Archer

OS is the new daddy on the coast and maybe for years to come as long as the coaching is adequate. The demographics are shifting and they're fielding speed on defense now which wasn't the case in the past. And they're feeder programs are loaded (my nephew plays for the 7th grade team) which doesn't always translate to high school success but it's nothing to dismiss either. 2016 is a reference point because Pascagoula was playing in 5A and struggled despite having a senior stocked roster and starting 22. They struggle more in 6A because their talent won't overwhelm anyone in that classification, especially along the lines of scrimmage -- unlike in 5A in which the likes of West Harrison, PRC, and Long Beach are served up for easy meals.

I think the lack of another threat running the football is a flaw likely to be exploited against OS at some point. They're going to have to run the football effectively deeper in the playoffs and I don't think a one-headed attack will be enough. Once Oak Grove locked up Hubbard's wheels last year, it was all over.

One caveat to the 2020 playoff run: Pascagoula avoided Wayne County because of a COVID forfeit and losing that game -- which was likely -- would have eliminated them from playoff contention. Pascagoula has had ONE season above .500 since the start of 2016. So it's not as though they've been beating up on 5A opponents and the 2016 team which was loaded with senior starters and two good running backs limped to a 6-6 finish in 5A. As for coast 6A, other than OS (and to some degree Gulfport), it's still a bunch of underachieving programs led by incompetent coaching staffs -- none of which have far superior talent than Pascagoula. The fact Pascagoula is getting whipped by them is even more of an indictment of those steering the ship.

That was maybe the most embarrassing performance of this tenure. I asked someone in the first quarter if we were conceding the game and trying to shorten it by running middle school plays from the 'I' formation.

Best thing going on this site. Bravo. Are you still in the corner of the Wayne coaching staff?

I'll start with Pascagoula. 29-48 since the start of the 2016 season. Unacceptable yet tolerated by an apathetic community/administration. Most years the roster has multiple players who play a minimum of JUCO ball. This year's version has at least two players on defense who will play at the FBS level and maybe more depending on their JUCO careers. And the starting RB just committed to MGCCC.

They were most definitely the Team of the 90s. And good mention about Dantzler Stadium which has to be the most unique setting in the state.

Never is that easy it seems -- replacing a legend. You dudes in the 'Yune appear to have figured it out though.

They weren't the team of the 80s by any stretch. Three losing seasons including 1-9 in 1987 with Miller coasting in his twilight and posting a 3 win season in his final year. Alexander assumed the reigns the next year and won it all. Billy won it in '83 and Jerry won four: '91 '96 '97 '00

Coaching is almost everything at this level.

There should be more in play here than his willful retirement. Program has been mostly an embarrassment — including three losing seasons — since 2016.

That town and school district have crossed the precipice and it's the point of no return. Didn't think they'd drop another classification so quickly though.

Pascagoula is a wild card to some degree with the ambiguous status of the head coach. There are athletes on this roster (particularly in the lower class ranks), certainly in more abundance than PRC, LB, WH, and George County.

Wonderful. Not looking forward to that at all with so many traditional matchups lost in this reshuffling.

Funny guy. For the sake of competition, I hope both schools are better soon because it appears they'll be in 6A next year with Pascagoula. Outside of Picayune and Gautier, the region isn't shaping up to be too salty.

You are seriously patronizing these two fanbases. Loser leave town game.

They need to present that officiating crew with a game ball. There were shenanigans on display last night I've never witnessed in War Memorial Stadium. Granted, Pascagoula had a hand in their own defeat but I believe a review of that crew's performance is also in order.

They've been lost since Al Jones retired and that was long ago. It's like he took their identity with him upon departing.

I like your attitude. Picayune 45-7

I'm not aware just how stocked the cupboard is but they usually have a compliment of athletes. Coaching would appear to be a problem area.

Picayune 45-20

A couple of remarks to your very welcome column: 1) We'll know about East Central's legitimacy in a week and a half. I suspect a rude awakening from their dream sleep of a schedule so far. 2) This is the best defense Gautier has fielded in some years but that's a relative point and I'm unsure what it means in a highly competitive sense.

Pain … for Vancleave.

I have no interest in traveling to Carriere and PRC is in the Mariana Trench with no sign of trending upward.

Gosh, I hope not. I want better competition to watch and potentially travel to than PRC as a Pascagoula fan.