Ah my bad! Sorry, I'm still in super football mode right now. I need a vacation. I'd expect Drew and Tyler to be the leaders on the diamond along with Austin Craig and Hunter Bennett.
Who is gonna have to step up and be the leaders for the Noles this year?
Neil Knight is one guy I'm looking at. Hasten McKissick as well. Need to find someone to step up on the line as well. Joseph Kuykendall was a big part of the team in the trenches
How should Euporas o line be with them graduating so many seniors?
They hung their hat on their line this year which means the new guys behind those seniors will have to develop quickly. Eupora always develops strong offensive and defensive lines even with young guys so I have no doubt that they'll get it together especially with a guy like Trey leading the team as a senior next year.
What do you expect out of Mantachie's football team next year?
It will be a totally different Mantachie team next season. New head coach, new quarterback, new skill position guys. I think it's going to be a transitional season for the Mustangs but you never know with them.
What do you think about smithville baseball this year?
Just like the football team for Smithville, this will be the Seminoles' year to do it on the diamond. Strong senior class and motivation after falling last year to Greenville St. Joe's. They're talented enough to win it all I think.
I know it is basketball season but who do you have in 2A this year in baseball? Or are you not worried about baseball right now?
I'm just starting my baseball prep right now but the first team I look at in 2A is Taylorsville. The Tartars were pretty young last season when they won the State Championship so there's no reason to believe they can't do it again. Keep an eye on East Union and Hatley from 2A though. Both of those seem to always make a run at the Title. Bruce too.
Do you keep up with basketball or baseball more?
It really depends upon which season it is. When it's basketball season, I'm all hoops. When it's baseball season, I'm all up on the diamond.
You've still got Chakel, Brieton, and Steele to build off of on both sides of the ball but losing Lavarious, Cartin, Shaq, it'll be tough to replace those guys since they've meant so much to the team. I think they'll still be very solid with Chakel leading the show but it's gonna be even tougher next year having to replace a strong nucleus of skill position players.
Do you follow any baseball? If you do what do you think about Lafayette county this year?
I follow it a little bit. I think Lafayette had a solid team last year, just ran into a hot Tish County team at the wrong time. Pitching will be key for the Dores this year I think but they've got a solid team returning.
4-2a next year who do you have winning it, and who is behind
Whew that's a great question. Honestly, I think it may be Okolona's to win next season. They'll have to find a replacement for Jacolbi Heard at QB but Dequin Babbit will be back and most of that team as well. If not the Chieftains, Bruce has some pieces that will give them a great chance to take the division. Calhoun City should be right there once again with Chakel and Steele and Eupora still has Trey and East Webster still has Deangelo. But right now, I have Okolona.
I still think it'll be Baldwyn's division. Will have to find a replacement for Corbin but you still got Duke and Laquintez so the Bearcats should still be the favorite to win. I think East Union has a great chance to surprise everyone next season. They were a heavy junior team this past season so next year could be there season.
What do you think about Eupora's quarter back Trey Pittman??
I've always thought Trey has a SUPER bright future as he continues to gain more experience at QB. Nothing phases him now as the starter. Junior Graham told me back in 2011 how special that he was going to be and I didn't doubt that for a second with what I've seen from him. Accuracy, arm strength, mobility, Trey is a super solid QB. But next season is going to be THE season for Trey and the Eagles. Senior year, last go around. Gotta go all in and grind on!
Right now I'm going with Itawamba. They were so young last season that I think all of that youth will grow up for a division title this season. Hunter White is the name people will have to remember for next season with the Indians. Him and Vijay in the backfield will run circles around defenses next year. Corinth will fall a little since they were a heavy senior team and I think Pontotoc and Amory will be much improved. Don't know what to think of Shannon or Tish County right now. Shannon was a team I expected a lot more out of this year and they struggled with injuries.
I think next year is going to be Lafayette's year not just in the division but in 4A North. Devin Thomas and Tyrell Price are both back along with a solid line on both sides of the ball plus Quin Jones and Zeke Liggins. I know the Dores lose DK but next year's team could be even better than this year's squad that made it to Jackson.
Unfortunately they graduate an outstanding senior class on the line with just two juniors returning. It'll be a transition season next year for Ripley I think with Dalton and Christian graduating along with Aleck and just about the entire line.
Losing Drew and Tyler is really gonna hurt plus Joseph Kuykendall on the offensive line. Those 3 were big time leaders for this team. But Neil Knight will return and so do most of the rest on the line. Should be another winning season, but they'll have to find someone to lead the team next year. My money is on Neil.