Hattiesburg at West Jones (Region 3-6A Championship)

[maroontide06]

Make your pick in this marquee matchup and hash it out.

[maroontide06]

You can cast your vote on this one up until a minute before kickoff on Thursday, so make a pick and chime in.

[Ghost of Howard Cosell]

Burg Built!

[coastfootballfanman]

Hattiesburg in a 28-14 type of game is my prediction. I said all pre-season that this was probably Vance's best team since he has been at Hattiesburg and if there was a year to make a run and win it all. It is this year. They have lived up to that hype overall. Would have loved to seen them vs. Deuce Knight when they played George County, but we may end up getting that in a few weeks. As long as the offense holds up and can score some points, the defense is good enough to stop anyone. 

[ManCoverage]

This will be the best defense West Jones has seen by far and they have weapons all over the field on offense.  Unless they just get completely out schemed somehow I see Burg by 3 scores.

[s1nglewing]

32 minutes ago, ManCoverage said:

This will be the best defense West Jones has seen by far and they have weapons all over the field on offense.  Unless they just get completely out schemed somehow I see Burg by 3 scores.

"Unless they just get completely out schemed "

 

Entirely possible. 

[slicklizard]

7 hours ago, ManCoverage said:

This will be the best defense West Jones has seen by far and they have weapons all over the field on offense.  Unless they just get completely out schemed somehow I see Burg by 3 scores.

Sometimes after you see stuff one time when you see it again……. I feel you though. Just remember there is a lot of things coming up that some haven’t went up against.

 

This game really doesn’t mean that much for the battle coming up. The top three from region 4 and the top three from region 3 are pretty similar strength wise.  Any of them could make it to the title game 

[Rawcones]

10 hours ago, coastfootballfanman said:

Hattiesburg in a 28-14 type of game is my prediction. I said all pre-season that this was probably Vance's best team since he has been at Hattiesburg and if there was a year to make a run and win it all. It is this year. They have lived up to that hype overall. Would have loved to seen them vs. Deuce Knight when they played George County, but we may end up getting that in a few weeks. As long as the offense holds up and can score some points, the defense is good enough to stop anyone. 

Best team in what terms??? Far as talent goes this team might not even be top 5 of his teams since he's been at hhs. But I'll say this is definitely his best coaching job for sure. 

[TheTruth]

Hattiesburg will win this game…. I believe. They are the better team and seem to be playing with a purpose. They will not be “outcoached” Vance is the better coach with the better staff this year. 

[Merlin]

11 hours ago, TheTruth said:

Hattiesburg will win this game…. I believe. They are the better team and seem to be playing with a purpose. They will not be “outcoached” Vance is the better coach with the better staff this year. 

better coach with better staff this year??  Pretty sure west jones has the same coach and staff that whooped Vance’s butt last year. 

[Merlin]

2 hours ago, Rawcones said:

Best team in what terms??? Far as talent goes this team might not even be top 5 of his teams since he's been at hhs. But I'll say this is definitely his best coaching job for sure. 

Certainly not as good as the 17 and 18 teams.  Those teams had a legit qb.  Which also happens to be this years Achilles heel.  He almost cost them that terry game. 

[Merlin]

I have watched some of the Hattiesburg’s games on streams.  They were not all that impressive in a couple games.  Yet they handled oak grove easier than the final score indicated.  Seems they play up or down to the opponents a bit.  And for that reason I think they will be locked in for this one.  They want to wash off the turd of a game they played against Wj last year. 
 

WJ is and has been quite banged up this year.  The defense overall has been very good even after graduating all of last years defense. But they havnt played a complete game. They tend to fall asleep for a quarter or so. They are suspect in one area Hattiesburg’s offense excels at. The offense is the same as last year.  Actually scoring more this year.  And that’s with the starting qb playing less than 10 total snaps at qb since halftime week 2.  Their biggest weakness is at center and right guard where they tend to allow guys in the backfield.  
 

WJ has a headhunter at safety/cb/lb or wherever they line him up.  He is going to pop some wr’s and that qb too if he decides to take off like he did so much vs terry.    

Edited November 5, 2024 by Merlin

[Deonte3455]

6 hours ago, Merlin said:

I have watched some of the Hattiesburg’s games on streams.  They were not all that impressive in a couple games.  Yet they handled oak grove easier than the final score indicated.  Seems they play up or down to the opponents a bit.  And for that reason I think they will be locked in for this one.  They want to wash off the tird of a game they played against Wj last year. 
 

WJ is and has been quite banged up this year.  The defense overall has been very good even after graduating all of last years defense. But they havnt played a complete game. They tend to fall asleep for a quarter or so. They are suspect in one area Hattiesburg’s offense excels at. The offense is the same as last year.  Actually scoring more this year.  And that’s with the starting qb playing less than 10 total snaps at qb since halftime week 2.  Their biggest weakness is at center and right guard where they tend to allow guys in the backfield.  
 

WJ has a headhunter at safety/cb/lb or wherever they line him up.  He is going to pop some wr’s and that qb too if he decides to take off like he did so much vs terry.    

I’d be lying if I said I was impressed with the way HHS has played since the OG game, but they have shown me what I need to see. I’m hoping Thursday, a Tiger awakens who like mustang meat.

[Vott]

24 minutes ago, Deonte3455 said:

I’d be lying if I said I was impressed with the way HHS has played since the OG game, but they have shown me what I need to see. I’m hoping Thursday, a Tiger awakens who like mustang meat.

Except for the Biloxi game and that slow start vs Terry they have played near perfect ball. What more do you want to see

[Deonte3455]

2 hours ago, Vott said:

Except for the Biloxi game and that slow start vs Terry they have played near perfect ball. What more do you want to see

Biloxi and George County. I don’t count the weak teams. Terry game was a wash from the start. But I look for things deeper than most would. Missed tackles, blown assignments, little things that could bite us when facing a more potent team. I want to see a complete game in all phases against WJ is what I want to see.

[coastfootballfanman]

12 hours ago, Rawcones said:

Best team in what terms??? Far as talent goes this team might not even be top 5 of his teams since he's been at hhs. But I'll say this is definitely his best coaching job for sure. 

According to 24/7, Hattiesburg currently has 6 players alone in the 2025 class with Division 1 offers. They have the top player in the state in the 2026 class. That's not including the ones who have JUCO offers that will have the chance to play college football as well, plus sophomores that have not gotten on Division 1 team's radars yet. I personally think from what I have seen, this year's defense is better than '17 or '18. I will concede that those years were better offensively, though. Overall I just feel like this might be his most complete team. Hattiesburg is my pick to get out of the South this year. Much like West Jones last year, the defense gives them a big edge and can make up for whatever shortcomings the offense may have. 

Edited November 5, 2024 by coastfootballfanman

[David44]

Hattiesburg defense has been impressive and they would seem to better than the relatively new West Jones defense, but 

I'm not sure they are at the level of last year's West Jones defense. After 9 games, they have allowed 86 points. Last year's

West Jones defense only gave up 79 points in 14 games. You could argue schedules and whatever, but that is the facts.

I think both defenses Thursday night will face some higher caliber offensive talent that they have not seen thus far this year.

Has Hattiesburg faced a team this year with a 240lb running back that is better than he was last year? and a QB that can run

like Lindsey? He gashed them twice last year in the 1st half with long runs that started a West Jones rout.

And in the same token, West Jones has not faced a team with the weapons that Hattiesburg has either.

 

Edited November 5, 2024 by David44

[Vott]

1 hour ago, David44 said:

Hattiesburg defense has been impressive and they would seem to better than the relatively new West Jones defense, but 

I'm not sure they are at the level of last year's West Jones defense. After 9 games, they have allowed 86 points. Last year's

West Jones defense only gave up 79 points in 14 games. You could argue schedules and whatever, but that is the facts.

I think both defenses Thursday night will face some higher caliber offensive talent that they have not seen thus far this year.

Has Hattiesburg faced a team this year with a 240lb running back that is better than he was last year? and a QB that can run

like Lindsey? He gashed them twice last year in the 1st half with long runs that started a West Jones rout.

And in the same token, West Jones has not faced a team with the weapons that Hattiesburg has either.

 

If I can get technical, the defense has given up 72pts so far. 14pts have come off 2 scoop and scores when the Hattiesburg offense was on the field

[BrickCity]

5 minutes ago, Vott said:

If I can get technical, the defense has given up 72pts so far. 14pts have come off 2 scoop and scores when the Hattiesburg offense was on the field

Mr. Vott im happy for you. After many years of Hattiesburg breaking hearts, they finally have a shot at the ring. If Hardy Street Pete is happy then I am happy

[maroontide06]

Even though this game is going to be in Calhoun or Soso or whatever it is you want to call it, I just don't know if the homefield advantage for West Jones is going to be a factor.

[Merlin]

1 hour ago, David44 said:

Hattiesburg defense has been impressive and they would seem to better than the relatively new West Jones defense, but 

I'm not sure they are at the level of last year's West Jones defense. After 9 games, they have allowed 86 points. Last year's

West Jones defense only gave up 79 points in 14 games. You could argue schedules and whatever, but that is the facts.

I think both defenses Thursday night will face some higher caliber offensive talent that they have not seen thus far this year.

Has Hattiesburg faced a team this year with a 240lb running back that is better than he was last year? and a QB that can run

like Lindsey? He gashed them twice last year in the 1st half with long runs that started a West Jones rout.

And in the same token, West Jones has not faced a team with the weapons that Hattiesburg has either.

 

Hattiesburg’s defense is championship caliber.  I would say bout like wests 2022 defense.  But not to the level of 2023.  
 

West has seen a team with the weapons Hattiesburg has, maybe a better blend of weapons and coaching, in Jackson Prep. And we saw how that ended for west. 
 

Hattiesburg has not faced as physical if an offense as west has.  But it’s not like it can’t be slowed down.  
 

I personally think Hattiesburg has more motivation and will likely win this one.

[coastball]

2 hours ago, coastfootballfanman said:

According to 24/7, Hattiesburg currently has 6 players alone in the 2025 class with Division 1 offers. They have the top player in the state in the 2026 class. That's not including the ones who have JUCO offers that will have the chance to play college football as well, plus sophomores that have not gotten on Division 1 team's radars yet. I personally think from what I have seen, this year's defense is better than '17 or '18. I will concede that those years were better offensively, though. Overall I just feel like this might be his most complete team. Hattiesburg is my pick to get out of the South this year. Much like West Jones last year, the defense gives them a big edge and can make up for whatever shortcomings the offense may have. 

So, what I'm reading is they have more talent at Hattie and the only thing that can stand in their winning a gold ball is coaching

[Merlin]

20 minutes ago, coastball said:

So, what I'm reading is they have more talent at Hattie and the only thing that can stand in their winning a gold ball is coaching

coaching and qb play will be the dividing factors. 

[Ghost of Howard Cosell]

SoSo Colts going down this week!

[Deonte3455]

Anybody want to set the spread and o/u?