The comparisons are inevitable. When Vidalia junior Jarrett Hoffpauir stepped on the field this season, it’s a sure bet someone is going to compare him to older brother Josh Hoffpauir, who just finished up his college career at Southern Mississippi, signing a pro contract with the Oakland A’s.

&uot;I&160;try not to think about that too much,&uot;&160;Jarrett said after being named The Natchez Democrat 2000&160;All-Metro Player of the Year, an award Josh received in 1996. &uot;It’s tough to step in and try to follow in his footsteps, but dad (Vidalia coach Johnny Lee Hoffpauir) and Josh help out with that.&uot;

Hoffpauir batted .519 and had an .843 fielding average. He also hit nine home runs and had a school record 22 doubles. He stole 15 bases and walked 30 times. Hoffpauir’s .519 average is only 59 points shy of Josh’s school record .574 average in 1996. His 22 doubles broke Josh’s school record 21. Jarrett also had 44 RBI, which broke Jason Hawkes’ 1996 mark of 43.

Vidalia finished 20-8, winning District 3-2A before falling to Sibley in the second round of the playoffs.

&uot;I would have liked for us to have done better, but that happens sometimes,&uot;&160;Hoffpauir said.

Vidalia hit a school record 45 home runs. &uot;My freshman year we hit a whole lot (36) and I didn’t think we would ever do that,&uot; Hoffpauir said. &uot;We had balls flying out right and left. We had some guys hit home runs who I didn’t think could do it. We had some young guys really do well.&uot;

Hoffpauir said he knows he’s expected to make the routine plays and well as many of the difficult ones.

&uot;It doesn’t always happen that way,&uot; he said. &uot;I’m human. Once I make an error, I tell myself it’s over and there’s nothing I can do about it. It was a bad play and now I have to make a good one.&uot;

One thing is for sure, Hoffpauir will be out there if at all possible.

&uot;Just being out there on the field makes me feel good,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s always fun.&uot;