MHSAA 5A State Championship Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have a rematch of the same contest from last year. Picayune vs West Point. Two powerhouse teams that will face off for the state title for the third time in the last four seasons. This is West Point's seventh consecutive season playing in the state championship. Picayune beat them last year and West Point wants revenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Picayune</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We all know how Picayune is coming. They have a very loaded team, and so many different players that touch the football on offense. [player_tooltip player_id='108971' first='Dante' last='Dowdell'] is the leader of this bunch that has been going off during the playoffs. He is one of the best running backs in the country. He has been getting better every game. There is no question if he will perform well or not. [player_tooltip player_id='344053' first='Chris' last='Davis'] Jr will be out there having fun as well. He is another great running back on this Picayune offense that we are all familiar with. West Point has their defense playing better than ever under new defensive coordinator Charles Herron. He has a great relationship with his players, and they love to play for him. Picayune can't be expecting the same defense from last year. They will definitely have to get Darrell Smith and Darnell Smith into the offensive rotation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Picayune has a great defense. They have some guys on defense who love to make plays. [player_tooltip player_id='344138' first='Jamonta' last='Waller'] is a leader on that side of the ball for the Maroon Tide. He is a straight up beast that controls his side of the line of scrimmage. They also have [player_tooltip player_id='379149' first='Amarion' last='Tyson'] that holds his own. He will be getting in the backfield a lot trying to make tackles. I think that Picayune will definitely have their hands full playing this West Point offense. [player_tooltip player_id='340826' first='Zavion' last='Coleman'] is also a grown man in the trenches for Picayune. You can bet he will be in the backfield a lot Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Picayune can penetrate this West Point offensive line they will be fine. The Green Wave offense is hitting on all cylinders right now. Picayune needs to contain outside, and get a good push upfront. They need to also beware of West Point's tricky passing game. Every now and again they are going to surprise you with a nice throw. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>West Point</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Point has a very simple offense. They like to line up and run the football right at you. It's how they have succeeded for years. One of their top players on offense goes by the name of [player_tooltip player_id='344052' first='Kahnen' last='Daniels']. Daniels is a stud that always gets his job done. He is a guy that runs with toughness. He is going to have to be more disciplined when he runs this week. He needs to make sure he is always falling forward. They must also keep the clock going to try to keep this Picayune defense off of the field. Keyshawn Henley is also a top player on their offense. He gets the job done. He plays with a lot of heart, and he is not that big. He is very fast. He is quick and gets up the field in a hurry. West Point doesn't need to get in a track match with Picayune. Picayune has a very fast defense and they can manage playing the speed game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Point has a stout defense. Zayvian Lowery holds his own in the trenches. He does not talk much, but when he hits the field his pads do the talking for him. He is going to have to be a leader this week. He needs to set the tone early for their defense. This won't be a game of shutting anybody down for either team. Both teams just have to buckle up and play. Guys like Lowery has to get his team pumped up early. Jhace Mallard will have the same task. He is a leader that packs a punch when he plays. He too will have to make sure his guys understand this is going to be a long game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If West Point can establish their run early that will help. They have to keep it going throughout the game. Last year they ran out of gas around the second quarter. If their defense can make an early statement, they will have a chance. You cannot let Picayune start off rolling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->