High School Team Preview: Pearl Pirates

<em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em> Pearl High School hoisted the state championship trophy just back in 2017. Since then, the Pirates have experienced a couple of down years and most recently a coaching change. Second year head coach Justin Hunter was brought in before last season to turn the program back around, but COVID interrupted him from installing his schemes and building his culture. This could be a breakthrough year for the Pearl. <em><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></em> Pearl finished with a disappointing 4-7 record last season, losing in the first round of the playoffs to Harrison Central. However, this was a young team with a new head coach that did not get to experience spring ball and had a reduced summer. Teams take a long time to come together, and with the presence of COVID-19, things were even more difficult for the Pirates. Lots of talent exists on this roster on both sides of the ball. On the offense, senior running back [player_tooltip player_id="104155" first="Jamari" last="Thompson"] leads the charge and is the go to player for the Pearl offense. Pearl will frequently line up in heavy pistol sets to allow the enormous back (6’2" 230) to have his way with opposing defenses. Thompson comes off a 1200 yard season and will look to have an even bigger senior campaign. The offensive line is in good hands this year with senior center [player_tooltip player_id="118961" first="Connor" last="Foy"] paving the way for Thompson to run behind. Foy is an absolute road grader and will make sure that the right calls are made at the line of scrimmage. The defense is led by senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="104447" first="Jeremy" last="Jackson"]. Although he isn’t necessarily the biggest, this is a guy that has a motor that runs hot. Jackson is frequently in on every tackle and makes a ton of plays in opposing teams’ backfields. He makes the jobs of defensive back Marcus Mosley and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="118164" first="Trystin" last="Carpenter"] much easier by driving offensive lineman back and creating pressure in the pocket. Mosley is one of the special playmakers in the secondary and knows how to anticipate balls well. Carpenter is one of the team’s leading tacklers and is a physical presence in the box. This defense is one of the team’s biggest advantages and will look to slow down some tough offenses in the region. The x-factor playmaker at Pearl is senior athlete [player_tooltip player_id="104546" first="Jerry" last="Johnson"]. Pearl will lean heavily on the explosive athlete to make plays on both offense and defense. Johnson has the speed to open things up and the coverage skills to take out teams number 1 wideout. All in all, this is a deep roster full of senior talent that has been through it all. The Pirates will look to make a run with one of the best senior classes in the state in one of the toughest regions in 6A. <strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong> <strong>Jaquavien Shoto</strong> | 2022 ATH At 5’5" 145, Shoto is another player on this Pearl team that plays bigger than he is. On defense, Shoto lines up at linebacker and uses his special speed to make huge plays in the backfield. He has great instincts and knows how to get to the ball carrier as quick as possible. Shoto can also cover slot receivers and play shallow zones when asked to. On the offensive side of the ball, Shoto lines up as a receiver and uses his quick twitch to make plays in the open field. This is a player that Pearl will depend on for explosive plays on both sides of the ball. Look for him to cap off his high school career with a ton of production this season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104472" first="Jalyn" last="Nickelberry"]</strong> | 2022 DL At 6’3" 235, Nickelberry is an absolute unit on the defensive line. He has a good first step with a ton of athleticism behind it. Nickelberry is a turnover machine, intercepting balls at the line of scrimmage and forcing fumbles in the run game. If the ball is near by, the chance of him making a play on it is pretty high. Against the pass, he uses his length well to tip balls before they can even come close to the intended receiver. Love his chase down when the back goes opposite of him as well. Nickelberry is a very talented big man who will look to pick up college offers after his senior campaign. <em><strong>MORE NAMES</strong></em> <strong>Griffin Dennis</strong> | 2022 QB Senior quarterback looking to lead the Pirates to a winning season this year. <strong>Hayden Jackson</strong> | 2022 OL Guard who started last season. Productive player in the run game. <strong>Austin Knight</strong> | 2022 LB Linebacker/running back who played well on limited time last year. <em><strong>GAMES TO WATCH</strong></em> <strong>9/3 Ridgeland (H)</strong> - The Pirates took a beating from nearby Ridgeland on the road last year. This year, they will look for revenge early in the season at home. <strong>10/1 Meridian (H)</strong> - This game was a bit of a shootout last season. Important district game that Pearl will need to win. <strong>11/5 Brandon (A) - </strong>Pearl won this rivalry game last season, but Brandon has improved this offseason as well. Pearl will look to make a statement and hold onto it’s bragging rights right before the playoffs start. &nbsp;