PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) – For the fifth 12 months in a row the Hattiesburg Excessive Faculty Tigers and Petal Excessive Faculty Panthers open their seasons within the Leaf River Rivalry recreation.
“We all know we’re up towards a tricky activity however we’re excited and searching ahead to the problem,” stated Tigers first-year head coach Kendall Lacey.
Petal head coach Marcus Boyles is 5-4 in his profession within the Leaf River Rivalry recreation.
“Sometimes it’s going to be a one to 2 rating recreation,” Boyles stated.
The all-time collection between the Tigers and Panthers is tied 12-12 after Hattiesburg received 7-3 final 12 months.
The Tigers have a brand new chief this time round in Lacey. He’s seeking to decide up the place Tony Vance left off.
The Tigers went 13-1 final season however misplaced to the Grenada Excessive Faculty Chargers within the Class 6A state championship recreation.
“I’ve educated our staff,” Lacey stated. “I’ve obtained us prepared, mentally and bodily, to play a recreation 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.
Might 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 stated. “(Lacey’s) been in some nice packages and been an excellent defensive coordinator. I don’t know if the training curve for him goes to be as massive because it was for me.”
The Tigers are led by Tristen Keys.
The highest-ranked huge 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 way in which for Petal. He’s presently dedicated to the College of Texas Longhorns.
Each coaches identified a couple of facets of every staff that impresses them.
“They do a number of issues nicely,” Lacey stated. “Their defensive and offensive strains are big.”
Boyles is impressed by Hattiesburg’s athleticism.
“Pace,” he stated. “They’re very athletic. All people talks in regards to 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 stated he believes his protection must restrict massive performs.
“Defensively, we’ve to do a very good job at not giving up explosive performs,” he stated. “We have to pressure turnovers and get off the sector on third down.”
Lacey stated he desires his staff to play collectively.
“Nobody group goes to win or lose a recreation for us,” he stated. “We’re going to win as a staff.”
Kickoff is ready for 7 p.m. Friday at Panther Stadium.
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