25 teams in 25 days: Moss Point Tigers

“You just have to do what you have to do.”

Simple and to the point. That is the message for this years Moss Point Tiger football team. Do your job, put in the hard work and let the chips fall where they may. The Tigers finished last season 2-7 but capped their season off with a big win before heading into the off-season. But if you ask this years Tiger roster, Moss Point is where people want to be.

“Really, Moss point is where everyone wants to be at,” Condarius McCorvey said. “Moss Point has all of the gold balls. People hate on Moss Point but this year we are going to show them what we are about.”

“There is a big chip, you know, everybody has been praying on our downfall” Deshawn Feazell said. “Praying on our downfall for years. So we feel like this year we should be able to show them what we are really about.”

While it is easy for players to want to prove doubters wrong and have a chip on their shoulder, Tigers head coach Julius Bridges is just excited to get things going for another year.

“I am more excited for the kids,” Bridges said. “They have been ready all summer. They have been working hard all fall to just get back at it. The countdown is near.”

This Tiger team is returning six starters on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. That means they are returning experience and leadership. Something players and coach Bridges say is invaluable.

“What we have been preaching all year is that player lead teams are the best teams,” KeVon Ford said. “If we can lead our teammates and make them better, keep each other up, we will be alright.”

“It is very important because, I mean, they are grasping the offense fast,” coach Bridges said. “Practices are running smooth and we are getting to the ball. They aren’t asking many questions because they already know what to do. We are getting a lot of work in with those guys that have experience.”

The players on this Moss Point team say they hear all of the noise. Rather than block it out, they are using everything as fuel.

“A lot of people are expecting the same thing to happen,” Ford said. “We have different plans.”

The Moss Point Tigers will get their opportunity to prove doubters wrong when they start their season on Aug. 30th, on the road, against the Pascagoula Panthers. Their first home game will be week four when they welcome the Gautier Gators to town.