PETAL, Miss. (WDAM) – For the fifth 12 months 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 process however we’re excited and looking out 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 sport.
“Usually it’s going to be a one to 2 rating sport,” 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 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 group,” Lacey stated. “I’ve bought 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 could.”
On the opposite sideline, Boyles enters his thirtieth season as a head coach with 308 profession wins.
Might his expertise make a distinction?
“I believe 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 awesome defensive coordinator. I don’t know if the educational 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 best way for Petal. He’s at the moment dedicated to the College of Texas Longhorns.
Each coaches identified a number of elements of every group that impresses them.
“They do quite a lot of issues effectively,” Lacey stated. “Their defensive and offensive strains are enormous.”
Boyles is impressed by Hattiesburg’s athleticism.
“Velocity,” he stated. “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 stated he believes his protection must restrict massive performs.
“Defensively, now we have to do a very good job at not giving up explosive performs,” he stated. “We have to power turnovers and get off the sector on third down.”
Lacey stated he needs his group to play collectively.
“Nobody group goes to win or lose a sport for us,” he stated. “We’re going to win as a group.”
Kickoff is about for 7 p.m. Friday at Panther Stadium.
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