Hometown Calls: Clay Sweet

When Friday night lights shine across South Mississippi, one of the voices you’ll hear bringing the action to life is Clay Sweet.

As the play-by-play announcer for the Talking Ball Y’all media group, Clay calls football for Picayune, Pearl River Central, and Poplarville. You can catch every broadcast on the free Talking Ball Y’all app, where he teams up with his longtime friends and fellow broadcasters Jason Baker and Jeff Lossett. We caught up with Clay to talk about his journey, the lessons learned along the way, and what makes small-town sports coverage so special.

How did you get into broadcasting?

“It’s always been my dream job. I went to Southern Miss for journalism and was fortunate to call PRCC games while in college with my roommate, Jason Baker. Another friend from that crew, Jeff Lossett, eventually became my podcast partner and cofounder of Talking Ball Y’all. Now all three of us have our own Friday night play-by-play gigs. The local radio station didn’t have the same vision we did, so we built our own platform. It gave us creative freedom to chase our dreams on our terms.”

Who influenced you growing up?

“As a Southern Miss guy, John Cox was my soundtrack. I also loved LSU’s Jim Hawthorne and Saints’ Jim Henderson. But the guy I probably heard the most and loved the most was Skip Caray. I was a Braves fan, and it seemed like the worse they played, the more entertaining he got.”

Was this always your dream job?

“Yes. As long as I can remember.”

How do you prepare for a game?

“Too much—at least that’s what my family says. I love the prep work. Building a spot chart or board is therapeutic for me. My color analyst and best friend are film nuts. We live in Hudl when preparing for Picayune games. From the start, Jason Baker and I have challenged each other to treat every game like our Super Bowl.”

Got a pre-game ritual?

“Coffee. Always coffee.”

How would you describe your broadcasting style?

“I try to call it so a coach can appreciate the detail, but also so a parent who doesn’t know the sport well feels informed and engaged.”

Do you have a signature call?

“I sign off every broadcast with: Love God. Love people.”

Do you change your tone depending on the team or moment?

“I hope my tone matches the action I’m covering.”

What’s the hardest part of calling games at this level?

“All of the above technology, rosters, no spotter, bad weather. But those challenges sharpen your skills.”

Ever broadcast from a crazy location?

“I once sat on the toolbox of a truck to call a baseball game. Fun stuff.”

How do you handle calling games where one team is overmatched or when it’s your alma mater?

“Be fair. No cheap shots. In blowouts, I like to highlight an underappreciated player or coach.”

What role does a local broadcaster play in a small community?

“In my opinion, the game and the players are the story. The broadcaster should almost stay out of the way. Ego can cloud the call.”

Do you get recognized or contacted by fans?

“Yes, and people say kind things. I think it’s because of my color analyst’s work. Part of my job is to showcase his talent.”

Most heartfelt feedback you’ve received?

“A coach telling me they relived a moment through the call. Or a listener saying they felt like they were there. That’s hard to beat.”

Go-to postgame meal?

“Taco Bell.”

If you could call any game in history, what would it be?

“The Braves’ World Series win in 1995.”

Dream color commentator?

“Bill Walton, I’m a Deadhead. Hubie Brown for basketball. John Madden for football. Bob Uecker for baseball. Larry Merchant for boxing. And I think Rowdy Gaines is one of the best for swimming coverage.”

Ever lost your voice or had tech fail during a call?

“Not completely, but I’ve had moments.”

One call or game you’ll never forget?

“Any championship game for a team I’ve covered all season is special. I’ve had the honor of calling a Pearl River National Title in baseball and multiple high school state championships in softball, baseball, basketball, and football.”

What do you want people to remember about your broadcasts?

“The people. The relationships made.”

Advice for aspiring broadcasters?

“Chase that dream. Be obsessed with it in a healthy way. Don’t let roadblocks stop you, sometimes God puts them there to guide your journey.”

Local broadcasters like Clay Sweet are the heartbeat of Friday nights in our communities. They bring the stories, the excitement, and the connection that make these games more than just sports, they make them part of our shared culture.

Tune in to the Talking Ball Y’all app this season to catch Clay’s calls for Picayune, PRC, and Poplarville.

If you are or someone you listen to would like to be part of this feature, send me a message here or on my More with Gore Facebook page.