It’s that time of year again, fall is just around the corner, students are back in class and Friday night football is once again a weekly occurrence.

This Thursday the Picayune Memorial High School varsity cheerleaders will once again host the school’s annual Meet the Tide event at the Picayune Memorial High School football stadium.

Varsity cheer coach Donya Bond said this event is the first chance for the community to see how the football team has shaped up for the upcoming season.

The show begins at 6 p.m. with performances by the high school marching band, ROTC, junior high cheerleaders, junior pride dance team, junior varsity cheerleaders and the Pride of the Tide dance team, Bond said.

At 7 p.m. the coaches and team will be introduced and a scrimmage game will take place, Bond said.

Football head coach Dodd Lee said the team has been working real hard this year.

“There are definite bright spots, but room for improvements as well,” Lee said.

There are seven returning starters on offense and four returning starters on defense, Lee said.

It’s all about coming together as a team, Lee said, and how we react when something doesn’t go as planned.

Lee said a decision would be made about a quarterback by the end of this week.

“We get very good support from our community,” Lee said. “The kids deserve it after all they have accomplished these past few years.”

Lee said there are about 22 graduating seniors on the team this year.

Picayune Memorial High School Principal Kent Kirkland said Meet the Tide is an event that the students look forward to every year.

“It’s all about getting to know our students,” Kirkland said.

The Maroon Tide Touchdown club will be selling Picayune football apparel, Bond said.

Admission to the event is $3.

The football stadium is located at 800 Fifth Ave.

The first Maroon Tide football game of the season is Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m.

The game will be held at the Picayune Memorial High School football stadium where the Maroon Tide will face off against Petal High School, Lee said.