Beefy O-line, Wells' running give Moss Point shot at big '16

Willie Brown's second season on the job as head coach at Moss Point was a strong one, but the chore now is finding a way in 2016 to top last year's postseason run.

The Tigers topped North Pike and West Lauderdale in the playoffs in 2015 before falling 44-20 to St. Stanislaus, one game shy of the Class 4A South State title game.

In year No. 3 as head coach, Brown is feeling good about the direction of his program.

“I feel more comfortable and the guys do as well, but there's so much more to do with the total program,” Brown said. “I'm pleased. I love coming to work every day. I really love working with the kids and watching them grow. We still have so much more work to do.”

Moss Point, which also earned an impressive 31-12 win over Harrison Central in the regular season, finished 7-6 in 2015 with a 2-3 mark in a very tough Region 8-4A.

Much of Moss Point's late season surge can be attributed to the play of Omni Wells, who took over at running back midway through his junior season and finished with 181 carries for 1,386 yards. He had a monster game in the 62-51 win at North Pike, rushing for 383 yards and five touchdowns.

With Cal'terrius Anderson and Travis Marion lost to graduation, there's no doubt that the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Wells will serve as the go-to man in the backfield for the Tigers this year.

“He's not only someone the guys look up to in football, but also in school,” Brown said of Wells. “He's a nice young man. As far as the team, there's no bigger individual than the team. He certainly can't do it all by myself.

Sophomore running back Tytus Miles, who is 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, also has a good shot at getting carries this season.

Moss Point can also rely on leadership from third-year starting quarterback Romello Leggins, who knows well how to run Brown's Wing-T offense.

“He has an idea of what the offense is about, a command of the offense,” Brown said. “We might try a few things to expand the play-calling because he started as a sophomore.”

Brown is also excited to have four starters, all juniors, back on one of the biggest offensive lines on the Coast. Right tackle TeVaun Weatherspoon stands 6-foot-2, 330 pounds, and right tackle Antwoine Bailey is 6-1, 330. Terrance Gaines is also back at center and Matthew Sellers returns is at center.

The lone new starter is left guard Geoffery Harmon, a sophomore who is 5-foot-10, 255 pounds.

“We have to chase them out of the weightroom,” Brown said of his offensive line. “We have to tell them, 'This is enough. We don't need to do this anymore.' That's a good thing when you're a coach.”

The receiving options on offense will be senior Amari Williamson, senior La'nas Torrey, freshman Jonavan Jackson and sophomore tight end Keandre Booker.

On defense, Moss Point returns most of its experience in the front seven, including senior linebacker Rayshon Marcell, who was the team's leading tackler a year ago. He's joined in the linebacking corps by fellow returning starter Devin Simpson. Junior Javon Williams will likely move into the other starting spot at linebacker.

Senior Marquis Pears is back at one defensive end and 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior Corey Oatis returns at nose tackle. Senior Dante Barnes is expected to start at the other defensive end.

Junior strong safety Anthony Kirkland is the lone returning starter in the secondary. He will be joined in the secondary by strong safety Rhyheim Walley, free safety Joseph Nicholson, cornerback Christian Stallworth and cornerback Kobie Ruffin.

Moss Point opens the season with a trip to rival Pascagoula on Aug. 19.

This story was originally published August 8, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Beefy O-line, Wells' running give Moss Point shot at big '16."