PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) – For the fifth yr in a row the Hattiesburg Excessive College Tigers and Petal Excessive College Panthers open their seasons within the Leaf River Rivalry sport.
“We all know we’re up in opposition to a troublesome job however we’re excited and searching ahead to the problem,” mentioned Tigers first-year head coach Kendall Lacey.
Petal head coach Marcus Boyles is 5-4 in his profession within the Leaf River Rivalry sport.
“Usually it’s going to be a one to 2 rating sport,” Boyles mentioned.
The all-time collection between the Tigers and Panthers is tied 12-12 after Hattiesburg received 7-3 final yr.
The Tigers have a brand new chief this time round in Lacey. He’s trying to choose up the place Tony Vance left off.
The Tigers went 13-1 final season however misplaced to the Grenada Excessive College Chargers within the Class 6A state championship sport.
“I’ve skilled our workforce,” Lacey mentioned. “I’ve acquired us prepared, mentally and bodily, to play a sport like this. I simply hope we carry out and let the chips fall the place they might.”
On the opposite sideline, Boyles enters his thirtieth season as a head coach with 308 profession wins.
May his expertise make a distinction?
“I feel in preparation, some, as a result of I understand how I need to do issues each week,” he mentioned. “(Lacey’s) been in some nice applications and been an awesome defensive coordinator. I don’t know if the training curve for him goes to be as huge because it was for me.”
The Tigers are led by Tristen Keys.
The highest-ranked large receiver within the class of 2026 introduced on his ‘X’ account Thursday that he had flipped his dedication from Louisiana State College to the College of Tennessee.
Defensive lineman Corey Wells leads the best way for Petal. He’s presently dedicated to the College of Texas Longhorns.
Each coaches identified just a few features of every workforce that impresses them.
“They do a number of issues effectively,” Lacey mentioned. “Their defensive and offensive traces are big.”
Boyles is impressed by Hattiesburg’s athleticism.
“Velocity,” he mentioned. “They’re very athletic. Everyone talks concerning the big-time receiver, Tristen Keys, and he’s good, however they produce other playmakers round him.”
Every of the final 4 video games between Hattiesburg and Petal have been determined by a rating. Boyles mentioned he believes his protection must restrict huge performs.
“Defensively, we now have to do a superb job at not giving up explosive performs,” he mentioned. “We have to power turnovers and get off the sphere on third down.”
Lacey mentioned he needs his workforce to play collectively.
“Nobody group goes to win or lose a sport for us,” he mentioned. “We’re going to win as a workforce.”
Kickoff is ready for 7 p.m. Friday at Panther Stadium.
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