Football is often called the ultimate team sport. Eleven guys on offense following intricate plays trying to punch the ball across the goal line vs. 11 guys on defense seeking to create destruction and turnovers.
It’s an intricate ballet that requires precision to produce positive results. If one player on either side of the ball fails to carry out his assignment, something bad usually happens. If an offensive lineman misses his block, the quarterback doesn’t have time to find a receiver who got wide open by a great move or blown coverage.
But there are times when individual performances are so spectacular that the team element is overlooked. This has happened almost weekly this season as a few players have put up some amazing statistics.
Last week, for instance, George County quarterback Deuce Knight lit up the scoreboard with a passing and running performance that will go down in Rebels history.
Knight, who switched his college commitment from Notre Dame to Auburn, missed two games and part of another game early in the season with a hamstring injury.
He is back at full speed now. Evidence of that is in his stats in the Rebels’ 68-49 victory over Harrison Central last week. Knight completed 22-of-48 passes for a mind-boggling 524 yards and another mind-boggling seven touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough to drop your jaw in amazement, how about this? He added 112 yards rushing and two more TDs.
For the season, Knight has completed 66 of 94 passes for 70.2 percent, 1,604 yards, 21 touchdowns and only one interception.
Here are some other individual game stats that would make for a highlight reel:
- Jordan Stapleton of West Harrison, 22 carries for 242 yards and three TDs vs. Picayune.
- Darrell Smith of Picayune, 280 yards rushing and four TDs vs. Pascagoula.
- Qorday Russell of Pearl River Central, 211 yards passing, four TDs and 174 yards rushing and four more TDs in a victory over Bay High.
- Coby King of Greene County, nine TDs in a win over Wayne County.
- Paris Trivillion of Pass Christian, 352 yards passing and five scores against PRC.
- Cooper Crosby of Gulfport, 244 yards rushing and three scores vs. Picayune.
Look for more performances like these as the playoffs begin, but still it will take a total team effort to bring home a state championship trophy.
Last week, The Picker was a perfect 12 for 12, marking the second week of perfect predicting.
This week’s games (starting with two on Thursday) present a different picture with some region titles on the line. Almost every game is a toss-up, and The Picker could find himself on the losing end of forecasting this week. The record for the year is 57-22 for a (pat-on-the-back) 72.1 percent. But as coaches are apt to say—don’t let your press clippings go to your head.
Bay High at Pass Christian: A Thursday game for two teams seeking the last two playoff berths in Region 8-4A. The Pirates (4-4 and 1-2) have had a much steadier season. Their four losses have been by a total of 25 points, and they have scored more than 40 points in each of their four wins. The Tigers (2-6 and 1-2) have lost seven of their last eight games. Even with their record, the Tigers have secured a playoff spot, thanks to winless Moss Point, which has finished its season. The Pirates will sail to another victory. Pass Christian 45-7.
West Marion at St. Stanislaus: The second Thursday game pits the 6-2 and 3-0 Bulldogs on the road against the 4-5 and 1-2 Rock-A-Chaws. West Marion has been the class of Region 8-3A and should make easy work of the host team. West Marion 28-14.
RCS at Lumberton: Resurrection has struggled this season after two stellar campaigns. The struggles will continue against the host Panthers. Lumberton 35-7.
Gulfport at Ocean Springs: Both teams lead Region 4-7A with 3-0 records and the Greyhounds are looking for their fifth straight region title. Overall, the Admirals have played better and bring in a 6-2 record to the Hounds’ 4-4. OS struggled out of the gate, losing its first three games and four of its first five. But since then, the Hounds have strung three wins together by impressive scores. Last week, they defeated Biloxi 34-14, a team Gulfport beat 21-7. The other common opponent for both teams is D’Iberville, which OS topped 27-13 and Gulfport outscored 38-19. Look for OS to make it five region titles in a row. Ocean Springs 21-14.
West Harrison at Pascagoula: The Hurricanes and Panthers are both 5-3 overall, but in Region 4-6A action, Goula has the upper hand at 2-1 to 0-3. WH needs a victory badly to stay in the hunt for a playoff berth. The Panthers need to win to possibly secure the second seeding if they can escape George County next week. This should be a high-scoring affair with the Panthers coming out on top. Pascagoula 52-49.
St. Martin at D’Iberville: For years, the only thing that mattered in this game was who would have bragging rights for schools located less than two miles apart. Now both have new schools several miles away and the rivalry has a different flavor—making the playoffs. No matter how St. Martin finishes, the season is a big improvement over last year’s winless campaign. The Yellow Jackets are 3-5 overall and 0-3 in Region 4-7A and the playoff picture looks bleak. The Warriors (4-1 and 1-2) are coming off a 31-0 victory against Harrison Central, a team the Jackets lost to 20-16. Their other common opponent was Gulfport, which beat D’Iberville 38-19 and St. Martin 54-19. Home team it is. D’Iberville 38-20.
Biloxi at Harrison Central: Neither team has distinguished themselves this year. The Indians are 3-5 overall and 1-2 in Region 7-4A. The Red Rebels are 2-6 and 1-2. The victor will stay alive in the playoff picture. Call this one a coin flip with heads favoring the Indians. Biloxi 32-27.
Hancock at Long Beach: With the exception of one game, Hancock (3-6 overall and 1-2 in Region 4-6A) has been in every outing. The Bearcats (3-6 and 0-3) have shown improvement over the last several years but have given up points in bunches. Another too-close-to-call game, but a choice has to be made. Hancock 24-20.
George County at Picayune: A battle of the titans and leaders of Region 4-6A with identical 3-0 records. Both teams can score so fast scoreboard operators have to be on their toes to keep up. Harrison Central felt the brunt of these offensive juggernauts, losing 68-49 to GC and 69-50 to Picayune. Each team goes about their business differently. The Rebels throw the ball all over the field behind the accurate left arm of Deuce Knight. The Maroon Tide rely on ground and pound with Darrell Smith averaging 193 yards per game. This will be another high-scoring affair with the Tide’s ball control giving the Rebels’ aerial assault fewer opportunities. Picayune 55-52.
Vancleave at East Central: Two teams going in opposite directions. Vancleave (5-3 overall and 2-1 in Region 4-5A) has been steady all season. The Hornets (1-7 and 0-3) are ready for hunting season to begin. However, the Hornets could make the early mornings in deer stands a whole lot more enjoyable with an upset over their rivals. Not this year. Vancleave 28-7.
Greene County at Poplarville: Another toss-up game. Greene County has been an offensive powerhouse all season in steamrolling to a 7-1 overall record and 3-0 Region 8-4A mark while piling up 45 points per game. The Wildcats’ only loss was a 58-41 defeat by rival George County. The fewest points they have scored came in a 33-25 win over Pass Christian, a team Poplarville beat 29-21. Poplarville (8-1 and 3-0) hasn’t been as prolific offensively, with three of its wins coming by a total of 10 points. Poplarville has home-field advantage, but it won’t be enough. Greene County 49-45.
Gautier at Stone: The Gators have been on a mission to make it deeper into the playoffs this season and their 7-1 overall and 3-0 Region 4-5A record proves it. The Tomcats (4-1 and 2-1) opened the season with two losses but have won four of their last six. Against common opponents, the Gators have outperformed the Tomcats. Gautier’s mission quest continues. Gautier 35-21.
