11/02/2026
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you calling a game without wearing the white hat.”
That’s what I said to the legendary Merriel McCelleis on the sideline of South Pike when the Eagles hosted their rivals from McComb High on Friday.
McCelleis is 82 years old.
If you have watched a high school baseball, football or basketball game in person over the past 57 years in Southwest Mississippi, there is a good chance you’ve seen him officiate.
He doesn’t hop around and blow his whistle as loudly and quickly like he did in the past, as Mac calls himself semi-retired nowadays.
When needed though, he’ll get his whistle out to call a big game as he’s been doing for a long, long time.