coastfootballfanman

My friend, you are misinformed. It is far worse than last year. Hospitalizations, symptoms, etc. of young adults and teens are WAY up compared to last year.

First off, I am not trying to argue anything. My original point is that this variant is far more dangerous to young adults/teens than what we went through last year so to say just let those who are close contact stay, is a tricky deal. The purpose of a mask is to help keep a student from getting Covid-19. Do I think masks work? I am on the fence about this. I do not think they are the be all, end all to stop the spread of this virus. However, I do believe that it does help keeping it from spreading as bad as it potentially could. Also, at least in many of the coast districts, if close contact student gets quarantined, but test negative and shows no symptoms, they are allowed to return to school. Some of the county schools are not even quarantining close contacts. They send the positive student home and go about their business as usual. It is hard for me because last year, I felt like many of you do now, but after seeing what my wife has been dealing with every day and how hospitals are over capacity and are now having to stop performing surgeries because they have no beds. There is talk of medical ships being brought in off the coast and having to use those to house patients. It is not as black and white as you all make it out to be. This is real, this is serious, and it is probably not going away anytime soon.

My wife who is a nurse in Ocean Springs would beg to differ on that subject. What would you suggest the schools do?? If they are exposed to another student who is Covid positive. You think they should let those students just stay?

The way this variant is attacking teens and children, I have fear this season will be worse than last. This could get much worse before it gets better.

Whoa now! Do not go putting words in my mouth lol. East Central is the wild card to me. If the kids are not bought in and do not play for Collins, I could see them dropping some games they should win. To me, right now, George County is 1. You can place whoever you want in spots 2-4. Gautier's offensive line and receivers will have to step up. The defense is also a question mark as well. If they can shore those things up, then yes I could see Gautier as a 2 seed. However, right now, you could put whoever you wanted there and I would be okay with it.

I expect George County to win Region 4-5A. They have some great talent and athletes right now. Gautier may be the only team in the regions with the athletes to match them. Gautier is a mixed bag for me. They return a stud QB, but he lost his leading targets from last season and the Offensive Line was shaky at times. Defensively, they lost a fair amount of players as well but are bringing in a new DC from East Central. They always have nice looking players on the sideline and talent. However, the HFC they have is one I do not have much faith in currently. Picayune I expect to bounce back. Dowdle is a powerful back that I think will be a LOAD for defenses to stop. This will be a make or break year for Stogner. If they struggle or look bad like they did at the end of last season, he will be gone sooner rather than later. East Central has probably the most returning of the region 4-5A teams. However, apparently the school is in a huge mess right now with allegations of misconduct from superintendents and staff including the HFC. Collins has pretty much lost all community/player support from what I have heard. Will surprised if he is still employed there after this season. So I'm not sure how that situation is going to play out. PRC will be the "best of the rest". They may sneak their way into the playoffs, but it will not be easy. They will be tough, gritty and physical. However, they will struggle matching up with some of the top teams athletes. West Harrison and Vancleave will be slugging it out for the last place spot. Not much talent or athletes at either place right now. I will say I have been told Vancleave is expected to be really tough in the coming years with a solid freshmen and sophomore class. To me, your 4 playoff teams (I would almost place a heavy bet on these teams too) are George County, Gautier, Picayune and East Central in no particular order.

Region 4-6A Ocean Springs - Brings back a ton on offense. Will need to replace some key players on defense, but will be tough no matter what. I expect Ocean Springs to take the region fairly easy. Harrison Central - Bring back a decent amount of their offense led by a really great player in their QB. Defense lost a ton of starters and they will be rebuilding there. I expect them to be pretty good regardless. Pascagoula - Brings back a lot on offense that was really good a year ago. Defense lost some players so they will have to mature fast on that side of the ball, but I expect them to be really good for the most part. d'Iberville - I expect them to be really tough. Lost some players on both sides, but return some as well. I think they will be a gritty, physical team that is a playmaker or two away from being a great team. In my opinion, they have the best HFC in the region and that will help them a lot as the season progresses. Biloxi - Lost their bet overall player. Tons of great looking kids take the field for them every Friday night, but they find a way to underachieve. I expect a lot of the same this year. Some talented players, but they end up just missing out on the playoffs. Gulfport - Word on them out of spring is they are retooling and will struggle some this year. Gulfport is notorious for having kids move in so they could have picked up some talented players this summer. I expect them to have some talent and play hard, but I am not sold on them based on what I have heard. Hancock - Hard nosed kids. Will play tough. Just do not have the same quality of athletes. I suspect they will jump up and surprise a team or two in the region, but overall I expect a season similar to what we have seen from them most years. Competitive, just not enough to get it done. St. Martin - They are having to replace their best offensive weapon from last season. Noreel White is the REAL DEAL. He will be special for them, but I am afraid he might quite literally be all they have, on both sides of the ball. Hearing the talent pool at St. Martin is running dry at the moment. I expect this to be Eddie Wayne Whitehead's final season unless they shock the coast and make a nice run.

Yes you are right. I remember that now. I sort of wish teams would get back into traveling like they used to. During my high school career in Gulfport, we played Vicksburg, Pearl, East Ascension in Louisiana, Meridian, Laurel, and Washington out of Pensacola. It was awesome traveling to and playing some of those teams. Bus rides weren't great, but we did not care.

Travel logistics and expenses. For examples, it is just easier for coast schools to travel within 2 hours to get to Hattiesburg, Laurel, Wayne County, etc. Less money as well. It would be easier for the coast schools to travel over to Mobile, AL or Slidell, LA for games than say Tupelo or even the Jackson area. Same reason the DeSoto county schools usually play in the Memphis area. Just more convenient. I honestly do not remember the last time a coast team made a long trip up north for a regular season game. Maybe Moss Point/South Panola in mid-2000's?

Moss Point will be an interesting situation. They lost both their OC and DC this off-season along with their 4-year starter QB and some other great players. They do return some talent, but losing your OC, DC and some key players is a huge blow in my opinion. They are going to have great athletes though and will be able to run and compete with anybody. Their region is not very difficult so they should contend for a region crown.

Lane Brady is the name I have been told previously. Spent most of his career in Pine Belt. Moved to Long Beach with Pigott when he got the job there. They ran split back veer because that was what Ross wanted. Hearing they are now moving back to more of a spread look. Also heard he lost longtime DC Doug Lucas as well. So curious to see how Long Beach looks defensively as well.

I hear Ross is bringing them back to a more spread look. His OC is a former Oak Grove OL coach too I believe. Will be interesting to see how that plays out for Ross at Long Beach.

Wayne County certainly will be intriguing this season. Region 3-5A will be a gauntlet week in and out this year. Have you guys started spring practice yet? Who will y'all play for spring game?

Reported on Twitter by Brandon Shields that Todd Lowery has resigned from Corinth to be the new OC at Raleigh

Casey Cain? He would leave 6A Harrison Central for 1A Lumberton? That is an interesting development if true.

Eric Dotson at Pascagoula was a freak of nature. We could not block him for anything.. He was unreal. That team also had Dwayne Curry at LB as well. Man, they were so good.

Hard to see anyone knocking off Oak Grove with what they return. Curious to see how Brandon looks with Sam Williams taking over. Petal will be interesting as well. Pearl should be better. Not very familiar with Warren Central, but I know they have had some success in 2-5A. Will be interesting for sure in that region. As far as coast 6A, I think Pascagoula moving in makes it a better region, but I do not know if I see anyone really challenging 3-6A. Ocean Springs is probably the early favorite with what they return on offense.

Glad to be here!!! Looking forward to some great dialogue from some great guys!