coastfootballfanman

Yes that is correct.

I have tried to take a little bit of a step back from posting as much as my son is in his senior year here at OS and actually is going to play some this year (finally - LOL) Do not want to post a ton and get myself or him in hot water. LOL

State goes 6-6 Ole Miss goes 9-3 USM goes 5-7

I do not think the cupboard is half empty for either team, but at this early stage of the season, it is going to take a few games to get into form. To me, Picayune probably has the upper hand offensively with their horses back and some of the OL while Gulfport is having to replace a really, really good Quarterback and Running back. Defensively, Gulfport returns a great bit of talent while Picayune will be breaking in some new guys. Like you said, most of the time they both just reload. Letter X will definitely be key for Picayune to have success.

Man. What a game this will be! Honestly sort of sad I will not be able to make this one due to going to see my nephew kick his season off at Pass. I believe Gulfport will win this one. Picayune graduated a pretty good bit of defensive production and some really good linemen on offense. I think Gulfport just has too many horses right now and has a ton of confidence riding into this game. I think Picayune's style of play will make this a great game as always and I would not be shocked if Picayune wins it. However, I see Gulfport winning in a 35-28 type of game where it is a battle for 4 quarters. Both teams are testing themselves early which is a good thing.

A pretty significant portion of their defensive production and a few offensive weapons. However, they will probably have the best player on the field in almost every game they play in the regular season at Quarterback for them so they should be fine.

From the start of these rumors, I felt the same way. I do not really see what they specifically would benefit from in moving to MHSAA. Would they get more money from gates, etc.? I also do not see the MHSAA letting MRA, Prep, etc. compete in 3A with numbers and talent pool good enough to compete and win higher classifications.

I have not. I was mainly speaking to football, but you are right. It would be different numbers overall.

I would say you have to keep it if your instituting it for all MSHAA private schools.

The big argument is there is no need for 7 classes with less teams. You would add roughly 50 more teams to MHSAA if MAIS merged which would add roughly 7 more teams per classification. So you would be back to more traditional 32 or so teams in 5A-7A instead of 24. So I think there is a better argument for staying 7 classes considering that point.

If they did merge, I would be curious to see what the numbers would be for MRA, Prep, etc. I imagine they would be in the 5A range with the 1.5 multiplier added to their 9-11 numbers?

I think that would make a ton of sense or if you wanted you could have 1A 11-man and 1A 8-man or something along those lines. Texas breaks it down as Division I 1A and Division II 1A. Division I is 11-man and Division II is their 6-man football.

So how many new kids is this for Hattiesburg now?

People like you are a dying breed I believe, my friend. I am indifferent personally. If we can get prepared for region play/playoffs and not have to go far to do it, then I am all for it. If we need to take a trip or two to test ourselves, then we need to.

My friend, in house visits happen frequently. All over the state. Heck here on the coast, I can confirm 100% that Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula and d'Iberville brought kids who were not enrolled to tour their campus and facilities. AD's and Admin meeting with them as well. It is pretty much out in the open, the problem is nobody wants to report anyone because everyone is pretty much doing it. Very few schools are doing it and the ones who are not, are typically your poorer performing programs.