David

That’s mostly well said, especially from a fan base who has to be feeling kind of screwed over. I’m not going to say that you don’t deserve to feel that way, and I’m sure that you’ve already heard how the team shoulda played better, shouldn’t depend on the refs, and shouldn’t be whining. Those things don’t help, and mostly come from towns who have been having their butts handed to em the last three years, if not decades. I will say that most every fan base has had a situation like this in the past. Some can recall that “big game screwjob” no matter how many state titles soothe their minds. But, believe this: raising a trophy in late November will be the best revenge, and you’ve got the team to do it. Everything else fades away. Good luck with that.

Ocean Springs beating Scotlandville 21-0 early.

Oak Grove has looked really good in the spring and in the fall scrimmage against a good Gulfport team. Their win over Wayne Cty. might not be more than a warm up, but it highlighted their explosive offense. Division 1 talent all over the field. They have put themselves in position to prove their rankings to those of us who aren’t sure OG is the best team in the state or even in the south, so winning this one will go a long way until they hit the meat of their schedule, especially those games against Brandon and NW Rankin. Playing in Hoover makes this a little tougher. I’ve got the Warriors winning, but in a close match.

Yep, and some of what I said wasn’t stated well. I’ve taken it down. Sleep well.

Dub, I’m just talking football. Has nothing to do with where I’m from. If this is going to be a spat between us and about my team instead of me trying to learn what is going to happen when two really good teams play Friday night, I’ll bow out right now. I thought I was giving OG fans a chance to tell me exactly why they will win. Sorry to stir the hive. Seriously, sorry to have insulted you. It’s just talking football.

Gone

Took a wrong turn after the actual games in question were played. I’d like to see some of our fellow participants starting their own threads so they could argue for four screen pages all on their own.

Yeah, all these games could be toss ups until O.S. gets their offense on track. One player in particular injured in the spring could be back soon to add speed to the offense along with some really good defense that forced turnovers against MC, but couldn’t knock down a couple of Hail Marys when it counted. NW Rankin and this week will be critical, since they’re not beating Picayune.

Like 06 said above, they are in a pretty good district around Baton Rouge, and lost big to BR Catholic last year. They play some New Orleans area schools that we have seen in the past, like Edna Carr, who knocked them out of the playoffs last year. Our outgoing athletic director last year scheduled O.S. with a tougher early schedule, with NW Rankin and Picayune on deck. Good way to learn against better players before getting into district play.

Not derailing the thread. Give us your thoughts. I just realized that a whole lot of the top teams are playing out of state teams, including Picayune vs. Catholic, Oak Grove vs. Hoover, and Ocean vs. Scotlandville. Maybe the thread shoulda been about the big state vs. state matchups.

Brandon at Madison Central It seems to be the week when most of the top teams are playing out of state or inferior teams. Who you got between Madison Central, coming off of a last second win over Ocean Springs and a good Brandon squad that lost to my #1, Picayune? Name the other competitive games that I’m missing and your predictions.

Classy response. I didn’t want to come off as putting down the fan base because there was obviously plenty of support both in the student section and the end with the band. I realize that you wish there was more noise in some of the situations where it can help, especially on critical defensive stands. Otherwise, we had a great experience in the stadium, and I hope that this contract includes a home and home engagement. Good luck this week and the rest of the season.

Yeah, I guess that’s it. Its better than not coming to the campus at all, and the athletic department pulls in big bucks. I’m sure there aren’t many locations that can sell so many packages for the tents in this state. The fans that were there seemed enthusiastic, the student section was packed and loud, and their band is almost as good as Ocean Springs, where a whole bunch of the fans are there for the halftime show. Different strokes, I guess. Or maybe I’m just sour about losing the game.

We basically lost the game on the last play after a roughing the kicker call on a missed field goal on the previous attempt. I’ve waited to comment until having a chance to watch a replay of the call, and it appears to be a legitimate roughing call. There are other calls that appeared to be questionable and at critical junctures, but it’s opening day for referees too, so no crying about that. We’ll talk about your teams great effort later, but I think that Ocean Springs can’t be counted out of having a good season just yet. Tough schedule, including Picayune, so probably no better than 3-2 headed to district play. Lots of good showings on the Coast, including Biloxi, Harrison Central, and Gulfport with wins. MC showed a lot of resilience overcoming what must have been six turnovers, including the fumble that led to OS taking the lead late, and the interception that should have been the game winner just after that. Second QB threw better but the starter ran well. Really good WR that should have been doubled. Obviously, a great kicker. Can’t see them over Brandon next week or the big boys in their district, but they should improve with experience. Also, I’ve got to ask about the weird situation with the fan base in Madison. Beautiful, huge stadium with a loud student section and great band, but the entire reserved middle of the stadium was practically empty, with thousands of people under tents outside the stadium past the end zone. I’m told that they pay hundreds of dollars for the tents and setups, yet never enter the stadium to cheer on their kids. I’m trying not to sound petty, but I think that sucks for the coaches and players, including the band at halftime. Any thoughts from Jaguar fans? Tell me I’m wrong.

Madison Central wins in a slugfest on yet another last play field goal. Cograts to the Jags. Interesting coach’s decisions and flags. Both teams will win some games as their offenses gel. Loads of next level defensive players on both teams.

Madison Central wins over Ocean Springs 15-14 in the defensive slugfest we expected. Jaguars played tough in spite of their turnovers. Ocean Springs forced the turnovers, but only capitalized a couple of times. Congrats to the Jags.

At this point, I’m happy to be in the same boat as the Tide, representing the Coast and trying to raise our profile and respect. Our talent is mostly on the defense, so if we can get at least a little scoring, I think we can hang. In Brandon, You will be surprised at the physical play of that big RB and how they go hurry up to keep your defense off of the line, especially on the goal line where they can go unbalanced line and snap it straight to him. I would expect a lot more points than most in your game. Good luck with your trip. See y’all in a few weeks.

I’ve been a fan of Tide football for a long while and wishing you the best. This Brandon group is just different, so expect some things that you won’t see from others. Smash mouth ball from both sides. Whoever is ready for this season to start will have the edge. Have a safe trip, and good luck on the field. If you have any good players looking for playing time, send over to us in Madison.

Congratulations on your opening game win. Your kids look to be in mid season form and much improved from the last time on the field. I’ll be following your season and pulling for your players. Good luck next week with Hoover.

I’m trying to bow out of this discussion and anxious for some football finally, but here’s the MaxPrep poll just to put some perspective on where some people expect Ocean Springs to be compared to Gulfport. Once again, everything is determined on the field. 1Tupelo 2Starkville 3Oak Grove (Hattiesburg) 4Brandon 5Picayune 6Ocean Springs 7Jackson Prep (Jackson) 8Madison Central (Madison) 9Warren Central (Vicksburg) 10Louisville

Not at all, I’m enjoying the discourse. He’s a classic around these parts. I think I got his goat at some point since last year’s game. Maybe we all did after finally being able to silence the noise that always comes from there. Not sure if I want to face their improved team if I don’t have to, but I ain’t saying that out loud. Never been much good at this trash talking, but I won’t let a team we beat trash talk my boys either. This is fun. edit: he can’t read this can he?

Fact is, you are always on point. For years you’ve told me that Coast football ain’t on a par with the Pine Belt, so I took great pleasure when we were able to raise our game and beat one of the big boys. I thought that it was a sign of our growth as a program, and hoped that we had earned enough respect to not be grouped in as “one of those weak Coast teams”. Yet, you assumed that a team we scored 58 on last year was the best 7A Coast football has to offer this year. That’s disrespectful to our kids in my opinion, so I reacted. I’ve kept up with O.S. football since the 60s, and played on an undefeated team when Oak Grove was just a few houses outside Hattiesburg. We’re just a couple of old guy’s running our mouths about teenagers playing a game. Respect my team when we beat you or when we lose.

There you go moving the goalposts again. The aim is to win every game. We did that last postseason against your fine team in a game that was literally not as close as the score might indicate. Should your team be improved this year and beat us in the playoffs, then and only then can you make the claim that you’re better than us. Don’t go back in history to avoid giving respect to teams who beat you. That’s cheap. Do better. Mr. Football is a homegrown kid whose grandfather was my high school principal. Shows that talent can be developed by our system. As for the coach that we “let go”, remember that he knew that Mr. Football would not be around to run his offense. I don’t blame him for taking the bag, but the manner in which he did it was not classy. We’ll be fine without him. Like our new coach said, “the only people in that locker room are people who want to be in that locker room”. Good luck to your team. Hope to see you soon.

I cannot argue with the fact that Pennock got outcoached in some areas in that playoff game, while coaching very well in others. The reasons you name, plus not somehow figuring out how to plot a way to cover onside kicks. It was a problem the entire time he was at O.S. Now, Brandon’s defensive scheme did have an influence on keeping Hubbard from getting outside, but he still had huge chunks in the running game, especially in the first half. That last second bomb coulda, shoulda been shut down with some kind of deep zone that got at least two defenders on the ball, but again, credit the QB’s pass and the contested catch on the sideline. No second guessing from O.S. fans, other than realizing that the things that I’ve named along with some of the referees calls are all part of the game that have to be overcome to win the game. Moving on.

I wouldn’t expect it from up that way, but I damned sure know we earned your respect on the field last fall. You can keep your last two decades.