Patrick’s Picks: Poplarville, Picayune seek a Pearl River Co. takeover of Hattiesburg
It’s no surprise that Picayune is playing for a South State title Friday night, but few predicted Poplarville would also be representing Pearl River County at this stage of the playoffs, especially following a 1-4 start.
You can count Poplarville head coach Jay Beech among those pleasantly surprised to see the Hornets still playing Thanksgiving week.
“I’d be lying if I said I was certain we’d get here,” he said on Tuesday.
Poplarville (8-5) has grown accustomed to playing for a 4A South State title, but injuries, inexperience and a tough non-region schedule had the Hornets reeling after the first five games. The low point was arguably a 65-35 loss when the Hornets gave up 464 yards passing and seven touchdowns to Mandeville, Louisiana, quarterback Devon Tott.
Looking back, Beech attributes the rough start to growing pains.
“We played a bunch of top 25 teams,” he said. “We were breaking in a whole new offensive line. We had to replace our leading tackler from the last couple of years and a four-year starter at quarterback. It took time to start clicking.”
Poplarville hosts Lawrence County, another unlikely South State participant with a record of 9-5, at 7 p.m. on Friday in a game that will decide who plays for the Class 4A state championship at 11 a.m. on Dec. 7 at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg.
Most expected the Class 4A South State title game to feature South Pike, which Poplarville stunned 31-20 a week ago, and Greene County, which Lawrence County toppled 17-14 in the second round on Nov. 15.
The Hornets have the experience of playing for a 4A South State title the past three seasons, reaching the state title game twice — 2016 and 2018. The program is still looking for its first state championship.
This year’s path to the South State round has been very different compared to last season’s dominant run to Hattiesburg.
“We could have very well lost in the first, second or third round,” Beech said. “It’s been a struggle so it’s rewarding in that sense. We’ve just battled our tails off, finding ways to win. The last couple of years, we were averaging wins by 30 points a game in the playoffs. We haven’t been like that this year.”
Senior running back Chase Shears was expected to be the centerpiece of the Poplarville offense this season, but he has suffered multiple injuries. He has 84 carries for 959 yards and three touchdowns. Junior Gregory Swann is the team’s top rusher with 129 carries for 1,013 yards and 10 touchdowns.
A week ago, injuries to Poplarville’s top three running backs forced Beech to turn to a sophomore defensive back, Tyron Holston. The Hornets had to rely heavily on senior fullback Zac Owen, who ran 23 times for 138 yards and four touchdowns.
Beech said that he was unsure if the hobbled running backs, including freshman Quan Huderson, would be on the field Friday night.
While Beech will spread the ball around to his ball carriers, Lawrence County (9-5) will rely heavily on Kylon Cooper, a 5-11, 160-pound senior who has carried 225 times for 2,080 yards and 24 touchdowns.
The winner of Friday night’s game will play the victor of Corinth-Greenwood in the state title game.
My pick: Poplarville 28, Lawrence County 21.
Class 5A South State
Picayune 42, West Jones 31: Picayune head coach Dodd Lee was frustrated with his team’s slow start last week in a 42-28 win over Laurel, and you have to believe that he’ll make sure the Maroon Tide hits the field running Friday night at Soso.
This game is a rematch of last year’s Class 5A South State contest — a 21-13 win for West Jones.
Both teams roll in at 13-0, but Picayune has been the popular pick to earn a bid to the state championship game for much of the season. Lee is set to retire after 24 years on the job and the Maroon Tide has played like a team of destiny.
Picayune features a much more potent offense this season and Laurel coach Todd Breland believes this year’s team is the best he’s seen under Lee.
“It’s the best one of I’ve seen with the offensive line they’ve got and their running backs are faster this year,” Breland said last week. “They’re playing better defensively.”
The Picayune offense will again rely on the success of senior running back Cameron Thomas.
West Jones features a much more balanced attack behind a pair of juniors, quarterback Alan Follis and running back Kentrell Pruitt. Follis has completed 58.3 percent of his passes for 1,639 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. Pruitt has 168 rushes for 942 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Whoever advances will play the winner of West Point-Neshoba Central in the 5A championship game at 7 p.m. on Dec. 7 in Hattiesburg.
