Hancock at Picayune  Oct 22nd

Barry Harper

First, congratulations the Lady tide Softball team for winning the south state championship over

Moss Point . It was my first opportunity to see these young girls and they are very talented. I wish

them the best of luck Saturday. YOU GO GIRLS!  

We have always been told to spend time with our children. When I arrived at the ball park Tuesday

night what I really noticed besides a good team on the field was all of the parents who were working

in the concession stand and throughout the ball park. Way to go parents, nice job.  

The Hancock Hawks will be flying high into Picayune Memorial stadium Friday night after their

first win of the season against Natchez last Friday. My co-host on Saturday Morning made the

statement that this victory for Hancock will give them some incentive to come to Picayune and

play hard. This statement is partially true. They will show up and be fired up. However, the intensity

will always be there between Picayune and Hancock regardless of each teams' records.   Picayune

has got to regroup. Our defense has played wonderful; however our offense has lost its spark.  Losing

our starting tailback in the Gulfport game surely didn't help, but injuries are a part of football. I have

got confidence in the players and the coaching staff to get this thing turned around. When we start

hitting on all cylinders again, this team could go deep into the playoffs. It could come down to the

last week of the season when we host Oak Grove. The winner of that game could advance into the

playoffs and the loser could be through. We will just see how it plays out.   Meantime, we've got

these pesky hawks coming to town. The way I see it- Picayune-31 Hancock-6

Carey Meitzler

Roll Tide & How ‘bout them slow pitchers ? What a fun group to watch.

The Sultans of Swat or…Swing or…Bing Bang That Thang…that last one is my own tag for them.

Take your pick; bottom line is this: They can hit. They can defend. They got game. 

I'll say this about their defense. My good friend Ludwick Lohnes and I are convinced Courtney

Dickens could play “baseball” shortstop. Her fielding is as smooth as my football color

commentator's head. (Okay, couldn't resist. I've been leaving him alone this season, but I am

running out of time, so I say carpei diem)

Seriously, this bunch of young ladies has garnered a great accomplishment no matter what the

outcome on Saturday. I am particularly excited for the “Nicholson” connection. You know, in

past years, there has been a lot of ball played from Greenbrier to either side of 59, and on

Proctor Hill. Shucks, the ghosts at B.K.'s Astrodome (just a rocks throw from The Hill) are

smiling from ear to ear. Okay, some of you can't follow this softball history lesson.

For those who did, SAL-LUTE !!!! (and smile….)

The Guys in Maroon Hats have stumbled the past two weeks on the unkind road. That's the

bad news. The good news is they control their own destiny to qualifying for the playoffs.

All is not lost, only two division games.

I've had a lot of people ask me “What's wrong with the Tide?” My opinion (I really don't like

that word) is “We've been spoiled”.  Let's all admit it. We are used to showing up, doing our

thing, and winning 83% of the time. Well, I think that feeling has encompassed our players and

we have become complacent at times and I think that's the biggest obstacle we face. Focus on

doing it and not just thinking it will happen . We need a little extra MTXE. This team is very

capable. We'll see in the next three weeks.

Hancock is fresh off their first win last week. They will be excited to play us regardless of the

records or who did what last week or last year. The Guys in Maroon Hats will be ready. The

defense has played championship caliber the past 10 quarters of football. The offense has

sputtered due to missed assignments and untimely penalties, but will breakout this week and

be ready for the stretch run and the playoffs. Expect the Hawks to try to mimic what Meridian

and Brandon deployed against us defensively. Watch for us to solve the riddle. The Tide is ……

Back.

Picayune 28 Hancock 0