David44

Regardless of the outcome, West Jones will benefit down the road for having to defend the Poplarville run-heavy offense. I think the Hornets will need some big gash plays running the ball or short fields due to turnovers, special teams,..etc. I just don't see them driving 75 yards and having to make 5 first downs against this defense. We have always had good speed on defense, but this year, there is more size, which is what is needed against these running teams (wink,wink Picayune...) I'm thinking something like WJ 31 Hornets 10.

For West Jones, yes the competition has been lacking other than the Laurel game. It's steps up a little the next 3 games though. Wayne County and Poplarville away, Jackson Prep at home. Totally agree with Merlin that the offense must improve and develop and identity by the time we get into October. With the 9th grade QB, I think it would certainly help him, if our 2 RBs became more of a focus on offense. We haven't necessarily churned out RB prospects in past years like say a Picayune has, so I think we should take advantage there when we have them.

LSU Florida state. Does Brian Kelly know that you can snap the ball to a guy 7 yards deep, another guy can run up an kick it, if it goes thru the uprights, your team gets 3 points. Somebody should tell him.

Some insight on what I saw first hand of Laurel last week. They have a pretty good defense. You won't outrun them to the sideline unless there is some miss-direction. Offense line is huge and a wall, much better pass blocking though then run blocking. West Jones has a good defensive line and they had trouble getting pressure. The QB is elusive even if you manage to get pressure, and throws it pretty well. One receiver, Rodgers, was impressive and can probably play on Saturdays somewhere. Regardless of tonight, Laurel should definitely be in the mix in 5A south later.

West Jones 17. Laurel 8. 4:30 left. 60+ yard TD run

West Jones 7. Laurel 0. End 1st Qtr

Pretty sure that Laurel is playing @ West Jones. Otherwise, I will have a very good parking spot when I get there.

West Jones defense is usually pretty good, but I think this years group has a chance to be really good with 9 starters back. Expect the offense to be more run-heavy early on, as they are breaking in the new QB.

Totally agree. What is the point of the regular season? The 4th place team in our region can go 1 and 10 and make the playoffs. That's pathetic.

WEST JONES 2023 Laurel (H) NE Jones (H) South Jones (A) Wayne County (A) Poplarville (A) Jackson Prep (H) Terry (H) ** OPEN Forrest Hill (A) ** PRC (H) ** Hattiesburg (A) ** Some interesting non-region games. Starting a new QB and opening with Laurel will be a challenge. WC will be a very good test, Poplarville and JP maybe too. Only 4 region games? (thanks MSHAA for 7 classes....)

SEC west vs. the Mountain West Conference.

Definitely a BearShark

Well, Tennessee certainly has a lot more pitching left, but you can only put 1 guy out there at a time. As for the starters, Mazza and Beam look pretty even to me. There is much more pressure on Mazza though to give USM as many innings as possible tonight. With all the options Vitello has in pen, it will be interesting to see how quick his hook will be in a win-all game, if things are tight. It can come back to bite you, if you go to a guy that just doesn't have it that day.

USM surely the underdog, but I see some favorable trends coming into this weekend. I know Tennessee can just keep bringing those power arms out of the pen, but of their top 10 pitchers (by innings), I only see 2 leftys, and USM lineup is generally left-handed heavy. And, in the Auburn regional, USM had some guys get really hot at the plate to get them thru, but their best hitter for most of the season, Slade Wilkes was pretty quite. If he gets going, and the others stay hot, they can win it. Finally, you just can't quantify the pending retirement of Scott Berry and the effect it can have on a group of young men, wanting it not to end for him.

USM should host in a fair world. They should have "hosted" the Auburn regional, but the USM AD was not part of the tournament committee. Yes, they certainly need to win the Tanner Hall game 1, but they have some Scott Berry mojo going on now with him retiring. Those kids are playing hard for him.

Great comeback. Just wondering if giving up 15 walks and still winning maybe an SEC record?

We'll see I guess. Yes, Reynolds did some positive things at South Jones, but he had a running back with NFL talent and the expectations there were not very high. Totally different level of expectation at West Jones.

Brutal start this year. Maybe Lemonis needs to call Scott Berry and get the 411 on having a very good pitching coach. I think USM had 5 pitchers drafted, lost #2 weekend guy Waldrup in the transfer portal, and seems to have picked up right where they left off last year.

my goodness, Perkins 306 yards 4 TDs 4 2pt conversions.

Yes, As I said a couple of weeks ago. Picayune scores so much, nobody talks about the defense. Other than 1 big pass play, they shut West Jones down pretty much. I know West Point has always had a very physical running game that forces you to crowd the line of scrimmage. You do that, and then they hit you with a big pass play. This will be a hard fought game for sure.

Got to secure the ball there. Unbelievable. Kick a FG game over.

Thank god for the heavy rain. Leach forced to run the ball. Of course most coaches would have already against a 3 man front. Did he watch the Arkansas film?

How many times does MS defense have to bail out Leach an Will Rogers tonite?

Other than the 1st drive, MS did absolutely nothing. And they had great field position. Rogers is one dimensional, no threat or willingness to run. And ole miss knows it.

I think everyone has already expressed my sentiments on the WJ 2nd half play calls. Let me give a big thumbs up though to the tide broadcast on the NFHS stream. Although I missed most of their halftime, came back to it they were talking family praying together, mentoring young men, and dad’s being real dads. We need a lot more of that and I admire them for not being ashamed to express it publicly. I plan to go back an listen to the parts I missed.