Hattiesburg at Meridian

[Vott]

This is going to be a good one. Emotions will be riding high for both teams. Kinda like LSU/ Ole Miss but without all the hate. LOL

[maroontide06]

Old Big 8 Rivalry.  Keep the passenger trains running for this one, just like in the old days.

[maroontide06]

Maybe bring out the steam locomotives and Pullman cars.  Can't hurt.

[maroontide06]

@VottI didn't realize y'alls win over Meridian last year was the first one in 23 years.  Things might be a little bit tighter this time.

[Vott]

6 minutes ago, maroontide06 said:

@VottI didn't realize y'alls win over Meridian last year was the first one in 23 years.  Things might be a little bit tighter this time.

Go look at the overall series history. Look at our record in Ray Stadium. Its terrible 

[maroontide06]

19 minutes ago, Vott said:

Go look at the overall series history. Look at our record in Ray Stadium. Its terrible 

I did.  I didn't realize it was that lopsided either.  I figured it would have been a little more even like y'alls history with Laurel.

[maroontide06]

Hattiesburg has only beaten Meridian 9 times since 1958.  That's pretty wild and that's half the wins.

[Vott]

26 minutes ago, maroontide06 said:

Hattiesburg has only beaten Meridian 9 times since 1958.  That's pretty wild and that's half the wins.

I have seen only one HHS win in Meridian in my lifetime. No matter how good HHS is or how bad Meridian is when we go there more often than not we get boatraced. So if anyone thinks that HHS will or should win comfortably you dont know much about the Meridian/HHS series. Im not even calling it a rivalry since we have been dominated so much. 

[maroontide06]

5 minutes ago, Vott said:

I have seen only one HHS win in Meridian in my lifetime. No matter how good HHS is or how bad Meridian is when we go there more often than not we get boatraced. So if anyone thinks that HHS will or should win comfortably you dont know much about the Meridian/HHS series. Im not even calling it a rivalry since we have been dominated so much. 

That had to have been the Nov. 9th, 2001 win.

[Vott]

5 minutes ago, maroontide06 said:

That had to have been the Nov. 9th, 2001 win.

And i remember nothing about it. And its a possibility they could be in Region 3 6a next yr.

[Bulldogs4]

We played Hattiesburg every year back in the Big 8 days and then we were division rivals for some years through 1980’s and 90’s. And yes, Hattiesburg wins were few and far between through those years. But that was a long time ago and I don’t think that necessarily will affect this game. I still think you have to give Hattiesburg the edge but I look for a much closer game this year. Meridian is vastly improved and this game will IMHO be the best measuring stick for this team to date.
Ocean Springs is way down and I think we got the big head against Neshoba Central. We were somewhat better at Starkville but no where near being a top ten team and Columbus is worse than awful. So this game will show me where we stand. 
 

And I am glad to play Hattiesburg again. For decades (1920’s-1990’s) Laurel was our biggest rival and with a lot of hate. I miss those days. Man when we played Laurel in any sport, it was going to be physical and very competitive. And Hattiesburg as well to some degree but because we dominated the series in football it was not nearly as heated. Probably around 20 years ago or so we played Hattiesburg at the Rock and that was a fun night for Meridian. I think we won by 40 points and there was probably 7-8K in USM’s stadium including a large contingent from Meridian. 
Friday, we will be lucky to have 3-4K at Ray Stadium. We had a decent crowd for the Columbus game and this one will probably be a bit larger. But HS football just does not draw large crowds in the present day. 

[ccbulldog]

19 hours ago, Bulldogs4 said:

We played Hattiesburg every year back in the Big 8 days and then we were division rivals for some years through 1980’s and 90’s. And yes, Hattiesburg wins were few and far between through those years. But that was a long time ago and I don’t think that necessarily will affect this game. I still think you have to give Hattiesburg the edge but I look for a much closer game this year. Meridian is vastly improved and this game will IMHO be the best measuring stick for this team to date.
Ocean Springs is way down and I think we got the big head against Neshoba Central. We were somewhat better at Starkville but no where near being a top ten team and Columbus is worse than awful. So this game will show me where we stand. 
 

And I am glad to play Hattiesburg again. For decades (1920’s-1990’s) Laurel was our biggest rival and with a lot of hate. I miss those days. Man when we played Laurel in any sport, it was going to be physical and very competitive. And Hattiesburg as well to some degree but because we dominated the series in football it was not nearly as heated. Probably around 20 years ago or so we played Hattiesburg at the Rock and that was a fun night for Meridian. I think we won by 40 points and there was probably 7-8K in USM’s stadium including a large contingent from Meridian. 
Friday, we will be lucky to have 3-4K at Ray Stadium. We had a decent crowd for the Columbus game and this one will probably be a bit larger. But HS football just does not draw large crowds in the present day. 

they need to put the students back on the home side (by school) like it was for 50 years. When I go to games now, I sit over there with visitors because the last few times I sat on press box side, the mens room was closed after halftime because the student boys were fighting and breaking things in the mens room. I think more citizens would go the games if they would do that.

[Bulldogs4]

1 hour ago, ccbulldog said:

they need to put the students back on the home side (by school) like it was for 50 years. When I go to games now, I sit over there with visitors because the last few times I sat on press box side, the mens room was closed after halftime because the student boys were fighting and breaking things in the mens room. I think more citizens would go the games if they would do that.

If the crowds start getting bigger, maybe they will do that. I agree with you. I liked it much better with that setup as well. 

[Rawcones]

Gonna be an interesting game for sure. I know meridian got athletes for sure but same as hburg. I know Vance got some tricks up his sleeve but if hburg don't get in their own way they should have the edge. 

[BigFan100]

On 9/23/2026 at 3:25 PM, Rawcones said:

Gonna be an interesting game for sure. I know meridian got athletes for sure but same as hburg. I know Vance got some tricks up his sleeve but if hburg don't get in their own way they should have the edge. 

WE have the upper hand for sure . If co-OC Mcdonald coach this game we will win for sure. Vance going to try get into HHS heads off the back.

[Dubaction]

Seems like even teams to me based on what I’ve seen. Hattiesburg is prob a little more consistent. 

[Vott]

38 minutes ago, Dubaction said:

Seems like even teams to me based on what I’ve seen. Hattiesburg is prob a little more consistent. 

What concerns me is just the history of playing there. HHS does not play well there at all. 

[Dubaction]

Is Meridian streaming this? Sort of interested in catching a bit of the Vance bowl

[Rawcones]

Anybody see the pregame??? Its about to be that type of night. 

[Vott]

Just now, Rawcones said:

Anybody see the pregame??? Its about to be that type of night. 

It does not need to be like this! Both teams better keep it under control. (Coaches as well)

[Rawcones]

8 minutes ago, Vott said:

It does not need to be like this! Both teams better keep it under control. (Coaches as well)

Wtf was that about????

Edited 34 minutes ago by Rawcones

[Vott]

3 minutes ago, Rawcones said:

Wtf was that about????

I have feared this game all summer. Lets just get it over with.