TURNING BACK THE CLOCK

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PASS CHRISTIAN - The Pass Christian Pirates are planning to get "retro" this season.

"Our theme is ‘Back to the Future,' "new Pass Christian head football coach Casey Wittmann said. "We have retro uniforms, the kind Pass wore in the ‘70s. The Pass teams in the ‘70s won a lot of games in that 10-year period. We challenged the kids to reach back to that time.''

Wittmann, a Pass native, was the head coach at St. Stanislaus from 2002 through 2007, going 33-23 with a Division 8-4A title with 2004. He was an assistant coach last year at Harrison Central.

"We will run a spread offense and be multiple on defense,'' Wittmann said. "We will use our speed. We have some kids who can run here. That is exciting. We just have to get them in the right positions. We are not devoid of talent. We just have to cultivate it.''

The Pirates have struggled on the gridiron since going 9-2 with a state playoff appearance in 2001. The team has gone 13-56 over those seven seasons.

Wittmann replaces Kelly Causey, who coached the Pirates from 2004-08.

Junior Devon Evans is taking over at quarterback after playing offensive tackle a year ago. His running backs are Alfred Hall and A.J. Dedeaux, with a receiving corps of Donovan Evans, Marcus Dedeaux, Brennon Hawkins, Trevor Page, Hakeem Graves, Trey Ausmer, and tight end Dustin Snyder.

Defensively, middle linebacker Charlie Goff (6-foot, 245 pounds) leads the charge. Southeastern Louisiana is recruiting him. "They don't come much tougher than him,'' Wittmann said. "He'll play middle linebacker for us but he will be a defensive end in college.''

Goff also doubles an offensive guard.