Week 1: PPP Game of the Week

The Battle for the Little Brown Jug is one of America’s great high-school rivalries. It is the longest continually-played rivalry in Mississippi. Between wars and hurricanes, with the rise of new rivals in Petal and Oak Grove, the Jug is still continues it’s prominence in the hearts of football fans in Hattiesburg and Laurel.

The series has been one of streaks:

Laurel had the first extended period of dominance in the rivalry. From 1936 to 1950. During this time the Golden Tornadoes won 12 and tied once. After the 50’s the Tigers of Hattiesburg won five of seven meetings and won 5 in a row from 1963 to 1967. Beginning in ’67, however, the Tornadoes won 12 of 14 meetings, including eight in a row. After this came the great Willie Coats era at Hattiesburg, with the Tigers winning 12 of the next 15.

This year’s game will be Between the Bricks at historic Watkins Field, home of the Tornadoes since 1929, and Laurel will be looking to avenge last season’s 38-0 whipping at the hands of the Tigers, which was Hattiesburg’s largest margin of victory ever in the series.

Once played as the last game of the season, the game is now played as one of the first before the entry into district play. Don’t ask however if the game means any less, a Golden Tornado or Tiger will beg to differ. 🙂

Catch the game on Friday the 28th on FNUTL.com. Pre-game is 6:30, game time is 7. Join Josh West and Chris Elberhar for Week 1 of FNUTL’s Perfectly Powerful Peanut Game of the Week, presented by the Mississippi’s Peanut Council.