Picayune at Moss Point Aug. 27th
Barry Harper
It's hard to believe that high school football kicks off again this Friday night. I know everyone in the community
is really excited about going to Moss Point. The Maroon Tide team lost some really good football players due
to graduation, however, Picayune has a good nucleus of returning players.
I made the comment last year that this was the toughest schedule in the history of Picayune football. Now I am
going to make the same comment this year. Toughest schedule ever. However, I believe this team can really
make some noise in South Mississippi. We have got some talented but inexperienced players. Hopefully these
kids will mature in the pre-Division games and be ready to compete on the 3-5A level when division play begins.
If Picayune wins at Moss Point this week, I feel the Tide could be undefeated headed into to Division 3-5A
play.
One thing for sure about this week's game is that Moss Point will not be looking past us after the whipping we
put on them last year. They will be seeking revenge. Now add in the fact that we will be playing in a very hostile
environment, it could be a very interesting night in Jackson county. However, we will prevail. The I way I see it,
Picayune 19 Moss Point 6
Carey Meitzler
First, two rule changes to watch for this season. One, the coaches can call timeout from the sideline. Two, if a
penalty occurs away from the ball and does not, in the officials judgment, impact the outcome of the play, no yellow
hanky will be tossed. Number two will be as Artie Johnson used to say on Rowan and Martin's Laugh In ...
“Verrrrry interesting…”.
The Tide opens their 2004 season with some old familiar names departed. Gone are the likes of Stewart, Magee,
Whitfield, Hoffman, Dunn, Cole, Jones, Griffin , Byrd, Walls, Russell, Coleman, Roberts, Southern, Wilson , and
others (sorry if I left anybody out; I did that off the top of my head. Speaking of the top of my head, it's beginning to
look like that of my radio partner).
Anyway, a strong nucleus returns which invites one to think that once again Dodd Lee and his staff will
put a competitive product on the field each and every Friday evening for the next 11 plus weeks.
This bunch appears to be a very good defensive team at this early stage in the season. Stephen Hall and Lester Robinson
return as outside linebackers/safeties and are as good a pair as you can find. The secondary of Ryan Detillier, Scott Hillery,
Desmond McDougal, and Adam Woods has the potential to be very solid, but they will have to be on their toes every play.
They'll have to because the schedule will demand it. The inside linebackers and defensive line will feature a number of guys
who we will mention as the season goes on (Barry told me to keep this under 500 words for once, so I have to leave out
some names for now).
Offensively, the Tide has a cast of different players who will need to contribute. Cody Bales and Corderis Richards will run
from the tailback position and I wouldn't be surprised to see Lester Robinson take a few snaps as well. About Lester.
On picture day, Lester was in just about every picture the team posed for by position and group. Lester, a senior, even
tried to get in the group picture of the Junior and Sophomores. That Lester is something else. Most of all, a football player.
And a darn good one at that. His leadership will be a key for the 2004 season.
At fullback, Tim Gaff returns and will be spelled at times by Tyler Lee as Gaff will be needed at linebacker on defense (okay
I mentioned one of them). The receiving core is solid with Scott Hillery leading this group. The offensive line is anchored
by senior Donel Smith. At quarterback, the reins are in the hands of junior Alex Riser. If Riser and the offensive line mature
early, the Tide should hold their own with just about anybody on the schedule. Playing 3 of first 4 on road is a challenge for
any team, but MTXE (Mental Toughness, eXtreme Effort) can make a huge difference. Focus, focus, focus. And FOCUS.
The first test is at Moss Point 's Dantzler Stadium. Jerry Alexander missed the playoffs last year for the first time in 13 years
with a 5-6 record. He made coaching changes, he moved some players around, and he challenged his team in the off-season.
Bottom line, the Moss Point faithful expect a huge improvement. The Clarion Ledger picked these Feline Tigers as the
number 9 team in the state in their pre-season poll and the favorite to win Division 4-5A (Gulf Coast Class 5A is easier to say).
They are talented on defense and on offense have a dangerous quarterback in junior C.J. Bailey (6-0, 180). In the past, they
have always been a big play type team and I expect nothing different this year with their multiple sets and trick plays. Did I
mention a lot of speed on both sides of the football ? Note it. They've got lots of it.
In this game, the Tide will have to survive an early storm from Moss Point in front of a frenzied bunch of Tiger fans.
The Tide cannot afford to panic. I think the Tide is in pretty good physical condition (a trademark of Dodd Lee teams),
and in the end should prevail. Look for the Tide defense to “hunker down”. No “Goose Egg Gang” yet, but the Tide defense
will be the difference.
Picayune 13 Moss Point 9
Once again, I am reminding all of us that this game, just like all the others, is just a game in the grand scheme of things.
Please pray for our troops abroad, their families, and our leaders of this great country. The reality of life and death is what
these people deal with everyday and in some cases they have made the ultimate sacrifice. May God Bless Them All.