David

I wish I could disagree with your take, but that’s one of the reasons why Ocean Springs scheduled this game to see some more physical teams and prepare for the playoffs. They played Picayune in the spring to work on tackling, and have added weight and depth on their defense with a couple of talented transfers and some sophomores. Ocean Springs never punted in last year’s game, so that speed QB is back and better. I’d probably favor Clinton at home, but hoping it’s a good game for both.

I saw a well coached team when the Tide played Ocean Springs in the spring game. Not much new stuff was run, but it gave O.S. a chance to tackle some talented running backs. Good luck with Poplarville, and I don’t think you will have a problem with a really down d’Iberville team the next week.

Finally, somebody talking about Clinton. I’ve been trying to get some idea of what to expect. Last year’s triple overtime game was also opening night, and was a classic. O.S. won that one, and continued to improve through the season. Maybe improved this year too on defense, but needs to play to find out. How does Clinton compare to last year if you think they are two touchdowns better than O.S.?

How hard is it for the new QB to turn and hand off to the best two RBs in 5A! Mostly kidding, it will help against the better teams to also run the ball and occasionally put it up. With d’Iberville down, this is their biggest early test. Should be a good one.

Just want to remind everybody that the Ocean Springs at Clinton top ten matchup is on Thursday night next week. Good way for Metro area fans to get out and start the season.

Hard to say. Ocean Springs added transfers and sophs on defense to improve there. Same QB on offense, with a few replacements to watch. I’d say they were pretty even with OG, but Brandon is my favorite overall. We’ll just have to see.

Yeah, I’m checking that FB page out a lot, but it’s a little too much personal trash talk for me. Nothing wrong with hyping your team or even your kid, but the betting and fighting stuff isn’t good for the kids to read. Still, better than nothing. I’d love somewhere that just gave us the stats and the players doing well and being recruited. That’s what this site used to be.

The shame of it is how this venue has fallen so far. Back in the day, there would have been twenty people on here commenting, telling about their teams, talking trash, and I could have learned about other teams and bragged on mine. Too bad it’s gone down hill. Thanks anyway.

I get that, usually, but last year, Ocean Springs had the talent to give Oak Grove a good game, losing by a touchdown after actually breezing by against a Region 3 team in the first round. They might have improved their defense in the meantime, and still have arguably the best QB out there. The players have playoff experience, and more importantly the coaches, so they won’t be quite as unprepared when they get the bad calls or get smashed in the mouth like last year. I know the history, and wish the regular season was more rigorous, but they play a good Clinton team right out of the gate, with Gautier and George Cty to show em different styles of offense, plus they played Picayune in the spring to see the best running game in the state and learn from that. Forgetting the past, they’ve done everything possible to get ready for that inevitable playoff time against Oak Grove or Brandon. All we can do is play the games. Most exciting brand of football, best stadium atmosphere, and hell, I’m going to enjoy it. See y’all in late November.

What do you know about Gulfport that makes them look better than last year? They are usually pretty good, but dropped off some last year. The division will be even softer this year with d’Iberville losing so much talent. Ocean Springs should breeze through.

It did go back and forth into the second or third OT. O.S. was glad that Clinton didn’t run the ball up the middle on that last play. Both teams might be better with the Hounds adding some beef on defense to help with the line problems from last year. As much as I hate to say this, but even losing the first game might make them better, learning not to get too big headed. This competition gets O.S. ready for the playoffs later.

This jamboree should be electric, with two of the top QBs in the state. Also, the actual opening game with O.S. in Clinton should be a good one. I haven’t seen much talk about Clinton’s team that was pretty good last year. Ocean Springs will score with anybody, and have a couple of good transfers on defense. What about Clinton?

Coaching legend for sure, but he chose to come down to Biloxi for the big bucks, not work hard to improve the program, and proceed to get skull drug by a lot of those same CUSA offenses. Trashing your kids on the way out the door because you can’t stay out of the casinos or show up in the off-season means that he lost a lot of respect from me. Still one of the greatest.

I might have over spoken calling them new, but the ninth grade team had several good receivers playing last year. The varsity had four go to guys last year, and lost two of them. Those other two returning have received juco offers. The main transfers I’ve heard about are the two defensive players who will push to start. Understand that I’m in no way in a position to know inside information, but do try to keep my ears open. Probably won’t happen, but I’d love to see that we’ll recruited 9th grade QB get some run before the season is over for experience.

They’ve been the cream of the Coast, such as it is, for years. At least they’re competitive in their class, and play the 6A teams to get ready for their division. I’m not sure what they lost on their Oline, but that backfield will be loaded.

Yep, Hubbard has been playing baseball, which a lot of people think will be his college route. I think that playing two sports makes athletes better overall in those sports. I could see him passing a good bit with several new receivers along with a couple of good ones coming back, but I can’t imagine him running much. Picayune has so many RBs, they could use the backups to get their Oline some work. Again, I’m glad to see O.S. at least trying to improve their run defense after getting gouged by O.G. in the playoffs.

Dub, I don’t totally disagree with you, but just last year, Picayune got whupped good by d’Iberville, who then got dragged by Ocean Springs. I’m not saying that O.S. was that much better at the end of the year, but 6A teams did outplay them. We’ll know a lot more after Picayune and O.S. play in a spring game this week. Kudos to both teams for playing against a team concept that gave them problems last year, especially with the Greyhounds trying to get better against the best rushing offense in the state.

As usual, it would be a mistake to let a group of parents and community leaders pick this new coach. That’s what it’s looking like. I’ve heard a couple of good candidates, both young and upcoming and good, experienced guys. Two different ways to go.

Good, growing school. The tradition isn’t great, but they have gotten better this last decade. Should attract some experienced coaches.

I hadn’t thought of that. I know that Gulfport went over to the panhandle to play Escambia this year, but not much else. We played some good New Orleans teams a while back. I’m guessing that part of that is the loss of ticket sales from the distance and lack of natural rivalries. I’m hoping that we take a pretty good crowd up to Clinton. Last year’s game was on a Thursday, so their crowd wasn’t very big at our place.

Ocean Springs vs. Clinton was a good one last year, going into overtime, and while they play again this year, I’d like to see my Greyhounds play more games up in the metro area or even north state. Wouldn’t be terrible to lose a game if it gets the team ready for the playoffs by showing the kids (and the coaches) how to play the best competition. Look at how JDC played up in competition and lost, but then kicked butt against their own classification. More small teams should do that.

I would expect that. Way too many athletes to not show up for those early season games.

I was told that O.S. will do the payback at Clinton, so a traditionally tough Hattiesburg would be second game. They weren’t good competition last year though, trailing 42-0 at halftime. George County will be a good testif they stay on the schedule, returning some real talent at the skill positions. I know that Picayune would be a natural game, but I think that style would give O.S. real trouble. Losing a game early might not be terrible.

Ocean Springs brings back a ton of starters and experience in a big playoff game will make them and their coaches better. I would even hope for some close regular season games coming from upgrading the early season schedule. They should still run the Coast, so must improve tackling and rushing offense when defenses pressure. Looking forward to another great Greyhound year.

If it doesn’t hurt, your not doing it right.