Picayune at Northwest Rankin 10/29/04
Barry Harper
Congratulations to the Lady Tide Softball team for their runner-up finish in State Class 5A. This is quite an achievement. I was
told in 2001 by Coach Kent Kirkland that you have to play in a state championship before you win one. I know that is not always
true, but I believe this will set up the program to strive for this from here on out, especially for the juniors returning next year.
A special thanks goes out to the seniors without their leadership we would have not have got this far. If they can get some pitching
this spring, they may get that state championship in Fast Pitch.
Congratulations to the PRCC Wildcats (8-0) as they travel to Moorehead to take on MS Delta CC in hopes of finishing the regular
season undefeated. They have already won the South Division and are currently ranked # 2 nationally in the latest poll. Last week,
Northeast CC upset Northwest CC putting the playoff picture up in the air. The Wildcats will now host the winner of the Itawamba
/Northwest game in the first round. Northwest should win this game which could provide a much tougher first round game than
expected for the Wildcats.
The Tide got a much needed a win in their Homecoming win over Hancock 40-3. The Tide was able to do what we do best in
running the football and was also able to play a lot of different players on both sides of the ball.
This week the Tide will play a much improved Northwest Rankin (8-1, 5-0) team this Friday. Some say that this is the best team
the Tide has played all year. That's quite a statement having already played Meridian , but we do know they have a very good team
and the Maroon Tide will have to play an outstanding game to beat the Cougars up there on their field to come away with the victory.
This game is very important to the playoff race and a loss could set up a winner take all for the last playoff spot with Oak Grove next
in Picayune for the regular season finale. Either way, these two games are going to be great to watch. See everybody Friday and I'm
looking forward to the playoffs. The way I see it…Picayune 17 Northwest Rankin 14
Carey Meitzler
A little housekeeping to take care of before we address this week's game.......
to take care of a 40th birthday party for someone special. I promised I wouldn't disclose her age. Hats off to the Maroon Tide
Nation for their enthusiasm during the playoffs.
Special kudos to Jeff Robbins for putting it together. (Check out the pictures on this website).
As we head into the last two weeks of the regular season, the Maroon Tide has their work cut out for them this week taking on what I
believe is one of the most underrated teams in the state: The Northwest Rankin Cougars (8-1 overall, 5-0 in 3-5A). Let's talk about the
Cougars.
On offense, they have the best QB in the division in Tyler Moore (6-1, 195, Sr.). He's smooth in footwork, ball fakes, and he can
throw it. When he throws it, he has three excellent targets in senior Stuart Davidson (4.56 40 time), who stands 6-1 and weighs 195,
junior Michael McCoy (6-3, 198, Jr.), or Tommie Whitten (5-11, 185, Sr.). Either one of these will make you shutter. Their running
backs are really talented. I think Bibbs was good, but I think these guys are playing better since his departure. FB Branden Franklin
(5-10, 200, Sr.) is a load toting the ball and he is a great blocker. The TBs of Stephen Wright (5-8, 192, Jr.) and Josh Brumfield
(5-9, 170, Soph.) are very fast. This is an explosive offensive unit averaging about 32 points per game. Their punting and place
kicking is solid. Their kickoffs have been touchbacks 20 of 30 times, meaning you have to start at your 20 quite often against their
defense. Defensively, linebackers Demarko Clanton (6-1,205,Sr), Elliot Marshall (6-0, 210, Sr.), and Kenny Tackett (5-10, 175, Jr.)
are their leading tacklers, with Clanton already over 100 plus on the year. Their secondary is solid and has already accounted for a
couple of touchdowns this year.
There are few, if any, weaknesses when you look at the Cougars. I didn't know if we stood a chance. Earlier this week, I was checking in
with their radio play-by-play announcer, Jeff Little, to verify the accommodations for the broadcast and I told him I didn't think we stood a
chance against them. Jeff, a super nice guy and a real good broadcaster, reminded me that Miss State beat Florida (Jason Pigott predicted
it in last week's Big 3 Report), so he convinced me that anything can happen. I didn't feel much better, but a glimmer of hope was there.
I then thought of the Red Sox improbable comeback. Feeling a little better. Jackson State and Lorenzo Breeland beat Grambling. I felt even
better, but not convinced. Then, my mind drifted back to the party on Saturday. I thought of the huge, big, monstrous, mountain-like piece
of cake Barry Harper devoured at the party I mentioned earlier, and that was the clincher. Anything is possible when you see a piece like
that disappear in a matter of seconds. Oh, yeah, almost forgot. Barry took home two more pieces for Andy. Yo, Andy, I tried to send
you some for the next day, but I bet you didn't get any. I'll call you later, Andy.
So, I think the Tide can win this one. We have got to be ready for Moore to sling it on any down, any situation. No missed tackles on these
backs and receivers, or you are in trouble. We have to avoid turnovers (nothing new). But most importantly, WE'VE GOT TO BELIEVE
we can win and PLAY EVERY PLAY LIKE IT'S YOUR LAST.
Our defense has been great as of late and we will rely heavily on them to keep it close and give us a chance to win. The offense will have to
find a way to score a few points. Maybe we can sneak in a special teams touchdown or a defensive touchdown as well. Hey, we'll treat any
points with welcome arms; kind of like Harper and the cake.
I think we are going to get a great, not good, but great performance out of the seniors in this one. They know we are down to crunch time,
so I look for them to go all out and the result should be ........Picayune 24 Northwest Rankin 20