David Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 Two of the best from down south are opening the season against two of the best 7A teams in the Metro. Picayune looks to continue their unbeaten streak as they open their title defense from last year against the defending south state winners in Brandon, who looked good in their scrimmage against West Point last week. While they lost a lot of talent, the Bulldogs retained their great QB and that school bus that they use at RB. The Tide returns several highly regarded players, including most of a tough defense with the best edge rusher around and one of the best running backs in the state. Madison always fields great teams, with a drop off since their championship run a few years ago. Young, but talented is what I’m hearing. Ocean Springs lost the best player in 6A at QB, but returns literally everybody on defense and a bunch of good RBs, along with a massive offensive line. Like everyone else, it’s the play of a new QB that will tell the story. Playing on the road in these two games will be tough for the traveling Coast teams. Who you got and why? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JagsFan77 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 I think both games are a toss up. Brandon is gonna be solid as usual but so is Picayune. Picayune is just a different kind of animal. If Brandon's D Line is as good as I've seen over the last couple of years, I can't imagine Picayune being able to use their same MO as usual. I don't see them being able to run between the tackles all night. But I could be totally wrong. I think it's gonna be a question of who preforms better, Picayunes secondary or Brandon's D Line. I think there are a lot of uncertainties on both the MC and OS offenses. Both should have pretty salty defenses. This might be a lower scoring affair than expected. I saw mostly good things from MCs special teams this week. That aspect of the game might come in to play more than usual in a battle of defenses. Richardson is a new starter but has quite the leg. Starting field position should lean in MCs favor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 What an opening week of football with all these heavy hitting matchups. None of these games are going to be easy for any team and they shouldn't be. This should be high school football at its finest. If Picayune can keep their head to the plow, start out strong, and dictate the tempo of the game I like Picayune's chances in this one. Picayune is going to have to eat clock and keep Brandon's offense off of the field. Picayune is known for patented long clock eating drives. With Picayune there are no surprises on offense. Picayune is going to do the same thing they've done for what feels like an eternity. I really like how we looked in the Spring Game against Slidell, but we didn't have all our pieces in that game since we had baseball against East Central the following night. I feel like Picayune is going to show up ready to play. The unknown for me is how our defense is going to do against Brandon's offense. We know how to face the spread offense and I feel like our coaching staff is prepared for the task at hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 Looks like Brandon has moved the game time back to 8pm. Not sure why, but it should help with the heat, even if it puts Tide fans getting home at sunrise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 29 minutes ago, David said: Looks like Brandon has moved the game time back to 8pm. Not sure why, but it should help with the heat, even if it puts Tide fans getting home at sunrise. Well this is quite interesting. I wonder if they had to get a waiver from the MHSAA to move the starting game time back? Regardless it'll probably help with the heat and allow Picayune fans enough time to get up there and get something to eat before the game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 @David, do you mind posting the link to where you got this information from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 I see it on Brandon's Facebook page, so it's definitely legit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coastal_Chrome Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 (edited) MHSAA announcement Brandon Shields on X: All teams statewide have this option if both schools agree prior. Edited August 21, 2023 by Coastal_Chrome 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 4 minutes ago, Coastal_Chrome said: MHSAA announcement Brandon Shields on X: All teams statewide have this option if both schools agree prior. Thanks for this announcement on this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 1 hour ago, Coastal_Chrome said: MHSAA announcement Brandon Shields on X: All teams statewide have this option if both schools agree prior. Thank you! All school administrators should consider moving kickoffs back. Last year it was a7:30 recommended time, and that was still hot. Can’t believe the state is pushing 7pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogwarriorbandman Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 It have both coast teams with a loss. We will see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubaction Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 Not exactly sure what MC has… I’ll lean OS because of their experience on D but I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m wrong. Quick question on Picayune….how often has your secondary been tested by a strong passing game the last couple of years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted August 22, 2023 Author Share Posted August 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Dubaction said: Not exactly sure what MC has… I’ll lean OS because of their experience on D but I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m wrong. Quick question on Picayune….how often has your secondary been tested by a strong passing game the last couple of years? Yeah, that D has most everybody back with experience, including one of the new coaches bringing his highly recruited safety son with him. It’s the offense with the questions, though. So far, that seems to be the story for both teams. First one who gets their O operating should win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 3 hours ago, Dubaction said: Not exactly sure what MC has… I’ll lean OS because of their experience on D but I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m wrong. Quick question on Picayune….how often has your secondary been tested by a strong passing game the last couple of years? Dub, Picayune has had to deal with Gautier and Gulfport. Gautier was definitely tough with Kaden Irving, but Picayune made adjustments defensively in the playoffs and was able to neutralize the passing attack. I feel like our defensive front can wreak some havoc by putting pressure on Brandon’s passing attack and when they use that to open up the run game, Picayune can make necessary stops there as well. I also think in a game like this, the best defense is a good offense. Picayune needs to eat clock, wear Brandon down defensively and score. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 7 minutes ago, Raiderguy said: Brandon rolls Picayune and Madison Central wins in a much closer game 5 minutes ago, Raiderguy said: While this game won't hurt Picayune chances to win it all, this Brandon team just too good Brandon is a great football team. There's no denying that at all, but Picayune is a great football team as well. It's not going to be as lopsided as you think and I think the outcome might be a little different than you think as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 Brandon has been playing football since 1932. Have they been able to win a game when it mattered the most? Getting to the state title game is definitely an impressive feat, but do they know what it's like to win the very last football game of the year? Maybe one day they will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 30 minutes ago, Raiderguy said: While this game won't hurt Picayune chances to win it all, this Brandon team just too good There's a flipside to this coin as well. This game certainly won't help Brandon win it all either. It's a non-district, pre-region game. It's not a playoff game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted August 22, 2023 Author Share Posted August 22, 2023 (edited) 1 hour ago, Raiderguy said: Brandon rolls Picayune and Madison Central wins in a much closer game Completely based on the last game I saw Brandon play, when they beat my Greyhounds on the last play of the game, they are both big & powerful along with having speed in the skill positions. We were possibly more talented, but not able to figure out how to cover onside kickoffs. Hats off to their coaching. Picayune must control the ball, though everybody knows that they won’t be passing much. If I have to pick a winner, it’s got to be the one with home field advantage. Not looking to anger Tide fans, since we play in a few weeks, but I think the Bulldogs pull this game out in the final minute. Good luck to two great teams. I’ll pick the M.C. vs. OS. winner soon. Edited August 22, 2023 by David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 22 minutes ago, David said: Completely based on the last game I saw Brandon play, when they beat my Greyhounds on the last play of the game, they are both big & powerful along with having speed in the skill positions. We were possibly more talented, but not able to figure out how to cover onside kickoffs. Hats off to their coaching. Picayune must control the ball, though everybody knows that they won’t be passing much. If I have to pick a winner, it’s got to be the one with home field advantage. Not looking to anger Tide fans, since we play in a few weeks, but I think the Bulldogs pull this game out in the final minute. Good luck to two great teams. I’ll pick the M.C. vs. OS. winner soon. Your post is fine and it doesn't make me angry. I'll gladly take a loss in exchange for a gold ball any day LOL! But I do have to ask you a question though, which team do you think will control time of possession? Do you envision this as some sort of shootout with roughly equal TOP's on both sides? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastfootballfanman Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 Having watched the Greyhounds in their jamboree last week, I think their defense will keep them in the game. The offense I think is still working out the kinks and not having Whitehead for the foreseeable future hurts them. He is a dynamic player that would help at QB, RB, or WR. Just off the eye test, you can the defense is unit that has experience playing together and they swarm to the ball. Serious D1 talent on that side of the ball as well. Offense will probably take a few weeks to find footing but having to replace what they lost (especially at QB) is going to take some time, especially if Berglind was expected to be a back up option behind Whitehead. Offensive Line did not look as crisp as I thought with the experience they have coming back. I see Madison Central pulling a tough, defensive battle at home. Picayune is going to give Brandon all they want and then some. The thing about a team like Picayune is that there are not many teams Brandon plays that runs that style of offense. It is hard to prepare for in a week because no scout team can truly replicate the look they give. I do believe Brandon has the size to control the line of scrimmage and a big, physical running back. All that said, I have learned not to bet against the Maroon Tide. Gimme' Picayune in a CLOSE one on the road with a classic 5-6 minute drive at the end to seal the deal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 7 minutes ago, coastfootballfanman said: Having watched the Greyhounds in their jamboree last week, I think their defense will keep them in the game. The offense I think is still working out the kinks and not having Whitehead for the foreseeable future hurts them. He is a dynamic player that would help at QB, RB, or WR. Just off the eye test, you can the defense is unit that has experience playing together and they swarm to the ball. Serious D1 talent on that side of the ball as well. Offense will probably take a few weeks to find footing but having to replace what they lost (especially at QB) is going to take some time, especially if Berglind was expected to be a back up option behind Whitehead. Offensive Line did not look as crisp as I thought with the experience they have coming back. I see Madison Central pulling a tough, defensive battle at home. Picayune is going to give Brandon all they want and then some. The thing about a team like Picayune is that there are not many teams Brandon plays that runs that style of offense. It is hard to prepare for in a week because no scout team can truly replicate the look they give. I do believe Brandon has the size to control the line of scrimmage and a big, physical running back. All that said, I have learned not to bet against the Maroon Tide. Gimme' Picayune in a CLOSE one on the road with a classic 5-6 minute drive at the end to seal the deal. I feel bad for the teams that try to replicate our offense via a scout team. It's got to be a complete disaster LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Poppa Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 I'll take Maroon Tide +17 oh heck just give me the moneyline!!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maroontide06 Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 2 minutes ago, Big Poppa said: I'll take Maroon Tide +17 oh heck just give me the moneyline!!!! You'll be in for a nice payday Big Poppa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubaction Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 1 hour ago, Raiderguy said: Brandon by at least 17 Do you actually keep up with Picayune at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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