While Picayune’s Maroon Tide prepares to face off against Oxford tonight, the mayors are also preparing for their own meet up off the field.

Picayune Mayor Ed Pinero picked up a king cake Friday morning from Paul’s Pastry that the bakery donated as his part of a wager being made with Oxford Mayor George Patterson.

The king cake has been decorated half in Maroon Tide colors and half in Oxford colors.

Pinero said the wager is made in “friendly, competitive spirit.”

Patterson said he will be wagering a John Grisham book and looks forward to what he thinks will be “a fun game.”

Pinero said the city gave a king cake in a wager with Starkville’s mayor in 2011, the last time the Maroon Tide went to the Class 5A State Championship. In return, the Starkville mayor wagered cheese from Mississippi State because the college is known for their cheese and hot chocolate.

Since Grisham is a native of Oxford, the mayor has decided to wager one his books.

“I know both communities are proud of their team and proud of their schools,” Patterson said.

Before the game, both mayors will do a ceremonial coin toss on the 50 yard line. Pinero said the coin toss is purely ceremonial and that both coaches already will have done the official coin toss for the game.

Patterson he hopes he will be able to meet with Pinero and participate in the ceremonial coin toss, but said that the weather in Oxford could cause problems for him making it to the game. Patterson said he has been watching the weather closely.

“One of the things I’m proud of as a resident of Pearl River County is how all the schools are getting behind Picayune,” Pinero said about other school districts’ support.

Pinero said in 2011 when Picayune went to the state championship, some Pearl River Central coaches also attended the game.

He also thanked Paul’s Pastry, which he said is “always there for our schools and our city.”

“Being that I graduated from Picayune High School, I’m so proud that they are going to state again,” said Sherrie Thigpen of Paul’s Pastry. “I was Homecoming Queen in 1975 and it means so much to me to see the team return to state again in such a short time. I am unable to attend the game with my family, but my heart will be there with our team.”

“We’re excited and hope the team brings back the state championship trophy,” Pinero said.

“I wish Picayune the best of luck for next week, not this week,” Patterson jokingly commented about the  state championship.

Lifestyles editor Jodi Marze contributed to this story.