In the last two meetings, Picayune has outscored Moss Point 69-16 and never trailed in either contest. The Tide has used
its running game to dominate time of possession and in doing so have kept the Tigers offense on the sidelines. In 2003, Picayune
limited the Tigers to only two first half possessions with the second possession ending with the halftime buzzer. The Tide offense
will be good between the 20's again Friday, but might struggle in the red zone against an athletic Moss Point secondary. The Tide
defense will give up some big plays early but will be good enough down the stretch to secure the win. Bailey will give his team a
chance, but will have to "return to greatness" next week.
Don't Believe the Hype… Picayune 32 Moss Point 27