By Staff
Scattershooting on a Wednesday and wishing I could join Bobby Hall in Moss Point.
After leaving Meridian some five years ago, I lived in Pascagoula for four years.
During that time at The Mississippi Press in Pascagoula, I got to cover a little football.
I can still remember my first trip to Moss Point. I really didn't know what to think. I knew from covering news there that the town had a reputation for crime. I have to say I was somewhat concerned about my well being and that of my new truck.
That was until I got there.
I have to say in all my years, I have never seen a more professionally run high school program than in Moss Point.
This week, Bobby Hall takes his Wayne County War Eagles to the coast. I hope all the War Eagle fans will make the trek down south to pull for their team.
I remember thinking that Moss Point was the closest thing to a college football program I had ever seen.
I was impressed with the way the players conducted themselves and the way the coaches handled the players.
But more than anything else, I was impressed with the fans. These were people who loved football and loved their team. Again, I thought as a group that this was the best group of fans I had ever encountered. They knew when to cheer and when not to.
And when it came to halftime, they stayed put to watch the bands, the second best show in town.
Jerry Alexander's Tigers play one of the toughest schedules in the state, as evidence by dates with Evangel and West Monroe two of Louisiana's power teams.
And Moss Point stadium is one of the classic settings in Mississippi high school football as it looks out over the Escatawpa River and the bayous of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
I can see how any team would be intimidated by those surroundings.
But I can also see how Bobby Hall's Wayne County group won't be intimidated by the environment. This group knows nothing of fear. They are too young to know any better.
Late Bulldogs
I sat here Monday night and watched the end of the Mississippi State-California game in the Preseason NIT.
California ended up winning the game in overtime but I believe State will be better than most expected, especially Parade All-American Mario Austin.
The former Sumter County star put on a show for the few Mississippi fans still awake.
It just makes me wonder what kind of team the Bulldogs would have this year if Jonathan Bender hadn't decided to go pro.
Good Knights
The West Lauderdale football team finished off a fine football season Saturday night in the Daily Sentinel Star Grenada Lake Bowl.
The Knights lost to Charleston 20-11 and finished the season with a 6-6 mark.
Despite finishing on a two-game losing streak, the Knights have nothing to hang their heads about.
Coach Stan McCain's group improved every week of the season and were easily one of the area's most-improved teams.
West Lauderdale's C. Jay Fountain was named the games Most Valuable Offensive Player on 11-of-23 passing for 83 yards.
West's only touchdown came on a Fountain to Calvin Davis 6-yard touchdown pass. Josh Snider also had a two-point conversion for West.
Robbie Robertson is sports editor for The Meridian Star. E-mail him at rrobertson@meridianstar.com.