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7A South football down the stretch to the playoffs


David
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Last night’s results have set up an interesting run to division championships and seeding for the playoffs. While 60% of teams make the postseason, getting home field throughout might be the most important factor. 
 

With Brandon taking the lead in #3, still many games upcoming to change the pecking order. The top two does seem to be set, but below that, it might be a dogfight for the other two spots. Meridian has inserted themselves back into the picture with their win over Rankin, and Pearl is also tied. 
 

On the Coast, I think it’s obviously Ocean Springs and Gulfport to battle in a couple of weeks, then anybody’s guess who advances after that. St. Martin seems to be the only outlier. As usual, division 3 will probably be favored in the first round games, but in this weird season, who knows. If O.S. keeps improving, they might actually be right at the top eventually. Who knew?

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38 minutes ago, Dubaction said:

Brandon and OS are the favs for a south state rematch. OS and Gulfport will have some very dangerous 3 and 4 seeds out of region 3. 

No doubt. As usual, even the #3 and 4 traveling to the Coast will make tough opponents for whoever they play. Ocean Springs has seen NW Rankin in a come from behind win, and I’m thinking there are three equal teams below OG. But, your Warriors have to play to their talent level, or just getting a playoff spot might be in danger. Even though Brandon seems to be playing well, any upsets could open up that race to five different teams. 

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2 hours ago, David said:

Last night’s results have set up an interesting run to division championships and seeding for the playoffs. While 60% of teams make the postseason, getting home field throughout might be the most important factor. 
 

With Brandon taking the lead in #3, still many games upcoming to change the pecking order. The top two does seem to be set, but below that, it might be a dogfight for the other two spots. Meridian has inserted themselves back into the picture with their win over Rankin, and Pearl is also tied. 
 

On the Coast, I think it’s obviously Ocean Springs and Gulfport to battle in a couple of weeks, then anybody’s guess who advances after that. St. Martin seems to be the only outlier. As usual, division 3 will probably be favored in the first round games, but in this weird season, who knows. If O.S. keeps improving, they might actually be right at the top eventually. Who knew?

I've been honestly impressed with OS. Consistently performing well and improving game after game since the MC loss that I'd argue probably should've won. Granted the experience defense plays a major role but after sitting and watching some games kinda surprised how the offense is steadily improving.

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1 hour ago, ogwarriorbandman said:

It’s going to take me awhile to get over that * mederator edit* show we put on last night.  These so called D1s better be fighting for an actual signed scholarship offer at this point of the season!  Or life will soon be hitting them in the face. 

Arent you hitting the panic button a little early? OG will be fine. 

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As we all know, nothing is given or automatic on a Friday night in 7A-3. Each team is capable on a given night to beat anyone though I agree that Brandon & OG are the two best teams. But it appears this is one of those years where nobody is invincible. If one of those two teams plays poorly or has a rash of turnovers, they could certainly drop a game. 
 

While Meridian is still a ways to go to be equal to Brandon/OG, the win last night has to be a shot in the arm for confidence. Now we just have to build on it. Petal and Pearl are winnable games but we have proven that we are capable of losing those types of games too. Beating Brandon will be a long shot but we will see what happens there. 
 

While Coach Boyles is not a miracle worker, the team has slowly improved throughout the season. Hopefully the improvement will continue now with a big win under our belts. 

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41 minutes ago, Vott said:

Arent you hitting the panic button a little early? OG will be fine. 

Not really.  We have too much talent to be playing this way. They need to get their big heads off and play up to their potential. I am not counting us out but they better get some fire in their souls. No reason for all the stupid penalties that has become the norm. Speaking of heads our QB needs to get a helmet fix that doesn’t come off 4 times a game at the most critical times of the game.  Really?

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On 10/14/2023 at 1:10 PM, Montana6 said:

I've been honestly impressed with OS. Consistently performing well and improving game after game since the MC loss that I'd argue probably should've won. Granted the experience defense plays a major role but after sitting and watching some games kinda surprised how the offense is steadily improving.

I’m trying to get a count on total turnovers for that O.S. defense. Two pick 6s this past Friday. They’ve had games with 5-6 turnovers, which is either luck or forced by hard hitting and positioning. Everybody loves talking about offensive scoring, including me when the Hounds averaged 40+ last year. But even in high school, a great defense opens up the offense. That experienced group could be a big part of making a run in the playoffs. 

Edited by David
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6 hours ago, dogsoldier74 said:

If Pearl beats Brandon then pigs will fly and hell will freeze over

I’m thinking that both Pearl and NW Rankin could beat Brandon, and Oak Grove too, if they play their best game. That division could be won by a tie breaker. 

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Love this time of year when all games have meaning! OG losing to Brandon doesn't surprise me at all but I still think both teams, along with the 3 and 4 seeds will give OS and GPT all they want and more come playoff time. The most surprising thing to me isn't that OS is beating the lower teams in Region 4, it's that they are putting a running clock on them. HC gave Meridian all they wanted and OS had the 35 point running clock for all of 4th quarter against them. Doesn't mean much I guess but at least makes me think OS will  have a shot to make some noise again late this season. Gulfport game should be the last real test for either team before playoffs but as soon as you overlook someone, you will trip up. One week at a time! Hopefully Region 4 teams will be better for facing these teams OS and Gulfport are starting to put together the last couple years.   

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Ocean Springs is putting it together at the right time. Defensively, they have been every bit as good as advertised and on offense, they are probably a little ahead of where a lot of people (including myself) thought they would be. Gulfport is the only shot left to beat them before the playoffs begin. Playoffs come down to matchups. Greyhound defense might be the best in the state and will keep them in just about every game. If the offense can keep it up and keep improving, they very well could become the favorite. 

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4 hours ago, coastfootballfanman said:

Ocean Springs is putting it together at the right time. Defensively, they have been every bit as good as advertised and on offense, they are probably a little ahead of where a lot of people (including myself) thought they would be. Gulfport is the only shot left to beat them before the playoffs begin. Playoffs come down to matchups. Greyhound defense might be the best in the state and will keep them in just about every game. If the offense can keep it up and keep improving, they very well could become the favorite. 

The Hounds might be a little ahead of schedule on offense, mainly because the QB coming in to replace Hubbard has improved by the play and knows his role in limiting turnovers and playing well within his abilities. The recent return of the speed RB is adding another weapon. 
What concerns me is that lack of competitive games that you mention. Having only one division game against a top team isn’t ideal when the other division is playing four decent teams back to back. That hurts at playoff time when asked to elevate their level of play. Oak Grove may have lost a game, and could lose another, but that only sharpens their game. Ocean Springs did play a tough early schedule, and won most, so they’re trying to improve. At this point I think you could pick a favorite in the south out of up to a half dozen teams, depending on how each keeps improving. 

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On 10/14/2023 at 6:42 PM, Bulldogs4 said:

As we all know, nothing is given or automatic on a Friday night in 7A-3. Each team is capable on a given night to beat anyone though I agree that Brandon & OG are the two best teams. But it appears this is one of those years where nobody is invincible. If one of those two teams plays poorly or has a rash of turnovers, they could certainly drop a game. 
 

While Meridian is still a ways to go to be equal to Brandon/OG, the win last night has to be a shot in the arm for confidence. Now we just have to build on it. Petal and Pearl are winnable games but we have proven that we are capable of losing those types of games too. Beating Brandon will be a long shot but we will see what happens there. 
 

While Coach Boyles is not a miracle worker, the team has slowly improved throughout the season. Hopefully the improvement will continue now with a big win under our belts. 


I think y’all make it into the playoffs this year!

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Oak Grove, Brandon and Meridian win last night.

At this juncture, Brandon is in the driver’s seat. However, Brandon hosts Meridian next week. Win that game and they will clinch the #1 seed.

But if Meridian were to upset Brandon (doubtful) it would make the final Friday night game’s quite interesting the following weekend. 
 

Just glad to see my Wildcats playing solid football this year. 

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1 hour ago, Bulldogs4 said:

Oak Grove, Brandon and Meridian win last night.

At this juncture, Brandon is in the driver’s seat. However, Brandon hosts Meridian next week. Win that game and they will clinch the #1 seed.

But if Meridian were to upset Brandon (doubtful) it would make the final Friday night game’s quite interesting the following weekend. 
 

Just glad to see my Wildcats playing solid football this year. 

No matter who does make the playoffs, that’s a pretty good slate of teams going in. Meridian has to win at least one of their next two to have a shot, then travel to the Coast in the first round looking to upset a #1 or #2 seed. These upcoming two weeks will be interesting. 

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12 minutes ago, Dubaction said:

I like how OG responded this week.. especially on the defensive side of the ball. The front 7 finally looked like all the D1 talent we supposedly have. Made some adjustments that should hopefully carry us into the post season. 

Yep. They finally played up to the hype. Now we'll see if they can do it again.

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