LAUREL – When asked, Petal coach Marcus Boyles said last year’s loss to Laurel isn’t lost on his mind, and he’s not afraid to remind his team of the 30-28 loss to the Golden Tornadoes as they prepare for the rematch this week.
There are a couple of take-a-ways from the loss he wants to remind his team about.
“It will be (discussed), just to finish (plays),” Boyles said. “Finish it, and the second thing is when we have opportunities, whether it be on offense or defense to get off the field, let’s take advantage of that. We didn’t do that, we feel like, last year. Obviously it came back to hurt us at the end of the game.”
“Finishing” plays was a term Boyles used a couple of times last week in his weekly interview with PineBeltSPORTS. Last week against New Orleans-based Brother Martin, his team finished plays in a dominant 40-14 win Saturday over the Crusaders.
Senior quarterback Jordan Wilson was 20-for-29 with 276 yards and two touchdowns, Nataurean ‘Phat” Watts rushed for 135 yards on 27 attempts with three scores and Natorian “Deuce” Watts caught seven passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns to lead Petal (2-1).
“You’ve seen both of those guys (the Watts brothers) have great games this past week, and we need both of those guys to play really big for us,” Boyles said. “As they play big, then other guys step up also.”
Both players have changed jersey numbers this season, and at first sight, it might not be a big deal. After starting the season as the team’s slot receiver, and used sparingly as a running back, the Panthers have moved Phat Watts to the traditional starting running back position.
“He’s really doing well for us at running back right now, and we’re going to leave him there,” Boyles said. “He’s so valuable out of the backfield. He can catch the ball really well, and obviously, when you get the ball in his hands, he has a chance to break it every time.”
Phat Watts’ new jersey number, No. 8, was the same as former running back, and now Tulane Green Wave back, Stephon Huderson. So, what’s the secret behind the No. 8 jersey?
Nothing, according to Boyles.
“The thing is the person in that jersey rather than the jersey itself,” he said.
Wilson, Watts brothers and the rest of the Petal offense will face a quick Laurel (1-2) defense this week, but the Tornadoes are reeling after allowing 42 points to Oak Grove last week. Boyles said it’s a typical Laurel defense, though.
On offense for the Golden Tornadoes, it’s still uncertain whether freshman starting quarterback Xavier Evans will play, or if it’ll be junior Sinclair Ulmer. Evans started the first three games, leading Laurel to a win over Callaway and a close loss to Hattiesburg before falling big to the Warriors. Ulmer played the final quarter and a half against Oak Grove.
Whoever is at quarterback, Petal will see an athletic athlete.
“That’s not going to change,” Boyles said. “Whoever is at quarterback is going to be athletic and more than likely will have a strong arm, so we have to prepare for the best.”
