Archives for May 2018

#115: Teams face big questions at quarterback – 05/30/18

May 30, 2018 by Brad Locke Leave a Comment

Several area football teams lost big-time quarterbacks and started looking for answers during spring drills, which recently wrapped up.

On this episode, Brad and Dalton look at four teams with big shoes to fill behind center. Calhoun City must replace Jojo Gray (2:32), who masterfully ran the option offense for three seasons. Tukie Hill is among the candidates, having played some QB last season when Gray was injured.

Houston lost dual-threat dynamo Urriah Shephard (7:12), the 2017 Daily Journal Two-Way Player of the Year. Jalen May moved over from receiver to quarterback this spring and made a big impression on coaches, and he’s the leading candidate to take over.

Coleton Ausbern is gone from Nettleton (10:08). As many as four players are in the mix for the job, and summer work will go a long way in determining who takes snaps this fall.

Clark Mills, the 2017 Daily Journal Offensive Player of the Year, leaves a big void at North Pontotoc (12:18). Corley Hooper is an attractive option at QB, but his time on offense could be limited due to how much he’s needed at linebacker.

Dalton also has an update on Pontotoc, which has an embarrassment of riches at running back (14:30). Gabe Harmon and Immanuel Vance both return, and Caleb Hobson will factor into the run game in the wildcat formation.

Brad has updates on some basketball coaching jobs (18:00), and Dalton takes a look at the Tupelo 49ers, who open American Legion play Thursday (20:26).

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#114: Area baseball teams shut out; coaches on move – 05/23/18

May 23, 2018 by Brad Locke Leave a Comment

The spring sports seasons have come to an end, and so Brad and Dalton put a bow on things during this week’s episode.

The MHSAA baseball championships were held last week in Pearl, with three area teams making the trip. All three lost, and the guys recap each series. In Class 2A, East Union lost in three games to St. Joseph Madison (2:23), and Game 3 was colored by controversy when the Urchins’ Joel Wilkinson was ejected on a very questionable call. In 3A, North Pontotoc was swept by St. Andrew’s (8:24), and Smithville was foiled by Nanih Waiya in 1A for the second straight year (9:06).

In looking ahead (11:31), Brad and Dalton discuss who should be strong in the 2019 season. They also preview the All-Area baseball and softball teams (15:25).

Speaking of softball, Northeast Mississippi produced two state champs in that sport: Houston and Hamilton (18:33). And while the games are done until August, there is still plenty happening on the coaching carousel (19:37).

Finally, Athletes of the Week honors are bestowed for the final time for the 2017-18 school year (21:39).

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#113: Previewing softball finals, baseball semis – 05/09/18

May 9, 2018 by Brad Locke Leave a Comment

We are nearing the end of the postseason for softball and baseball.

On this episode, Brad and Dalton preview the softball state finals, which start Thursday. In Class 1A, Hamilton will meet Myrtle (2:47), as both programs are seeking their first state title. Hamilton has been this far before, but this is Myrtle’s first trip to the finals. And in 3A, Houston advanced thanks to a dramatic walk-off win in Game 3 of the North finals and will face Raleigh for the championship (6:14).

Baseball is in the semifinal round this week, with four series involving local teams. Smithville and West Union will clash in 1A (8:01). These teams met twice in the regular season, with West Union winning by one run both times. In 2A, East Union faces East Webster after getting past Calhoun City in three games (10:04). It’s yet another all-area matchup in 3A with North Pontotoc and Booneville (12:19). Both teams are pitching it well, with Clark Mills coming up big for North Pontotoc in Game 3 versus Houston. And in 6A, Oxford upended powerhouse Madison Central last round and sees DeSoto Central next (15:51).

There is also some football to discuss, including upcoming spring games (17:21) and Ashland’s new coach (18:43). And finally, the guys present Athletes of the Week (19:23).

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#112: Tigers, Lady Toppers advance in playoffs – 05/02/18

May 2, 2018 by Brad Locke Leave a Comment

We are in the midst of baseball and softball playoffs, and that is the main topic of this week’s episode.

On the baseball diamond, Dalton recaps Tupelo’s tough three-game series loss to DeSoto Central (1:16). He and Brad also look at what was a very competitive 4A series between Ripley and Pontotoc (3:39), which the Tigers ended up winning. Looking ahead, the quarterfinals feature several attractive matchups (5:07), including Nettleton vs. Booneville, Calhoun City vs. East Union, and Biggersville vs. West Union.

Over in softball, Brad saw Houston dominate No. 1 Booneville in a series sweep behind the arm of freshman Paige Kilgore (8:20). The Lady Hilltoppers advanced to the North finals to face North Pontotoc, which rallied from a game down to topple Kossuth (9:53). Other notable matchups this weekend include Pontotoc vs. Kosciusko and Myrtle vs. Smithville (11:41).

On the football front, Brad has an update on Hatley (12:51), which is playing its spring game over in Alabama. Also, a couple of head coaching jobs have come open (14:02). And finally, the guys present Athletes of the Week (14:58).

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