Nick Saban is one of the most successful college football coaches ever. His record speaks for itself—winner of seven national championships (six at Alabama and one at LSU) and developer of countless NFL players and a coaching tree of numerous former assistants.
Part of Saban’s success was an ability to assess the mood of his team and coach his players in the appropriate manner. One of his famous quotes in trying to get the Crimson Tide to not overlook an opponent they should beat easily is, “Avoid the rat poison.’’
That rat poison can come in many forms—friends, family and school mates patting players on the back, the media broadcasting the team’s greatness and social media disrupting a player’s mental preparation.
You may be wondering, “What does this have to do with high school football?”
The Picker will explain.
As Week Seven games approach, several teams have produced stellar performances and look to be heavy favorites as region play begins. All teams are basically 0-0 and now’s the chance for teams that have struggled to wipe the slate clean and build their resumes by pulling off upsets.
For those teams that have been riding high, region play is a chance to build on their success and prove they are state championship contenders. Or get upset if they consume the rat poison.
It’s hard to believe there are no undefeated teams remaining this early in the season among the Southern Six.
Greene County and Poplarville sport the best records, each 5-1, while Pascagoula, Gautier and West Harrison are 4-1.
In the middle of the pack are Picayune, St. Martin, Vancleave, D’Iberville and Gulfport (each 4-2) and Resurrection, Long Beach, St. Stanislaus, Pass Christian and George County (each 3-3).
Searching for their first visit to the win column are Moss Point and St. Patrick, each 0-6.
The Picker followed a perfect 8-0 record two weeks ago with a 7-1 effort last week, bringing the season’s total to 24-14 for 63.1 percent. The Picker would like to keep the percentage above 60 percent the rest of the season and should be able to do so if he doesn’t let the rat poison enter his calculations.
This first week of region play features several big games and some are rivalries.
Let’s start with Ocean Springs at D’Iberville in Region 4-7A action.
The Greyhounds have won the region four years in a row and are 19-0 in the region during that span. But the Hounds have struggled this year and are 1-4 overall.
The Warriors, 3-7 and 1-4 last year, are much improved and stand at 3-2.
Giving the nod to the Warriors. D’Iberville 24, Ocean Springs 23.
Pascagoula at Picayune: The Panthers and Maroon Tide are both on rolls. Pascagoula has won two straight by big scores after losing a close game to archrival Gautier and seem to be clicking on both sides of the ball. The Tide, meanwhile, lost a host of veterans to graduation and are 4-2. They have dominated Region 4-6A in recent years and appear to be rounding into form. It took an impressive performance from Darrell Smith last week to get past Ocean Springs 38-35. Smith ran for 269 yards on 25 carries and scored four TDs. He also played defense. The Panthers have some added incentive. Last year, the Tide rolled in a 38-0 victory. Picayune is a tough place to win, but The Picker is calling for a Goula victory. Pascagoula 35, Picayune 34.
Gautier at Vancleave: The Gators are the defending Region 4-5A champions and are averaging 42 points in their last three wins. The only blemish on the Gators’ schedule is a 33-12 loss to D’Iberville. Vancleave, meanwhile, has won three straight after opening with two one-sided losses. An open date last week may be the medicine the Bulldogs need to net the Gators. Not this week, though. Gautier 28, Vancleave 14.
St. Martin at Harrison Central: Roles seem to be reversed this year. The Yellow Jackets, with a 3-2 record, have put a 17-game losing streak and winless 2023 campaign in the rearview mirror and have proved to be a tough opponent. The Red Rebels, a playoff team last year, have struggled to a 1-4 record and have been blown out in two of the losses. The Jackets are liking the taste of victory and will put down the Rebels. St. Martin 21, Harrison Central 14.
West Harrison at Hancock: After an opening 42-12 shellacking at the hands of Greene County, the Hurricanes are 4-1 and have blown opponents away by an average of 46-10, including a 55-0 thumping of Bay High. The Hawks (2-4) have struggled defensively, allowing 41 points a game in their four losses. Hancock historically has dominated the Canes but won’t this week in this opening Region 4-6A contest. West Harrison 42, Hancock 23.
Pass Christian at Poplarville: The Hornets (5-1) were the last undefeated team to fall two weeks ago in a 10-7 game against West Jones. The Hornets got back in the win column last week by defeating winless Moss Point 28-14. The Pirates (3-3) have lost two straight by a total of 15 points and an upset of Poplarville in this Region 8-4A game would be a monumental victory. Not this week. Poplarville 34, Pass Christian 12.
Moss Point at Bay High: A battle of the Tigers. Neither has lived up to their mascot name with Moss Point coming in at 0-6 and Bay High only slightly better at 1-5. Both teams have been atrocious on defense. BH has given up an average of 41 points in its losses, including two defeats where the opposition scored 56 and 55 points. The Tigers have given up 46 points a game in their defeats while scoring 10 a game. Look for the Tigers from Jackson County to claw their way to their first W in this Region 8-4A game. Moss Point 13, Bay 10.
Gulfport at Biloxi: This game brings back memories of the old Big 8 Conference. In the 1960s and ’70s, these two teams dominated the Coast’s Big 8 schools. This Picker remembers one year in the ’60s when he was a skinny bench-warming sophomore wide receiver with Pascagoula, the Indians dressed out almost 100 players. They looked like an endless army as they ran out onto the War Memorial Stadium field. I don’t remember the score, but there was no celebrating that night on Market Street. Gulfport was equally impressive back in the day, but they were much more noted for their basketball prowess, winning numerous Big 8 and overall state championships. Times have changed in the last 20 years. The Admirals (formerly the Commodores) are 3-2 and the Indians are 2-3. Gulfport was smoked 42-0 last week by Brandon. Biloxi has dropped two in a row, including a 44-3 rout at the hands of Pascagoula. This Region 4-7A game is a toss-up. Gulfport 35, Biloxi 34.
George County at Long Beach: The Rebels (3-3) will have their talented quarterback, Deuce Knight, back on the field for the first time in three games after he suffered a hamstring injury. With Knight on the sideline, the Rebels lost three of four. His return will be enough for the Rebels to topple the Bearcats (3-3) in Region 4-6A play. George County 42, Long Beach 14.
