After a great first week of Pine Belt football, I’m expecting an even better one in week two. Here’s how I see things shaking out in the Hattiesburg-area:
Wayne County (1-0) @ Oak Grove (1-0)
Fasten your seat belt, get your popcorn ready and settle in for what could be an excellent, high-scoring affair. Both squads are coming off 40-point, blowout wins in week one, and I’m not expecting much different, in terms of offensive explosion, this week. When it comes to defense, though, there might not be a better unit in all of the Pine Belt than that of Oak Grove’s. The Warriors are strong, fast and deep on that side of the ball. Look for them to make some key stops late and help the Warriors move to 2-0 on the season.
Prediction: Oak Grove 38, Wayne County 27
Hattiesburg (1-0) @ Laurel (1-0)Â
This should be a good one. Ok, maybe that’s an understatement. Both squads are 1-0 and coming off impressive road wins. I got a chance to see Hattiesburg up close and person last Saturday against Petal. The Tigers are legit, and I expect the same from Laurel this year. In recent memory, it’s been Hattiesburg that’s had the upper hand in this rivalry when it comes to the regular season, while Laurel has won when it counts the most in the playoffs. The latter might just change this year. I do not see a whole lot of weaknesses with this Hattiesburg team. Tony Vance has got himself a squad.
Prediction: Hattiesburg 35, Laurel 28Â
Gulfport (1-0) @ Petal (0-1)
Petal looked a little shaky on both sides of the ball last week in their loss to Hattiesburg and that’s ok. With all the new pieces the Panthers have, it’s going to take some time to gel. It doesn’t get much easier this week with the Admirals coming to town. I think you will see an angry Petal team at Panther Stadium. Whether it’s because how last week went or how Gulfport beat them last season, the Panthers will play with a chip on their shoulders. No way they lose at home two-straight weeks.
Prediction: Petal 24, Gulfport 17Â
Sacred Heart (1-0) @ Richton (1-0)
Sacred Heart beat up on Loyd Star last week to start 1-0 for the first time since 2013. A tougher task stands in their way of 2-0 this week, a matchup with the Rebels of Richton. The Crusaders won last year’s matchup, 56-28, on their way to their first winning season in school history. If the Crusaders want to do even better this year, they need to win games like this, the tough ones. Richton figures to be much-improved this year. The same can be said for Sacred Heart, who should surprise some folks this season. Offensively, defensively and special teams-wise, the Crusaders are solid. Richton will see that, again, Friday night.
Prediction: Sacred Heart 42, Richton 35
PCS (1-0) @ Columbia Academy (1-0)
I got a chance to watch PCS last week in their 38-18 win over West Marion and was not disappointed. The Bobcats are legit. They have a three-headed monster at running back with Sheldon James, Alden Rhian and Eric Robinson. They have an offensive line that returned four of five starters. They have a defensive line that is 7-8 players deep. And oh yeah, they also haven’t lost a regular season game since October 16, 2015. I do not see that impressive streak ending this week.
Prediction: PCS 35, Columbia Academy 14
North Forrest (0-1) @ Magee (1-0)
In a losing effort, North Forrest impressed me a ton last week. The Eagles fought tooth and nail with the Lumberton Panthers, a team many expect to win a state title this year. Even with a complete lack of depth, Anthony Dillon always gets the most out of these Eagles. Always has and always will. Do they have the most impressive roster you will find? No. Are they a talented group of kids? Yes. Coach Dillon told me recently he expects his team to make a serious run in the regular season and the playoffs. I believe him. The Eagles will go a long way to accomplishing that with their first win of the season this week.
Prediction: North Forrest 28, Magee 21
Wesson (1-0) @ Sumrall (0-1)
Sumrall’s new-look offense, well, it looked like a new-look offense last Friday night in a 36-0 loss to South Jones. Give a lot of credit to the Braves, a team I believe will make the playoffs this season for the first time since 2008. Sumrall also has a great shot to make the postseason. The offense will have to come around, though. I expect it will take its lumps in the early going and eventually begin to rock and roll when it matters most. With Dannis Jackson still getting his feet wet at quarterback for the Bobcats, I’ll give Wesson a slight edge in this one.
Prediction: Wesson 35, Sumrall 28
West Marion (0-1) @ Purvis (0-1)
You know the Tornadoes have a bad taste in their mouths after last week. A 38-point home loss will do that to anybody. That team we saw last week, I doubt you will see it again this season. Perry Wheat will have his guys ready to turn the page to another game and another week to just get better. That will show Friday night. The team we expected Purvis to be this season, that’s the team you will see.
Prediction: Purvis 42, West Marion 14Â
FCAHS (1-0) @ Perry Central (1-0)
First of all, kudos to Jeff Stockstill on earning his first win as head coach of the Aggies last week. First of many to come. Could No. 2 come this week? Of course. I had a chance to see the Aggies a few times this past offseason. The culture change, it’s palpable. There’s an energy and excitement around this program right now. And a lot like Anthony Dillon, Stockstill is one of those guys I’m not going to bet against.
Prediction: FCAHS 31, Perry Central 28
