coastfootballfanman

Biloxi and it is not even close. Holmes County is typically always extremely talented and a good team. Moss Point is abysmal across their lines and I do not see that changing over the year. I was told they have about 30 kids total out playing football right now and their starting RB could be out a while. He took a big hit vs. Hattiesburg and was carted off the field after a hit this past Friday vs. Pascagoula.

I am going to have to disagree with you there. 2 of d'Iberville's defensive linemen from last season are currently on Division 1 football rosters. The other is on a JUCO roster. They have an entirely new group on the defensive line with two of them being 10th graders. I am in no way saying they are bad or not good, because I think they are. But to make the statement they are much better on the lines than last year is just not true defensively.

Hattiesburg wins 49-21. Game never really in doubt.

I think Picayune definitely bounces back. Now, does that translate to a win? That I am not sure about. I do not believe Jackson Academy probably has much experience with stopping the type of offense Picayune runs, so I think that plays into their favor. However, JA has some really, really talented athletes and playmakers offensively as well. I think it’s a good game, but Jackson Academy wins in the end.

Talent level definitely took a dip this year. This is probably the smallest class in a long, long time with only 7 seniors total. The junior and sophomore class have been really good through Middle School and 9th grade. Many expected us to be down and struggle some this year, but we have not looked this bad in 7-8 years.

d'Iberville is most likely the team to be able to challenge Gulfport. Most knew OS would be "down" but not as down as they looked last night. d'Iberville has probably the best player in the region at Quarterback and some good players. I expected them to challenge OS for the 2 seed. However after last night, i expect it to be d'Iberville. I expect OS to still be a playoff team, but will be traveling in the 1st round.

I can say that I do not think the Nolan Wells case was a big enough distraction to get beat like we did, but I can say it was somewhat of a distraction. His younger brother, Elmore is a starting wide receiver on the team and most of these kids played with Nolan. My son has said that is a pretty hot topic at school, at practice, in the weight room, etc. There has also been a pretty fair amount of division in the community as well. Again, I do not think it was something that aided in Ocean Springs looking bad like they did, but it has definitely been somewhat of a distraction. We graduated a ton of players last year, we had a pretty large amount of coaching turnover this off-season. We looked unathletic and slow on both sides of the ball. I am not sure what Coach Bramlett sees for us to focus on being a 4 wide, Air Raid style of offense, but hopefully after last night, he sees we are not good enough up front or athletic enough out wide to do so. The last two seasons, we have tried to implement a more open, pass heavy attack and both times, eventually transitioned back to what has been our calling card the past half decade - 11 and 12 personnel and running the football. Setting up the pass by leaning on folks and running the ball. We looked unprepared and frankly out coached. In every phase. Which is uncharacteristic of Coach Bramlett, he typically prides himself on the little things and being detailed. I do believe our kids came in a little confident thinking they could ride high because of how we beat Meridian last year and the Ocean Springs "name". Meridian came out and hit us hard in the mouth and we quite frankly folded. Hats off to them and Coach Vance. They were ready physically and mentally, where we were not. Yes we are young, and inexperienced but we were two years ago as well and we did not look this bad at any point. I am sure coach is going to regroup and rally the troops and correct some things. This team is talented enough to finish 2nd in the region, but the way we looked last night, we will not win a region game. Again, big congratulations to Tony Vance and Meridian. He catches a lot of lack for how he behaves on the sidelines at time, but he knows how to win and get kids to play hard for him.

We are young and missing our only 2 guys on defense that really played last year. My concern is lack of athleticism. We do not look athletic. We look unprepared and lost right now.

Another Meridian touchdown. 35-3

Meridian opens the 2nd half with a quick drive and score. 28-3 Meridian leads. Probably going to be a long year in Ocean Springs.

Meridian up 21-3 with under a minute in 1st half.

Meridian 21-0 over OS. 3 minutes left in 1st half. Meridian is bigger, faster, and stronger. They look much more prepared than OS at the moment

Meridian currently up 14-0 over OS. Almost end of 1st.

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.