David

The O.S. high school varsity has brought up several players from the 9th grade team that was undefeated through their years, including using that QB is a slot, jet sweep guy, and the RB to fill in for losing their stud sophomore RB who broke his leg. Nobody will replace Hubbard, but the Whitehead kid you saw might be the starter next year, even if they have to revise the offense to fit his style. I agree that they need to upgrade their schedule, and that will be a problem for almost everybody once they only play 5 district games. Some teams will use that as a chance to play weaker teams to build up their record. I’d like to see O.S. upgrade their schedule, even if they lose a game or two early on. Playing Picayune, Oak Grove, and maybe up north with Tupelo and Starkville would make the team better and more prepared for the playoffs.

Yeah, O.S. Has a top loaded senior class, but the program itself is getting better, and has talent coming, even if we take a step back at QB. A lot of speculation about whether Coach Pennick hangs around since he’s a Jackson area guy with an eye towards returning. I know we had this same discussion last year about O.S. stepping up their game to play O.G. or one of those teams. Looks like there’s not much difference in the top four district 3 teams. I’d like to think that our coaches learned a lot in losing last year, in that they didn’t make adjustments in the second half. Our offense has been even better than last year, with an bigger, improved Oline. Looks like there’s even a small chance that O.G. drops to #4 and comes down here first round. In any case, there’s going to be a good team in Ocean Springs next week. Good luck to y’all, and we’ll see you sooner or later.

I’m worrying about that defense a little more too, even though the line and the backers are stout, the secondary will be tested. This is the best team I’ve seen come out of the Coast in a long long time. Not at least making it to the big game would be disappointing, and would forever mean that we have to listen to that weak sister narrative. I’m hoping this is just the start of an Ocean Springs dynasty, but would be tough without Hubbard and Pennick.

Man, you’re coming in here new and hitting all the good points right away. Let’s hope the south end of the state can take most of the titles again this year, including at least one Coast team along with Picayune or Gautier.

Good question. O.S. got a turnover and scored less than a minute into the second half, but after that long drives by both teams. I’ve seen this Gulfport QB for years now, and he throws a great ball. We had problems stopping them sometimes, but did force a couple of punts during the second half. There was never any doubt that O.S. would score every time we started drives, which usually started at midfield when they tried onside kicks on every kickoff after we returned one in the second quarter. I really don’t know how good Gulfport’s offense is, or is our defense not as good as I thought? Either way, O.S. will score on anybody if last night is any indication. What are your thoughts on how good the Greyhounds are and how far in the playoffs will they go?

I thought that this might be a shootout, and boy, was I right, except that Gulfport ran out of bullets. This Ocean Springs offense has taken over from what I thought was a better defense, and I’m not sure I’ve seen a better game plan against a quality team. No punts, no stress. Now, I’m not sure I even want to talk about the defense, except to hope that it was a really good Gulfport offense that put up 33.

Can I jump on this Ocean Springs/Goula/Coast football discussion! First off, I’ve heard the talk of Hubbard retiring when Bray graduates, along with his siblings being gone, and I’m also pretty sure it happens. He’s set up the athletic department very well, with the new stadium home side, baseball field improvements, and a multimillion dollar field house announced for the stadium. O.S. is yearly at the top of the award for best all around program which gives points for finishes in every sport. Cross country, tennis, and soccer are consistent state champs. That AD position could draw some big names. Pennick also has built the football program very well in his three short years. He talks about not only improving the weight program, but also nutrition and home support as he works with the middle school teams. 9th grade and 7th are both loaded with athletes and undefeated. This year’s linemen are noticeably bigger and more conditioned than in the past. He comes from the Jackson area and could get a offer from one of those schools that he would have to consider. I will say that in his career, he’s coached Mr. Football Cam Akers & Bray Hubbard. Kind of easy to coach, and Pennick acknowledges that. Us Greyhound fans have to hope that we can break through in the playoffs, getting past the second round, where we lost to a good Oak Grove last year. I do think that region 3 is down a little this year, but whoever we face, and Gulfport too for that matter, will be stout. I’d like nothing more than the Coast to one year win a few playoff games and shut up those Pine Belt guys. But talking won’t get it done. Gotta improve the schedule, playing more big games early, and hoping that this reclassification opens up some changes. Thanks, guys. Good talk.

Glad that you’ve found this little high school info site. It probably had more traffic years back, but I keep hoping that we see more discussion going forward. I’m an Ocean Springs fan, so it’s great to see another Jackson Cty fan on here. We might disagree with who’s better between your Irving and our Bray Hubbard, but there’s no doubt that Jackson Cty is QB central. Good luck with Picayune, and on into the playoffs.

Okay, but if we’re #1, we would play your #4, which kind of looks to be NW Rankin. While they are one of the four tied at the top now, they do seem to be the weakest link. At this point, we’ll take anybody seriously, but the second round is the real challenge. This Gulfport game actually has me nervous.

I think that we might have had this same conversation last year bout this time, and again, as an Ocean Springs fan I’ve got to agree with you. I do wish, hope that we continue to upgrade our early season schedule, especially with the addition two games dropped from the district schedule. This O.S. team does seem to be getting better as the season progresses, and might well be ready to take the next step by beating whoever the hell comes out of district 3. Would it kill you guys to figure out which one of those four teams we’re going to see?

I’m sure that the O.S. coaches have watched that Picayune/G’port game on a loop, and the Admirals can learn from Biloxi film. O.S. has a 9th grade QB that would be fantastic in the backfield and on jet sweeps. The RB that was booted from the last game (as the second guy to react, I might add) is also the starting safety, which will hurt the secondary. Truth is, finishing either first or second shouldn’t matter a whole lot in matching up with region 3. They’re all equal up there.

I was hoping somebody would go with Gulfport, even if I hope you’re wrong. Even as well as O.S. has been playing, there are a few chinks in the armor. First, they will be without their two top running backs, one to a broken leg sadly, and the other after being suspended for a personal foul in the last game. Not sure if that matters with the Oline opening holes for a freshman RB, but it could be a problem with the size and physicality of Gulfport’s Dline. Also, as well as the O.S. defense has played, they have been scored on by a good passing attack in Biloxi, and the most athletic player on the Coast, Norell White at St. Martin. A barnburner game is G’ports best chance, because I’m sure that my Hounds will put up a big number.

Add in the funds available for some of the best facilities anywhere in the state. I do like the fact that they hired a young, enthusiastic coach instead of the string of old timers in the past. This year’s team is good and the program is trending up. Not sure if that means they can compete with the big dogs on all sides of their borders, but I like their improvements.

Again, I hate to dog a coach, but anybody losing consistently with that talent level has to be questioned on how he’s getting them game ready. Dropping down to a lower classification next year will give Goula a better chance to compete, and they will have more non region games to schedule, either playing up in class or , more likely playing down to give young players a chance to improve. Whether Sims is the best guy to lead this situation is not for me to say.

No doubt about that! Goula on a regular basis dresses out more talent than almost anybody. I know that playing up in 6A hurts, but they have been disappointing for the past five years. When I saw them play Ocean Springs, before the game they were impressive with their size, strength, and the resumes of several of their players. But, they got barely one first down with the simple offense, and seemed out of shape on defense. I don’t know that coaching situation, and hate to get into why a school might change that situation, but across town, Gautier is well coached and playing exciting ball….

Finally, Ocean Springs faces a team that can go toe to toe with them. The Hounds will be without a couple of RBs, but that offense hasn’t missed a beat. Gulfport, with its lone loss to Picayune, has improved throughout the season. Who ya got?

Why is everyone leaving NW Rankin out of the calculations? Granted, they are probably the weakest of the deadlocked teams, but should they win out or win one of the two, everything is up for grabs. I love the underdog!

Okay, thanks. Not what I was hoping to hear, but it makes sense. Again, I’m sure the coach is on top of his options. This one might have big repercussions.

Hey, thanks. But I’m still a little unsure. It say the fraction of the quarter when it happened, then a whole game. If a player leaves in the third quarter, he would be out for that fourth quarter, then three more quarters the next game? That scenario would allow him to return for the fourth quarter of the next game. Sorry to question your response, just trying to get the exact ruling. I’m sure that the coach already has his options, but trying to figure it out for myself.

Okay, thanks. To be clear, he has to sit the entire game next week? Trying not to name the player, but we have a big, important game with Gulfport, and the player is the starting RB and safety. I’m sure people can figure it out. Of course he was the second player in the situation, and kicked the guy who was twisting his ankle. Just tough because of the timing and his usual good attitude.

I need a quick answer and then I’ll remove this topic. When a player is ejected, as one of ours was halfway through the third quarter, when is he eligible to return? I was told that he would miss the entire next game, but the college rules involve only missing the first half of the next game. Is our high school rule different than that? Thanks for your response.

Agree.

Just more about the overall level of play. If 7A teams are playing down three levels, our players, especially those being recruited won’t get good competition on the field, and eventually they won’t improve. Us fans want good competition throughout the year, not just in the playoffs. I’d love to see my O.S. Greyhounds play a tough schedule even if we lose a couple of games early. One idea is to limit games to teams only one class below. Maybe two classes below would be possible.

Are you saying that we should require those classes to only play other schools in their class or one step down? I like that idea to keep the competition more even.

I’m opposed to reclassifying, mainly for competitive reasons. In 7A, districts will move to 6 teams each, which means that teams will play 5district games instead of the current 7. That leaves 5 out of district games to fill, and those who want easy wins will only play down to pas their records. I say the state should require 7A teams to play at least two 7A teams early in the year, possibly on a rotation in games that count on the district record.