David

I’d say that the first round of games went pretty much as I predicted except for Southaven not showing up. This leads to a lot of great matchups next week. Let’s talk. Starkville @ Clinton regular season result: Clinton 35-28 Starkville Madison Central @ Tupelo regular season: Tupelo 34-0 Madison Central Warren Central @ Brandon regular season: Brandon 21-3 Warren Central Oak Grove @ Ocean Springs 2021 second round playoffs: Oak Grove 28-21 Ocean Springs

My bad! I knew that they played somebody close, and it was Warren Central along with their neighbors in Brandon. Anybody saying “running clock” are probably not informed.

Some coaches want the running clock to eliminate injuries. Last week, Ocean Springs scored to get to a 33 point lead in the third quarter, and went for two to get the clock running and send everybody home thirty minutes early.

Awful lot of people have Ocean Springs winning this game easily. I say pump the brakes and realize that NW Rankin not only made the playoffs in a tough division, but only lost to both Brandon and Oak Grove by one score. The Greyhounds will need to tighten up their defense and also continue that running game to compliment the one man offense that Hubbard can be. Lots of players sat last week with nagging injuries and the flu bug, so hopefully getting back to full strength will help. I’ve got O.S. winning, of course, but know that NW Rankin has a good team. Gulfport is good enough to win against a really tough W.C., especially at home, but had better play turnover free. Being at home should help. I’ll call this one a toss up.

Congratulations to Bray Hubbard, with a shout out to all of the other deserving players in consideration. Bray might be the first two time 6A winner, and he’s worked hard for this honor. Great player, good kid, wonderful back story including honoring his Mother in receiving this award after losing her to cancer five years ago. He and his family make Ocean Springs proud.

Good luck, MC!

I refuse to talk right now about what might happen if we play you guys in the playoffs again this year. Good luck with Biloxi.

I’ve been wondering the same thing since that first game of the season. I assumed that Harrison Central must be really good to play even with O.G. Then, as H.C. begin to lose, I wondered if O.G. was really down, especially with another close game at Wayne Cty and a loss to John Ehret. But, now, O.G. is playing as well as anybody in the state, and the H.C. team I saw lose to Ocean Springs couldn’t beat a jr hi team. I guess it’s just because teenagers are inconsistent. And coaches too, I guess.

I realize that we’re the best team in a long time, maybe since I played and that’s a long long time. Ha! Nonetheless, the program is getting the things it needs to maintain good teams, and the kids in 10th grade have contributed greatly. The upcoming 9th graders are being used as backups at RB and WR, and they have dominated at every level, not losing a game since entering 7th grade. I know that’s like these guys bragging about their peewee teams on here, but I think we at least continue to win this division, for what that’s worth. I continue to hope that we upgrade our schedule to see more of the teams you mentioned. I’m giving Gulfport a small chance this week only.

Good report. I will say that O.S. is down their starting RB to a broken leg, but the replacement has done well, and they are cycling in several 9th graders into the backfield and WR corp. Defense is better, but seems to get complacent with the big early leads, which has been every game. Like most high school teams, lots of flu and small nagging injuries, which kept a lot of starters out of last week’s meaningless game. Hoping to have everybody on the field for the playoffs. Gulfport has played pretty good all season, only losing to O.S. and Picayune. I’m just personally hoping for a district 4 win to get at least a little respect down south.

Moving this topic to the top, hoping for some last minute updates or predictions about the 6A games. I’m an Ocean Springs fan, but worried that NW Rankin is a quality opponent, so looking for some more info on what to expect. Upset alerts in Gulfport playing Warren Central, and with Starkville on the road to Southaven.

Again, it begs the question of how many times this has been done in the past. The fact that they were so brazen about it probably means that it’s been standard practice. Now, I’m the guy who almost completely supports referees in this day of less numbers of qualified officials, but it’s easy to not assign any school employees to games involving their school. If it’s happened to you, then it’s happened to everybody at some point. Playoff games should especially be scrutinized to prevent this.

Okay, then a grievance puts everything on the record, and at least gives a basis to address this kind of issue in the future. I can’t imagine a head of officials continuing to assign local coaches to games involving their own schools after knowing they are being scrutinized. Does that happen often, or am I the only one who’s surprised that it happens at all?

I don’t have a dog in this dance, but if I did, I’d certainly be making a couple of official calls to the assigning officer over this choice of officials. Slick, that’s wouldn’t be crying, but watching out for your kids and coaches for the future games. In the least, this kind of conflict should be disclosed if it cannot be avoided. Even if his crucial calls were correct, the appearances couldn’t be worse. You’re a more patient man than I would be.

Oh, hell yeah they do. They played much better late in the season, even in their loss to Brandon. They beat us in the playoffs a couple of years ago, and I know that the O.S. coaches and players are remembering that. Now, comparing common opponents doesn’t always help, but while O.S. shut down Clinton’s run game and won handily, NW Rankin struggled with them and lost big. But, that was early in the season. The stats I’m seeing have NW Rankin allowing around 35 points a game, and that doesn’t bode well when the Greyhounds are scoring more than 40, and haven’t really scored less than 40 lately. NWRankin played a much better schedule and that’s a positive.

I’m going to have to put a number after my name! Old high school number was #6.

I’ve seen Starkville referred to as a sleeper. With their hot finish in division play, they’re not just no sleeper, but could become a favorite if they can keep it up. I’m assuming they would play Tupelo next week if both teams win?

With Starkville being so hot as the number four seed, it could easily happen. In the south, I picked Gulfport as the upset special, but they would have to play their best game. That result would tell us a lot about the relative strength of the other teams in that division. I’m an Ocean Springs fan, but as usual, a bit leery about our strength of schedule. Losing last year might make our players and, especially our coaches better. Being at home is a positive.

EC will not throw it as much as Picayune, which means nearly zero times. They just don’t have the stud RB to pull off the wins that the Tide has.

I’ll drop off my predictions and opinions to get things started. Up north is not my area, but I’ll give it a shot: Starkville is coming in hot, but have to go into the house of an undefeated Southaven team that might feel disrespected with all of the talk about the Yellowjackets. They will continue to feel that way when Starkville leaves. Starkville 35-24 Southaven Clinton probably underperformed with the talent they have, but they do have talent. Desoto has lost two out of three here at the end. I’ve got Clinton 24-17 Desoto Central Tupelo obviously, and Madison Central makes it a clean sweep. ——————————————— Looking for upsets, it would have to start with Gulfport playing a great Warren Central team. The Admirals only losses are to Picayune and Ocean Springs. Those are not terrible, but they are losses. Warren Central’s biggest wins are Vicksburg and in overtime over Oak Grove. I’m giving Gulfport a puncher’s chance, and the win, also in overtime Gulfport 42-35 Warren Central The other games go as most people expect in wins by: Oak Grove 42-17 Biloxi Brandon 45-7 Hancock Cty Ocean Springs 41-21 NW Rankin

Anybody can make a prediction. Drop some knowledge and all the reasons you think your outcome will come about. Southaven Chargers Southaven, MS Starkville Yellowjackets Starkville, MS Reg 2 #2 vs 1 #3 Nov. 11, 7:00 PM Clinton Arrows Clinton, MS DeSoto Central Jaguars Southaven, MS Reg 2 #1 vs 1 #4 Nov. 11, 7:00 PM Tupelo Golden Wave Tupelo, MS Lewisburg Patriots Olive Branch, MS Reg 1 #2 vs 2 #3 Nov. 11, 7:00 PM South Panola Tigers Batesville, MS Madison Central Jaguars Madison, MS Reg 3 #1 vs 4 #4 Nov. 11, 7:00 PM Brandon Bulldogs Brandon, MS Hancock Hawks Kiln, MS Reg 4 #2 vs 3 #3 Nov. 11, 7:00 PM Gulfport Admirals Gulfport, MS Warren Central Vikings Vicksburg, MS Reg 4 #1 vs 3 #4 Nov. 11, 7:00 PM Ocean Springs Greyhounds Ocean Springs, MS Northwest Rankin Cougars Brandon, MS Reg 3 #2 vs 4 #3 Nov. 11, 7:00 PM Oak Grove Warriors Hattiesburg, MS Biloxi Indians Biloxi, MS

I’ve only seen Irving from Gautier, but if there’s a QB with the same arm talent in this state, sign him immediately. Off his back foot, on the run, short or long, this kid is the best. Now, as for best all around QB, I’m sticking with my guy, Bray Hubbard, from ten miles away, but the arm is not in question.

Seriously, we’d love to be tested early. Have your guys give my guys a call. We always bring a good crowd and the best band in the state.

Agreed. The state tried to give every school district a chance to make a little of that postseason dough, but I say teams earn the home field advantage, and should keep it throughout the playoffs.

With everybody only having five district games next year, there will be a lot of teams looking to fill out their schedules. Some will add lower class teams to pad the win column. Some will add games against quality opponents from across the state to make their teams better, even with a loss. I’m hoping that my Ocean Springs Hounds take this opportunity to play a statewide, tough slate. You hear me, Tupelo?