CP’s Game of the Week Preview

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Picayune @ Brandon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a way to start the 2023 MHSAA High School football season. The Maroon Tide, who have been a dominant force in 5-A the past couple of years with a record of 29-1, travel to play the Brandon Bulldogs, who are coming off their second season in a row of finishing up as the runner-up in 6-A. This one is bound to bring a large crowd and a lot of people will be scoreboard-watching wherever they are on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Brandon </h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='273250' first='Landon' last='Varnes'] will lead the Bulldogs once again in 2023. He is a strong leader who has the respect of his entire team. Over the past couple of years, he has proven that he can make plays with his arm and legs. He is a proven winner that WILLS his team to win. As good as Varnes is, he can not be expected to do it by himself. The Bulldogs have [player_tooltip player_id='273259' first='Nate' last='Blount IV'] in the backfield, which I believe is the best back in this class. He is a back that runs like a freight train when he has the ball in his hands. In other words, just get out of his way because he is going to make you physically pay if you don't. Blount is the perfect Ying to Varnes' Yang. The Bulldogs are set to have another special year in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Picayune</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Maroon Tide might just be the best team in the state of Mississippi, no matter the class. They have a pair of D1 committed athletes in [player_tooltip player_id='344138' first='Jamonta' last='Waller'], a Florida commit, and running back [player_tooltip player_id='344053' first='Chris' last='Davis'] Jr., who is committed to Stanford, making them a dominant force. Waller stands at 6'2" tall and weighs 215 lbs. He is a freak around the edge and can manhandle any offensive lineman the opponent puts in front of him. He has the perfect combination of speed and strength. Davis is the type of back that everyone is looking for. A perfect combination of speed and strength makes him difficult to tackle. He has great vision and knows when and where to go with the ball when it is in his hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prediction</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am predicting a close physical game. The winner will be determined until late in the 4th quarter. Brandon will have the depth that is going to give the Maroon Tide problems toward the end of the game. The Bulldogs will be hungry to prove they are the real deal again in 2023. In the end, I think the Bulldogs pull out a close one, with Blount's physicality being the difference in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Brandon 38- Picayune 34</h4> <!-- /wp:heading -->