Sports

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

With Ida gone, Class 5A teams get ready for PLAYOFF TIME

With Tropical Storm Ida out of the way, Moss Point coach Lewis Sims was able to get his team back on its normal routine as the Tigers prepare for the Class 5A state playoffs.

There are no soft touches for Coast teams in the first round of the 5A state playoffs on Friday.

Moss Point (9-2), the Region 4-5A champ, entertains Brookhaven, the No. 4 seed from Region 3. Gautier, the second seed of Region 4, takes on perennial power Wayne County, which finished third in Region 3.

D’Iberville, the No. 3 seed from Region 4, travels to Picayune, Region 3’s No. 2 seed. And Long Beach, the No. 4 seed of Region 4, faces a heavyweight assignment against undefeated Region 3 champion West Jones.

“I thought Byron James said it well on Friday,’’ Sims said. “Gautier was a big win. We’re happy about it but there is work to be done.

“It’s a cruel, cruel world. There are 16 teams playing for a state championship and only one of them will end up happy.’’

While Brookhaven is a No. 4 seed, Sims isn’t underestimating the prowess of the Panthers.

“They have good skill and good size,’’ Sims said. “They’ve played a pretty good pre-region schedule.

“They run the spread. Dwaun Harris is their quarterback and he makes their offense go. He likes to hand it off to Semmie Smith. Their offensive line is big. Derek Henderson goes 6-4, 305.

“They like to spread you out and run the no-huddle. They’ve run for over 2,000 yards. They want you to tilt your hand presnap and then exploit it. Fortunately, our defense practices against the no-huddle offense every day.

“Really, at this point, the game is 90 percent mental.’’

While Moss Point quarterback Joe Kirkland has thrown for 1,220 yards, he gets help on the ground from James (814 yards), Joseph Snell (679 yards) and Reggie Matthews (392 yards).

Defensively, linebacker Keith Barkley has 23 tackles for loss, and seven sacks.

Interestingly, Moss Point opened the season by playing four of five games on the road and did not have a home game in September.

Sims pointed out that Region 4 may have a chip on its shoulder, and could have something to prove.

“Statewide, Region 4 is not considered to be very strong,’’ Sims said. “But if you look at our scores, you’ll see we aren’t shabby.’’

D’Iberville (5-6) has to stop Picayune running back Jamal Hall to achieve the upset at Picayune. Hall has rushed for 1,756 yards. Picayune knocked off Wayne County 27-21 last week after dropping a 21-20 overtime decision at West Jones on Oct. 30.

“We saw Picayune on video against West Jones,’’ D’Iberville coach Buddy Singleton said. “They should be No. 1 in the district. They don’t spread the field much. They say, ‘Here it is,’ and try to run over you. Hall is a good runner and the quarterback (Jacob Kennedy) is accurate. They will be tough to deal with.’’

The Warriors posted their second shutout of the year last week in a 24-0 win over St. Martin.

“We looked like the D’Iberville of old,’’ Singleton said. “You win with defense. We held them under 100 yards in total offense. It was a great game last week, and hopefully it will spill over into this week.’’

Gautier (7-4) and Long Beach (5-6) face the tasks of taking on traditional statewide powers. The Gators are trying to bounce back from a 27-0 loss at the hands of Moss Point while Long Beach is coming off a 41-13 win over West Harrison.

Long Beach quarterback Anthony D’Angelo has thrown for 1,991 yards and 21 touchdowns. Josh Rushing has rushed for 683 yards. Dimitri Smith has 42 catches for 825 yards.

West Jones (10-0) has three one-point victories: Picayune, Northeast Jones and McComb.

Wayne County (8-3) has lost to Meridian, West Jones and Picayune.