A new era will officially begin on Thursday night for both Meridian and Quitman.
Shelton Gandy and Josh Pulphus will both make their debuts as the new head coach of the Wildcats and Panthers respectively as Meridian hosts rival Quitman on Thursday night at Ray Stadium at 7 p.m.
Gandy spent the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator for Meridian. Quitman beat the Wildcats 7-6 last season in a game where the Wildcats has 129 yards of total offense and six turnovers, including four fumbles.
“There’s no better way to kick off the year in playing your rival. Quitman has a solid team,” Gandy said. “They’ve got a great player and they’ve been in the playoffs the last four years. This will be a great test for this young group of Wildcats.”
Meridian will be breaking in a new starting quarterback in Corey McCann to lead the offense. Anthony Brown will be the primary running back to anchor the run game. Other weapons to look out for offensively for the Wildcats will be Dyon Eason, Mark Leggett, Jycion Horner and Patrick Heidelberg. Tight end Timothy Gowdy will also be a big target in the passing game.
“In order for us to be successful in not just this game, but every game, we’ve got to control the line of scrimmage,” Gandy said. “We’ve got to win up front, and if we can get four yard per play, don’t turn the ball over and win in explosive plays, it gives us a chance to win.”
Defensively, Meridian will lean on a linebackers Dane Hill, Thelonious McPhee and Tre Greer along with defensive tackle Jaimeon Winfield to lead the front seven. Secondary will have some speed lead by Jayden Johnson and Malachi Atterberry.
“Defensively we got to swarm the ball, tackle well, prevent explosive plays and create turnovers,” Gandy said. “Another big key for us is we have to win the kicking game.”
For Quitman it is no secret as the Panthers will lean heavily offensively on running back and Alabama commit Akylin Dear.
“Coach Gandy has done a great job with Meridian. They’re a 7A team and our players are excited about the challenge. Meridian always has the talent and players, and Coach will have those guys fired up and ready to attack,” Pulphus said. “Our focus is to prioritize ourselves, take it one play and one snap at a time we will be fine. We’re the under dogs as well as a smaller school going into a hostile environment our fans and players will be ready and prepared.”
But for Pulphus it will be up to other guys to step up on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Jaleil Cameron, along with receivers Shunzarious Dear and Cameron Laphand and running back Isaiah Satcher, will also be leaned on to help carry the offense. On defense the Panthers will be anchored by Malik Davis, Caleb Johnson and Satcher at linebacker, along with defensive linemen Jamarcus Banks and Chartavious Williams to lead the front seven. Semaj McKenzie and Brytavious Dear will lead the secondary for Quitman.
“For us to be successful, we cannot create negative plays and be sound in our rules and adjustments. We have to play fast and physical. There is no other attention but Akylin and every game plan will be to stop him, but we have to do a great job of our role players to rise to the occasion and make plays,” Pulphus said. “Defensively we have to play sound, not give up the big play, play smart and not make stupid penalties.”
WEEK 2 GAMES
(all games start at 7 p.m.)
Thursday
Quitman at Meridian
West Lauderdale at Magee
Friday
Lamar School at Presbyterian Christian
Northeast Lauderdale at Pelahatchie
Noxapater at Southeast Lauderdale
Tylertown at Clarkdale