Picayune at Gulfport Sept 10th
Barry Harper
NO ARTICLE at Post Time.
(He missed the weekly "post to the web" deadline. I should have predicted that after all
the boasting he did on Saturday. If he comes back down to earth, in other words remembers
he has an article to write, I'll try to post it.)
Wednesday 9:45pm....
Well, better late than never. When you are on a roll like me with the game predictions, you can't
post your scores too early. Some people may try to copy your information and pawn it off as theirs.
I won't mention any names, but his initials are C. M. This is not my first rodeo. I have to watch that
guy who writes below me here.
Ever since I found out William "Carey" College was not named after him, I can't trust my predictions
with him. What is really sad is the fact that I believed the William "Carey" College story. Enough
with the chit chat.
The Maroon Tide played an overall very sound game this past Friday night against Harrison Central.
I think what impresses me the most is the complete team play in their first two games. Our offense,
defense, and special teams are really playing well early in the season and if they continue to improve,
we could have something very special by year's end.
Another part of Picayune's early success is the fact that they are playing a lot of kids. It really helps,
especially this time of year (during the last few weeks of summer). However, it seems we do not lose
a lot of quality play when our starters take a breather. This is valuable experience for younger players
that could come into play later in the season.
Now was it just me or did the Gulfport coaching staff sound a little excited in The Sun Herald? They
have a right to be excited. They have put together their best squad that they have had in the last 5 to
6 years. I could write here about their speed, but I'm not. Gulfport has speed on top of speed every
year. They were very young last year and this year they are getting some great play and leadership
from their senior quarterback. Their defense completely shut out maybe the best offensive player in
South Mississippi last week. They limited wide receiver Coeric Riley of George County to only one
reception for only six yards. However, they better pay attention to the Tide's running game.
The way I see it- Picayune-28 Gulfport-16
Carey Meitzler
Last week, my ol' pal Barry, make that “Mr. Prediction” Harper, came oh so close (37-7 prediction)
from having the final outcome (38-7) exactly correct. He was hard to put up with on the Sam Adkins
Morning After Show on Saturday. Everytime something came up, he quipped "I predicted that."
Well, I survived the show, but it wasn't easy. I hope he really enjoyed “Prediction Week” 'cause I
doubt he will be so close again. Besides, that "near miss" only lasts four days for him. I'll take my
same approach as always and look into the empty 2 liter Diet Rite Cola container and see what we
come up with this week. But first, I have to look backward one last time at the Harrison Central game.
The Tide played a good, solid game against Harrison Central. The offense once again took advantage
of what the defense gave ‘em to work it. Once again, the defense gave the offense a short field to
maneuver most of the evening. The Tide started at the HCHS 46 after a 3 and out on the first series
of the game (TD in 6 plays), HCHS 39 after Levi Slaydon had QB Weems running backwards on
4th down (TD in 7 plays), HCHS 47 after another 3 and out punt (TD in 3 plays), and HCHS 39
after an Lester Robinson interception ( TD in 6 plays).
The offense did put together a couple of long drives: 13 plays 64 yards resulting in 27 yard FG
by Scott Hillery and 8 plays 64 yards resulting in a Alex Riser to Hillery 17 yard TD pass on a
slant pattern. Cody Bales and Corderis Brown went over 100+ yards on the night. Hillery also
nailed all of the PATs, in spite of “Mr. Prediction” predicting he might miss one. Overall, a solid
effort from the Tide in the 38-7 win.
Picayune travels to Milner Stadium to take on the Gulfport Admirals. One must take note of their
two wins thus far. They beat a talented Vicksburg team (V'burg beat then top-ranked Brookhaven
in overtime last week) in week one and then trounced George County in Lucedale. That's impressive
on consecutive weeks. They limited CoEric Riley to one pass reception. OUCH !!!!!
Like the famous line from Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, "Who are those guys? I don't know,
but they're good". Let's take a brief glimpse and see what I can tell you.
The Admirals have a wide open offensive attack and will run mostly in four wide receiver sets.
Based on the highlights I saw on WLOX-TV 13, they are fast. Their quarterback Greg Anderson
(6-0, 190, Sr.) is a three year starter for Coach Joey D'Angelo. Anderson was 13 of 23 for
200 yards against George County . Against George County, he appeared to get rid of the ball
real quick. He looks to be pretty agile as well. His favorite receivers are Larry Frye (6-0,195, Sr.)
and Hakim McClelland (6-0, 165, Sr.). Hakim is the younger brother of former Admiral standout
Shabazz McClelland. Both Frye and McClelland can scat. Their kicking game is inexperienced, but
their special teams did make big plays last week with a blocked punt for a touchdown and a long
punt return to set up another score. Defensively, they are not big, but like Picayune, they look to
be quick.
Gulfport is a very good football team with a lot of speed all over. This is also their home opener,
so expect a big crowd on 38th avenue for this one. The Tide will have to put forth their best effort
to find their way through the “navigational beacons” this week in what will at times be rough waters.
I look for a huge turnout from the Maroon Tide Nation. We'll need it, too. In a wild one,
I think it will be… Picayune 27 Gulfport 24