2013 High School Football Preview

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All fall sports coaches
are reminded to report
their game results to The
Dispatch.
Coaches, scorekeepers,
parents and/or players can
call 662-327-1297 or email
information to sports@cdis-
patch.com or aminichino@
cdispatch.com.
Our deadline is 8:30
a.m. Please give us the final
score, where the game was
played, the team records,
leading performers, the
teams next game and any
other notable information.
Since The Dispatch is an
afternoon paper, we will try
the next morning to track
results of all games not
called in to the newspaper.
We will try to call at a reason-
able hour and dont mean to
disrupt any coach, teacher
or professional at work, but
our goal is to recognize the
performances of as many
student-athletes as possible.
If you are a coach,
scorekeeper or parent who
reports information, please
give us the best time and
the best number to reach
you. If the result of a game
isnt in The Dispatch, please
work with us to encourage
that coach to contact us so
we can provide the best pos-
sible coverage to this area.
If you have any questions,
call 662-327-1297.
Prep Football Results
High school foot-
ball coaches who dont
speak to a reporter from
The Dispatch are asked
to email information the
sports department infor-
mation from their games.
The Dispatch will include
its prep football coverage
in Sundays edition, so we
will contact coaches Friday
night or Saturday to get
details from the last game.
Coaches, please let us know
what is the best time for us
to contact you.
The DispaTch www.cdispatch.com 2 sunday, august 18, 2013
high school football preview
huddle up:
Thanks to the players; Good luck for 2013
Located at the corner of Gardner Blvd. & Tuscaloosa Rd.
212 Tuscaloosa Road Columbus, MS
662-328-5105 Deli Hours: 7 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
A winning lineup for
any tailgate party!
UNITED DELI
& GROCERY
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Burgers
Salads
Delicious Sides
Baklava
The Dispatch
Special thanks to Stacy Clark
and Micah Green for their
work on the photo, and to the
players and the
coaches for making it to
Columbus High to be a part of
the picture.
FOOTBALL
2013
A publication of
The DispaTch
P.O. Box 511
Columbus, MS 39703
(662) 328-2424
Publisher
Birney Imes
Managing Editor
Slim Smith
Sports
Adam Minichino
Matt Stevens
Scott Walters
Cover Design
Stacy Clark
Photographers
Luisa Porter
Micah Green
Graphic Artists
Jackie Taylor
Ernest Rogers
Production
Tina Perry
Anne Murphy
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A
ugust 12, 2012
Low
ndes . . . . . 3 Oktibbeha . . . . . 13 Noxubee . . . . . 17 Clay . . . . . 19 M
onroe . . . . . 22
ABOUT
THE COVER
WHAT S INSI DE
Aberdeen Bulldogs........................ 22
Caledonia Confederates ................. 5
Central Academy Vikings .............. 17
Columbus Falcons .......................... 3
East Oktibbeha Titans .................. 15
Hamilton Lions .............................. 23
Hebron Christian Eagles ............... 21
Heritage Academy Patriots ............. 4
Immanuel Rams .............................. 8
New Hope Trojans .......................... 6
Noxubee County Tigers ................ 18
Oak Hill Academy Raiders ............ 20
Starkville Academy Volunteers ..... 14
Starkville Yellow Jackets .............. 13
Victory Christian Eagles .................. 9
West Lowndes Panthers ............... 10
West Oktibbeha Timberwolves ..... 16
West Point Green Wave ............... 19
OUR pREp COVERAgE
Miicah Green/Dispatch Staff
Some of the areas top players were asked to participate in The Dispatchs annual cover shoot. Featured here are Columbus Highs Trace Lee and Corey Brown, Heritage
Academys Mark Thatcher, New Hopes Javontay Lewis (14) and Matt Barnes (60), West Points Aeris Williams (22) and Dvanta Randle (4), Noxubee Countys Eric Hunt (5)
and Jessie Bryant (11), Starkville Highs Darius Grayer (25), and Starkville Academys Tripp Janssen (54).
coaches have prepared us,
and we know what the task
is. It is our job to make it
happen.
Last season, in his
second season as quar-
terback, Lee played an
integral role in leading
Columbus (7-5) back to
the playoffs for the frst
time since 2005. In 2011,
he split time at quarter-
back with Cedrick Jack-
son, fnding his way in an
offense centered around
running back Damian
Baker. There was no ques-
tion Lee had the arm to
fuel a passing game, but
he needed time to grow
comfortable in the system
and to act and to speak
like the leader a quarter-
back has to be.
This year, Lee has
found that voice. He has
learned he isnt going
to throw the ball every
down. He is OK with that
because he understand
he sets the tempo regard-
less whether he is chuck-
ing the ball down feld or
turning around and hand-
ing the ball off Kendrick
QUARTERBACK
Trace Lee (Sr.),
Kiren Sharp (Soph.)
n Lee returns for his
second year as the starter
and third year at the
position. He understands
the offense and Columbus
coach Tony Stanfords pen-
chant for using a running
game to control the game.
Were trying to work
some of our secondary peo-
ple into the throwing game
because theyre a little bet-
ter of an athlete than some
of the ones we have, which
is why you see Walker and
Lipscomb and some of the
defensive players when we
get into the passing game,
Columbus coach Tony Stan-
ford said.
RUNNING BACK
Kevin Jackson (Sr.),
Kendrick Conner (Sr.)
nJackson was injured
early in the season, which
paved the way for Conner to
emerge.
In practice, we have
looked good, Stanford
said. Id like to say we
have two running backs
back, but we really have
one Conner back.
Kevin Jackson would have
been the starter last year,
but he broke his ankle
after the frst game. It is
like having two of them
back, which is why were
going to put both of them
in the backfeld sometimes
because we think we can
run the football.
RECEIVERS
Meunta Verner (Sr.),
Donsha Walker (Jr.),
Alex Lipscomb (Jr.), Da-
monta Kidd (Soph.),
Keshawn Adams (Sr.),
Corey Brown (Sr.),
Jalen Stewart (Sr.),
Chris Deloach (Soph.),
Kris Reliford (Sr.)
nStanford said Lee has
a good an arm as any quar-
terback he has coached in
nearly 40 years. He said
he would throw the ball 40
times a game if he was
blessed to have four receiv-
ers like Jimmy Cockrell, who
was a senior last season.
Brown, Stewart, and Reli-
ford will see time blocking
and in the passing game.
Our plan when were
in our tight game is to play
the front people, Stanford
said. When they need rest,
we will put the secondary
people in the game so
they can get the rest on
offense.
OFFENSIVE LINE
LaQuintis Brooks (Soph.),
Jermiah Caine (Jr.),
Tremarcus Monroe (Sr.),
Kenneth Miller (Sr.),
Darius Poindexter (Sr.)
nThe Falcons return
four starters in a group
Stanford feels is one of the
teams strongest.
We hated to lose Jake
Thomas to Mississippi
State, but we hope he is
going to represent us well
there, Stanford said. They
have a year behind them
and they had to struggle
for a solid year, but they
got better each week. They
have looked real good at
practice.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Kris Reliford (Sr.),
Corey Brown (Sr.),
Jalen Stewart (Sr.),
Ryan Ezell (Jr.)
nThe Falcons return
three starters on the oppo-
site side of the ball, which
should give the team a
chance to control the point
of attack.
We think both fronts
ought to be pretty good,
Stanford said.
LINEBACKER
John Neal Stanback (Jr.),
Jarcquarius Clark (Sr.),
Quavis Sherrod (Sr.),
Damian Moore (Sr.)
SECONDARY
Alex Lipscomb (Jr.),
Donsha Walker (Jr.),
Kiren Sharp (Soph.)
nStanford is concerned
how much the members of
the secondary will be able
to go both ways early in the
season, but he feels they
will be ready to play bigger
roles once district play
comes.
We have to pace our
people, and some of our
other people, theyre not
bad athletes. They will have
to do a better job than what
we expect, Stanford said.
We will play a lot of people
early because of that.
SPECIALISTS
Michael Sturdivant (Sr.),
Anthony Maleta (Fr.)
nSturdivant will handle
kickoff and punts, while
Maleta will handle extra
points and feld goals.
Adam Minichino
The DispaTch www.cdispatch.com Sunday, auguSt 18, 2013 3
high School football preview
Columbus FalCons
Mississippi High School Activities Association: Class 6A, Region 2; 2012 Record 7-5 (4-3)
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 Open Date
Aug. 30 At Noxubee Co.
Sept. 6 NEW HOPE
Sept. 13 At West Point
Sept. 20 At Louisville
Sept. 27 STARKVILLE
Oct. 4 CLINTON
Oct. 11 At Northwest
Rankin
Oct. 18 GREENVILLE-
WESTON
Oct. 25 At Madison
Central
Nov. 1 At Murrah
Nov. 8 WARREN
CENTRAL
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 W, 21-0
ABERDEEN
Aug. 24 Open Date
Aug. 31 L, 19-26
WEST POINT
Sept. 7 W, 9-6
At New Hope
Sept. 14 W, 21-13
LOUISVILLE
Sept. 21 W, 14-0
At Tupelo
Sept. 28 L, 7-17
SOUTHAVEN
Oct. 5 L, 14-21
At South Panola
Oct. 12 W, 14-0
DESOTO CENTRAL
Oct. 19 W, 14-0
At Horn Lake
Oct. 26 L, 7-16
OLIVE BRANCH
Nov. 2 W, 41-21
At Grenada
Nov. 9 L, 7-41
At Madison
Central
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 6A
Region 2
Columbus
Madison Central
NW Rankin
Starkville
Clinton
Greenville
Murrah
Warren Central
NOTE: Top four qualify for
playoffs
CoaChing staFF
Head coach
Tony Stanford
n Jim Hamilton
nChris Childress
nBrandon Haynes
nJoshua Pulphus
nZach Leech
nJames Richardson
nLawrence Hill
nCody Rader
nLee Davis
a Closer look
Micah Green/Dispatch Staff
Columbus High School seniors Trace Lee, left, and Corey Brown will part of a group of leaders that hopes to help
the program build on a trip to the Class 6A playoffs last season.
A true leader does not
fall to the standards of
others but yet sets a
standard and brings people
up to it.
Unknown
By AdAm minichino
aminichino@cdispatch.com
Listen.
Trace Lee has some-
thing to say.
Early on in his Colum-
bus High School athletic
career, Lee was content
being a supportive, hus-
tling teammate. Wheth-
er it was on the football
feld, the soccer feld, or
the baseball diamond, Lee
could be counted on to be
a team player and do what-
ever he could to help the
Falcons win.
Typically, you didnt
have to listen, you only
had to watch because Lee
would let his actions do
the talking.
But Lee has gotten
stronger each year in high
school. He has been on
teams with vocal leaders
and quiet leaders. He has
persevered with his team-
mates through the ups and
Dispatch File Photos
TOP: Columbus High School quarterback Trace Lee surveys the feld before the ball is snapped in the teams game against Aberdeen last
season. BELOW: Lee stands in the center of a team circle to lead the team in a moment of prayer.
LEE GIVES VOICE TO LEADING FALCONS AS SENIOR
downs of wins and losses,
all while growing stron-
ger in his faith and more
confdent in his ability to
be a leader.
Listen.
Trace Lee has some-
thing to say.
As he enters his senior
year, primed to begin a
journey that will help de-
termine the next phase
of his life, Lee realizes
this is the time to speak
up. He doesnt want to
steal the spotlight or to
take control of the Colum-
bus High School football
team. Instead, he wants
to be a galvanizing voice
that brings the Falcons
seniors together so the
program can have a sea-
son to remember.
It is time for me to be a
leader with these other se-
nior guys, Lee said. Its
our last go-around, and
we have a lot of potential.
At the same time, it has
to come to fruition, so we
have to be leaders and do
what we have to do. The See columbus, 11
By AdAm minichino
Reminders of 2012 are every-
where in Barrett Donahoes of-
fce, and rightfully so.
With the season on its last
breath at 2-5, the Heritage Acad-
emy football team came together
in a magical way to win its last fve
games and capture the Missis-
sippi Association of Independent
Schools Class AAA, Division 2
state title at Mississippi Colleges
Robinson-Hale Stadium.
The trophy greets you as you
walk into the lobby of the school
and enter the main offce area.
Festooned with a State Champi-
ons framed sign with the names
of the players and a champion-
ship plaque commemorating the
10-3 victory against Magnolia
Heights, Donahoe feels right at
home with all of University of
Mississippi paraphernalia add-
ing coziness.
But dont get
too comfortable
because Donahoe
wont let you settle
in.
Thats old
news, the sec-
ond-year football
coach says when
asked how he has treated the
aftermath of the programs frst
state championship since 1986,
when Ray Wootens team beat
Wilkinson Christian Academy
17-10 to cap the programs frst
undefeated regular season since
1972.
Donahoe can afford to jostle
you out of your stroll down mem-
ory lane because many of the key
performers Cade Lott, Parker
Dunaway, Miller Puckett from
the 2012 state title team have
their names on the sign behind
Donahoes desk.
While they will
forever be linked
with that accom-
plishment, the vic-
tory ended their
senior years on the
best note possi-
ble. It also opened
the door for a new
group of Patriots to follow in their
footsteps.
Mixing a core group of return-
ing players with a promising ar-
ray of newcomers is Donahoes
task as his team prepares to
open its 2013 season with games
against Lowndes County foes
Caledonia and West Lowndes, of
the Mississippi High School Ath-
letic Association.
Regardless of how many new
faces we have on this team this
year, Heritage Academy football
is the defending state champions
for Division 2, AAA, Donahoe
said. Because of that, we talk
to our guys that there is a lot of
responsibility that comes with
that.
Last season, it took the Pa-
triots several weeks to adjust to
Donahoes offense and to fnd
the right pieces to the puzzle.
Losses at Jackson Academy and
at Magnolia Heights signaled
heritage Academy was close.
They also pushed the Patriots to
the brink of elimination, but the
team responded by cranking up
the defense and allowing only 39
points in its fnal fve games. In
the title game, Dunaway, Hunter
Anderson, Matthew Morrison,
Taylor Fields, and Puckett were
part of a group that bent but held
strong to force a fourth-and-goal
from the Heritage Academy 12-
yard line. True to its swarming
heritage academy patriots
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Class 3A, District 1AAA, Division II; 2012 Record: 7-5 (3-3)
CHAMPIONS OF CHIROPRACTIC
Each year, cheerleaders, professional athletes, and other sports enthusiasts
experience repetitive movements that cause disabling injuries. Hamstring injuries
typically the result of a pull, strain or tear to the muscle are amongst the most
common injuries affecting cheerleaders.
But theres good news: New research published in the authoritative Journal of
Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, (March 2011), found that specifc
hamstring exercise intervention provided by a Doctor of Chiropractic may result in
signifcant relief of hamstring injury-related pain. The season-long research involved
43 professional football cheerleaders who all received exercise intervention.
After the season closed, we found that those who had reported hamstring injury-
related pain between June and September showed a signifcant decrease in pain
after receiving treatment, says Dr. Jay Greenstein, the lead author in the study.
Doctors of Chiropractic have extensive training in treating a variety of sports injuries
through spinal adjustments, soft tissue techniques and rehabilitation without
the use of drugs or surgery. So whether youre a professional athlete, a weekend
warrior, or anything in between, you too can experience the benefts of Chiropractic.
As a professional athlete, I am highly competitive

only accept the best. When it comes to healthcare,
chiropractic is an essential service. It keeps my
on-feld performance at its highest level and
contributes to the success of the entire team.
REGGIE BUSH
Running Back, Miami Dolphins
www.saumchiropractic.com
111 Alabama Street
Columbus, MS
662-327-6586
Drs. Saum, Sullivan & Pokorney
2013 Schedule
Aug. 22 CALEDONIA
Aug. 30 At West Lowndes
Sept. 6 At Winston Aca.
Sept. 13 JACKSON ACA.
Sept. 20 At Hillcrest
Christian
Sept. 27 OAK HILL ACA.
Oct. 3 WASHINGTON
SCHOOL
Oct. 11 At Pillow Aca.
Oct. 18 At Leake Aca.
Oct. 25 STARKVILLE ACA.
Nov. 1 MAGNOLIA
HEIGHTS
Nov. 8 At Madison-
Ridgeland
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 L, 23-36
LAMAR
Aug. 24 W, 19-6
At Starkville
Aug. 30 L, 7-20
At Caledonia
Sept. 7 L, 10-37
MADISON-
RIDGELAND
Sept. 14 W, 35-14
LEE
Sept. 21 L, 35-42
At Jackson Aca.
Sept. 28 L, 13-14
At Mag. Heights
Oct. 5 W, 42-0
OAK HILL
Oct. 12 Open Date
Oct. 19 W, 28-12
WASHINGTON
Oct. 26 W, 35-7
At Pillow
Nov. 2 W, 21-17
At East Rankin
Nov. 9 W, 10-3
At Mag. Heights
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 3A
District 1AAA,
Division II
Jackson Academy
MRA
Washington School
Heritage Academy
Hillcrest Christian
Magnolia Heights School
Pillow Academy
Starkville Academy
playoffs
Heritage Academy defensive coordinator Tate Marsh returns to the coaching staff
this season hoping to fnd a way to help his defense duplicate the dominating
efforts it delivered in the teams fve-game winning streak to end the season.
coaching staff
Head coach
Barrett Donahoe
n Ryan Deer
n Mickey Allen
n Tate Marsh
n Bruce Branch
Heritage Academy football coach Barrett Donahoe hopes a mixture of old returning players and new players joining the program after
the 2012 state championship can help the Patriots fnd a new title formula.
DonAhoe hopeS to ConCoCt tItle mIx out of olD, new
Kilarski Thatcher
See patriots, 5
QUARTERBACK
Austin Fitch (Sr.), Dillon Barker
(Soph.)
nFitch, a transfer from New
Hope, is back on the football
feld for the frst time since ninth
grade. He also plays golf at the
school.
Austin hasnt played in a
couple of years, but he has good
speed and I am really pleased
with his development, Dona-
hoe said. He knows that were
hanging our hat on what he can
do for us.
RUNNING BACK
Parker Short (Sr.),
Hunter Anderson (Sr.),
Blake Ballard (Sr.)
nShort saw action at running
back last season in place of the
injured Miller Puckett. Donahoe
said Anderson also could see
time as tailback as the season
progresses. He said Ballard has
been the biggest surprise of train-
ing camp.
RECEIVERS
Logan Bell (Sr.),
Mark Thatcher (Sr.),
Cody Mordecai (Sr.),
Walker Brown (Jr.),
Cayden Upton (Jr.)
nBell will be a possession re-
ceiver. Thatcher is a slot receiver
who Donahoe said probably is the
most athletic player on the team.
(Thatcher) has the ability to
stretch the feld, Donahoe said.
Mordecai also will get a lot of
touches. Brown probably has the
best hands on the team.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Luke Ellison (Sr.),
Douglas Kilarski (Sr.),
Thomas Glenn (Sr.),
Brady Clark (Jr.),
Hunter Ferguson (Sr.)
nDonahoe is pleased with
the way Ellison has come on.
Kilarski started four or fve games
last season, Glenn is a frst-time
starter, and Clark and Ferguson,
who played on the right side last
year have good chemistry, as do
Ellison and Kilarski.
We have put it together
and were going to need to stay
healthy, Donahoe said. This is
the biggest depth problem.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Hunter Ferguson (Sr.),
Brady Clark (Jr.),
Josh Foxworthy (Sr.),
Cayden Upton (Jr.)
nFerguson has played defen-
sive end, and Clark has played
inside. Donahoe said Clark has a
lot of potential.
(Clark) has the ability to
be a great defensive lineman,
Donahoe said. When he puts his
effort into it he is very good.
LINEBACKER
Hunter Anderson (Sr.),
Jace Caldwell (Sr.),
Logan Bell (Sr.)
nAnderson will play the SAM
spot, while Caldwell, a transfer
from New Hope, will play the MIKE
spot. Bell will move from corner-
back to linebacker.
SECONDARY
Mark Thatcher (Sr.),
Parker Short (Sr.),
Cody Mordecai (Sr.),
William Hardy (Jr.),
Walker Brown (Jr.),
Mattox Heredia (Jr.),
Michael Ledbetter (Soph.)
Donahoe said the Patriots
will rotate a bunch of players at
this position. Thatcher will play
free safety, while Short, Hardy,
Mordecai, and Brown compete for
playing time at cornerback.
SPECIALISTS
Graham McCain (Sr.)
McCain will handle the kicking
and punting duties. He showed he
could make a pressure kick last
year in the state title game.
Were looking forward to
having some experience there,
Donahoe said. Were working on
getting that part of our team (spe-
cial teams) in better shape.
Adam Minichino
a closer look
By DAVID MILLER
Special to The Dispatch
CALEDONIA Coaches de-
mand intensity and physicality
from their players.
It starts from the inside out.
First-year Caledonia High
School football coach Andy
Crotwell inherits a program that
doesnt have the depth of dis-
trict heavyweights like Noxubee
County. To compensate, he wants
his players to win the battle of
will.
It starts with his offensive and
defensive fronts, where Danial
Cunningham and Cody Cliett
enter their junior seasons as two-
way players.
Cliett and Cunningham
are big kids that get off the ball
quick, Crotwell said. They have
the right mind-set. I dont know if
well be able to spread it out and
sling it around, but if we all adopt
that same mind-set well be suc-
cessful.
Crotwell arrived in the spring
after 11 years as an assistant
coach at Tupelo High. His play-
ers are excited about the tutelage
and experience hell provide from
coaching at the Class 6A level,
and theyve been impressed with
how much progress the team has
made since spring ball.
The progress has been key for
the Confederates, which had four
wins in 2012 and 2011, to switch
gears to an up-tempo offense. It
cant happen if the offensive line
isnt the most intense group on
the feld, Cliett said.
Its something weve never
done, he said. But when you
can go all summer knowing what
to prepare for, it makes it easier
to condition your body. Its been a
rough road, but were all working
hard.
Cliett will anchor the interior
of both fronts; hell start at cen-
ter and will rotate at defensive
tackle with Cunningham, who is
penciled to start at left tackle on
offense.
Cunningham said he feels
stronger and quicker than he did
last season due to Crotwells con-
ditioning plan and coaching.
Like many of his teammates,
though, there are plenty of points
caledonia confederates
Mississippi High School Activities Association: Class 4A, Region 4; 2012 Record: 4-7 (0-5)
2013 Schedule
Aug. 22 At Heritage Aca.
Aug. 30 HAMILTON
Sept. 6 SMITHVILLE
Sept. 13 At New Hope
Sept. 20 EAST WEBSTER
Sept. 27 At Choctaw Co.
Oct. 4 At Houston
Oct. 11 WEST
LAUDERDALE
Oct. 18 KOSCIUSKO
Oct. 25 At Noxubee Co.
Nov. 1 LEAKE CENTRAL
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 W, 50-7
At Nettleton
Aug. 24 W, 66-12
At West Lowndes
Aug. 30 W, 20-7
HERITAGE
Sept. 7 W, 27-10
At East Webster
Sept. 14 L, 0-35
NEW HOPE
Sept. 21 L, 24-44
At Ackerman
Sept. 28 L, 27-28
CARTHAGE
Oct. 5 L, 21-55
At Houston
Oct. 12 L, 13-33
LOUISVILLE
Oct. 19 L, 18-42
At Kosciusko
Oct. 26 L, 7-34
NOXUBEE CO.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 4A
Region 4
Caledonia
Houston
Kosciusko
Leake Central
West Lauderdale
Noxubee County
playoffs
Patriots
continued from Page 4
the defense converged on
running back Fernando
Van Hook, who took a di-
rect snap out of the Wild-
cat, met him at the left
corner, and stopped him 1
yard short to preserve the
10-3 lead.
Van Hook rushed for
153 yards on 32 carries,
but he had only fve runs
for 10 or more yards,
and only one potentially
game-changing play a
38-yard run in the fourth
quarter when the game
was still on the line.
While the defense
emerged late in the sea-
son, the offense did just
enough. Hudson Beans
3-yard touchdown and
Graham McCains 30-yard
feld goal was all Heritage
Academy needed on a day
it overcame its mistakes
and rivaled in its gritty,
blue-collar nature.
Donahoe hopes the
players who were part of
the championship run can
show newcomers like Aus-
tin Fitch, Walker Brown,
Cody Mordecai, Josh Fox-
worthy, Jace Caldwell, and
Mattox Heredia the con-
sistency the Patriots need
to maintain their success.
It took only a few days of
training camp for Dona-
hoe to recognize his team
was signifcantly ahead
of where it started a year
earlier. He attributes the
teams fast start this sea-
son to consistency.
There is a lot of con-
fdence in our program
right now, Donahoe said.
They see we can do
things in a positive way
and we can have success
and win games. As easi-
ly as that confdence was
built up, it can be taken
down if you dont have suc-
cess early. That consisten-
cy comes from every-day
actions that we try as a
staff to put in line for our
kids to respond to.
That consistency also
comes from returning
players like Mark Thatch-
er, Douglas Kilarski,
Hunter Anderson, and
Parker Short. Donahoe
said that group has been
phenomenal because
they are doing all off the
little things right. Even
though Donahoe said the
team doesnt have a lot of
vocal leaders, he feels the
Patriots have a nice blend
of old returners and
new newcomers to
mix together to fnd a ti-
tle formula. He feels the
2013 will be similar to
the 2012 squad in that it
should have a number of
players capable of scoring
and contributing. Ideally,
he said he would like to
fnd individuals who will
emerge as go-to players to
provide scoring in tough
situations.
Fitch, who will play
quarterback, is a stand-
out on the schools golf
team. He hasnt played
football since he was a
ninth-grader. He stopped
playing football to con-
centrate on his golf game.
Fitch attended some of
the football teams games
last season and saw how
the squad persevered and
came on late. This season,
he acknowledges outsid-
ers will doubt the team
given its graduation loss-
es. But Kilarski believes
the new players can offset
the missing players.
I think everybody
is going to have to step
up their game and make
plays that they have nev-
er made before, Kilarski
said. They have to be
dedicated in practice, try
hard, and believe they can
do it.
Brown, a junior wide
receiver/defensive back,
knows it will take time
for the newcomers and
meld with the returning
group to develop as strong
a chemistry as the 2012
team. He enjoyed the en-
ergy he saw from the team
and felt excited about re-
turning to play football.
They just stuck togeth-
er and realized what they
had to do and that they
had to meet the expecta-
tions, Brown said. They
just kept truckin along
and winning when they
had to. They never kept
their heads down and kept
fghting back and played
really good defense.
Thatcher hopes those
are lessons the team can
embrace and relive this
season, as opposed to rev-
eling in the tangible pieces
that remain from the run
to the title. With one sea-
son under Donahoe and
defensive coordinator Tate
Marsh, Thatcher feels the
team is 10 times ahead
of where it was at the start
of the 2012 season. By the
end of that year, though,
the Patriots blossomed, as
had their crowds. Now its
up to the 2013 team to mix
the old and new to relive
those memories in a dif-
ferent way.
We have put a lot of
urgency in (winning the
title) becoming a sense of
pride for them, Donahoe
said. The division we play
in has a lot of good teams,
and we are very fortunate
to have had success last
year. We are just working
very hard to continue the
success this year.
coaching staff
Head coach
Andy Crotwell
n Brian White Defensive
Coordinator
nJason Forrester
Offensive, Defensive Line
nCurtis Cook Defensive
Backs, Running Backs
nMurray Woody Running
Backs, Wide Receivers
Senior quarterback Austin Fitch takes a snap at a recent Heritage Academy football team practice in Columbus.
Fitch, a member of the schools golf team, is back playing football for the frst time since his ninth-grade year. He
takes over for Cade Lott, who graduated after leading the Patriots to a state title.
David Miller/Special to The Dispatch
Caledonia High School offensive linemen Danial Cunningham, left, and Cody Cliett will spearhead the Confederates up-tempo attack under
new coach Andy Crotwell.
SuCCeSS in CRotwellS SCheme StARtS up fRont
QUARTERBACK
Ben Marchbanks (Sr.),
Garrett Taylor
nMarchbanks threw for 548
yards and rushed for 536 last
season.
Ben and Garrett had good
springs and have improved dra-
matically, Caledonia coach Andy
Crotwell said.
RUNNING BACK
Buck Henry (Jr.),
Onterrio Lowery (Sr.),
Sage Kangas (Jr.),
Quavis Betts (Sr.)
nLowery ran for a 361 yards
last season.
Were still trying to lock down
a starter, but each guy will fll a dif-
ferent role for us in the run game,
Crotwell said.
RECEIVERS
Joshua Betts (Sr.),
Jonathan Comer,
James Longmire (Jr.)
nPerimeter running backs like
Lowery also will be featured at
wideout, but Betts and Longmire
have the lead.
A lot of guys are vying for
reps, Crotwell said. Jordan Ander-
son and Comer are in mix, too.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Cody Cliett (Jr.),
Danial Cunningham (Jr.),
Tristan Nessell (Jr.),
Bobby Rushing (Jr.)
nThe starting spots arent
settled, but Cliett and Cunningham
are favorites to start at center and
left tackle, respectively. Cliett
gets off the ball well and is big and
aggressive, Crotwell said.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Danial Cunningham (Jr.),
Cody Cliett (Jr.),
Stone Bufton (Soph.),
Jeremy Reedwood (Sr.),
Jeffery Gore (Soph.),
Ian Hartmaan (Jr.)
nCliett will be the anchor at
nose tackle. Well have Cliett and
Cunningham split reps at nose,
Crotwell said. We expect them to
create a lot of push.
LINEBACKER
Ben Marchbanks (Sr.),
Buck Henry (Jr.),
Bubba Brauer (Sr.),
Josh Livingston (Sr.)
nHenry and Brauer have start-
ing experience and are the most
versatile players at this position.
We want those two to be athlet-
ic and play in space, but also ft in
a hurry against the run, Crotwell
said.
SECONDARY
Sage Kangas (Jr.),
Jordan Anderson (Sr.),
Austin McNeally (Sr.),
Onterrio Lowery (Sr.),
Quavis Betts (Jr.),
James Longmire (Jr.)
nBetts and Longmire are pen-
ciled in as starters at cornerback.
Sage can get downhill in a
hurry, Crotwell said. Hes very
physical player that likes contact.
SPECIALISTS
Jeremy Reedwood (Sr.),
Cole Gillet, James Longmire (Jr.)
Reedwood and Gillet are battling
to handle punts, while Longmire
and Gillet are vying to take kickoffs
and to attempt feld goals and extra
points.
Its a good competition so far,
Crotwell said.
BY THE NUMBERS
0
nNumber of region wins last
season.
14
nNumber of team-leading
touchdowns scored by Ben
Marchbanks in 2012.
14
nYears of experience of new
coach Andy Crotwell.
David Miller
a closer look
See CALEDONIA, 8
BY ADAM MINICHINO
Shawn Gregorys
hands move with a ash
in front of his body. As
quickly as Gregory start-
ed, he stops and stands
poised, ready to watch his
offense stir.
Brady Davis reads the
movement and process-
es his instructions. As
intently as he stared at
Gregory, he resolutely
turns and deciphers the
wishes of his coach.
In seconds, the ball is
snapped. Davis surveys
the scene, reads his op-
tions, and makes a throw
to the left side.
It might have taken the
New Hope High School
football team 10 seconds
to complete that process.
As fast as it happened,
Gregorys plan is to have
it happen even faster so
his offense can dictate the
tempo and, he hopes, light
up the scoreboard with
a balanced attack that
leaves opponents wishing
for a break in the pace.
We are going at a high
rate of speed, Gregory
said. We try to get a lot
of tempo practice in, a lot
of reps, because we want
to be able to change it up
and then we want to be
able to slow it down. What
it does is help our guys
think a little faster and
not have to think about
it as much and still be
able to execute that play.
Were trying to get them
to learn fast.
Gregory, who is from
Columbus and who gradu-
ated from New Hope High
in 1986, has simplied the
offense the Trojans used
last season under coach
Michael Bradley in an
attempt to give his play-
ers less to think about
in the heat of the mo-
ment. The plan has been
in place since March,
when Gregory was
THE DISPATCH www.cdispatch.com 6 SUNDAY, AUGUST 18, 2013
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
NEW HOPE TROJANS
Mississippi High School Activities Association: Class 5A, Region 1; 2012 Record 3-8 (1-6)
142 South McCrary
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also additional items & children plates

LOWNDES COUNTY RADIAL TIRE
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Congrats to our area teams!

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Drivers of trucks and drivers of cars know Lowndes County Radial is the place to buy tires!
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 Open Date
Aug. 30 ABERDEEN
Sept. 6 At Columbus
Sept. 13 CALEDONIA
Sept. 20 At Amory
Sept. 27 At Clarksdale
Oct. 4 CENTER HILL
Oct. 11 At Lake
Cormorant
Oct. 18 OXFORD
Oct. 25 At Lewisburg
Nov. 1 WEST POINT
Nov. 8 At Saltillo
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 W, 43-26
LOUISVILLE
Aug. 24 Open Date
Aug. 31 L, 14-60
At Noxubee
County
Sept. 7 L, 6-9
COLUMBUS
Sept. 14 W, 35-0
At Caledonia
Sept. 21 L, 22-42
SALTILLO
Sept. 28 L, 17-29
At Oxford
Oct. 5 L, 0-19
HERNANDO
Oct. 12 W, 8-7
At Lake
Cormorant
Oct. 19 L, 22-29
CLARKSDALE
Oct. 26 L, 0-41
At Center Hill
Nov. 2 L, 7-38
WEST POINT
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 5A
Region 1
Center Hill
Clarksdale
Lake Cormorant
Lewisburg
New Hope
Oxford
Saltillo
West Point
playoffs
Adam Minichino/Dispatch Staff
New Hope High School rst-year head football coach Shawn Gregory talks to his players following practice Tuesday afternoon in Columbus.
GREGORY WANTS TROJANS TO PUSH TEMPO
See NEW HOPE, 10
Davis Hamilton
Former New Hope High quarterback believes faster pace will help players think faster, build stamina for late in games
places to be
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
teams to see
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2
3
4
5
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7
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10
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Aberdeen HigH ScHool
100 Bulldog Blvd., Aberdeen
662-369-8933
Aliceville HigH ScHool
417 3rd St. SE, Aliceville
205-373-6378
Amory HigH ScHool
1006 Sam Haskell Circle, Amory
662-256-5753
cAledoniA HigH ScHool
111 Confederate Drive, Caledonia
662-356-2001
centrAl AcAdemy
300 Hale Street, Macon
662-726-5846
columbuS HigH ScHool
215 Hemlock Street, Columbus
662-241-7200
eASt oktibbeHA county HigH ScHool
178 Moor High Road, Crawford
662-272-5603
eASt WebSter county HigH ScHool
195 Old Cumberland Road, Maben
662-263-5321
HAmilton HigH ScHool
40201 Hamilton Road, Hamilton
662-343-8307
Hebron cHriStiAn ScHool
6230 Henryville Road, Pheba
662-494-7513
HeritAge AcAdemy
625 Magnolia Lane, Columbus
662-327-5272
immAnuel center for cHriStiAn educAtion
6405 Military Road, Steens
662-328-7888
lAmAr county HigH ScHool
43880 Hwy. 17 S, Vernon
205-695-7129
louiSville HigH ScHool
200 Ivy Avenue, Louisville
662-773-3431
neW Hope HigH ScHool
3419 New Hope Road, Columbus
662-244-4701
noxubee county HigH ScHool
16478 Hwy. 45, Macon
662-76-4428
oAk Hill AcAdemy
800 N. Eshman, West Point
662-494-0301
pickenS AcAdemy
225 Ray Bass Road, Carrollton
205-367-8144
pickenS county HigH ScHool
205 4th Ave. SE, Reform
256-375-2344
SoutH lAmAr ScHool
300 Sls Road, Millport
205-662-4411
StArkville AcAdemy
505 Academy Drive, Starkville
662-323-7814
StArkville HigH ScHool
603 Yellowjacket Drive, Starville
662-324-4130
Sulligent HigH ScHool
661 Elm Street, Sulligent
205-698-9254
victory cHriStiAn AcAdemy
374 Mill Road, Columbus
662-327-7744
WeSt loWndeS HigH ScHool
644 South Frontage Road, Columbus
662-244-5070
WeSt oktibbeHA county HigH ScHool
2459 Holland Street, Maben
662-263-8106
WeSt point HigH ScHool
950 S. Eshman Avenue, West Point
662-494-5083
WinSton AcAdemy
111 Richardson Road, Louisville
662-773-3569
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By AdAm minichino
STEENS KC Cun-
ninghams smile could
mean big things for the Im-
manuel Christian School
football team in 2013.
A year ago, Cunning-
ham split time at quarter-
back with eighth-grader
Steven Good. The Eagles
used two quarterbacks in
an effort to mix their looks
and to balance the offense.
For Cunningham, the
duty was challenging be-
cause he is a natural runner
who has played running
back most of his football
career.
The transfer of JJ Swan-
agin from Columbus High
School paved the way for
Cunningham to return to
the kind of work he loves.
Its the kind of work that
involves a lot of carries and
shifting through defenses
to fnd a route to pay dirt.
Cunningham fgures to
get plenty of those oppor-
tunities and just as many
chances to smile this
season with the 6-foot-3
Swanagin taking over at
quarterback. Swanagins
arrival and Goods and
move out of the area means
Cunningham will be the
Rams primary ground
threat this season.
I was pretty happy af-
ter (football coach Greg
Watkins) told me, Cun-
ningham said. I am not
going to lie. I really didnt
like quarterback. It is re-
ally hard and it was a big
change for me. I am glad
Swanagin came over. It is
really going to help us this
year.
The Rams, who fnished
3-8 and went winless in
Class 2A, District 2, also
should beneft from a re-
turn to health by senior
wide receiver/defensive
back Jaelin Bankhead,
who broke his ankle in the
second game of the season
against Leake Academy.
In addition to the play-
er movement, Immanuel
Christian did some mov-
ing of its own, dropping to
Class 1A, District 2 in the
Mississippi Association of
Independent Schools latest
round of reclassifcation.
Instead of playing perenni-
al powerhouses like Leake
Academy and Winston
Academy, Immanuel Chris-
tian will be paired with Car-
roll Academy, Deer Creek
School, and Greenville
Christian School.
Watkins welcomes all
of the news, especially the
player changes because
they likely will add a differ-
ent dimension to the teams
offense, in part because
Cunningham is an ideal ft
at running back.
KC is a hard runner,
Watkins said. He can
run the option and make a
whole lot of things happen.
Out of the quarterback po-
sition last year, he was limit-
ed, unless we were running
the option, so we will get to
utilize KC a whole lot more
out of the backfeld and at
slot receiver. I think KC is
happy with that. He is a real
good team player and has
worked hard all summer.
He is really excited about
the start of the season.
Watkins imagines the
possibility with Swanagin at
quarterback, Cunningham
in the backfeld, and the
5-8, 155-pound Bankhead
at wide receiver. He said
Swanagin and Cunningham
could be paired in the back-
feld out of the shotgun. He
said they also could rotate
at quarterback if the Rams
spot a size mismatch that
they want to try to capitalize
on with Swanagin.
As much as he doesnt
like to play quarterback,
Cunningham likely wont
mind if he goes back to his
old position a few times if
it will help the team score.
Under the current spots in
the lineup, Cunningham
is looking forward to his
chance to do the scoring.
It boosts your spirits
and gives you confdence
in the season because you
know what youre going to
do because you know how
to do it, Cunningham said.
Like Cunningham,
Bankhead is motivated to
have a bounce back season.
He said he notices a differ-
ence in the teams strength
and confdence after work-
ing out in the CrossFit
program. Initially, Watkins
said the team didnt use
many, if any, weights to do
the exercises. The work-
outs were so tough, Wat-
kins said that the players
wanted to go back into the
weight room. The diligence
of the players in the work-
outs has carried over to
training camp.
Last year, we had two
or three guys in the weight
room at the beginning who
were in here and were work-
ing hard and you could feed
off, Watkins said. That is
one good thing about this
year. We have come in and
everybody has had that
hard-work attitude.
Watkins said Cunning-
ham and Bankhead epito-
mize that approach. While
Cunningham is giddy to
be at what he feels is his
true position, Watkins feels
Bankhead has surpassed
where he was last year be-
fore h got hurt, which is a
promising sign for this sea-
son.
Today we do what
others cant so tomorrow
we do what others wont,
Bankhead said. We say it
every day. I have noticed a
difference. We have come a
long way since last year. We
are faster and stronger and
everything.
immanuel CHRiSTian SCHOOl RamS
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Class 1A, District 2A; 2012 Record: 3-8 (0-5)
GOOD LUCK!
Window Treatments!
Roller Shades Wood Blinds Vertical Blinds
Mini Blinds Plantation Shutters
Free Estimates Residential Commercial

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130 S. McCrary Rd. Columbus, MS 329-1557
Thats what we do.
We hope all our area teams
(and their fans) enjoy a great season!
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 DELTA ACA.
Aug. 30 At Winona
Christian
Sept. 6 CARROLL ACA.
Sept. 13 At New Site
Sept. 20 At Heidelberg Aca.
Sept. 27 At Greenville
Christian
Oct. 4 PARK PLACE
CHRISTIAN
Oct. 11 At West Memphis
Christian
Oct. 18 NEWTON CO. ACA.
Oct. 25 DEER CREEK ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 L, 0-37
At Winona
Aug. 24 L, 12-50
LEAKE
Aug. 31 L, 0-48
At Marshall
Sept. 7 W, 82-80 7OT
NEW SITE
Sept. 14 L, 26-62
At Canton
Sept. 21 W, 42-0
At Park Place
Sept. 28 W, 22-12
CARROLL
Oct. 5 L, 14-58
At Potts Camp
Oct. 12 L, 12-41
MANCHESTER
Oct. 19 L, 28-64
At Winston
Oct. 26 L, 19-20
OAK HILL
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 1A
District 2A
Carroll Academy
Deer Creek School
Greenville Christian
Immanuel Christian
playoffs
Caledonia
Continued from Page 5
to address with his game
when they hit the flm
room.
Coach told me were
strong physically, but
we have a lot mentally to
work on, Cunningham
said. (Its) mainly help-
ing guys out while were
playing, tell them when
theyre wrong and make
sure they get it. Im in that
role now, and to get guys
up to speed quicker.
Cliett said senior quar-
terback Ben Marchbanks,
who led the team in touch-
downs (14) and passing
and rushing yards last
season, has embraced the
same role bestowed upon
he and Cunningham.
Hes ready to have a
break-year, Cliett said of
Marchbanks.
Improving the teams
offense is paramount. The
Confederates averaged
just 17 points per district
game last season.
The team should get
a boost from the return
of running back Onter-
rio Lowrey, who had 361
rushing yards last season.
With Louisville drop-
ping to Class 3A, Noxubee
County is the favorite to
repeat as district champi-
ons. But teams like Hous-
ton and Kosciusko arent
weak sisters of the divi-
sion, Crotwell said.
His team has a little
more than 30 players on
the roster and can ill-af-
ford injuries.
Thats why the work
this summer and right
now is so crucial, Crot-
well said. We must be
prepared for a long, physi-
cal season. Thats the big-
gest thing for us.
COaCHing STaff
Head coach
Greg Watkins
n Rob Barron
n Antwann Richardson
n Dickie Peralto
n A move from Class 2A,
District 2 likely will be a wel-
come change for Immanuel
Christian School. The Rams
were 1-9 against district
opponents the past two sea-
sons. They lost those games
by an average of more than
25 points a game.
a new HOme
1A
n Columbus High School
transfer JJ Swanagin
stands 6-foot-3 and weighs
195 pounds. Coach Greg
Watkins believes he has
the potential to be a
game-changer.
a new PlaYeR
6-3
TOP: Immanuel Christian School junior running back KC Cunningham goes low to get leverage to fip a big tire as part of a workout during a
recent practice. Pushing tires is part of a CrossFit workout program the team adopted to improve its core strength and conditioning.
BELOW: Immanuel Christian School senior Jaelin Bankhead gives a tire a fnal push after getting it upright.
ChAngeS ShoulD mAke RAmS fASteR, StRongeR
Cunningham moves from QB to RB as team welcomes Columbus high transfer Swanagin, gets healthy Bankhead back
From kids to pros ...
We cover the feld.
The Commercial Dispatch Sports
By AdAm minichino
Desire and preparation
sounds like a simple formula.
Each year, a group of leaders
sets the tone for a team and helps
determine how hard a team is
going to work. Some dont mind
working out every day in the
summer months in Mississippi
because they know it is going to
put them ahead of the game when
its time for the season to begin.
But preparation is only part of
the equation.
The second part involves a
commitment that continues into
the season and lasts through the
ups and the downs.
The Victory Christian foot-
ball team hasnt played a game
this season, but Hunter Austin
is confdent the 2013 Rams have
prepared for what is ahead. The
senior tight end/linebacker also
believes the even though Victo-
ry Christian is small in numbers
with 14 players, it has the desire
to re-claim its place as the best
team in the Christian Football
Association.
We had pretty much the
whole team come in four days a
week in the gym or down (at the
feld in the summer), Austin
said. You could tell there is a
desire there to win and get better
and get it back where it is sup-
posed to be.
It has been four years since
Victory Christian held the title
of CFA champion. The champi-
onship in 2009 was the schools
second in as many years and was
part of 3-game winning streak
that ended with a 24-20 loss to
archrival Tuscaloosa Christian
in the CFA title game on Nov. 5,
2010. Since then, Victory Chris-
tian hasnt been able to live up
to those lofty standards, but that
doesnt mean the Eagles have
quit trying.
Austin is one of three seniors
on this years team who wants
to help the program return to
the glory days. He said waking
up at 6 a.m. for summer work-
victory christian eagles
Alabama Christian 8-Man League; 2012 Record: 3-6 (3-2)
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 At Hebron
Aug. 30 NEW LIFE
Sept. 6 At Evangel
Sept. 13 At Tabernacle
Sept. 20 EZEKIEL
ACADEMY
Sept. 27 At Tuscaloosa
Oct. 4 At New Life
Oct. 11 At First
Assembly
Oct. 18 TUSCALOOSA
Oct. 25 CFA Playoff
Nov. 1 CFA
Championship
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 L, 42-68
At Clinton
Christian
Aug. 24 L, 20-48
HEBRON
CHRISTIAN
Aug. 31 W, 43-32
New Life
Sept. 7 Open Date
Sept. 14 L, 14-52
At Tabernacle
Sept. 21 L, 6-35
EVANGEL
Sept. 28 W, 61-0
FLINT HILL
Oct. 5 Open Date
Oct. 11 W, 49-6
NORTH RIVER
Oct. 19 L, 22-41
At Tuscaloosa
Oct. 26 L, 42-52
At Tuscaloosa
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
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The Dispatch
coaching staff
Head coach
Chris Hamm
n Kevin Harrell Defense,
Special Teams
n Todd Dyer Defense
n Ronnie McDaniel
Offense
n Andrew Pace
n Jerry McCrary Strength
and Conditioning
n Rodney Sullivan Trainer
From left: Victory Christian Academys Cody Bolton, Anthony Sharp, and Hunter Austin will play key roles this season as the Eagles try to
bounce back from a 3-6 fnish in 2012.
VCA hopeS deSiRe, pRepARAtion pAVe title RoAd
See VICTORY, 19
approved to become the
schools new head coach.
Last season, Gregory
served as defensive backs
coach and special teams
coordinator for Bradley,
who went 3-8 last season
and resigned in January
after seven seasons. Brad-
ley, who was head football
coach at Mooreville High
(six years) and Pearl River
Central (three years) be-
fore coming to New Hope,
was 41-40 in seven seasons.
He inherited a program
stuck in a seven-year run of
losing seasons. He led the
team to a 1-9 fnish in his
frst season in 2006, but he
helped the program go 6-4
in 2007.
New Hope had its best
seasons under Bradley
the next three years. In
2008, New Hope went 8-5
in Class 4A before moving
up to Class 5A the following
season. In 2009, New Hope
went 11-2 and lost to West
Point in the North State f-
nal. The Trojans went 8-5
in 2010. They slipped to 4-7
in 2011. They havent quali-
fed for the postseason the
past two years.
Gregory, who was a
member of New Hope
Highs football, boys bas-
ketball, baseball, and track
and feld teams, plans to
change that. Gregory went
on to be a standout quar-
terback at Jackson State
University (1987-1990). As
a senior at JSU, he earned
frst-team All-Southwest-
ern Athletic Conference
honors after leading the
team with 2,762 passing
yards. That season he
also set an NCAA record
for most yards gained per
completion (33) in a 52-14
victory against Southern
University. Gregory had 14
completions for 462 yards
in the victory. In 2009, he
was elected to JSUs Sports
Hall of Fame.
Gregorys coaching
journey began in 1996,
when he served as offen-
sive coordinator/quarter-
backs and running backs
coach at Redan High (Ga.).
The coaching road took
him to the college level
Morris Brown College,
Tuskegee University, Mis-
sissippi Valley State Uni-
versity, Samford University
to the pros he worked
as an intern with the San
Diego Chargers wide re-
ceivers in 2004-05 and as
an intern with the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers quarter-
backs in 2006 and back
to the high school level for
several stops in the state
of Alabama before he re-
turned to his alma mater.
Since taking over the
program, Gregory has an-
swered some questions
and still has others to re-
solve. One thing is for cer-
tain: New Hope will play
with tempo. Gregory feels a
faster pace will help get his
players into better shape
and will help them think
faster on the feld on
both sides of the ball.
I dont want them to
have to catch up to the
speed of the game, Greg-
ory said of his defense,
which faced the up-tempo
approach in the summer
and is going against it ev-
ery day in training camp.
I want them to already be
accustomed to the speed of
the game.
Returning starting
quarterback Brady Davis, a
junior, has taken the major-
ity of the snaps in practice
and has grown comfortable
digesting Gregorys hand
movements and fguring
out which play is being
called in seconds. He said
Gregorys attack is based
on similar concepts the
team used last season. The
difference is the Trojans
are moving faster and us-
ing hand signals to send
the play in from the side-
lines. Last year, New Hope
used numbered cards to
signal in its plays.
I have to get everybody
set as quick and off the ball
as quickly as we can and
try to catch the defense off
guard, Davis said. He said
the Trojans goal is to have
a balanced offense that
mixes the run and the pass.
In training camp, Davis
has used his athleticism to
direct a read-option attack,
a play-action attack, and a
quick-passing attack that is
predicated on short drops
and fast deliveries.
Davis said he is com-
fortable in the offense and
ready to go, thanks in large
part to Gregory, who he
said has helped him im-
prove in a number of ways.
He is a genius when it
comes to football, Davis
said. The biggest change
I have had is I am able to
get the ball out a lot quicker
with him.
Gregory likes what he
has seen from Davis in
the summer and in train-
ing camp. He is confdent
Davis will be able to direct
the passing game, but he
knows the Trojans will
have to run the ball to keep
defenses honest. A year
ago, New Hope struggled
to establish a consistent
ground game, which Greg-
ory said could be a problem
if it happens again this year.
If we cant run the ball,
a lot of things are going to
be limited to what we re-
ally want to do, Gregory
said. I am not a guy who
is going to rely on the pass.
I dont want to rely on the
run. I want to be balanced,
but I want to have the ca-
pability to do both. We are
going to try to establish
the run because if we dont
show physicality in this of-
fense it aint going to work.
Senior Javontay Lewis
believes New Hope can
develop that balance. He
hopes a faster pace will
help the offense confuse
defenses and give the Tro-
jans opportunities to ex-
ploit Davis faster release.
Lewis has seen plenty of
those throws come in his
direction playing safety,
cornerback, and outside
linebacker. He said the new
tempo has changed the at-
mosphere at practice.
Coach is really turning
it up, Lewis said. We are
full speed everywhere we
go. We are just going to
play together and get after
it much faster.
If Lewis has tried to
defend the offense, senior
wide receiver DeAngelo
Hamilton also has had to
adjust. He said the pace has
forced all of the Trojans to
bring it every day in prac-
tice to ensure they dont fall
behind. He said the team
has come a long way in a
short time, but he knows
they still have a ways to go.
It is a mind thing,
Hamilton said. We have
the athletic ability to do
anything we want to. ... We
need to rely on each other.
When one person is down,
you cant let them be down.
You have to pick them up
on your shoulders and tell
them, Cmon, lets go. We
have a state championship
to win.
Hamilton said the Tro-
jans believe in Gregory
and his faster tempo. He
doesnt shy away from say-
ing the Trojans can play for
a state title if they get over
their mind thing.
Davis ability to led the
attack also will play a big
role in determining New
Hopes fortunes. If the Tro-
jans believe in Gregory, its
safe to say they have to feel
good about their chances
with Davis at quarterback.
Brady is a bright,
young kid, Gregory said.
Football is what he can
do. He is always picking
my brain, which I like. I
like for a guy I dont care
what position, especially
quarterback to pick my
brain. He has taken the of-
fense and pretty much ran
with it. He is very special.
A lot of quarterbacks never
have had the opportuni-
ty or capability to do
that, even on the college
level. That speaks highly
about what he is doing and
what he is capable of doing
from an IQ standpoint in
the offense, but his athlet-
ic ability speaks for itself. I
am looking forward to him
turning it around. He has
already shown he can do it.
We just have to rally around
him and I think we will be
fne.
west lowndes panthers
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 At Montgomery
County
Aug. 30 HERITAGE
ACADEMY
Sept. 6 Open Date
Sept. 13 PELAHATCHIE
Sept. 20 At French Camp
Sept. 27 ETHEL
Oct. 4 At West
Oktibbeha
Oct. 11 NANIH WAIYA
Oct. 18 At East
Oktibbeha
Oct. 25 SEBASTOPOL
Nov. 1 Open Date
Nov. 8 NOXAPATER
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 W, 33-6
MONTGOMERY CO.
Aug. 24 L, 12-66
CALEDONIA
Aug. 31 L, 0-55
Shannon
Sept. 7 W, 27-14
At Ethel
Sept. 14 Open Date
Sept. 21 W, 14-0
EAST OKTIBBEHA
Sept. 28 L, 0-28
At Noxapater
Oct. 5 L, 6-40
PELAHATCHIE
Oct. 12 L, 8-44
At West Oktibbeha
Oct. 19 L, 14-28
NANIH WAIYA
Oct. 26 W, 14-7
At Weir
Nov. 2 W, 36-22
SEBASTOPOL
Nov. 9 L, 36-57
At Bogue Chitto
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 1A
Region 3
East Oktibbeha
Ethel
French Camp
Nanih Camp
Noxapater
Pelahatchie
Sebastopol
West Lowndes
West Oktibbeha
playoffs
CoaChing staff
Head coach
Shawn Gregory
n Dale Hardin
Defensive Coordinator
n Mike Bailey
Linebackers
n Joel Cosgrove
Defensive Line
n Eric Guerrero
Running Backs
n Bob Reeves
Special Teams Coordinator /
Offensive Line
n Greg Hunt
Offensive Line
n Bryan Walker
Quarterbacks
New Hope
Continued from page 6
CoaChing staff
Head coach
Anthony King
n Eddie Chapman
Defensive Backs /
Linebackers
n Gregory Stephenson
Offensive Line
n Fredrick Magee
Quarterbacks
By DAVID MILLER
Anthony King knows
expectations and eye-
brows will raise when
he says his team is the
most talented he has had
as a coach.
One may think the sec-
ond-year West Lowndes
High School football coach
is gassed off last seasons
playoff berth the Mis-
sissippi Department of Ed-
ucation disqualifed Gold-
en Triangle rival West
Oktibbeha County High
when he gushes about
his teams athleticism and
experience and the im-
provement it made in the
summer. But its sincere;
King hasnt had a winning
season in his previous four
seasons as a head coach.
The former East Oktibbe-
ha County High coach and
Noxubee County High as-
sistant knows what level of
talent and commitment he
has been missing.
We were young last
year, and it showed, King
said. Now all were wor-
ried about is youth at de-
fensive line. Even then,
that group has great ath-
leticism. This years team
should make a big dent in
the district.
Creating dents in op-
posing teams backfelds
will be a pair of tenured
linebackers: Phytrell and
JeVontrae Williams.
Cousins and starting
varsity linebackers for the
past three years, Phytrell
and JeVontrae combined
for more than 200 tackles
and three interceptions
last season. Phytrell, the
starting middle lineback-
er, led the team with 143
stops.
Both players are strong,
versatile, and keen to seek
out contact. Each prefers a
primary method of play.
For Tre, its to cover
slot receivers and backs
in man coverage. For Phy-
trell, its to blitz and to
shoot gaps. Tre said his
greatest offseason gains
came in seven-on-seven
drills in the summer, when
he learned more route
combinations. Phytrell
said hes stronger, more
precise in reading keys,
and ready for his coach to
give him more than the 12
blitzes per game he called
in 2012.
I prefer to blitz, always
QUARTERBACK
Justin Stephenson (Sr.),
Daniel Davis (Jr.)
nStephenson enters his
second year as the starter
after throwing eight touch-
downs and 1,200 yards in
2012. His strength is pass-
ing and his command of the
offense, West Lowndes
coach Anthony King said.
RUNNING BACK
Eric Harris (Soph.),
Tyshon Rogers (Jr.),
Trey Williams (Jr.)
nHarris led West
Lowndes with 532 yards on
88 carries last season.
Hes our leader on of-
fense, King said. We have
to stay balanced in how we
use him.
RECEIVERS
Anthony Liddell (Sr.),
Danial Davis (Jr.),
Dearia Douglas (Sr.),
Joshua King (Jr.)
nLiddell will be the
teams No. 1 wide out and
deep-ball threat.
Anthony has height, can
fy, and catch the ball, King
said. Hell open up a lot for
other players.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Taras Woodson (Soph.),
Desi Givens (Sr.),
Tory Evans (Sr.),
DeVonte Porter (Soph.),
Denzell Beckwith,
Karyon Harris (Soph.)
nWoodson and Givens
are returning starters and
the lines biggest players at
270 and 250 pounds.
Having depth here will
keep us from playing a lot of
guys both ways, King said.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Tyrese Wells (Fr.),
Jamarquis Jefferson
(Soph.), Lamaron Fair (Fr.),
Kendrick Sanders (Sr.),
Javarious Ellis (Jr.)
nThe Panthers run a
fve-man front and are bank-
ing on athleticism to trump
inexperience.
LINEBACKER
Phytrell Williams (Sr.),
JeVontrae Williams (Jr.),
Tyshon Rogers (Jr.)
nWilliams is the teams
leading tackler from a year
ago. He runs a 4.5-second
40-yard dash and can blitz
and play coverage.
This group gives me a
lot of fexibility because they
each can run, King said.
SECONDARY
Roy Miller (Jr.),
Dearia Douglas (Sr.),
Anthony Liddell (Sr.)
Liddell is the ball hawk of
the group.
SPECIALISTS
Javarious Ellis (Jr.)
The Panthers lost start-
ing kicker Mike Williams
from 2012.
David Miller
a Closer look
WilliAmS CouSinS WAnt to CAuSe hAvoC
Linebackers Tre Williams, left, and his cousin, Phytrell Williams, will be two key cogs
of the West Lowndes High School defense this season.
have, Phytrell said. Last
year, Id say about 80 per-
cent of the blitzes I had
ended up being a negative
play (for the opposing
team).
Its not just me. Our
linebackers are really
good. I dont expect any-
one to run the ball on us.
King agrees, and his
confdence outpaces that
of his middle linebacker.
They can all fy, King
said. Now these guys are
calling out plays before it
happens. I dont expect a
lot of teams to score on us
this year.
The Panthers fnished
5-7 and 4-4 in Class 1A,
Region 3 in 2012. They
lost 57-36 to Bogue Chit-
to in the frst round of
the playoffs. With Bogue
Chitto, French Camp, and
Noxapater considered fa-
vorites for the top three
spots, West Lowndes is in
good position to return to
the playoffs if it can fend
off the rest of the district
for fourth place.
The dent King hopes
to make in the district
will be felt only by the di-
visions top three teams,
and Tre is keen to see it
happen.
Were better, so we
should expect to play bet-
ter against those teams,
he said. We feel like we
can take it to the next lev-
el.
While King will lean
on his linebackers and
speedy secondary to pace
the team, he also is keen
to see running back Eric
Harris get more touches
per game. Harris scored
eight touchdowns and ran
for more than 500 yards
last season, but there
were too many moments
when he was shut down
in the run game or unable
to get passes from Justin
Stephenson, who returns
with new pistol read op-
tion plays and improved
passing skills.
With 15 returning
starters, King may just
have what he needs to
make a dent in 1A-3.
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NORTH COLUMBUS
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AMORY
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662-257-4048
MHSAA, MAIS ClASSIfICAtIonS Columbus
Conner or Kevin Jackson.
Either way, Lee knows
he has to be on because
he is a beacon that lights
the way for Falcons.
I always have to have
my guard up, Lee said.
I have to be my toes be-
cause, I say this in a hum-
ble way, the Lord has put
me in a leadership posi-
tion where people look
to me. If I falter or fall,
people see that. I am not
going to say I dont make
mistakes, but I have to be
on my game. I have to be
all the time. Luckily, the
Lord is with me.
The strength in Lees
voice comes from God. A
member of Fairview Bap-
tist Church all his life, Lee
has followed a path set by
his mother, Tammy Nor-
dquist. He understands
that his ability to throw a
football or a baseball or to
kick a soccer ball comes
from God, as does the
power and the wisdom to
speak up and be a team
leader.
I cant do anything
without God because
without Him I wouldnt
be able to play, Lee said.
He keeps me humble. It
is nothing that I do. He
is giving me the platform
to be a leader for Him. If
I dont do that, it is use-
less. Its is something that
I have had to realize that
everything that I have
everything I will have
is because of Him.
Lees message is de-
signed to uplift his team-
mates and to bring them
together. He realizes he
needs to be a leader who
pushes the Falcons to
aspire to greatness. He
recently tried to convey
that notion by tweeting
out the quotation, A true
leader does not fall to the
standards of others but
yet sets a standard and
brings people up to it.
Columbus High foot-
ball coach Tony Stanford
has watched Lee mature
into a leader. This year, he
has seen a change in his
quarterback.
He is more of a vocal
leader than he has been in
the past, Stanford said.
This year, you still see
how he works and every-
thing, but now he is a little
more vocal out there and
is trying to get hyped up
and working a little hard-
er.
Stanford said Lee
didnt have to change that
much to become a more
vocal leader. In past years,
he said Lee was more of a
lead-by-example type who
deferred to others. Lee
has listened to the coach-
es preaching that seniors
need to be leaders, and he
believes this is his and the
teams chance to shine.
Its only natural for Lee
to use his most powerful
weapon his faith as
his instrument to bring
everyone together.
I think everybody
looks up to him on the
team because of his faith,
Stanford said. They
know he is very religious.
Anytime I ask somebody
to pray, he is one of them
who is always willing to
pray in front of the team.
Stanford said he has
brought more prayer
into the team because he
feels his mission is that
football feld and that the
Lord put him out there to
teach them how to believe
in the Lord. He said Lee
mother instilled the right
values in Trace, his sister,
and his older brother, Ty-
son.
His momma did a tre-
mendous job, Stanford
said. You know the way
he acts that his momma
made him go to church,
and now it is just a regular
thing.
In fact, Stanford said
Lee recently got onto
him one day because the
team went late at practice
on a Wednesday. As a re-
sult, Lee was late getting
to church. The next day,
he made sure Stanford
knew about it.
Today, he is telling
me, It is Wednesday to-
day, coach, Stanford
said. I said, All right, we
will get out of here about
5:30 p.m.
Some leaders might
not have said anything to
the coach for fear of up-
setting him. But Lee has
learned there are times
players need to speak up
and call teammates out
when they think some-
thing isnt going the right
way. He said speaking up
isnt meant to show one
player is better than an-
other. A leader speaks up,
Lee said, to make sure
all of the players are held
accountable when they ar-
ent pulling their weight.
Listen.
Trace Lee has some-
thing to say.
We have to be one.
We have to be a unit, Lee
said. If were not, it is all
going to fall apart on the
feld.
Years in the making,
Lee feels he has the re-
spect of his teammates
and the confdence to
challenge his teammates
to reach their potential
and go beyond it. If he
and his classmates can
demand that from each
other and the rest of the
Falcons, there is no tell-
ing what they can accom-
plish.
Listen
The Columbus High
football team has some-
thing to say.
He teaches me exam-
ples every day, Lee said.
It is not about me. That
is the main thing because
once and for all, people
do follow me, but I point
them to Him. It is not
what I do. It is what He
does through me. It af-
fects me to know I know
He is going to be there for
me and he is going to give
me the strength to go on.
I have to give Him my
best and He will do the
rest of the work.
Mississippi
Association of
Independent
Schools
11-Man Football
Class A
District 1A
DeSoto County Academy
Lee Academy (Ark.)
Marshall Academy
Tunica Academy
West Memphis Christian School
(Tenn.)
District 2A
Carroll Academy
Deer Creek School
Greenville Christian School
Immanuel Christian School
District 3A
Benton Academy
Central Holmes Christian School
Heidelberg Academy
Newton County Academy
Sylva-Bay Academy
District 4A
Chamberlain-Hunt Academy
Porters Chapel Academy
Tallulah Academy
Trinity Episcopal Day School
Wilkinson County Christian
Academy
District 5A
Cenla Academy
Claiborne Academy
Riverdale Academy
Union Christian Academy
Eight-Man Football
District 6
Delta Academy
Humphreys Academy
Marvell Academy
North Sunfower Academy
Sharkey-Issaquena Academy
District 7
Calhoun Academy
Central Academy
Hebron Christian School
Kemper Academy
Strider Academy
District 8
Briarfeld Academy
Clinton Christian Academy
Franklin Academy
Mt. Salus Christian School
Tensas Academy
District 9
Calvary Christian School
Christian Collegiate Academy
Rebul Academy
The Veritas Academy
Class AA
District 1AA
Bayou Academy
Indianola Academy
Kirk Academy
Lee Academy
North Delta School
Winona Christian School
District 2AA
Canton Academy
Leake Academy
Manchester Academy
Oak Hill Academy
Tri-County Academy
Winston Academy
District 3AA
Glenbrook School
Prairie View Academy
River Oaks School
Riverdale Academy
District 4AA
Hartfeld Academy
Laurel Christian School
Park Place Christian Academy
Simpson Academy
Wayne Academy
District 5AA
Adams County Christian
Academy
Amite School Center
Brookhaven Academy
Central Hinds Academy
Prentiss Christian School
District 6AA
Bowling Green School
Bens Ford School
Centreville Academy
Central Private School
Silliman Institute
Class AAA
District 1AAA
Jackson Academy (Division I)
Madison-Ridgeland Academy
(Division I)
Washington School (Division I)
Heritage Academy (Division II)
Hillcrest Christian (Division II)
(Division II)
Pillow Academy (Division II)
Starkville Academy (Division
II)
District 2AAA
Jackson Prep (Division I)
Parklane Academy (Division I)
Presbyterian Christian (Division I)
Columbia Academy (Division II)
Copiah Academy (Division II)
East Rankin Academy (Division
II)
Lamar School (Division II)
Oak Forest Academy (Division II)
Mississippi High
School Activities
Association
Class 1A
Region 1
Biggersville
Coffeeville
Coldwater
Falkner
Hamilton
Houlka
Smithville
Thrasher
Vardaman
Region 2
Broad Street
Durant
J.F. Kennedy
McAdams
Montgomery County
Ray Brooks
Shaw
St. Aloysius
St. Joseph-Greenville
Region 3
East Oktibbeha
Ethel
French Camp
Nanih Waiya
Noxapater
Pelahatchie
Sebastopol
West Lowndes
West Oktibbeha
Region 4
Bogue Chitto
Cathedral
Dexter
Hinds AHS
Lumberton
Mount Olive
Resurrection
Sacred Heart
Salem
Stringer
MSD (Eight-Man)
Class 2A
Region 1
Baldwyn
East Union
Hatley
Mantachie
New Site
Walnut
Region 2
Coahoma AHS
Coahoma County
H.W. Byers
Potts Camp
Strayhorn
West Tallahatchie
Region 3
J.Z. George
Hollandale Simmons
Leland
Riverside
South Delta
West Bolivar
Region 4
Bruce
Calhoun City
East Webster
Eupora
Okolona
Region 5
Clarkdale
Enterprise-Clarke
Lake
Newton
Scott Central
Union
Region 6
Leake County
Pisgah
Puckett
S.V. Marshall
St. Joseph-Madison
Williams-Sullivan
Region 7
Amite County
Bassfeld
East Marion
Enterprise-Lincoln
Loyd Star
West Lincoln
Region 8
Bay Springs
Mize
North Forest
Richton
Taylorsville
Heidelberg
Class 3A
Region 1
Alcorn Central
Belmont
Booneville
Kossuth
Mooreville
North Pontotoc
Region 2
Charleston
Holly Springs
Independence
M.S. Palmer
North Panola
Water Valley
Region 3
East Side
Humphreys County
J.J. McClain
Lefore County
OBannon
Ruleville
Region 4
Aberdeen
Kemper County
Louisville
MSMS
Nettleton
South Pontotoc
Winona
Region 5
Choctaw Central
Forest
Choctaw County
Philadelphia
Raleigh
SE Lauderdale
Region 6
Collins
McLaurin
Morton
Prentiss
St. Andrews
Velma Jackson
Region 7
Crystal Springs
Franklin County
Hazlehurst
Jefferson County
Wesson
Wilkinson County
Region 8
Our Lady Academy
Perry Central
Seminary
St. Patrick
Sumrall
Tylertown
West Marion
Class 4A
Region 1
Amory
Corinth
Itawamba AHS
Pontotoc
Shannon
Tishomingo County
Region 2
Byhalia
Lafayette
New Albany
Ripley
Rosa Fort
Senatobia
Region 3
Amanda Elzy
Cleveland
Gentry
Greenwood
Yazoo City
Yazoo County
Region 4
Caledonia
Houston
Kosciusko
Leake Central
West Lauderdale
Noxubee County
Region 5
Forrest AHS
Greene County
NE Jones
NE Lauderdale
Newton County
Quitman
Region 6
Florence Magee
Mendenhall
Port Gibson
Raymond
Richland
Region 7
Columbia
Lawrence County
McComb
North Pike
Purvis
South Pike
Region 8
Bay
Moss Point
Pass Christian
Poplarville
St. Stanislaus
Vancleave
Class 5A
Region 1
Center Hill
Clarksdale
Lake Cormorant
Lewisburg
New Hope
Oxford
Saltillo
West Point
Region 2
Canton
Germantown
Neshoba Central
Ridgeland
Callaway
Lanier
Pearl
Vicksburg
Region 3
Laurel
South Jones
Wayne County
West Jones
Brookhaven
Natchez
Pearl River Central
Wingfeld
Region 4
Long Beach
Picayune
Stone
West Harrison
East Central
Gautier
George County
Pascagoula
Class 6A
Region 1
DeSoto Central
Horn Lake
Olive Branch
Southaven
Grenada
Hernando
South Panola
Tupelo
Region 2
Columbus
Madison Central
Northwest Rankin
Starkville
Clinton
Greenville
Murrah
Warren Central
Region 3
Brandon
Meridian
Petal
Oak Grove
Forest Hill
Jim Hill
Provine
Terry
Region 4
Gulfport
Hancock
Harrison Central
Hattiesburg
Biloxi
DIberville
Ocean Springs
St. Martin
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MHSAA
Region 1-6A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
South Panola 7 0 13 2 445 248
Olive Branch 6 1 11 2 428 291
Southaven 5 2 8 4 318 223
Columbus 4 3 7 5 188 161
DeSoto Central 2 5 6 5 263 228
Grenada 2 5 4 7 241 217
Tupelo 2 5 4 7 214 244
Horn Lake 0 7 2 9 79 308
Playoff results
Madison Central 42, Columbus 7
Region 1-5A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
West Point 7 0 11 3 478 182
Oxford 6 1 11 2 334 193
Saltillo 4 3 7 5 296 269
Center Hill 4 3 5 7 208 300
Lake Cormorant 3 4 6 5 222 167
Clarksdale 2 5 4 7 183 292
Hernando 1 6 3 8 173 231
New Hope 1 6 3 8 174 300
Playoff results
West Point 38, Canton 0
West Point 56, Ridgeland 21
Starkville 29, West Point 28, OT
Region 2-5A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Starkville 7 0 12 3 433 185
Ridgeland 6 1 9 4 303 248
Provine 3 4 6 6 263 237
Canton 3 4 5 7 200 212
Yazoo City 3 4 6 5 177 176
Callaway 3 4 5 6 228 228
Neshoba Central 3 4 5 6 200 184
Lanier 0 7 0 11 46 488
Playoff results
Starkville 45, Saltillo 7
Starkville 28, Oxford 7
Starkville 29, West Point 28, OT
Starkville 28, Pascagoula 11
Region 4-4A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Noxubee County 5 0 16 0 545 122
Louisville 4 1 10 5 487 337
Houston 3 2 11 3 445 237
Kosciusko 2 3 4 8 238 341
Leake Central 1 4 3 8 212 348
Caledonia 0 5 4 7 273 307
Playoff results
Noxubee County 42, Shannon 6
Noxubee County 14, Lafayette County 0
Noxubee County 16, Itawamba AHS 3
Noxubee County 41, Louisville 21
Noxubee County 16, Greene County 6
Louisville 42, Corinth 19
Louisville 38, New Albany 13
Louisville 46, Houston 21
Region 2-3A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Aberdeen 5 0 11 3 467 299
Water Valley 4 1 10 3 486 195
Mantachie 2 3 5 7 261 330
Mooreville 2 3 5 7 240 337
Nettleton 2 3 2 9 190 455
South Pontotoc 0 5 1 10 148 356
Playoff results
Aberdeen 54, Winona 42
Aberdeen 46, McClain 16
Charleston 49, Aberdeen 22
Region 2-2A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Eupora 5 0 14 2 508 216
Ackerman 4 1 9 4 318 152
East Webster 3 2 9 4 313 145
Hamilton 2 3 4 8 247 302
J.Z. George 1 4 2 9 179 390
Williams-Sullivan 0 5 2 9 142 391
Playoff results
Mound Bayou JFK 40, Hamilton 10
Region 3-1A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Noxapater 8 0 10 3 447 146
Pelahatchie 7 1 10 3 493 275
West Oktibbeha 6 2 8 3 444 242
Nanih Waiya 5 3 6 6 290 342
West Lowndes 4 4 5 6 158 308
Sebastopol 3 5 4 7 264 331
Weir 2 6 3 8 124 369
East Oktibbeha 1 7 2 9 181 359
Ethel 0 8 2 9 224 334
Playoff results
Bogue Chitto 57, West Lowndes 36
MAIS
District 1-AAA
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Division I
Jackson Acad. 6 0 11 2 431 240
Mad-Ridgeland 5 1 9 3 331 177
Pillow Acad. 0 6 0 9 59 303
Division II
Magnolia Hts. 4 2 8 4 305 224
Heritage Acad. 3 3 7 5 278 207
Washington 2 4 6 4 268 151
Lee Academy 1 5 4 6 211 249
Playoff results
Heritage Academy 10, Mag. Heights 3
District 2-AAA
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Division I
Jackson Prep 6 0 13 0 482 95
Presbyerian Chr. 5 1 9 3 413 245
Parklane Acad. 4 2 8 3 315 155
Division II
East Rankin Ac. 3 3 7 5 369 272
Starkville Acad. 2 4 5 7 305 243
Copiah Acad. 1 5 1 10 147 342
Hillcrest Chr. 0 6 1 10 41 388
Playoff results
Magnolia Heights 40, Starkville Acad. 28
District 2-AA
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Leake Academy 5 0 8 4 399 282
Canton Acad. 4 1 7 4 264 231
Oak Hill Acad. 2 3 6 6 205 317
Manchester Ac. 2 3 5 6 230 225
Winston Acad. 2 3 4 6 253 252
Immanuel Chr. 0 5 3 8 257 472
Playoff results
North Delta Acad. 42, Oak Hill Acad. 14
Eight-Man District 1
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Russell Chr. 7 0 13 0 601 132
Calhoun Acad. 6 1 11 2 521 162
Marvell Acad. 7 2 7 3 299 243
Kemper Acad. 4 4 5 5 314 241
Delta Academy 4 4 4 7 263 310
Calvary Chr. 3 6 3 7 182 358
North Sunflower 1 7 1 9 128 476
Central Academy 0 8 0 10 46 374
NOTE: Hebron Christian (8-2) is compet-
ing as an independent in the MAIS this
season. The Eagles season is complete.
ACFA
Eight-Man Division
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Tabernacle 5 0 10 1 570 276
Tuscaloosa Chr. 4 1 6 4 399 312
Victory Christian 3 2 3 6 299 334
New Life Chr. 2 3 2 5 271 250
North River Chr. 1 4 2 7 148 400
Flint Hill Chr. 0 5 0 8 98 449
AHSAA
Region 4-2A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Oakman 7 0 11 2 449 259
Lamar County 6 1 9 4 442 340
Aliceville 5 2 7 5 445 326
Hale County 4 3 4 7 212 216
Hatch 3 4 4 6 316 285
Sulligent 2 5 3 7 175 215
Cold Springs 1 6 3 7 172 281
Marion 0 7 0 10 88 424
Playoff results
Aliceville 42, Elba 25
Sweet Water 54, Aliceville 7
Lamar County 39, New Brockton 24
Lamar County 41, Long 19
Sweet Water 55, Lamar County 20
Region 5-1A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Marion County 7 0 13 2 700 253
Pickens County 6 1 11 4 622 268
Berry 5 2 8 5 426 402
Hubbertville 4 3 9 4 420 339
Parrish 3 4 5 5 260 287
Lynn 2 5 5 5 207 221
Brilliant 1 6 3 7 201 352
South Lamar 0 7 0 10 90 433
Playoff results
Pickens County 63, Falkville 0
Pickens County 34, Cedar Bluff 0
Pickens County 53, Berry 32
Marion County 42, Pickens County 41
AISA
Region 2-1A
Division Overall
W L W L PF PA
Pickens Acad. 6 0 10 3 503 315
Marengo Acad. 4 2 7 5 303 193
Sparta Acad. 4 2 5 6 243 287
Sumter Acad. 4 2 4 7 205 313
Jackson Acad. 2 4 3 7 216 318
Meadowview Ch. 1 5 3 7 261 321
Eastwood Chr. 0 6 1 10 92 460
Playoff results
Pickens Academy 34, Lakeside Acad. 21
Pickens Academy 46, Ashford 33
Restoration 48, Pickens Academy 14
2012 STANDINGS / A look AheAD 2013 TeAm roSTerS
The fnal standings for
the 2012 season are listed
below.
This season, The
Dispatch will have standings
and a full recap of the weeks
action every Monday during
the prep football season.
Coaches who dont
speak to a reporter from The
Dispatch are encouraged
to have statistics ready or
to have their scorekeepers
call us at 662-327-1297,
leave the information on our
voicemail, or email us at:
and swalters@cdispatch.
com so we can have your
information for a roundup in
Sundays paper.
We also will have a
correspondent call
coaches/scorekeepers
Friday night and/or Saturday
to get information for a
roundup of games we dont
attend. If you have any
questions, call sports editor
Adam Minichino at 662-327-
1297.
The Dispatch also will
feature a prep player of the
week every Tuesday. To
nominate players, call or
email your nominations by
5 p.m. Saturday.
Aberdeen
1-Chris McMillian
2-G.G.Blanchard
3-Tamarkus Payne
4-Jerrick Orr
5-Josh Williams
6-Josh Ewing
7-Tyreke Gates
8-Tramonte Prather
9-Sammie Burroughs
10-Lamontae Thompson
11-Jarvis Eckford
12-Damian Curry
13-Josh McMillian
14-Isiah McMillian
15-Tay Carothers
16-Parish Cratic
17-C.J. Williams
18-Dorian Fears
19-B.J. Williams
20-Quincy Crump
22- Kemar Sims
23-Mathaius Herron
24-Chris Hunt
25-Cameron Blaylock
26-Zarrius Williams
27-Deonta Carter
28-Tyler Fields
29-Marquellus Atkinson
30-Daruis Haughton
31-Jarvez Morrow
32-Josh Hadley
33-Sam Garth
50-Bryson Swindle
51-Justin Drake
52-Tavoris Eckford
53-James Randle
54-Devonta Walker
55-Devante Smith
56-Shavez McMillian
57-Jamarkus Tallie
58-Tykee Smith
59-Jamarkus Irons
60-Bryson Doss
61-Theo Boyd
62-Johntae Everett
64-Jordan Doss
65-Jordan Gladney
66-Terrance Smith
67-Dejuante Willis
72-Jimize Walker
74-Dontae Bailey
84-Demaree Dobbins

Caledonia
1-Onterrio Lowery
3-Ian Hartmann
4-Ben Marchbanks
5-Danny Warner
6-Cole Gullette
7-Jose Tate
8-Brandon Henry
10-Jonathan Comer
11-Austin McNeely
12-Garrett Taylor
13-Spencer Unruh
14-Jacob Rhodes
15-Sage Kangas
16-Joshua Betts
18-James Longmire
21-Josh Anderson
22-Quavis Betts
23-Nathan Brauer
24-Jordan Anderson
25-Stefan Williams
30-John Livingston
31-Henry Lewis
33-Zach Weathers
35-Kristian Mott
40-Kody White
46-Anthony Brewer
48-Jeremy Reedwood
56-Kaleb Morris
57-Cody Cliett
58-Phillip Taylor
59-Ryan Denney
61-Stephen Sykes
64-Bobby Rushing
67-TJ Jones
68-Jacob Sudduth
72-Tristan Nessell
77-Carrlon Byrd
78-Daniel Cunningham
79-Stone Bustin
80-Jantsen Glasgow
88-Daniel Longmire
97-Jeffrey Gore
Coaches:
Andy Crotwell
Brian White
Jason Forrester
Murray Woody
Curtis Cook
Columbus
1-Damonta Kidd
2-KevinJackson
3-Meunta Verner
4-Kiren Sharp
5-Christian Petty
6-Rod Hogan
7-John Neal Stanback
8-Charlie King
9-Kenyatta Ousley
10-Hezekiah Manigo
11-Marqyavious Mitchell
12-Keshawn Adams
13-Corey Brown
14-Jarrelle Peterson
15-Chris Cockrell
16-Trace Lee
17-Quavis Sherrod
18-Anthony Maleta
19-Jarcquarius Clark
20-Donsha Walker
21-Joshua Pusha
22-Joshua Hibbler
23-Kendre Conner
24-Justingtate
25-Alex Lipscomb
26-Damian Moore
27-Reginal Prince
28-Kendrick Conner
29-KJalen Stewart
30-Malik Moore
31-Jeffrey Cooper
32-Paul Short
33-Issac Williams
34-Jabari Taylor
36-Darrion Fisher
37-Mario Harrison
38-Darrell Welch
39-Kylin Hill
40-Derrick Beckom
41-Bylonn Johnson
42-Ira Boyd
43-Tyree Calvert
44-Ziree Butler
45-Quention Williams
46-Marc Lashley
47-Issac Lacy
48-Clint Docher
49-Chris Dent
50-QuanSalter
51-Timothy Outlaw
52-Chance Griffin
53-Greg Sykes
55-Yusuf Karriem
56-LaQuintis Brooks
57-Nick McKinley
58-Jarvis Glenn
60-Kenneth Miller
62-Jeremiah Caine
63-Kylin Butler
64-Tyreke Prude
65-Stephen Wilkerson
66-Austin Glorioso
68-Leon Payne
70-Tyrus Brooks
72-Shaunase Stallings
73-Josh Sherrod
74-Tremarcus Monroe
75-Jaruis Ross
76-Darius Poindexter
77-Kyle Harris
78-Devagus Jenkins
81-Gerald Bigbee
83-Sybois Pippens
84-Kenneth Webb
85-Chris Deloach
86-Tahj Sykes
87-Michael Sturdivant
88-Kris Reliford
89-Joseph Gregory
90-Darrell Dismuke
91-Ryan Ezell
92-Bryan Ezell
93-Lakim Wilson
94-Cameron Williams
95-Jermiah Harris
97-Andrae Gathings
99-Michael Bailey
East Oktibbeha
1-Destin Covington
2-Ladavion Cannon
3-Tyshon Spencer
4-Justin Williams
5-Octavis Rodgers
6-Zack McCarter
8-Jamario Thomas
14-John Kincaid
20-John Neal
21-Quiten Carter
22-Savion Thomas
24-Zandin Jenkins
25-Charles Rice
32-Bill Jenkins
38-Clark Allen
45-Zack Williams
50-Jocoby Jones
60-Clayton Carr
62-Ricky Armstead
65-Robert McCarter
78-Anthony Hunter
Head Coach:
John Davis
Coaches:
Kylin Tippet
Bo Williams
Hamilton
1-Samuel Peloquin
2-Byron Butler
3-Pallas Fair
4-Tanner Dement
5-Quinshay Heard
7-Todd Prillhart
8-Maximilion Garvette
9-Sequintis Coleman
11-Chantal Saul
12-Bricowski Bankhead
15-Keshon Heard
18-Aaron Fontenot
20-Jamarcus Fields
22-Michael Roberts
24-Branson Shields
32-Caleb Williams
33-Austin Lancaster
50-Davis Hankins
54-Dominique Dobbs
55-Westley Fikes
60-Blake Pritchett
65-James Melton
66-Cole Williams
68-Nick Owens
71-Walker Plunket
73-Reed Dyess
75-AustinMyers
76-John Vaughn
79-David Logan
88-Austin Bishop
95-Elijuan Trimble
Head Coach:
Ray Weeks
Coaches:
Jon Hartley
Victor Buchanan
Trey Spencer
Hebron Christian
Seniors:
Taylor Simmons
Nic McCary
Justin Gordon
Troy Arnold
Hayden Canty
Joey Ard
Juniors:
Andrew Myatt
Dustin Holmes
Collin Moore
Cameron Smith
Sophomores:
Channing Tapley
Jessie Moore
Lucas Foster
Brian Eaddy
Emerson Shinn
Payton Griffin
Trevor Reed
John Winger
Josiah Parrish
Daniel Coggins
Head Coach:
David Foster
Coach:
Hearne Foster
Heritage Academy
1-Stephen Cornwall
2-Cody Mordecai
5-Mark Thatcher
10-Austin Fitch
12-Parker Short
13-Mattox Heredia
15-Dylan Barker
16-Logan Bell
21-Walker Brown
22-Jace Caldwell
23-William Hardy
2-Blake Ballard
27-Michael Ledbetter
33-Cayden Upton
34-Graham McCain
43-Jimbo Killebrew
44-Hunter Anderson
51-Brady Clark
52-Josh Foxworthy
56-Douglas Kilarski
58-Drew Wallace
61-Thomas Cooper
62-P.J. Ridilla
63-Thomas Glenn
70-Hunter Ferguson
71-Hunter McMillan
72-Luke Ellison
74-Tanner Johnson
81-Tinsley Brooks
85-Devin Clarke
Head Coach:
Barrett Donahoe
Coaches:
Ryan Deer
Mickey Allen
Tate Marsh
Bruce Branch
Immanuel
2-JJ Swanagin
5-Nate Parker
7-BJ Shirley
8-Reed Williams
10-KC Cunningham
11-Dearius Young
12-Jaelin Bankhead
15-Dawson Shaw
17-Koby Bailey
22-Turner Kilpatrick
44-Peyton Peralto
50-Andrew Sparks
51-Zach Johnwick
52-Grant Wyatt
53-Tyler Beaird
56-Maurice Dantzler
58/9-Zack Wright
61-Kimarri Whitfield
65-Luke Hudson
74- John Michael Randazzo
79-Christopher Randazzo
85-Deonthra Doughty
Head Coach:
Greg Watkins
Coaches:
Rob Barron
Antwann Richardson
Dickie Peralto
New Hope
2-Brenton Spann
3-Jaylon Bardley
4-Ryan Dye
5-Howard Petty
6-Victor Deloach
7-Tyler Stapes
8-Lee Brandon
9-Javoris Jones
10-Brady Davis
11-Jeremy Newton
13-Jerrod Bradley
14-Jovantay Lewis
15-Johnny Swanigan
16-Brett Perry
17-DeAngelo Hamilton
18-Ryan Forrester
19-Stone Sisson
20-Trey Rickman
21-Cornell Gandy
22-Bryson Ellis
23-Jahill Gray
24-Gavin Salter
25-Brandon Spann
26-D.W. Williams
27-Willie Guyton
28-Shontae Miller
29-C.J. Clay
30-Oscar Lewis
31-Tretavion Townsel
32-Sterling Clay
35-Dylan Tribolet
36-Quentin Odom
37-Asher Bateman
38-Javonte Ellis
40-Darron Temple
41-Ty Craddieth
44-Brandon McKay
45-Patrick Johnson
46-Tim Nickoles
48-Payton Lane
49-Tim Jones
50-Joseph Hreish
51-Jalen Baldwin
52-Blake Harden
54-Austin Dodson
55-Melvin Brownlee
56-Devin Bartley
57-Wesley Roland
58-Brodi Owens
59-George Perkins
60-Matt Barnes
63-Rodney Tate
64-Nathan Garrett
65-Matt Alderson
66-Lance Atkins
67-Bailey Long
68-Austin Talley
70-Allen Harvey
71-Trey Samuel
73-Drew Hoyt
74-Cobee Mitchell
75-Darius Jamison
76-Bradley Hendrix
77-T.J. Davis
78-Tristan Lett
79-Zach Duncan
82-Jason Dickerson
83-Clay Clemmons
84-Jarrius Gillespie
86-Jeffrey Stewart
92-Joe Sayer
93-Dalven Brooks
Head Coach:
Shawn Gregory
Coaches:
Dale Harden
Mike Bailey
Joel Cosgrove
Eric Guerrero
Bob Reeves
Greg Hunt
Bryan Walker
Noxubee County
1-Tamorris Conner
2-Anzarius Taylor
3-Lavincente Ashford
4-Devonte Scott
5-Eric Hunt
6-Kevarkian Brewer
7-Curtis Randle
8-Javarcus Walker
9-Tarmarcus Silvers
10-Dewitt Clark
11-Jessie Bryant
12-Kendrick Cheatham
13-Janerio Cunningham
14-Ladarius Thompkins
15-Jataquist Sherrod
16-Daveon Ball
17-Montreze Jones
18-Jaylon Hodges
19-Anthony Brewer
20-Ladaveon Smith
21-Antonio Boyd
23-Antraveon Jamison
24-Edrion Rice
25-Mahlon Robinson
26-Daquaveon Jones
27-Roderick Patterson
28-Darrell Brandon
29-Denzell Clemons
30-Shannessy Sherrod
31-Terrian Dora
32-Brian Joiner
33-Douglas Triplett
34-Qendarrion Barnett
37-Victor Carr
40-TyQuintion Ramsey
42-Kalmorris Robinson
43-Trayveon Jynes
44-Zackery Kauffman
46-Jaylon Davis
52-Traon Young
54-James Mason
55-Curtis Gulley
56-Bryce Turner
57-Melvin Lewis
60-Tamarcus Williams
61-Cortez Webb
67-Michael Brown
68-Tyler Dooley
69-Christian Jones
73-John Harris
74-Eddie Wells
75-Bobby May
76-John Cheatham
77-Quincy Stokes
84-Raakein Pippin
85-Nathan Cobb
86-Timothy Jackson
87-Deboris Jones
88-Kynbotric Mason
89-Keith Sanders
90-Ronnie Gray
91-Jose Moran
92-Jamarrius Bradford
93-Shannderius Conner
94-Jeffrey Simmons
95-Jarvis Bardley
96-Eddison Rice
97-Trinity Conner
98-Eddison Little
99-Kenterius Turner
Head Coach:
Tyrone Shorter
Coaches:
Michael Ashford
Montez Miller
Ed Square
Kenny Bledsoe
Terry Dora
James Patterson
Heyward Ashford
Joey Sanders
Gary Naylor
Curtis Bush
Oak Hill Academy
2-Heath Ford
3-Chase Nash
4-Curt Huffman
5-Kaleb Darnell
6-Powell Tabor
7-John Willis Stevens
8-Steve Dragoo
9-John Carver Middleton
10-Paxton Trull
11-Tyler Dragoo
12-Ken Dill
13-Dakota OBryant
15-Blake Thomas
18-Riley Pierce
20 Chance Wilson
21-Bradley Allen
23-James Peavy
24-Drake Riley
26-Lane Clark
28-Drew Riley
30-Collins Brown
32-A.J. Iseley
34-Samuel Harrell
35-Jacob Knowles
38-Macon McBrayer
41-Wills Hay
44-Matthew Gwathney
52-Brandon Crump
54-Preston Hall
55- Joseph Caskey
56-Bryan McClellan
57-Murry Falkner
67-Robert Walker
70-Caleb Roberson
72-Clark Hays
75-Cody Pearson
81-Ben Holcombe
Starkville Academy
2-Ben Morehead
3-OShea Kemp
4-Pierce Fondren
5-Logan Locke
7-Drake Gordman
8-Blake Slaughter
10-Billy McGee
12-Houston Clark
13-Grant Wolf
17-Hunter Peeples
18-Colt Crestman
20-John McReynolds
21-Joel Ray
22-Alex Vaughn
28-Dylan Dempsey
30-Noah Heflin
32-Kirby Cox
33-Drew Harrell
36-Houston Massey
37-Jake Griffen
44-Josh Crittenden
47-Morgan Robertson
52-Zach Mixon
54-Tripp Janssen
57-Harper Arnold
58-Colin Atwell
59-Johnathon Black
63-Tyler Richardson
64-Johnathan Burton
65-Sky Robinson
71-Carter Wood
72-Earl Sloan
75-Seth Watson
77-John Foster
78-Bo Ford
80-Andrew Richardson
82-Reed Green
Head Coach:
Jeff Terrill
Coaches:
Chase Nicholson
Brad Butler
Sam Wright
Andrew Pylate
Jody Britt
Starkville High
2-Matt Fuller
3-Derion Ford
4-Haratio Williams
5-Fontavious Smith
6-Jaquez Horsley
7-Princeton Jones
8-Dakaven Townsend
9-Terrance Grayer
10-Raphael Leonard
11-Tyler Rogers
12-Taylor Johnston
13-Jay Nelson
14-Antonio Hinton
15-AJ Brown
16-Marlow Rogers
17-Montario Montgomery
18-Willie Gay
19-Malik Sanders
20-Quandirious Larry
21-Juwon Mullins
22-Jay Henderson
23-Chris Rogers
24-Tyler Moore
25-Darius Grayer
26-Jerry Johnson
28-Avery Brown
30-Ladorrious Pittman
31-Tiriq Scott
33-Shytraille Spruell
34-Jordan Bowlin
35-Isaiah Thompson
36-Jeremy Skinner
37-Jontavious Gardner
38-Deontay Rogers
39-Jack Spencer
40-Cory Thompson
41-Vincents Epps
42-Alonzo Flowers
43-Tyrell Harris
44-Justin Ware
45-Kevin Yang
46-Jacorey Douglas
47-Trumichael Johnson
48-Cameron Johnston
49-Marvell Tabb
50-Jacory McCarter
51-AJ Smith
53-David Duck
54-Ladarius Robinson
55-Sedrick Brown
56-Terrell Dailey
57-Kobe Jones
58-Tyler Barnes
59-Sterling Buckner
60-Tarius McNair
61-Zavist Pastor
62-Quez Roberts
63-Tyler Cane
64-Ben Griffith
65-Austin Brown
66-Bradley Roberson
67-Lorenzo Dantzler
68-Maleke Bell
69-Donye Cannon
70-Nautica Petty
71-Isaiah Knox
72-Maurice Reed
73-David Usher
74-Tyler Oliver
75-Sirjiau Roby
76-Cory Vaughn
77-Evan Ware
78-Michael Outlaw
80-Jimpson Young
81-Brandon Sparks
82-Quenton Evans
84-DAngelo Lucious
85-Trent Scales
86-Parker Lemm
87-Artavious Hendrix
88-Bryon Senerrer
89-Greg Hemphill
91-Michael Godley
93-Michael Sullivan
94-John Hainsey
Head Coach:
Jamie Mitchell
Coaches:
Randy Carlisle
Tate Fischer
Willie Gillespie
Carlos Kemp
Preston Leather
Jack Murphy
Brooks Oakley
Chris Walters
Tate Rogers
Collin Walters
Kyle Walker
Dillon Mitchell
Victory Christian
1-Austin Richardson
2-Will Jones
5-Reed Fulgham
12-Hunter Austin
21-Anthony Sharp
22-Cody Bolton
23-Burkley Jernigan
24-Richard Pace
42-Jordan Payne
48-Chase Austin
55-Bo McCrary
56-Brandon Shaw
69-Shane Bradford
88-Cody Anthony
Head Coach:
Chris Hamm
Coaches:
Kevin Harrell
Todd Dyer
Ronnie McDaniel
Andrew Pace
Jerry McCrary
Rodney Sullivan
West Lowndes
1-Tyshon Rogers
2-Daniel Davis
3-Tre Williams
4-Michael Williams
5-Dartavious Clark
6-Tyzavious Harris
7-Javariou Ellis
8-Justin Stephens
10-Eric Harris
11-Anthony Liddell
12-J.T. Selvis
13-Henry Brewer
14-Phytrell Williams
15-Marcus Farmer
21-Roy Miller
23-Dearia Douglas
24-Kendrick Sanders
27-Lamaron Fair
50-Krayvon Harris
51-Jalon Wright
52-Desi Givens
54-Denzell Beckwith
55-Tyress Wells
56-Jamarquis Jefferson
57-Taras Woodson
58-James Thomas
60-Devonte Porter
62-Wendell Reives
64-Troy Evans
66-Quantavis Mon
74-Jeremy Hairston
77-Marquise Given
80-Joshua King
88-Vicent Harris
West Oktibbeha
1-Bradirick Reed
2-Charles Mullins
3-Demarcus Smith
4-Davarius West
5-Deshun Brown
6-Zane Watson
7-Eddie Johnson
8-Kardarius Yates
9-Lysanius Ford
10-Tykendris Smith
11-Ryan Hughs
12-Justin Jones
13-Zack Watson
14-Jummie Bond
15- Donterrious Cunningham
16-Trynel Baker
17-Qwainaine Henry
18-Ronnie Cooper
19-Murray Graise
20-Braylon A. Fisher
21-Kenyon Higgins
22-Joseph Johnson
23-Quantae Belle
24-Donavon Hogan
25-Dontavious Bell
West Point
1-Kaelon Collins
2-Josh Ewing
3-Ariontae Warren
4-Dvanta Randle
5-Tyler Logan
7-Jayson Burnett
8-Jeffrey Drake
9-Dason Thomas
10-Nick Melton
11-Donquenta Ewing
12-Lagaris Wordlaw
13-Javontae Harris
15-Kaelan ONeal
16-Reshard Deanes
17-Rashad Jones
18-Steffon Moore
19-Davion Bradshaw
20-Tony Rush
21-Shaquille Spears
22-Aeris Williams
23-Lacequiu Starks
24-Roger Thomas
25-Jammie Neal
26-Davin Webb
27-Thomas Williams
28-Kenny Coleman
29-Everett Quinn
30-Demontae Rush
31-Jauquinnton Brownlee
32-Desmond Chandler
33-Roger Price
34-Devasquez Ford
35-Traveon Williams
36-Tyler Witherspoon
38-Anias Walker
39-Kjalil Smith
40-Miller Keys
43-Jalen Lee
44-Jaylan White
45-Kyle Gordon
48-Tavaris Hawkins
50-Josh Birchfield
51-Jaylon Ewing
52-Kadarius Forside
53-Anthony Bluitt
55-Deion Shelton
57-Justin Nance
58-Michael Cannon
59-Devin Morton
60-Lexus Ware
61-Ericson Marble
62-Jesse Sullivan
63-Josh Collins
64-Josh Coggins
65-Gemario Shelton
66-Tamarcus Myers
67-Andre Morton
68-Willie Owens
69-Omar Lemus
71-Lexus Price
72-Nile Murunga
73-Kevin Johnson
76-Donald Wesley
78-Scott Lashley
79-Chris Humphries
80-Ronald Carter
81-Dettrick Shelton
88-Jamario Bell
90-Ladarius Gallion
Head Coach:
Chris Chambless
Coaches:
Lee J. Grisham
Floizell Wilson
Kendall Pickens
Rickey Melton
Casey Welch
Brett Morgan
Roger Burton
Matt Snow
By MATTHEW STEVENS
mstevens@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE
Starkville High School
football coach Jamie
Mitchell had an interest-
ing debate last spring and
a couple weeks ago when
training camp for the 2013
season started.
Mitchell had two op-
tions. He could tell his
team it still was defend-
ing state champion but
with no shot of winning
another Class 5A title, or
he tell his players last year
was in the past and that it
wouldnt earn them any
points this year.
Mitchell decided to tell
his team both things.
Every Friday night
youre going to have to
play your heart out to win,
and I think both players
and coaches want that
mentality every week,
Mitchell said. Weve al-
ready told them this is
not state championship
winning football in this
room yet. We carry that
pressure of the legacy of
Starkvilles past already,
and we want to be a foot-
ball team that goes to
Jackson every year.
Starkville enters the
season in the unique po-
sition of being the defend-
ing Class 5A state cham-
pions but not being able
to defend its title because
the Mississippi High
School Activities Associ-
ations reclassifcation in
the offseason bumped it
back to Class 6A for the
frst time since Mitchells
frst season at the school
in 2010. The veteran
coach feels his program
is much more prepared to
play at the states highest
level three years later.
I feel like were a
strong contender in our
region to win the whole
thing, and our expec-
tations are no different
than that, Mitchell said.
My frst year here in 6A
was a year our program
just wasnt there. Our
kids didnt know how to
win and compete. Weve
crossed that bridge.
After winning the
schools frst state title
in 11 years, Mitchell is
counting on his players
to be excited about play-
ing power programs liked
Madison Central and Clin-
ton and up-and-coming
programs like Columbus
every week.
Class 6A is where the
real football has been
played for years in the
state of Mississippi,
Starkville senior Princ-
eton Jones said. I still
want a championship no
matter who we play, and
at Starkville, lets face it,
youre judged on what you
can do against the best in
6A.
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2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 At Noxubee Co.
Aug. 30 OXFORD
Sept. 6 At West Point
Sept. 13 SOUTHAVEN
Sept. 20 Open Date
Sept. 27 At Columbus
Oct. 4 NORTHWEST
RANKIN
Oct. 11 At Greenville-
Weston
Oct. 18 MADISON
CENTRAL
Oct. 25 At Murrah
Nov. 1 At Warren Central
Nov. 8 CLINTON
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 L, 8-29
NOXUBEE CO.
Aug. 24 L, 8-24
At Madison Cent.
Aug. 31 W, 28-0
At Tupelo
Sept. 7 L, 22-47
WEST POINT
Sept. 14 Open Date
Sept. 21 W, 48-0
At Lanier
Sept. 28 W, 23-6
At Provine
Oct. 5 W, 23-0
RIDGELAND
Oct. 12 W, 42-0
At Canton
Oct. 19 W, 46-0
YAZOO CITY
Oct. 26 W, 34-16
At Callaway
Nov. 2 W, 21-10
NESHOBA CENT.
Nov. 9 W, 45-7
SALTILLO
Nov. 16 W, 28-7
OXFORD
Nov. 23 W, 29-28 OT
WEST POINT
Dec. 1 W, 28-11
Vs. Pascagoula
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 6A
Region 2
Columbus
Madison Central
NW Rankin
Starkville
Clinton
Greenville
Murrah
Warren Central
playoffs
Dispatch Staff
Starkville High School football coach Jamie Mitchell shudders from the effects of a
Gatorade dousing from his players in the waning moments of the Yellow Jackets
28-11 victory against Pascagoula in the Mississippi High School Activities
Association Class 5A state title game.
SHS embRACeS
move to 6A
class 6a is
where the real
football has been
played for years
in the state of
Mississippi.
senior Princeton Jones
See STARKVILLE, 16
rill said. Our strength
this season is that we have
more talent than we have
had since I have been here.
The weakness is that that
talent is young. Our atten-
dance during our summer
program was good.
We had some good
7-on-7 camp experienc-
es and also had a good
strength and conditioning
program. However, noth-
ing replaces live action.
The Volunteers return
three starters on offense
and six starters on de-
fense. Even returnees
with vast playing time
are few and far between.
Thus, the leadership of
the seniors is paramount
for such a youthful squad.
I want to have a really
good fnal year, Janssen
said. It is been hard for
me getting used to being
a leader on the team. I am
used to being the small
guy. However, with so
many new guys, it is up to
the seniors to lead by ex-
ample.
We really feel like we
have accomplished a lot
but we also want to leave
the program in good
shape.
The Volunteers num-
bers were bolstered by
an infux of talented kids
from the junior high pro-
gram.
Chad Peterson did
such a great job with the
junior high program when
he was here, Terrill said.
Those guys are used
to two years of winning.
They have a great work
ethic. I feel like we are a
team that will get better
each week.
Even though it is a
year with a lot of question
marks, I think it can be a
year with a lot of fun.
Sophomore Houston
Starkville academy volunteerS
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Class AAA, District 1AAA, Division II
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2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 At Lamar School
Aug. 30 EAST RANKIN ACA.
Sept. 6 At Washington
School
Sept. 13 HILLCREST
CHRISTIAN
Sept. 20 At Mag. Heights
Sept. 27 WINSTON ACA.
Oct. 4 MADISON-
RIDGELAND
Oct. 11 At Tupelo
Christian Prep
Oct. 18 Open Date
Oct. 25 At Heritage Aca.
Nov. 1 At Jackson Aca.
Nov. 8 PILLOW ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 W, 13-0
At St. Andrews
Aug. L, 6-19
HERITAGE
Aug. 31 L, 14-25
At Mag. Heights
Sept. 7 W, 45-0
LEAKE
Sept. 14 W, 42-0
HILLCREST
Sept. 21 L, 21-49
JACKSON PREP
Sept. 28 W, 40-0
At Copiah
Oct. 5 L, 12-35
At Parklane
Oct. 12 W, 41-7
WINSTON
Oct. 19 L, 29-34
At East Rankin
Oct. 26 L, 14-34
PRESBYTERIAN
Nov. 2 L, 28-40
At Mag. Heights
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
coaching Staff
Head coach
Jeff Terrill
n Chase Nicholson
n Brad Butler
n Sam Wright
n Andrew Pylate
n Jody Britt
QUARTERBACK
Houston Clark (Soph.), Logan Locke (Jr.)
nThe Volunteers will look for a pair of
newcomers to lead the offense. Locke is a
transfer in his frst year with the program.
RUNNING BACK
OShea Kemp (Sr.), Grant Wolf (Soph.)
nKemp is the lone returnee in the
offensive backfeld.
RECEIVERS
Colt Crestman (Soph.), Drake Gordman
(Soph.), Andrew Richardson (Jr.),
John McReynolds (Jr.)
nAccording to coach Jeff Terrill, Rich-
ardson has emerged as one of the bigger
surprises of training camp. John McReyn-
olds also saw playing time in the passing
game last season.
OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Tripp Janssen (Sr.), Colin Atwell (Sr.),
Harper Arnold (Jr.), Jake Griffen (Sr.),
Zach Mixon (Jr.), Tyler Richardson (Jr.),
Sy Robinson (Jr.), Earl Sloan (Jr.),
Bo Ford (Jr.)
nJanssen and Atwell are returning
starters and will be asked to provide
leadership on the offensive and defensive
lines. Each earned postseason honors a
season ago. While there is youth on both
lines, Terrill feels like the progress that has
been made in camp and believes both units
should be ready to perform.
LINEBACKER
Drew Harrell (Jr.), Josh Crittenden (Jr.),
Jonathon Black (Jr.)
Of the Volunteers six returning starters
on defense, three are in this group.
SECONDARY
Kirby Cox (Sr.), Reed Green (Jr.),
Blake Slaughter (Jr.), Joel Ray (Jr.),
Hunter Peeples (Jr.)
nYouth will be served in this group.
However, players on this side of the ball
had slightly more playing time than on
offense. Terrill and his senior leaders indi-
cate the defense improved in the summer.
The Volunteers will look to build on a strong
October run from that side of the ball when
the new season begins.
Scott Walters
a cloSer look
Every Tuesday, The Dispatch will rec-
ognize a standout prep performer.
If you would like to nominate a prep
player of the week, call us at 662-327-
1297 or e-mail us at sports@cdispatch.
com before 5 p.m. Saturday.
Be sure to give us a reason why you
are nominating the player, and be sure to
give us as many statistics from the past
weeks action.
Prep Player of Week
SENIORS WANT TO KEEP PUSHING VOLS AHEAD
BY SCOTT WALTERS
swalters@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE
While it seems simplistic,
one of the best moves Jeff
Terrill has made in his
four seasons as Starkville
Academys football coach
may have been the easiest.
He taught us to set
goals, Starkville Acade-
my senior lineman Colin
Atwell said. Suddenly,
we had something to play
for week in and week out.
That is the biggest change
in the program. We always
know what we are fghting
for and what we are trying
to accomplish.
After a lengthy and
successful run at Itawam-
ba Community College,
Terrill retired and later
became football coach at
Starkville Academy. The
last squad before his arriv-
al at Starkville Academy
didnt win a game.
The frst season was
about mind-set, Starkville
Academy senior lineman
Tripp Janssen said. We
learned how to compete.
We slowly learned how to
win. We went from win-
ning three games one year
to 10 the next. All of a sud-
den, all of the expectations
changed for everybody in-
volved with the program.
In 2011, Starkville
Academy advanced to the
Mississippi Association
of Independent Schools
Class AAA, Division II
state championship game.
Even though the cham-
pionship game was a loss
to Greenville Washington,
this group of Volunteers
was still in unchartered
waters, having last played
for the state title when
winning it in 2005.
The Volunteers did
return to the playoffs in
2012, before losing in the
Dispatch File Photo
Starkville Academys Tripp Janssen celebrates after making a play against Heritage
Academy last season. Janssen fgures to play a key role on the Volunteers lines.
frst round to fnish 5-7.
The program has
come to the point where
when we dont reach all
of our goals, we are dis-
appointed, Janssen said.
Even though we dont
have a lot of seniors, the
seniors really want to go
out on a high note. We feel
like we are the class that
helped bring the football
program back. We take a
lot of pride in that.
So from our stand-
point, there is still a lot of
work left to be done.
There are only six se-
niors on the Starkville
Academy 37-player roster.
Terrill cautions the av-
erage fan to not confuse
young with lack of tal-
ent.
We are giving our
kids whole milk to drink
instead of Gatorade, Ter- See VOLUNTEERS, 15
Clark and junior Logan
Locke are battling for
the quarterback job in
fall camp. Running backs
include senior OShea
Kemp and sophomore
Grant Wolf. Wide outs
include sophomore Colt
Crestman and sophomore
Drake Gordman.
Returning center
Atwell will anchor the of-
fensive line.
Even though the of-
fense is younger, Atwell
said. I think we have a
bunch of talent on the
offense. The offense will
have to grow and make
strides. We are set at
quarterback and we have
some good players in the
backfeld and on the of-
fensive line, too.
Defensively, the team
will be led by its line-
backers, where junior
Drew Harrell, junior Josh
Crittenden, and junior
Jonathon Black return.
Janssen and junior Harp-
er Arnold will anchor the
defensive line.
Last season, the Volun-
teers posted four shutouts
defensively and allowed
only one touchdown in
another win. Starkville
Academy will look to
better those defensive
numbers this season. The
question is - How quickly
can the new-look offense
join the party?
The frst couple of
weeks, the offense is re-
ally going to be a work
in progress, Janssen
said.On the defensive
side of the ball, our job is
to lead and help get the
season off to a good start.
When you have three
starters back on offense,
you naturally are worried.
But I am not. I know we
have some good players
on that side of the ball.
Senior Jonathan Bur-
ton will handle punting
and place-kicking duties.
Terrill will be assisted by
Brad Butler (defensive
coordinator), Chase Nich-
olson (offensive coordina-
tor), and Colin Johnson
(line). Junior high coach-
es include Sam Wright,
Andrew Pylate, and Jody
Britt. Student coaches in-
clude Alex Maxwell and
Brooks Roberts.
The fall practices are
a little more important
this year, as well as the
scrimmage games, Ter-
rill said. You always have
a player or two who come
through and surprise
you. It is always different
when the lights come on
for real. We like what we
have. It is a just a matter of
putting it altogether and
growing as a team.
With the blueprint for
success now in its fourth
season of implementation,
the goal process contin-
ues to churn and new ex-
pectations are realized on
a weekly basis.
We have a good en-
thusiasm level and every-
body has worked really
hard during the off-sea-
son, Atwell said. For the
seniors, we dont want to
have a bad season. You
always want to do bet-
ter than you did the year
before. We have set our
goals to do just that.
east oktibbeha titans
2013 Schedule
Sept. 13 At Nanih Waiya
Sept. 20 SEBASTOPOL
Sept. 27 At Noxapater
Oct. 4 FRENCH CAMP
Oct. 11 At West
Oktibbeha
Oct. 18 WEST
LOWNDES
Nov. 1 At Pelahatchie
Nov. 8 ETHEL
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 L, 6-40
At Leake County
Aug. 24 W, 55-0
At McAdams
Aug. 31 L, 13-52
At North
Pontotoc
Sept. 7 L, 20-44
At Sebastopol
Sept. 14 W, 33-24
ETHEL
Sept. 21 L, 0-14
At West
Lowndes
Sept. 28 Open Date
Oct. 5 L, 6-48
NOXAPATER
Oct. 12 L, 16-56
At Pelahatchie
Oct. 19 L, 6-34
WEST
OKTIBBEHA
Oct. 26 L, 6-28
At Nanih Waiya
Nov. 2 L, 20-21
WEIR
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 1A
Region 3
East Oktibbeha
Ethel
French Camp
Nanih Camp
Noxapater
Pelahatchie
Sebastopol
West Lowndes
West Oktibbeha
playoffs
Class 3A
District 1AAA,
Division II
Jackson Academy
MRA
Washington School
Heritage Academy
Hillcrest Christian
Pillow Academy
Starkville Academy
playoffs
Volunteers
Dispatch File Photo
Starkville Academy coach Jeff Terrill hopes his teams
new-look offense doesnt take too long to fnd its
rhythm at the beginning of the season.
QUARTERBACK
Tyshawn Spencer, John Kincade
nKincade is in the lead to win
the starting job due to his commit-
ment to learn the system.
Hes able to take control of
the team, and he works extremely
hard, East Oktibbeha County High
School coach John Davis said.
RUNNING BACK
Justin Williams, Dustin Covington
nWilliams was the Titans lead
back a year ago. He will reprise
that role this season.
Justin is a big, strong runner,
Davis said. Im expecting him to
be the workhorse back, playing a
lot of fullback, break arm tackles
and pick up 3 yards.
RECEIVERS
Tyshon Spencer,
Octavius Rogers,
Mario Thomas, Zach McCarter
nSpencer is one of the teams
most versatile athletes; hell be the
teams go-to wide out if he doesnt
win the starting quarterback job.
Tyshon has pretty good hands,
as does Octavious. Mario is a
smaller guy, but he can catch,
Davis said.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Clayton Carr, Robert McCarter,
Jacobi Jones, Ricky Armstead,
Anthony Hunter
nCarr started last season and
is the teams top lineman.
Were going to start two
ninth-graders (Jones, Armstead),
but the other three have experi-
ence, Davis said.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Charles Rice,
Robert McCarter,
Ricky Armstead, Anthony Hunter
nRice is a returning starter
at defensive end who can slide to
tackle.
We spend a lot of time running
and hitting the sled to make sure
those guys can last both ways,
Davis said.
LINEBACKER
Justin Williams, Zach McCarter,
John Kincade
nThe Titans will run a 3-4 base,
with an onus of pressuring the
quarterback consistently.
Its what we ran at West Point,
and I have more linebacker types
than linemen, Davis said.
SECONDARY
John Kincaid, Tyshon Spencer, Oc-
tavius Rogers, Dustin Covington,
LaDavion Cannon
nKincaid will be a hybrid line-
backer/defensive back.
He played a lot of DB last
year, Davis said. Hes versatile
enough to play at the line and in
space.
SECONDARY
John Kincaid, Tyshon Spencer,
Tavious Rogers,
Dustin Covington,
LaDavion Cannon
nKincaid may be in a lineback-
er/defensive back role
(Kincaid) played a lot of DB last
year, Davis said. He is versatile.
His position, you have to be able
to play up on the line, back off,
and cover. Hes strong enough and
quick enough.
SPECIALISTS
Justin Williams
nWilliams handled kicking
duties last season.
We have some time to sort
that out, but its Justin for now,
Davis said.
David Miller
a CLoseR Look
By DAVID MILLER
CRAWFORD When members
of the East Oktibbeha High School
football team found out in the spring
that their weights had been stolen
from their feld house, players felt like
more dirt had been thrown on a team
that already had so much working
against it.
The Titans, who havent had a
winning season since 2007, wont
play a full schedule this year due to
the fact the Mississippi Department
of Education has the school under
conservatorship.
But before that move was an-
nounced last fall, the Titans felt short-
changed every Friday night. Outft-
ted in worn-out, tattered jerseys and
dated equipment, the Titans never
felt like they had the communitys
support. Having their weights stolen
was rock bottom for the players
emotionally and physically.
It got to me a little bit, offensive
lineman Clayton Carr said. For
someone to break in and steal the
weights, that slowed us up a little bit.
Weve been losing, and for someone
to break in and steal our weights ...
what else is gonna happen?
The team also had to adjust to a
new coach: John Davis. The former
Starkville High lineman and West
Point assistant coach takes over for
Randy Brooks, who coached the
team the past three seasons.
Davis, thorough and stern, also
brought the commitment and atti-
tude the players needed, Carr said.
Hes looking out for us, Carr
said. We werent sure if wed get
weights, but coach made it happen.
Coach is trying to get junior high
new helmets and get us new jerseys.
Were looking forward to that. Weve
wanted some new home uniforms for
a while.
Carr said the countys administra-
tion has been supported his efforts to
have his players look like a football
team.
Starting with our players, were
making sure we get rid of the attitude
that its OK to not win, Davis said.
Instilling confdence will be the
hardest part of the job.
Davis takes over a team that has
languished at the bottom of Class 1A,
Region 3 for the past six years. The
Titans won two games last season
and fve in 2011.
Davis has a little more than 20
players on his roster, about 10 fewer
than Brooks had in his fnal season.
After stints at Lawrence County,
where he served as offensive coor-
dinator, Grenada, and West Point,
Davis could have held out for his frst
head coach job.
Its defnitely a challenge, but I
wanted to see if I could take the pro-
gram to the next level, Davis said. I
want this team to make playoffs year
in and year out. Ive heard about tal-
ent and size at the school. I want to
see where I can take them.
The players are aware East Ok-
tibbeha may not have been the most
appealing job to coaching candi-
dates, but Carr said the players have
reciprocated Davis commitment to
the team. Were all feeling like win-
ners, said Carr, wholl play offensive
and defensive line this season. That
attitude, that feeling ... we just havent
had anything like it around here.
Youll play hard and come to work
ready to learn everyday for a guy like
(Davis).
DAvIS bRIngS CommItment, AttItuDe to eoCHS
Former West Point High School assistant coach John Davis is trying
to change the culture as a frst-year head coach at East Oktibbeha
County High.
By DAVID MILLER
MABEN Like many
families on Thanksgiving
Day, fraternal twins Zane
and Zachery Watson were
traveling the states high-
ways, visiting family, and
enjoying turkey, fun, and
fellowship.
Traveling with their
mother, the Watsons
holiday was halted by an
event every family prays
never happens: a car ac-
cident.
Zane suffered a bro-
ken hand and dislocated
shoulder; Zachs injuries
were far worse. Their
mother, according to the
duo, suffered minor in-
ternal injuries. Zach, two
minutes younger than
Zane, suffered a facial lac-
eration and carries a scar
near his chin from the
accident. He also had his
biceps muscle torn from
the bone. Zachs repaired
arm, nearly two years lat-
er, looks like meat after it
has been tenderized with
a mallet.
For the frst few
months following the ac-
cident, he was unsure if
hed be able to straighten
his arm, much less earn a
starting spot on the West
Oktibbeha County High
School football teams re-
built offensive line. Phys-
ical therapy resulted in
so much pain he ended it
ahead of schedule in favor
of working at home and
lifting weights at school.
It was stiff, really
stiff, Zach said. Its
amazing I didnt break
any bones. The doctors
didnt want me to play.
When I went to the bone
doctor, he told me, If you
get out there and break a
bone, come on back and
Ill fx you up.
Zach and Zane were
freshmen when the car
accident happened. Zane
made it back to speed
quicker, earning play-
ing time on both sides
of the ball in 2012. Zach
played a limited role on
special teams. He hopes
his increased effort in
the weight room will help
him contend for a starting
spot this season.
(Zach) worked really
hard, Zane said, and I
know it wasnt easy for
him. Wed lift together,
and Id take my weight
off to put his on until he
caught up.
Surprisingly, Zach has
little to no feeling in his
right bicep. For a line-
man, who is required to
control defensive players
with quick, strong hands,
playing without feeling in
half an arm presents chal-
lenges.
Zane has the answer,
though.
Chop blocking, he
said. You gotta have
great technique and be
quick to do it right.
First-year West Oktib-
beha coach Danny Craw-
ford, who also serves as
athletics director and
boys basketball coach,
replaces Adam Lowrey
as coach. He said the
Watsons have helped the
team transition from a
pass-oriented offense to a
run-heavy system.
They acknowledged
the fact we had to switch
things up and had to
change to be productive,
Crawford said. With Zane
and Zach, we feel extreme-
ly confdent we can run be-
hind them consistently.
The Timberwolves
went 8-3 and 6-2 in Class
1A, Region 3 last season,
the teams best mark un-
der Lowrey. The record
was good enough for
third in the district and
a spot in the 1A playoffs.
However, the school was
placed under conserva-
torship by the Mississippi
Department of Education,
which disqualifed it from
postseason play. The
Timberwolves are in the
same situation this year,
and will play only district
games. While most teams
open the season Aug. 24,
the Timberwolves will
have to wait until the sec-
ond week of September.
The schedule will give
the Timberwolves valu-
able time to fnd replace-
ments for quarterback
Von Smith and running
back Tiberias Lampkin,
who combined for more
than 4,700 yards of of-
fense in 2012. It also will
give Zach a few more
weeks to work on his
blocking technique.
The teams biggest
question mark is at quar-
terback. After Chris Wil-
son left the Mississippi
State University football
staff to take the job as de-
fensive line coach at the
University of Georgia, his
16-year-old son, Caleb,
left with the family and
is now playing football
at North Oconee High in
Buford, Ga. Caleb Wilson
backed up MSU signee
Gabe Myles at quarter-
back and had 288 yards
passing in two starts last
season for the injured
Myles.
The same day Mitchell
knew the Wilson family
was moving, senior-to-
be Jones had a meeting
with the coaching staff.
Suddenly the starting
quarterback at Starkville
High was in the hands of
a converted wide receiver
with four pass attempts in
his high school career.
I was kind of shocked,
but I knew the day after
Caleb moved away I was
ready to go to work know-
ing I was the next in line
at quarterback, Jones
said.
Jones, a 6-foot-1,
165-pound athlete, will
be asked to run a slower
version of the run-based
spread look made famous
recently by the University
of Oregon. The offense
features a quarterback
with speed who can make
quick decisions with the
ball. Jones is expected to
deliver the football to what
Mitchell calls the deepest
talent at skill positions he
has had at Starkville.
Its really based off
Oregons system where I
have about three seconds
to get somebody the foot-
ball and let them do the
work, Jones said. When
you have so many weap-
ons around you, it makes
your role so much less.
The athletes behind
Jones are senior Lador-
rious Pittman and junior
Jaquez Horsley. In a back-
up role last year, Horsley
had 777 rushing yards
and nine touchdowns.
Pittman returns after a
severe ankle injury took
him out of all but two
games last year.
On the outside, senior
Darius Grayer played
most of the season with a
cast on his thumb but still
managed 746 all-purpose
yards as one of the fastest
members of the team.
We think (Jaquez)
will have a breakout year
because he just looks
great in practice, Mitch-
ell said. Were really
pleased with our skill
guys in terms of their
skill set and playmaking
ability.
The Yellow Jackets re-
turn eight starters from
a defense led by coordi-
nator Brooks Oakley that
allowed just 32 points
in Class 5A region play
last season. The defen-
sive front is highlighted
by 255-pound sopho-
more Maleke Bell, who
by sheer will and work
ethic forced Mitchell to
do something he doesnt
care to do: play freshman
on the varsity. On the line
with Bell is 255-pound
senior Justin Ware, who
had three sacks and three
tackles for loss last sea-
son. The linebacker duo
of Taylor Johnston and
Marlow Rogers combined
for 105 tackles and will be
asked to fy around the
feld in numerous angles
and spots this season.
In our inside seven
players on defense, we
have six returning, and
those are big boys that
have done some special
things for us in games,
Mitchell said. Hopeful-
ly we can control some
things up front to allow
our secondary to grow.
Mitchell may violate
his code about playing
freshmen again when he
puts Willie Gay into the
game. Mitchell he calls
Gay one of the most im-
pressive athletes he has
seen.
If things dont change,
we may start Willie after
he had a great spring,
and hes not your typical
ninth-grader, Mitchell
said. Hes 6-foot-1, 180
pounds already. Without
any question he will be a
phenomenal player for us
before its all over.
When Mitchell took
the job at Starkville High
in 2010, he had two objec-
tives. He accomplished
the frst last year by win-
ning a state champion-
ship. The second will be
determined starting Sept.
27 when Starkville will
face Columbus. Thats
when Mitchell will see if
his program is prepared
to compete in Class 6A.
Leadership is going to
be a key because we have
new people stepping up
and showing they can get
the job done, Jones said.
Thats what the future
of Starkville football is
about. Next man and next
group up and show every-
body how its done.
west oktibbeha wolverines
2013 Schedule
Sept. 13 At Sebastopol
Sept. 20 NOXAPATER
Sept. 27 At French Camp
Oct. 4 WEST LOWNDES
Oct. 11 EAST OKTIBBEHA
Oct. 25 PELAHATCHIE
Nov. 1 At Ethel
Nov. 8 At Nanih Waiya
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 W, 66-6
SV MARSHALL
Aug. 24 W, 56-6
At Montgomery Co.
Aug. 31 Open Date
Sept. 6 L, 10-41
At Eupora
Sept. 14 W, 52-20
NANIH WAIYA
Sept. 21 W, 54-6
At Weir
Sept. 28 W, 46-24
SEBASTOPOL
Oct. 5 W, 50-14
At Ethel
Oct. 12 W,44-8
WEST LOWNDES
Oct. 19 W, 34-6
At East Oktibbeha
Oct. 26 L, 6-57
NOXAPATER
Nov. 2 L, 26-54
At Pelahatchie
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 1A
Region 3
East Oktibbeha
Ethel
French Camp
Nanih Camp
Noxapater
Pelahatchie
Sebastopol
West Lowndes
West Oktibbeha
playoffs
Starkville
QUARTERBACK
Princeton Jones (Sr.),
AJ Smith (Soph.)
nJones, a two-year
starter at wide receiver, will
take over for Mississippi
State University football
signee Gabe Myles. He slid
into the role after Caleb
Wilsons family moved from
Mississippi to Georgia.
RUNNING BACK
Ladorrious Pittman (Sr.),
Jaquez Horsley (Jr.),
Matt Fuller (Jr.)
nPittman is coming off
a injury that kept him out
of most of last season. He
also will be used as a slot
receiver. Horsley averaged
more than 7 yards a carry
last season.
RECEIVERS
Darius Grayer (Sr.),
Fontavious Smith (Sr.),
Raphael Leonard (Jr.),
AJ Brown (Soph.)
Starkville coach Jamie
Mitchell calls this his best
group of receivers. Grayer
is the fastest player on the
roster. Smith has returned
after missing his junior sea-
son with a injury. Leonard
and Brown look the part at
6-foot-1 athletes, but they
are inexperienced.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN/
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
AJ Smith (So.), Kobe Jones
(Soph.), Tyler Barnes (Jr.),
Quez Roberts (Soph.)
Antonio Hinton (Jr.),
Derion Ford (Jr.),
Justin Ware (Sr.),
Maleke Bell (Soph.)
nMitchell said he has
the most athletic fronts he
has had at Starkville. The
coaches are excited about
the chances Jones and
Bell have to play Division I
football in two years.
LINEBACKER
Taylor Johnston (Sr.),
Marlow Rogers (Sr.),
Jordan Bowlin (Jr.),
Chris Rogers (Jr.),
Alonso Flowers (Jr.),
Tyrell Harris (So.)
Johnston and Rogers
combined for 105 tackles
last season. They will be
asked to fy around the feld
in numerous angles and
spots this season.
SECONDARY
Jerry Johnson (Sr.),
Tyler Rogers (Jr.),
Horatio Williams (Jr.),
Jacorey Douglas (Jr.),
Willie Gay (Fr.)
The back of the de-
fense worries the coaches
because of its youth and
inexperience, but Gay, a
ninth-grader, could surprise.
SPECIALISTS
Michael Godley (Jr.)
nGodley will likely
handle the punt and kicking
duties. Mitchell calls him
the best feld goal kicker
he has had since arriving
at Starkville. Mitchell said
Godley might be the areas
best kicker.
Matt Stevens
a Closer look
CoaChing staff
Head coach
Danny Crawford
n Calvin Robinson
Defense, Special Teams
nDonald Norman
Offense
WAtSon tWinS plAy key Role in WoCHS tRAnSition
West Oktibbeha County High School twins, Zane, left, and Zach Watson, have overcome a holiday car accident to
earn starting positions on the Timberwolves offensive line.
QUARTERBACK
Ryan Hughes (So.),
Jimmy Bond (Jr.)
nHughes backed up
four-year starter Von Smith
last season and received
limited reps.
What I like about Ryan
is his strong arm and his
ability to tuck and run,
West Oktibbeha coach
Danny Crawford said.
RUNNING BACK
Eddie Johnson (Sr.),
Ty Smith (Jr.)
nNeither player logged
a carry last year. Johnson
is playing his frst year in
Maben.
Tyrone Stevens (Jr.)
Offensive Line
Zane Watson (Jr.),
Zach Watson (Jr.),
Davarius West (Sr.)
nThe Timberwolves
return more experience here
than any other position.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Zane Watson (Jr.),
Zach Watson (Jr.),
Davarius West (Sr.)
nLike previous seasons,
many of the Timberwolves
linemen will play both ways.
LINEBACKER
Ryan Hughes (Jr.),
Ty Smith (Jr.),
Eddie Johnson (Sr.)
nHughes is the most
athletic of the group. He
also is the starting point
guard for Crawfords basket-
ball team.
SECONDARY
Ty Smith (Jr.),
Charles Mullins (Fr.),
Eddie Johnson (Sr.),
DeShun Brown (Sr.)
None of the Timber-
wolves 12 interceptions
were recorded by current
members of the secondary.
Smith is our most versa-
tile players and will be our
captain, Crawford said.
SPECIALISTS
Ryan Hughes (Jr.)
Hughes will be the kicker
and punter for the frst time
in his career.
David Miller
a Closer look at
woChs
with Zane and
Zach, we feel
extremely
confdent we can
run behind them
consistently.
West Oktibbeha County
High School football
coach Danny Crawford
in our inside
seven players on
defense, we have
six returning, and
those are big boys
that have done
some special
things for us in
games.
football coach
Jamie Mitchell
By AdAm minichino
MACON Better for-
tunes are ahead.
Thats the only way
T.J. Coleman knows how
to approach the 2013 foot-
ball season.
A year ago, Coleman
was a junior on a Central
Academy eight-man foot-
ball team that suffered
key graduation losses
from the previous sea-
son. Losing nine seniors,
including leaders Drew
Pearson and Cole New-
man, having a roster of
less than 20 players and
without any seniors, and
adjusting to new coach
Bobby Bowman were the
frst hurdles the Vikings
had to navigate.
Thats when things
started to get rough.
An 11-man team would
have had trouble over-
coming the number of
injuries Central Acade-
my suffered last season.
Junior Steven Lane tore
an anterior cruciate liga-
ment in his knee, backup
quarterback Lee Sciple
broke his collarbone, and
Coleman broke his leg
in a Homecoming game
loss to archrival Kemper
Academy.
It was rough, Cole-
man said. Coming out,
we thought we might
have a chance and we got
blowed away and every-
body starting keying on
me and keying on Russ
(Taylor). We kind of got
our hopes down after the
frst three games. It was
just rough. We just dread-
ed Friday night. This
year, I believe were going
to be back where we need
to be.
Coleman and Taylor
are part of a fve-player
senior class that will help
make up for the lack of
leadership in 2012. The
seniors also will help the
program adjust to Steve
Ball, its third coach in as
many years. Ball, who is
from Louisville, is a frst-
time head coach and a
newcomer to eight-man
football. His coaching ex-
perience includes stints
at Louisville High School
and at Grace Christian
School in Louisville,
where he helped out both
programs.
Ball was named head
coach at Central Acade-
my about a month ago. He
said he has helped with
the football teams at Lou-
isville High School and
other places, including
Grace Christian, which
also is in Louisville. Ball
heard the job was open
by word of mouth. Last
season, Central Acade-
my battled key gradua-
tion losses and suffered
through an injury
I wanted an opportuni-
ty to see what we could do
with it, Ball said. They
have a good attitude.
They are trying hard and
will do anything you ask
them to do. We just dont
have a lot of size.
Matt Taylor ad Mi-
chael Dawkins will serve
as assistant coaches for
a program that started
the school year with 13
players on the roster.
Ball said he hoped to go
through the school and
fnd more players to build
depth and avoid the di-
lemma the team faced in
2012 when the injuries
left the Vikings with an
inexperienced and un-
dersized group made up
largely of eighth-graders.
Coleman said he has
tried to forget last sea-
sons 0-9 fnish. The
Vikings were shut out
fve times and lost by an
average of more than 36
points per game. They
scored in double fgures
only once, a season-end-
ing 40-14 loss to Calvary
Christian.
Those eighth-grad-
ers really dreaded Friday
night. They were terri-
fed, Coleman said. I
just try to look forward to
better things. This year,
we have it spread out and
a lot of different people
are getting the ball and
running a lot of different
plays. Were spreading it
out. I am not as nervous
about this year as I was
about last year.
Colemans optimism
stems from Balls inclu-
sive nature and a return
to some of the style the
Vikings used under for-
mer coach Ronnie Sciple.
Taylor, who will be offen-
sive coordinator, said his
work as assistant coach is
like going back to school
because he is incorporat-
ing some of Sciples plays.
Taylor was a part of Cen-
tral Academy teams that
had plenty of size up front
and could control the line
of scrimmage and then
use their speedy running
backs including some
that would be hard to see
behind the linemen to
get to the edges.
This season, Lane
and Colby Robbins will
be the teams biggest of-
fensive linemen, but they
dont weigh more than
190 pounds. Taylor was
part of an offensive line
that he said averaged 280
pounds.
It is a lot different,
said Taylor, who is a stu-
dent at Mississippi State
University working to-
ward his degree in chem-
ical engineering. The
players cant say I dont
know what theyre doing
or what they have been
through because I ran the
same hill for three years
and theyre running the
same plays I ran for three
years.
I see a lot of effort
out there to make them-
selves better and to do
better than last year.
They seem hungry. They
want it more this year.
They have fve seniors
this year who last year
didnt win a game. They
had to be the leaders last
year. I think they are re-
ally trying to push the
team forward.
Ball, who said Taylor
is the brains behind
the operations, has im-
mersed himself in the
nuances of eight-man
football by watching
plenty of flm with Tay-
lor, who played on the
offensive line for Sciple.
In 2010, Taylor was part
of the Central Academy
team that lost to Kemper
Academy 56-18 in the
Mississippi Association
of Independent Schools
Eight-Man title game in
Jackson.
Ball also will lean on
Dawkins, who has two
sons, William and Pres-
ton, on the team. His goal
is to have a coaching staff
that relies on input from
the players and uses sug-
gestions from anyone to
make things work.
I have enjoyed it, Ball
said. It has been a pret-
ty easy transition with
all of the support I have
received, especially with
people like Matt and Mi-
chael Dawkins. I couldnt
do it without them. Work-
ing with them makes the
job easy.
Ball said has learned
from a lot of coaches,
including two Bobby
Hall and Mike Justice
he spent a lot of time with.
He respects both coaches
and acknowledged each
man had his style. He en-
visions his style will be
closer to Halls style
who he agreed is similar
in style and demeanor
to former Florida State
University football coach
Bobby Bowden instead
of Justices, who Ball said
is more like longtime
NFL coach Bill Parcells.
Mike is more of an
old-school coach, Ball
said. Bobby Halls style
is a better ft with my
coaching style.
Coleman likes the fact
the Vikings have a former
player back in the fold. He
also senses a different dy-
namic from the coaches
from last season.
Both coaches are
open to discussion is
what I like, Coleman
said. They will ask you
questions about what you
think you need to run,
what is open, what is not.
Matt played under (coach
Sciple). I played under
(coach Sciple). We both
know the plays. Were go-
ing back to old plays that
worked at one time and
see what happens.
I really like having
(Ball) here. He is open
to discussion. He push-
es us to do better, he
compliments us when
we do good. He gives us
a lot more confdence
than what we had last
year. Last year when we
messed up there wasnt
no, do this to get better. It
was run. It really got our
confdence down when
our coach did that. I real-
ly like it.
Taylor said the coach-
es want the players to
have fun this season. He
knows the younger play-
ers suffered too many
physical manhandlings
in 2012 and he hopes he
can tailor an offense that
helps them avoid those
mismatches. The pres-
ence of junior Lashaun
Hill should give the Vi-
kings a different dimen-
sion at running back.
Lashaun Hill is one of
the fastest players I have
seen in eight-man foot-
ball, Taylor said. Russ
Taylor doesnt back down
from anyone. T.J. is real
smart at quarterback.
Darrell Tate, Tanner
Dinsmore, and Lane
round out a senior class
that also hopes to get
contributions from junior
Dalton Outz, sophomores
Dylan Manning and Ja-
cob Sellers, and fresh-
men Jack Vandevender.
They can do whatever
they want to, Taylor said.
A lot of the bigger teams
are going to have size on
us, so that is going to be
diffcult for us to handle.
What they dont have in
size they make up for
speed and heart.
Coleman, who will play
quarterback, hopes the
Vikings can be more bal-
anced so teams dont key
on one or two players. If
that happens, he likes the
prospects for the season.
If there is anything he
hopes to take from last
year it is toughness.
Theyre all ready
to play, Coleman said.
They have a little grit
and got experience last
year. Now I believe were
going excel. They are
really showing improve-
ment, in the weight room,
out there, endurance.
They are all improving.
central academy vikings
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Eight-Man Football Class 1, District 7A; 2012 Record: 0-9
Proud Supporter of the
Central Academy Vikings
Macon Oil Company
15842 Hwy. 45 Macon, MS 662-726-5494

T
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e

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is
p
a
t
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h
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 MT. SALUS
Aug. 30 At Strider
Sept. 6 At Veritas
Sept. 13 KEMPER
Sept. 20 At Rebul
Sept. 27 CALVARY
CHRISTIAN
Oct. 4 Open Date
Oct. 11 CALHOUN
Oct. 18 HEBRON
CHRISTIAN
Oct. 25 At Calvary
Christian
Nov. 1 At Kemper
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 L, 0-24
CALVARY
Aug. 24 L, 6-46
At Calhoun
Aug. 31 L, 0-26
DELTA
Sept. 7 L, 0-62
At Marvell
Sept. 14 L, 6-46
KEMPER
Sept. 21 L, 0-30
HEBRON
CHRISTIAN
Sept. 28 L, 0-45
At Russell
Christian
Oct. 5 L, 8-42
NORTH
SUNFLOWER
Oct. 12 Open Date
Oct. 19 L, 14-40
At Calvary
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Eight-Man
Class A, District 7A
Calhoun Academy
Central Academy
Hebron Academy
Kemper Academy
Strider Academy
playoffs
n Number of times Central
Academy was shut out last
season en route to an 0-9
fnal record.
By the numBers
5
34
n Total points the team
scored last season. The
Vikings scored a
season-high 14 points in
their last game, a 40-14
loss to Calvary Christian.
13
n Number of players Central
Academy had for its frst
practice of the season. First-
year coach Steve Ball said
he hoped to build depth by
going through the school to
fnd more players in hopes
of preventing injuries from
decimating his roster, like
what happened last season.
Central Academy will look to seniors (from left) Tanner Dinsmore, Darrell Tate, Steven Lane, T.J. Coleman, and Russ Taylor to help the program
rebound from an injury-plagued 0-9 fnish in 2012.
SEnioRS hopE to hElp VikingS REVERSE foRtunES
By AdAm minichino
MACON Jessie
Bryant and Eric Hunt have
heard the talk. They also
feel the stares from people
in Macon and Noxubee
County.
Everyone has an opin-
ion if Bryant and Hunt will
be up to the task. They also
want to know how the Nox-
ubee County High School
football team is going to
replace 23 seniors from
its 2012 Mississippi High
School Activities Associa-
tion Class 4A state champi-
onship squad.
Bryant and Hunt dont
have all of the answers, but
they have the confdence
and experience as seniors
to know they will be part of
the answer.
It feels like everybody
is looking up to you and
watching how you set an
example and how you
lead, Bryant said. If you
work hard, they feel like
they have to work hard and
they will push themselves
like you are pushing your-
self. It is a lot of responsi-
bility to carry and you have
to do right by that respon-
sibility.
Said Hunt, Coach (Ty-
rone) Shorter always says
immature. We need to grow
up. (The younger players)
have started to come along
a little better, but our se-
niors have to come togeth-
er and be leaders.
A year ago, Noxubee
County defeated Greene
County 16-6 to cap the pro-
grams frst 16-0 season
and win its second state
title. Coming on the heels
of a state championship
in 2008, Noxubee Coun-
ty has 109 victories since
2003, which is tied with
West Point and Lafayette
for fourth in the state of
Mississippi. Only South Pa-
nola (140 victories), Wayne
County (114), and Meridi-
an (110) have more wins in
that span. Noxubee County
has won at least 10 games
in eight of the past 10 sea-
sons.
Success like that would
suggest the Tigers are
used to reloading, not re-
building. But whether you
use the word regroup or re-
form to illustrate the mag-
nitude of the Tigers grad-
uation losses players
like Darrell Robinson, The
Dispatchs Large Schools
Player of the Year and de-
fensive stalwarts Dylan
Bradley and Javancy Jones
it is also apparent that
Shorter and his coaches
have plenty of talent. The
unanswered questions are
how quickly will the Tigers
young players respond and
how will they hold up in
tight games when plays
need to be made.
This group coming
back, even though they
were a part of the team
last year, they werent
starters, Shorter said. I
keep telling them every
team is different. They
realize and understand
noxubee county tigers
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2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 STARKVILLE
Aug. 30 COLUMBUS
Sept. 6 LOUISVILLE
Sept. 13 At Aberdeen
Sept. 20 WEST POINT
Oct. 4 KOSCIUSKO
Oct. 11 At Leake
Central
Oct. 18 WEST
LAUDERDALE
Oct. 25 CALEDONIA
Nov. 1 At Houston
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 W, 29-8
At Starkville
Aug. 25 W, 45-13
CRAIGMONT
Aug. 31 W, 60-14
NEW HOPE
Sept. 7 W, 45-0
At Aberdeen
Sept. 14 W. 6-0
At West Point
Sept. 21 W, 45-0
KEMPER CO.
Sept. 28 W, 29-0
KOSCIUSKO
Oct. 5 W, 42-3
At Leake Central
Oct. 12 W, 40-13
HOUSTON
Oct. 18 W, 41-28
At Louisville
Oct. 26 W, 34-7
At Caledonia
Nov. 2 W, 42-6
SHANNON
Nov. 9 W, 14-0
LAFAYETTE
Nov. 16 W, 16-3
At Itawamba AHS
Nov. 23 W, 41-21
LOUISVILLE
Dec. 1 W, 16-6
Vs. Greene Co.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 4A
Region 4
Caledonia
Houston
Kosciusko
Leake Central
West Lauderdale
Noxubee County
playoffs
coaching staff
Head coach
Tyrone Shorter
n James Patterson
Offensive Coordinator
n Ed Square
n Michael Ashford
Offensive Line
n Montez Miller
n Kenny Bledsoe
n Terry Dora
n Heyward Ashford
n Joey Sanders
n Gary Naylor
n Michael Johnson
Team Chaplain
by the numbers
n Number of
seniors Noxubee
County will have to
replace from last
seasons team.
23
n Number of
seniors Noxubee
County has on this
years team.
17
n Number of
shutouts the
Tigers had last
season. The team
allowed only 36
points in fve
playoff games.
5
n Number of
all-purpose
touchdowns
Darrell Robinson
scored last
season. It was a
state record for a
single season.
50
n Number of wide
receivers 6-foot-2
or taller Noxubee
County has on
the roster this
season.
4
Noxubee County High School seniors Jessie Bryant, left, Eric Hunt, and the rest of the Tigers will be decked out in new uniforms this season
as they try to repeat as Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state champions.
TigeRS hAve ReloAded in queST foR AnoTheR TiTle
Dispatch File Photo
Noxubee County High School coach Tyrone Shorter holds the 2012 Mississippi High
School Activities Association Class 4A state championship trophy last season.
See NOXUBEE CO., 24
Victory
showed the desire was
real. The smaller num-
bers may have helped
bring the team closer
together because the Ea-
gles realized they needed
everybody on deck all of
the time to ensure they
continue to move forward.
Some years you kind
of have to round them
up and stay on them,
Hamm said. This year,
they have taken it upon
themselves, and we really
seem to have a close-knit
group. Even in some of
our championship years
the entire team didnt
want to hang out with
each other. This group, it
seems like the majority of
them are friends on and
off the feld. It is going to
help some because of the
unity factor. The bottom
line is going to be prepa-
ration and some goof for-
tune with no injuries.
Austin needs only to
point to the teams fnal
games of the 2012 sea-
son to prove the team
made progress after a
bumpy start. One week
after losing to Tuscaloosa
Christian 41-22 in a lack-
luster performance, Aus-
tin said Victory Christian
responded the following
week with one of its best
efforts in a 52-42 loss in
the rematch. Although
it ended the teams sea-
son, Austin pointed to the
loss in training camp as
a positive he took from
last season. He feels the
team gained confdence
in the loss and learned
that it could persevere
and survive injuries if ev-
eryone stayed together,
prepared, and remained
committed to the goal.
Victory Christian
coach Chris Hamm said
the determination the
team showed at the end
of the 2012 season has
carried over into training
camp. He said he talked a
little bit about the fact the
program has won champi-
onships and had undefeat-
ed seasons in the recent
past. This years team
is different than those
teams, though, primar-
ily because of its roster
size. He said a key is the
amount of preparation the
players invest in training
and in practice. He said if
they stay committed they
have the potential to carve
their own identity.
It is going to be ob-
vious we dont have the
numbers we have in the
past, and people proba-
bly arent going to expect
too much from us, from
the other teams we play
to maybe even our fans,
Hamm said. If they will
go ahead and prepare and
do what is necessary, what
they do accomplish is go-
ing to be not just another
championship or unde-
feated season or whatever
is in the cards, it is going
to be memorable.
With the return of a
healthy Anthony Sharp,
a junior running back/
defensive end, Austin be-
lieves the team can stay
on the path if it stays pos-
itive. He doesnt claim to
be a rah-rah leader who
will shout and slap backs
to get teammates fred
up. Instead, he prefers
to set the example in a
quiet manner and to talk
things through to ensure
the Eagles are going to
do things the right way.
From what he has seen,
he believes the Eagles are
off to a good start.
Sophomore quarter-
back Reed Fulgham will
lead the attack. Junior
Cody Bolton, who helped
set that example in the
season fnale with some
hard-nosed play.
Seniors Austin Rich-
ardson and Brandon Shaw
and juniors Shane Brad-
ford and Bo McCrary also
return to provide valuable
leadership.
I think were going
to be OK, especially with
the experience we have
with essentially the same
team, Austin said. If we
listen to the coaches even
when were tired and they
say do something we have
to get in there and do it
again.
Thats the kind of de-
sire and preparation that
leads to championships.
nnn
High school football
coaches who dont speak
to a reporter from The
Dispatch are asked to call
the sports department
Friday night with infor-
mation from their games.
All fall sports coaches
are reminded to report
their game results to The
Dispatch.
Coaches, scorekeep-
ers, parents and/or play-
ers can call 662-327-1297
or e-mail information to
sports@cdispatch.com.
Please give us the fnal
score, where the game
was played, the team re-
cords, leading perform-
ers, the teams next game
and any other notable in-
formation.
BY SCOTT WALTERS
WEST POINT
Tradition.
While many schools
dont possess or dont
embrace tradition, the
opposite holds true at
West Point High School.
The Green Wave remains
one of the states premier
Class 5A football pro-
grams. The ability to up-
hold that tradition and to
build on it motivates West
Point players and coaches
every time they step on
the practice feld.
We enjoy playing (at
West Point) a lot, West
Point senior tight end
Roger Price said. Every
time we play we feel like
we have to put on a show
because West Point loves
its football. As seniors,
not only are we trying to
carry a team, its like we
are trying to carry a pro-
gram and a town.
This means a lot
around here. You have to
relish that and embrace
that. That is what makes
it all fun.
West Point owns sev-
en state championships.
Most recently, it won
Class 5A state champion-
ships in 2009 and 2010.
Last season, West Point
fnished 11-3. The season
ended with a heart-break-
ing overtime loss to
archrival Starkville in the
Mississippi High School
Activities Associations
North State champion-
ship game.
The end to last season
was devastating, West
Point senior offensive
tackle Deion Shelton said.
You work so hard to play
that one game and then
it gets away. Now, we are
ready to go. As seniors,
you want to win a state
championship. That is our
goal, and I think we have
a team that can do that.
When you play West
Point football, you have a
target on your back, and
we know that. We want
the other team to play
their best against us be-
cause that is how you win
championships.
West Point coach Chris
Chambless likes the at-
titude and togetherness
of this years team. For
several seasons he has
west Point green wave
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2013 Schedule
Aug. 24 Open Date
Aug. 29 At South Panola
Sept. 6 STARKVILLE
Sept. 13 COLUMBUS
Sept. 20 At Noxubee Co.
Sept. 27 At Oxford
Oct. 4 CLARKSDALE
Oct. 11 At Center Hill
Oct. 18 LAKE
CORMORANT
Oct. 25 SALTILLO
Nov. 1 At New Hope
Nov. 7 LEWISBURG
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 18 L, 10-12
At South Panola
Aug. 24 Open Date
Aug. 31 W, 26-19
At Columbus
Sept. 7 W, 47-22
At Starkville
Sept. 14 L,0-6
NOXUBEE CO.
Sept. 21 W, 23-17
LAKE
CORMORANT
Sept. 28 W, 49-14
At Hernando
Oct. 5 W, 42-0
CLARKSDALE
Oct. 12 W, 31-7
At Saltillo
Oct. 19 W, 55-7
CENTER HILL
Oct. 26 W, 35-21
OXFORD
Nov. 2 W, 38-7
At New Hope
Nov. 9 W, 38-0
CANTON
Nov. 16 W, 56-21
RIDGELAND
Nov. 23 L, 28-29 OT
At Starkville
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 5A
Region 1
Center Hill
Clarksdale
Lake Cormorant
Lewisburg
New Hope
Oxford
Saltillo
West Point
playoffs
West Point High School football coach Chris Chambless will count on senior running back Aeris Williams, left, who has given a verbal commitment
to play football at Mississippi State, and senior defensive back Dvanta Randle to help get the Green Wave back to the state title game.
TogeTheRneSS Could help ReSToRe TRAdiTion
See WEST POINT, 20
Alabama Christian
8-Man league
First Assembly
New Life
Tabernacle
Tuscaloosa
Victory Christian
playoffs
By SCOTT WALTERS
WEST POINT Oak
Hill Academy senior tight
end/defensive end Brad-
ley Allen always looks
forward to the football
season.
The difference this
season is there are many
more people waiting to
see the Raiders play.
At the beginning of
last season, the students
and our fans had the same
expectations as always,
Allen said. They think
we will win a game here
or there but not really do
anything special. We kind
of felt the same way.
Amazing what a new
season, new coach, and
new attitude can do.
This year, it is totally
different, Allen said. I
think the frst game (this
season) may be the most
fun I have ever had play-
ing football. We play Hart-
feld Academy at home
and everybody is ready.
The day is going to be un-
real from early that day
until the game.
We have had some
terrible seasons around
here. Everybody knows
now (that) things are dif-
ferent.
With a desire to be
closer to home, Daniel
Merchant took over the
program in 2012. His frst
mission was far greater
than winning or losing
football games. The frst
task was instilling conf-
dence in a program that
went winless in 2011.
We had not had good
records in the past, Oak
Hill senior center Pres-
ton Hall said. Now we
Oak HIll academy raIders
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Class 2A, District 2AA; 2012 Record: 6-6 (3-3)
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 HARTFIELD ACA.
Aug. 30 At Marshall Aca.
Sept. 6 TRI-COUNTY
Sept. 13 WINSTON ACA.
Sept. 20 At Newton Aca.
Sept. 27 At Heritage Aca.
Oct. 4 At Manchester
Aca.
Oct. 11 INDIANOLA ACA.
Oct. 18 At Canton Aca.
Oct. 25 LEAKE ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 W, 13-6
At Newton
County Aca.
Aug. 24 W, 27-21
WINSTON
Aug. 31 L, 20-36
INDIANOLA
Sept. 7 L, 6-27
At Manchester
Sept. 14 W, 21-6
WINONA
Sept. 21 L, 15-48
CANTON
Sept. 28 L, 0-42
At Leake
Oct. 5 L, 0-42
At Heritage
Oct. 12 W, 37-14
NEW SITE
Oct. 19 W, 32-14
KIRK
Oct. 26 W, 20-19
At Immanuel
Nov. 2 L, 14-42
At North Delta
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 2A
District 2AA
Canton Academy
Leake Academy
Manchester Academy
Oak Hill Academy
Tri-County Academy
Winston Academy
playoffs
cOacHIng staff
Head coach
Daniel Merchant
n Chris Craven
Linebackers
nCarl Middleton
Defensive coordinator,
Defensive line)
nCody Allen Offensive,
Defensive Line
nDrew Dance Offensive
Line
nDave Matusiak
nFreddie Brister
Offensive coordinator
nColby Brister
Wingbacks, Tight Ends
From left: Oak Hill Academy football players Preston Hall, Drew Riley, Bradley Allen, and Drake Riley will try to help the Raiders build on a 6-6
season that saw them get back to the playoffs. With a solid cast of returning players, Oak Hill Academy feels good about its chances.
QUARTERBACK
Riley Pierce (Jr.),
Kaleb Darnell (Soph.),
Ken Dill (Fr.)
nPierce was pressed into service last
year due to injury. He started the fnal three
games. The Raiders will look to be more
diverse on offense.
FULLBACKS
Drake Riley (Jr.),
A.J. Iseley (Jr.),
Drew Riley (Soph.),
John Willis Stevens (Soph.)
nDrake Riley ran for a team-high 675
yards and eight touchdowns last season.
All of the primary fullbacks/tailbacks/run-
ning backs return. With a frm grasp of the
offense, Merchant looks for more diversity.
WINGBACKS/ TIGHT ENDS
Samuel Harrell (Jr.),
Kaleb Darnell (Soph.), Bradley Allen (Sr.),
Mathew Gwathney (Jr.), Curt Huffman (Sr.)
nAllen had a team-high 10 catches last
season. Oak Hill Academy coach Daniel
Merchant likes the depth and pass-catching
ability of this group. With a comfort level
established and solidifed in the spring, the
Raiders will look to pass more.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Preston Hall (Sr.), Clark Hays (Soph.),
Caleb Roberson (Soph.), Robert Walker
(Soph.), Brandon Crump (Jr.),
Joseph Caskey (Sr.),
Murry Falkner (Jr.),
Lane Clark (Jr.),
Bryan McClellan (Sr.)
nCaskey anchors a veteran line. He,
Hall, and McClellan will be expected to
anchor a unit that matured in the second
half of last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Caleb Roberson (Soph.),
Joseph Caskey (Sr.),
Brandon Crump (Jr.),
Matthew Gwathney (Jr.), Lane Clark (Jr.),
A.J. Iseley (Jr.),
Bradley Allen (Sr.)
nThe teams most experienced po-
sition, as each spot has seen time as a
starter. During a three-game winning streak
late in the season, Oak Hill Academy only
allowed seven touchdowns on defense. The
run helped the Raiders reach the playoffs.
LINEBACKER
Drake Riley (Jr.), Dakota OBryant (Jr.),
Paxton Trull (Sr.), Bryan McClellan (Sr.),
Drew Riley (Soph.),
Chance Wilson (Soph.),
Steve Dragoo (Sr.)
nDrake and Drew Riley each had 57
tackles last season. Merchant likes his
depth and speed at linebacker. The primary
goal for this unit is to increase its intercep-
tion numbers from last season.
SECONDARY
Kaleb Darnell (Soph.),
Blake Thomas (Jr.),
Chase Nash (Sr.), Curt Huffman (Sr.),
John Willis Stevens (Jr.)
nWithout question, the biggest area
of concern entering the season. Only two
starters return from this group, but Mer-
chant likes the talent. It is just a matter of
putting the right person in the right place.
SPECIALISTS
Punter Paxton Trull (Sr.)
nTrull will solidify the punting game.
He most likely will handle the place-kicking
chores. Kick return duties will be handled
by committee, with both Rileys playing a
large role.
Scott Walters
a clOser lOOk
See OAK HILL, 21
RAIDERS BUILDING
ON PLAYOFF RUN
After guiding program back to postseason,
Merchant wants to accomplish even more
QUARTERBACKS
Josh Ewing (Jr.),
Dason Thomas (Jr.)
n Ewing is the projected starter. He will be
asked to fll a void left by Tez Lane, who shifted
to starter last season and is now at Northeast
Mississippi Community College.
RUNNING BACK
Aeris Williams (Sr.), Lacequiu Starks (Jr.),
Roger Thomas (Sr.)
A Mississippi State University commitment,
Williams ran for 1,704 yards and 22 touch-
downs as a junior. Starks and Thomas are ex-
pected to provide depth and play-making ability.
RECEIVERS
Kaelon Collins (Jr.), Jayson Burnett (Sr.),
Lagaris Wordlaw (Sr.),Javontae Harris (Jr.),
Steffon Moore (Jr.), Roger Price (Sr.),
Miller Keys (Jr.)
The Green Wave will break out several new
names in the receiving corps. The group has
potential, but it is young. Price emerged as a
leader in the offseason program. He and Keys
are expected to have big seasons at tight end.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Josh Birchfeld (Jr.), Kadarius Forside (Jr.),
Deion Shelton (Sr.), Josh Coggins (Jr.),
Donald Wesley (Jr.), Chris Humphries (Jr.)
Forside and Shelton anchor a fairly veteran
group.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Ladarius Gallion (Sr.), Tamarcus Myers (Soph.),
Willie Owens (Sr.), Lexus Price (Soph.),
Lexus Ware (Jr.), Tavaris Hawkins (Sr.),
Everett Quinn (Sr.), Jeffrey Drake (Soph.),
Nick Melton (Soph.)
The Green Wave will look for some new con-
tributors .Coach Chris Chambless has applaud-
ed this groups work ethic in training camp.
SECONDARY
Dvanta Randle (Sr.), Donquenta Ewing (Jr.),
Rashad Jones (Sr.)
Randle at strong safety and Jones at free
safety will provide leadership and anchor a unit
looking to build off last seasons success.
LINEBACKER
Tyler Logan (Jr.), Davion Bradshaw (Sr.),
Davin Webb (Jr.), Tyler Witherspoon (Sr.)
Bradshaw has emerged as one of the go-to
guys. This group will have some new faces, but
Chambless said it has excellent communication
skills and is making great strides.
SPECIALISTS
Omar Lemus (Jr.)
Lemus will handle punting and place-kicking
duties.
Scott Walters
a clOser lOOk cOacHIng staff
Head coach
Chris Chambless
n Lee J. Grisham
nFloizell Wilson
nKendall Pickens
nRicky Melton
nCasey Welch
nBrett Morgan
nRoger Burton
nMatt Snow
nGerry Fremin
nBlake Hutchinson
nAdam Lowrey
nSteve Cannon
nKeith Manning
nCharles Herron
nDaniel Henderson
West Point
has applauded his teams work
ethic and its desire to avoid com-
placency by fghting to become a
better unit.
The chemistry on this years
team is outstanding, Chamb-
less said. We have a lot of guys
working hard. We having guys
step up every day in practice.
That is what you want in a team.
We are now getting back into the
routine. There is no lack of effort.
The guys have goals and they are
working hard to achieve them.
If each player reaches individual
goals to get better than the team
goals fall right into place.
Offensively, it starts with
6-foot-1, 205-pound tailback Aeris
Williams. Already committed to
Mississippi State University, Wil-
liams ran for 1,704 yards and 22
touchdowns as a junior. Williams
also is dominant in the kick re-
turn game.
Projected to start at quarter-
back is junior Josh Ewing, who
will be asked to fll the void left
by Tez Lane, who is at Northeast
Mississippi Community College.
Typically, the Green Wave has a
run-oriented quarterback, with
the option being a main staple.
Wide outs include seniors
Jayson Burnett, senior Lagaris
Wordlaw, and junior Javontae
Harris.
West Points offense typical-
ly starts with strong line play.
Kadarius Forside and Shelton re-
turn to the anchor the line.
Everyone knows what West
Point football is all about, Cham-
bless said. We like to run the
football. It is all about technique
and blocking schemes. It is all
about our line moving the others
line off the ball. We have some
players who can do that.
Defensively, West Point will
rely on speed and a hard-nosed,
brand of ball. A year ago, the
Green Wave posted two shut-
outs, held eventual Class 6A state
champion South Panola to feld
goals in a 12-10 defeat and al-
lowed only one touchdown to four
other opponents.
The three West Point defeats
came to South Panola, Class 5A
champion Starkville, and Class
4A champion Noxubee County.
Starkville wont factor in this
years playoff run. The Yellow
Jackets have moved to Class 6A.
We go into each game want-
ing the shutout, West Point se-
nior linebacker Davion Bradshaw
said. We try to go hard on each
play because you never know
which play will be the turning
point in a game. We try to protect
our turf and give our offense the
best feld position possible.
We are looking for a state
championship. I have faith in
my teammates. I think we can
get there. It has been a couple of
years, so we need to get back.
Senior strong safety Dvanta
Randle and senior free safety
Rashad Jones will help anchor
the defense. Bradshaw paces a
veteran linebacking corps, while
senior Ladarius Gallion is a veter-
an starter on the line.
God has blessed us with a
really good team this year, Price
said. There is more together-
ness. It is much more like a broth-
erhood. There is no arguing and
no dissension. It is fun to come to
practice every day.
We have the type of things
you need inside to be a state
championship team. Now we
have to go out there and play the
games and get better.
West Point always has taken
its focus very seriously. A non-re-
gion schedule that includes
games against South Panola,
Starkville, Columbus, and Nox-
ubee County should make West
Point more than ready for the rig-
ors of Class 5A, Region 1 play.
These players think a whole
lot about getting better, Chamb-
less said. We have some real pos-
itive leaders. That is what helps
get a team over the hump. When
you are tired and second-guess-
ing yourself, you have players
working hard to help reach a
team goal. The goal is simply to
make the playoffs.
We treat each season the
same way. The goal is to make
the playoffs. Then you take it
round by round from there.
BY SCOTT WALTERS
PHEBA Hebron Chris-
tian School begins the new
football season with a pur-
pose.
For the past two seasons,
the Eagles have competed as
an independent in the Mis-
sissippi Association of Inde-
pendent Schools and were
ineligible for the playoffs.
With the most recent
realignment, Hebron Chris-
tian will play the next two
seasons of eight-man football
in MAIS District 7. The top
two teams in the fve-team
district will advance to the
playoffs.
We have really high ex-
pectations this season, He-
bron Christian junior Collin
Moore said. Our main goal
is to make the playoffs. We
thought we were as good as
a lot of the teams in the play-
offs last season, if not better,
so being able to make the
playoffs this year would be
really huge.
Hebron Christian
dropped from 11- to eight-
man football two seasons
ago. The change came right
before the school year began
and didnt allow the team
enough time to earn eligibil-
ity for the eight-man playoffs.
The long wait to become eli-
gible for the playoffs is fnally
over, and now the Eagles are
one of the states 19 Class A
teams with postseason aspi-
rations.
We have a really good
group of seniors, and our
whole focus this year is on
making the playoffs, He-
bron Christian senior Troy
Arnold said. We werent
able to do that last year, but
that doesnt mean we cant
build on last season. We won
a lot more games than any
other team had around here
in a long time last season.
We were really hyped
for every game. Each Friday
night, we went into the game
and expecting not to lose. It
was the most fun I had play-
ing football in my entire life.
Hebron Christian won its
frst eight games last season
and fnished 8-2. Coach Da-
vid Foster saw an attitude
and desire he really liked
from that club. He feels the
Eagles competed hard and
helped establish a precedent
for future years.
We are not going back-
wards. Our intention is keep
this thing rolling like we
were, Foster said. New po-
sitions are our main concern.
When you are dealing with
a small team and players
playing both ways, you have
to change a lot of positions
around from year to year.
We have a good class of
seniors. We have some ju-
niors we will be counting on,
but those are the main ones
who will be playing new posi-
tions. Then, we have a large
sophomore class. It is our job
to get them up to speed on
what we want to do.
Hebron Christian lost its
backfeld from last season.
Still, Foster likes the replace-
ments. It is a matter of get-
ting the new players playing
time and helping the group
learn how to play together.
We have a lot more
depth than last year, Arnold
said. The main thing is put-
ting it all together. I think we
have some really good young
players who will surprise
some people. A few of the
sophomores are going to be
big-time players.
Sophomore Channing
Tapley will be quarterback.
Tapley will be joined in the
backfeld by Moore and
senior Justin Gordon. Top
receiving targets include
senior Hayden Canty and
backup quarterback junior
Andrew Myatt.
The line will be anchored
by returning starters Arnold
and classmate Joey Ard and
sophomore Jessie Moore.
Jessie played up as a
ninth-grader last year and
really learned a lot, Foster
said.Our line play was re-
ally good last year, and in
eight-man football, the line of
scrimmage is even more im-
portant. Containment is im-
portant. Being able to make
that initial play is important.
Defensively, the Eagles
will rely on Arnold and Jes-
sie Moore on the line and
Collin Moore at cornerback.
Seniors Nic McCary and
Dustin Holmes have im-
pressed in training camp and
should play larger roles.
The feld is wider (in
eight-man football), Arnold
said. The biggest key is con-
taining on the outside. You
cant let the other team get
to the outside or you are go-
ing to have a long night. You
play a lot more man-to-man
defense instead of zone. You
have to keep up with your
man.
That is what we have
been working on the most
during practice. We are hav-
ing to teach some guys on de-
fense some new positions.
Hebron Christian posted
some gaudy defensive num-
bers last season. Typically,
eight-man football is high
scoring. A year ago, Hebron
Christian posted one shutout
and held three other oppo-
nents to one touchdown.
The main thing is that
it is still football, Collin
Moore said. You still have
to make tackles. You still
have to catch the ball when
it is thrown to you. The main
thing about last season is we
built a lot of confdence. It
started with one win. Then,
each time we won, we played
with even more confdence.
Two seasons ago, Hebron
Christian struggled to put to-
gether a seven-game sched-
ule. Now, eight-man football
has become the norm. Suc-
cess has followed and now
the numbers are back up in
the program.
A 20-man roster includes
10 sophomores. Foster also
is pleased to report a large
group of seventh-graders on
the junior high football team.
Still, large numbers are
needed in each class if the
school is to consider a return
to 11-man football.
We have two years to de-
cide if we are going to move
back up, Foster said. We
are locked into (eight-man
football) for this year and
next. Being back in the play-
off consideration is a very big
plus for this group of kids.
They have been waiting a
long time for this.
Our sophomore class
makes 11-man football a pos-
sibility down the road. The
school continues to grow
from an enrollment stand-
point. We just have to keep
increasing the number of
football players we have in
school. If we can do that, the
future will be even better.
hebron christian eagles
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Eight-Man Football Class 1, District 7A; 2012 Record: 8-2 (0-0)
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 VICTORY
CHRISTIAN
Aug. 30 At Humphreys
Academy
Sept. 6 SHARKEY-
ISSAQUENA
Sept. 13 At Calvary
Christian
Sept. 20 Open Date
Sept. 27 At Delta Aca.
Oct. 4 STRIDER ACA.
Oct. 11 KEMPER ACA.
Oct. 18 At Central Aca.
Oct. 25 FRIENDSHIP
CHRISTIAN
Nov. 1 At Calhoun Aca.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 W, 20-6
STRIDER
Aug. 24 W, 48-20
At Victory
Christian
Aug. 31 W, 46-6
CALVARY
CHRISTIAN
Sept. 6 W, 38-28
At Clinton
Christian
Sept. 14 W, 36-8
ST. SALUS
Sept. 21 W, 30-0
CENTRAL
Sept. 28 W, 28-16
KEMPER
Oct. 5 W, 58-14
At Flint Hill
Oct. 12 L, 12-40
At Calhoun
Oct. 19 L, 12-36
HUMPHREYS
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Eight-Man
Class A, District 7A
Calhoun Academy
Central Academy
Hebron Academy
Kemper Academy
Strider Academy
playoffs
QUARTERBACKS
Channing Tapley (Soph.),
Andrew Myatt (Jr.)
nTapley will take over after Will
Corben-Rogers led the Eagles the
past two seasons.
RUNNING BACK
Collin Moore (Jr.),
Justin Gordon (Sr.)
nThe Eagles will have all new
faces in the backfeld. Coach Foster
likes the talent level and looks for-
ward to this group working together
to improve.
RECEIVERS
Hayden Canty (Sr.),
Andrew Myatt (Jr.)
nThe Eagles look to pass the
ball more, with several different
pass-catching targets in the mix.
The receiving corps should be
paced by Canty and Myatt, who has
made great strides since the start
of training camp.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Jessie Moore (Soph.),
Troy Arnold (Sr.), Joey Ard (Sr.)
This seasons most returning
experience is on the offensive
line. Arnold and Ard have been
two-year starters on the line, while
Moore blossomed last season as a
ninth-grader.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Nic McCary (Sr.), Dustin Holmes
(Jr.), Jessie Moore (Soph.),
Troy Arnold (Sr.), Joey Ard (Sr.)
nFoster will continue to
experiment with rotations here in
training camp. Defensive line play
last season was one of the Eagles
main strengths.
SECONDARY
Collin Moore (Jr.),
Brian Eaddy (Soph.),
Justin Gordon (Sr.),
Hayden Canty (So.)
nEaddy and Canty have
impressed in training camp, and
should ft nicely with the veterans
Moore and Gordon.
SPECIALISTS
Taylor Simmons (Sr.)
nSimmons returns to handle all
of the kicking duties.
Scott Walters
a closer look
Oak Hill
start the season and we
feel like we can do some-
thing special. Its a good
feeling knowing you have
a chance when you leave
the locker room.
One of the areas big-
gest surprises last season,
Oak Hill fnished 6-6 and
advanced to the Missis-
sippi Association of Inde-
pendent Schools Class AA
playoffs, where it lost to
North Delta Academy in
a frst-round game. The
loss was the Raiders frst
playoff berth since 2007.
It was the programs frst
winning regular season
since 2005.
Last season, we laid
the foundation, Merchant
said. I think we reached
our full potential last sea-
son. That is satisfying as
a coach. We have eight
starters returning on of-
fense and defense, so now
we want to build on last
season. We dont want to
stay put. We want to keep
going forward.
Brothers Drake and
Drew Riley will help Oak
Hill Academy move for-
ward. A junior, Drake
plays fullback on offense
and linebacker on defense.
Drew, a sophomore, plays
tailback on offense and
is a blocking back for his
brother. He
coaching staff
Head coach
David Foster
n Hearne Foster
Dispatch File Photo
Hebron Christians Collin Moore reaches for a Central Academy runner in a 30-0 victory last season in Pheba.
EAglES ExCitED About poStSEASon poSSibilitiES
Dispatch File Photo
Hebron Christians Andrew Myatt cant corral a pass as a Central Academy defender
wraps him up around the waist in their game last year in Pheba.
Front
Row
Seats
The
Commercial
Dispatch
Sports
By Don Rowe
ABERDEEN It has been said
that good things come in small
packages.
But as far as football recruiters
are concerned, thats not always a
truism.
Aberdeen High School quar-
terback Josh Williams and wide
receiver Sammie Burroughs will
try to make those recruiters take
notice, even though they are both a
couple of inches shy of 6 feet and tip
the scales in the 175- to 180-pound
range.
Williams, a junior who has start-
ed under center the past two years,
helped lead the Bulldogs to an
11-3 record, a spotless 5-0 division
mark, and a trip to the third round
of the Mississippi High School Ac-
tivities Association Class 3A state
playoffs. He was 95 of 181 (52.5 per-
cent completion percentage) for
2,134 yards and 28 touchdowns. He
had a quarterback rating of 185.99.
But Williams was much more
than a passer, rushing for 684
yards on 153 carries and scoring 11
touchdowns. All told, he accounted
for a team-high 2,818 yards, an
average of 201.3 yards per game,
and was responsible for 39 of Aber-
deens 64 touchdowns.
Burroughs is a versatile two-
way senior starter who is a threat
to take it to the house as a receiv-
er, a defensive back, or as a return
specialist.
As a junior, he had 26 catches
for 656 yards (25.23 per catch) and
nine touchdowns, rushed for 66
yards on 19 carries and one touch-
down, returned seven punts for
203 yards (long of 78 yards), and
picked up 160 yards on nine kick
returns to fnish with 1,085 offen-
sive all-purpose yards and a team-
high 72 points.
As a defensive back, Burroughs
had 24 tackles (22 solo), fve inter-
ceptions for 79 return yards, and
one fumble recovery.
Josh and Sammie are two of
our team leaders, Aberdeen coach
Mark Bray. They are two of the
hardest working kids on the team,
and they never fail to do everything
we ask them to do.
Bray said Williams improved
his arm strength in the offseason
and the offensive staff expects big
things from him this year.
Statistically, he had a good
year throwing the ball as a sopho-
more, but truth be known that in
addition to having a rocket for an
arm, he may be our best running
back, too, Bray said.
Burroughs, no matter which
side of the ball hes on, is like a
coach on the feld, according to
Bray.
Position-wise he can play run-
ning back, quarterback, wide re-
ceiver, defensive back, or return
specialist, Bray said. But no mat-
ter where he lines up on the feld,
he knows where everybody else is
supposed to be, and he keeps ev-
erybody straight.
Offensive coordinator Alex Wil-
liams said quickness makes Bur-
roughs so dangerous.
Put Sammie in a closet and
hed be hard to tackle, Williams
said. Hes tough to deal with in a
small area.
Impressive statistics, quick-
ness, versatility, and personal at-
tributes aside, college recruiters
arent beating down the door to
recruit Burroughs or Williams.
The recruiting websites havent
assigned three or four stars to ei-
ther player a sign that todays
big-time football programs still re-
cruit with a bigger-is-better phi-
losophy.
Its kind of sad that if a skill
player isnt 6 feet tall or more and
cant run a 4.4 40-yard dash college
recruiters wont take a chance for
the most part nowadays, Bray
said. Sammies really going to
have to have a big year to prove
himself to get the opportunity to
play big-time college football.
On the plus side, Williams and
Burroughs have good blood lines
as the sons of former Aberdeen
High football standouts Terry Wil-
liams and Sammie Burroughs, re-
spectively. Terry Williams suited
up for the Bulldogs in the 1970s
and his brother, Jeff, is a 1989 in-
ductee to the Tuskegee Athletic
Hall of Fame. Sammie Sr. played
collegiately at Mt. San Antonio Ju-
nior College in California, Portland
State University in Oregon, and
professionally in the NFL for the
Indianapolis Colts for three years
and for the Miami Dolphins for one
season.
Sammies drawn some interest
from UAB, Louisiana-Lafayette,
Louisiana Monroe, Colorado State,
where my old linebacker coach is
now coaching, and from my alma
mater Portland State, Burroughs
Sr. said. He doesnt have any of-
fers in hand, but at least theres
some interest out there.
Burroughs said he watches col-
lege and pro football closely and
has noticed the so-called little
guy seem to be coming back at
both levels.
Its too bad the smaller players
have so much more to prove that
they can play, but I know what hes
capable of because Ive watched
him play football since he was 7
years old, Burroughs Sr. said.
Hes a smart kid with a 3.5 GPA,
and football just comes natural to
him. All its going to take is some-
one to give him a chance.
Terry Williams also knows
how tough it is to impress the
recruiters and the scouts when
physically challenged.
My brother, Jeff, was a star
football player in the late 1960s
and early 1970s, but he never
got a shot at the NFL because
he was a 5-foot-6 running back,
Williams said. He was fast and a
powerful runner, but they said he
wasnt big enough to play at the
next level.
Williams was an All-South-
ern Intercollegiate Athletic Con-
ference frst-team selection as
a junior and a senior and was
named one of the schools All-
Time Greatest Football Athletes.
He helped Tuskegee post a 24-6
record from 1968-70 and played
a big role in three consecutive
SIAC B Division champion-
ships. His 1,288 yards rushing in
1969 is one of the top individual
totals in school history and his
14 touchdowns scored the same
year is one of the top fve all-time.
You would think with a ca-
reer like that he would have a
least received a tryout, Williams
said. But all they looked at was
his height and it didnt measure
up to what they thought an NFL
back needed in order to make it
in the league.
Josh Williams still has two
more years to prove his worth,
but like Burroughs, hes going
to have to increase his offensive
production to get a look.
I wish the recruiters could
see what I see every day, Terry
Williams said. Josh is dedicat-
ed to playing quarterback, and
he comes home from practice
every afternoon still in the prac-
tice mode. He literally eats and
sleeps with a football in his hand,
and Ive never seen anyone who
is so passionate and who loves
the game of football like he does.
If Williams and Burroughs
are to have big years, Aberdeens
veteran offensive line will have to
match last years performance,
when the Bulldogs averaged
more than 5 yards per carry and
22.46 yards per pass reception.
Two full-time starters return
at guard, Tavoris Eckford and
James Randle, along with part-
time starters Jamarkus Tallie at
center, and Jordan Gladney and
Devonta Walker at tackle.
Burroughs leads a young and
inexperienced receiving corps
that could turn out to be one of
the best groups to play at Ab-
erdeen High, but the tight end
and running backs positions are
question marks entering the sea-
son.
Defensively, Bray will look
for leadership from down line-
men Deonta Carter and Devonta
Walker, outside linebackers G.G.
Blanchard and Jack Hadley, and
safeties Tamarkus Payne and
Burroughs all of whom start-
ed last year.
aberdeen bulldogs
2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 SHANNON
Aug. 30 At New Hope
Sept. 6 At Amory
Sept. 13 NOXUBEE CO.
Sept. 20 At Itawamba AHS
Sept. 27 CORINTH
Oct. 4 At Nettleton
Oct. 11 KEMPER CO.
Oct. 18 At Louisville
Oct. 25 At Winona
Nov. 1 SOUTH
PONTOTOC
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 L, 0-21
At Columbus
Aug. 24 W, 26-13
At Shannon
Aug. 31 W, 27-22
AMORY
Sept. 7 L, 0-45
NOXUBEE CO.
Sept. 14 W, 45-28
At West Bolivar
Sept. 21 W, 32-21
LOUISVILLE
Sept. 28 W, 52-14
At Mantachie
Oct. 5 W, 52-6
NETTLETON
Oct. 12 W, 52-6
MOOREVILLE
Oct. 19 W, 20-13
WATER VALLEY
Oct. 26 W, 39-3
South Pontotoc
Nov. 2 W, 54-42
WINONA
Nov. 9 W, 46-16
MCCLAIN
Nov. 16 L, 22-49
At Charleston
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 3A
Region 4
Aberdeen
Kemper County
Louisville
MSMS
Nettleton
South Pontotoc
Winona
playoffs
QUARTERBACK
Josh Williams (Jr.)
nWilliams had a breakout
year as a sophomore and has
gotten stronger in the offseason.
He completed more than half his
pass attempts last year, but he
must improve on his interception
total (15). Backup help will come
from Tramonte Prather, a 6-foot,
185-pound sophomore transfer
from Shannon High School.
As Josh goes, so goes our
offense, Aberdeen coach Mark
Bray said.
RUNNiNg BACK
g.g. Blanchard (Sr.),
Josh Ewing (Sr.)
nAberdeen lost the services
of Chico Harrison, who rushed
for 1,246 yards and scored 10
touchdowns last season as a
junior, along with senior Justin
Lucas, who scored nine times and
averaged nearly fve yards a carry.
Is up to Blanchard, who started
at outside linebacker a year ago,
and Ewing, who didnt play last
season, to fll their shoes.
A defnite question mark
heading into the season based on
the fact theres little to no experi-
ence returning, Bray said.
RECEivERS
Sammie Burroughs (Sr.),
Tyreke gates (Jr.),
B.J. Williams (Soph.),
Jerrick Orr (Soph.),
Tay Carothers (Soph.),
Deonta Carter (Soph.),
C.J. Williams (Fr.)
nAberdeens biggest loss
was Aaron Cap McMillian, who
had 24 receptions for a team-high
685 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Burroughs led the way with 26
catches for 656 yards and,
although Gates didnt play last
year, he is expected to pick up
on the inside where McMillian
left off. Backups include seniors
Chris McMillian and Tyler Fields.
On the outside, Williams was the
frst off the bench last season
as a freshman. Orr picked up 91
yards rushing in six games as a
late-game replacement at running
back. Juniors Parish Cratic and
Damian Curry provide backup
help. Carothers, Carter, and
Williams will compete for playing
time at tight end. Carter started
on defense at nose guard.
Our inside and outside receiv-
ers are probably the best group of
receivers Ive ever coached, Bray
said. They have great speed,
good hands and theyre all hard
workers everything you look for
in a receiver.
OFFENSivE liNE
Jamarkus Tallie (Jr.),
Tavoris Eckford (Sr.),
James Randle (Sr.),
Jordan gladney (Jr.),
Devonta Walker (Sr.)
nEckford and Randle started
a year ago, while Tallie, Gladney
and Walker all saw considerable
playing time. Devante Smith (Jr.),
Jamarkus Irons (Sr.), Shavez
McMillian (Soph.), Justin Drake
(Soph.), and Theo Boyd (Soph.)
will spell the starters.
I feel our offensive line is one
of our strong points, Bray said. I
am comfortable with the starters
and the backups.
DEFENSivE liNE
Deonta Carter (Soph.),
Terrance Smith (Fr.),
Devonta Walker (Sr.),
Theo Boyd (Soph.),
Tavoris Eckford (Sr.),
Jordan gladney (Jr.)
nCarter and Walker started
last season.
We played a lot of people
along the line so we have some
returning experience, Bray said.
liNEBACKER
C.J. Williams (Fr.),
Tay Carothers (Soph.),
Shavez McMillian,
B.J. Williams (Soph.),
g.g. Blanchard (Sr.),
Josh Hadley (Sr.),
Chris McMillian (Sr.),
B.J. Williams (Soph.)
nBlanchard and Hadley start-
ed on the outside a year ago and
will be relieved by McMillian and
Williams (Soph.).
One of our two biggest
question marks on defense, Bray
said of the inside linebackers. Two
solid returning starters (Blanchard
and Hadley) are a plus.
SECONDARy
Jerrick Orr (Soph.),
Tyreke gates (Jr.),
Tyler Fields (Sr.),
Josh Ewing (Sr.),
Sammie Burroughs (Sr.),
Tamarkus Payne (Sr.),
Tramonte Prather (Soph.),
Parish Cratic (Jr.)
nOrr and Gates (Jr.) will start
ahead of Fields and Ewing at
cornerback. Burroughs and Payne
return as starters to provide expe-
rienced leadership at safety.
Another question mark for our
defense based solely on the inex-
perience factor, Bray said. Two
solid returning starters (at safety)
is another plus.
SPECiAliSTS
Josh Williams (Jr.),
Demaree Dobbins (Jr.),
Sam garth (Sr.).
nWilliams will handle the
punting chores, while the kickoff
and feld goal duties are up for
grabs between Dobbins and
Garth.
Josh and Demaree are back,
so we have some experience at
both spots, Bray said.
Don Rowe
a closer look
coaching staff
Head coach
Mark Bray Running Backs
nAlex Williams
Offensive Coordinator
nEric Spann
nSammie Burroughs
Linebackers
nThomas Clay Wide
Receivers, Defensive Backs
nJeff Coggin
Offensive Line
nKyle Davis
Defensive Line
Don Rowe/Special to The Dispatch
Aberdeen High School offensive coordinator Alex Williams and
linebackers coach Sammie Burroughs Sr. have a vested
interest in the success of junior quarterback Josh Williams and
senior wide receiver Sammie Burroughs Jr. Alex Williams is a
cousin of Josh, while Sammie Sr. is the father of Sammie Jr.
WilliAmS, BuRRoughS out to AttRACt Attention
Aberdeen High School quarterback Justin Williams, left, and wide
receiver Sammie Burroughs will try to show they belong with the
states top players even though their size may prevent them from
being placed with the states top recruits.
QUARTERBACK
Quinshay Heard (Sr.)
nHeard is coming off
shoulder surgery bigger
and stronger. Backups are
sophomores Byron Butler
(5-foot-11, 150 pounds) and
Samuel Peloquin (5-8, 140).
I look for Quinshay to
pick up where he left off
before he was injured last
year, Hamilton coach Ray
Weeks said.
RUnning BACK
Keshon Heard (Soph.)
nQuinshays little broth-
er, Keshon (5-11, 180),
will be the feature back in
Weeks spread offense,
with relief help from senior
Pallas Fair (5-10, 180), ju-
nior Michael Roberts (5-11,
205), and sophomore Aaron
Fontenot (5-9, 170).
Its going to be hard
to replace Deion Howards
1,230 yards rushing, but
with Heard, Fair, Rob-
erts (whos kin to former
Hamilton and Mississippi
State University running
back Kenny Ray Roberts)
and Fontenot, we should be
pretty deep at the running
back spot, Weeks said.
Heard is probably the most
athletic of the three broth-
ers and he can fy (he post-
ed a time of 4.43 seconds
in the 40-yard dash at the
Tupelo Combine earlier this
year, which was the third
fastest overall). He still has
some maturing to do, and I
dont think he realizes just
how good he can be.
RECEivERS
Tanner Dement (Jr.),
Austin Bishop (Jr.),
Austin Lancaster (Soph.)
nDement (6-0, 175)
started a year ago and
will be joined by Bishop
(6-2, 190) to provide rangy
targets. Junior Sequintis
Coleman (6-4, 205) and
Peloquin are also in the
mix. At tight end, Lancaster
(6-4, 190) is another rangy
receiver. Coleman will be
ready to step in with relief
help.
By Don Rowe
HAMILTON The Hamilton High
School football teams Homecoming
game is scheduled for Oct. 18 against
Biggersville, but the Lions will celebrate
two other homecomings of sorts with
the return of quarterback Quinshay
Heard and a move from Class 2A in the
Mississippi High School Activities Asso-
ciation to Class 1A.
Heard, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound quarter-
back/safety, injured his shoulder in the
third game against Kossuth last year
and was lost for the season.
Down by a touchdown early in the
game, Kossuths quarterback rolled to
his right on what appeared to be a pass
play but then decided to run. Heard
came up from the secondary to make the
stop, hit him low and the rest, as they
say, is history.
We lost our quarterback when he
tried to tackle the opposing teams quar-
terback while playing on defense, Ham-
ilton coach Ray Weeks said.
Heard was coming off a solid sopho-
more season at fullback and had shown
promise at quarterback.
Quinshays older brother, Zarrat
Sims, was our starting quarterback
when Quinshay was a sophomore, so we
played him at fullback and then moved
him to quarterback his junior year be-
cause of his athleticism and because
he could run and throw so well, Weeks
said. He had two really good games un-
der center against Smithville and Houl-
ka and got off to a good start in the Kos-
suth game before he was injured.
Heard underwent surgery, completed
his rehabilitation sessions, and hit the
hamilton lions
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2013 Schedule
Aug. 23 POTTS CAMP
Aug. 30 At Caledonia
Sept. 6 At Hatley
Sept. 13 VARDAMAN
Sept. 19 At Falkner
Sept. 27 Open Date
Oct. 4 HOULKA
Oct. 11 At Thrasher
Oct. 18 BIGGERSVILLE
Oct. 25 At Coldwater
Nov. 1 SMITHVILLE
Nov. 8 At Coffeeville
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2012 Results
Aug. 17 L, 12-21
At Smithville
Aug. 23 W, 54-14
At Houlka
Aug. 31 L, 27-35
KOSSUTH
Sept.7 W, 52-8
HATLEY
Sept. 14 L, 7-37
HOUSTON
Sept. 21 L, 0-6
At Walnut
Sept. 28 W, 43-14
At Williams-
Sullivan
Oct. 5 L, 15-55
At Eupora
Oct. 12 W, 27-6
J.Z. GEORGE
Oct. 19 L, 0-24
EAST WEBSTER
Oct. 26 L, 7-42
At Ackerman
Nov. 2 L, 10-40
At Kennedy
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 1A
Region 1
Biggersville
Coffeeville
Coldwater
Falkner
Hamilton
Houlka
Smithville
Thrasher
Vardaman
nOTE: Top four qualify for
playoffs
CoaChing staff
Head coach
Ray Weeks Offensive,
n David Hartley
Quarterbacks, Linebackers,
Special Teams
nVictor Cunningham
Running Backs
nEmanuel Buchanan
Offensive, Defensive Lines,
Special Teams
nTrey Spencer
Wide Receivers,
Defensive Backs
TOP: The Heards, Keshon
and Quinshay, will play key
roles for the Hamilton High
School football teams
offense this season.
RIGHT: Coach Ray Weeks
doesnt want his team to
think things will be easy
with it dropping from Class
2A to Class 1A.
See HAMILTON, 24
LIONS HOPE TO ROAR IN CLASS 1A
ive told the team that just
because were back in 1a
doesnt mean were going
to have it any easier.
Hamilton High School football coach
Ray Weeks
See LIONS, 24
a Closer look
the tradition we have at Nox-
ubee County. I talk about the
people before them and who
started all of this, the uncles
and cousins and dads. They
realize we are one of the
elite teams in the state, so it
is not hard to motivate them
because people in this com-
munity dont care if we lost
23 seniors. They expect us
to be there again next year.
Shorter sees a motivated
group of players that will
compete for playing time at
a variety of positions. Even
though the team returns
only four starters on defense
and two on offense, he feels
the team has built on a great
spring and a great summer
to prepare for a challeng-
ing non-district schedule
that features games against
Starkville, Columbus, Lou-
isville, Aberdeen, and West
Point. Louisville, which
moved down to Class 3A to
join Aberdeen, are the only
schools smaller than Noxu-
bee County.
With 17 seniors, Shorter
has players to lean on. But
he isnt sure if he will have
anyone who be make an
impact like Robinson, who
rushed for 2,686 yards and
had 50 all-purpose touch-
downs last season to break
the states single season re-
cord. His exploits behind a
dominant and experienced
offensive line helped power
the Tigers to their frst 16-0
fnish and enabled them to
secure their second state
championship.
This season, Shorter
will look to a stable of 11
running backs to share the
burden of replacing Rob-
inson, who has moved on
to Pearl River Community
College. Devonte Scott and
Victor Carr are the only up-
perclassmen in that group,
so Shorter knows anyone
could emerge to contribute.
I think were going to
be a little more balanced,
Shorter said. With the of-
fensive line that we had last
year and with a running
back like Robinson, there
was no doubt we were going
to run the ball 80 percent of
the time. This year, I think
our strength will be at the
receiver position. It is hard
to tell, but I think we will
still be able to run the ball.
Tamorris Conner, a
sophomore, quarterbacked
the team in the spring and
in the summer and will
be the teams starter. His
brother, Termarcus, won a
state title in 2008 at Noxu-
bee County. He is a cousin
to former Mississippi State
University standout quar-
terback Omarr Conner.
He is a very good ath-
lete, Shorter said. He is
not big in stature, but he has
a big heart and a very good
arm.
Despite Conners poten-
tial, Shorter acknowledges
the bigger question marks
are on offense. He said the
wide receiver group led
by Bryant has four play-
ers who are 6-foot-2 or taller.
Bryant moved from quarter-
back to wide receiver and
will be Conners backup.
Bryant said Shorter has
told the seniors he wants
them to be a good group
that provides leadership.
He said the seniors came
together in the spring and
fgured out how they want-
ed to lead this years team.
It is kind of easy be-
cause the underclassmen
are not hard-headed. They
do what you ask them do
to, Bryant said. If you ask
them to work hard, they
work hard. They are hun-
gry. They want another
ring.
It is not going to be easy,
but we have put in a lot of
work to regroup. I feel like
we are going back to state.
A week before the teams
scrimmage against North-
west Rankin at MSU, Short-
er said he felt comfortable
with eight to nine starters
on defense. On offense, he
laughed before saying the
Tigers feel comfortable
with their offensive line,
quarterback, and running
backs. He said there is so
much depth at wide receiv-
er he isnt sure who will
emerge. He said there prob-
ably were seven starters he
could pencil into the lineup
if he had to.
In addition to losing 23
seniors, Noxubee County
had to replace defensive co-
ordinator George Richard-
son. Ed Square takes over
for Richardson. The rest
of the staff remains solid,
Shorter said, especially at
offensive line, where he said
Michael Ashford is one of
the best in the business.
On defense, Hunt (line-
backer), Jose Moran (defen-
sive lineman), and defensive
backs Antraveon Jamison
and Mahlon Robinson re-
turn as starters.
(Eric) brings experi-
ence, Shorter said. He is a
three-year starter. We have
moved him to the middle
this year. He knows the de-
fense and he is putting kids
in the right positions and is
making the correct calls.
His work ethic is unbeliev-
able, so he will get on the
other kids. The kids look
up to him. Everybody on
defense knows it is his de-
fense.
Hunt knows he will have
to play a bigger role this
season because the 2012 de-
fense had fve shutouts, in-
cluding a run of four consec-
utive games, and allowed
only 36 points in fve playoff
games.
I knew coach Shorter
was going to be on my back
and pushing me to work
harder because he knew I
had it in me, Hunt said. It
is a lot of pressure because it
is up to me to get the defense
where it is supposed to be. I
dont have any choice. I have
to be there.
We have a lot more
speed than we did last year. I
think we will be better than
last years group. We have
more talent than we did last
year on defense. All we have
to do is work harder and I
think we can be better.
Bryant echoes that senti-
ment. He said the offensive
linemen have helped set
the tone by being the hard-
est working group. He said
everyone is helping each
other, which has eased the
younger players transition.
He hopes he, Hunt, and the
rest of the leaders learned
something from the seniors
on last years team and can
push the team down the
same path and get the
same result.
They had a desire to
win, Bryant said of last
years team. They refused
to lose. Losing wasnt even a
question.
Once I looked at the
team, it was like, we dont
look as bad as people think
well look after losing 23
seniors. It has made myself
and everybody else hungry
to be in Jackson again hold-
ing up another state cham-
pionship trophy.
Noxubee Co.
Hamilton
weight room in the offsea-
son.
The surgery went well
and he seems completely
recovered, Weeks said.
Hes bulked up some and
improved his strength,
and he doesnt seem to
suffer any ill effects from
the surgery.
Heards injury opened
the door for Seth Dement.
We had two other
quarterbacks on the ros-
ter, senior Seth Dement
and freshman Byron But-
ler, Weeks said. We went
with Seth because he had
played quarterback sever-
al years ago and because,
as a senior, he was more
mature, as most seniors
would be.
The Lions were 1-1 go-
ing into the matchup with
Class 3A Kossuth and, de-
spite Heards injury early
in the game, nearly pulled
off the upset before drop-
ping a 35-27 decision after
leading 20-16 at halftime.
The smallest Class
2A school in its division,
Hamilton went on to post
a 2-4 record against its
non-division opponents
and then fnished the reg-
ular season 2-3 against
the likes of Eupora, East
Webster, and Ackerman
all much larger division
schools.
A 40-10 loss to J.F. Ken-
nedy in Mound Bayou
in the frst round of the
Class 2A playoffs dropped
the Lions to 4-8.
Losing Quinshay was
a big blow to our team,
and it totally changed our
offensive concept, Weeks
said. But Seth Dement
stepped up to fll the void
and did a good job. He
hadnt played quarterback
since the ninth grade,
but he did everything we
asked him to do.
Playing in Class 1A is
nothing new for Hamilton.
The Lions were slotted in
the states smallest clas-
sifcation from 2005-2007
shortly after Weeks took
over as coach.
This year, thanks to the
states reclassifcation,
the Lions have gone from
one of the smallest Class
2A schools to one of the
largest Class 1A schools.
Its a move Weeks wel-
comes.
Ive told the team that
just because were back in
1A doesnt mean were go-
ing to have it any easier,
Weeks said. Class 1A is
a brutal league, and were
going to have to bring our
A game every night.
But now at least well
be playing schools our
size and our opponents
wont have a number ad-
vantage on us. When
youre a small school
playing bigger schools,
you have to play a lot of
players both ways and it
takes its toll on the team
physically when the oppo-
nent has greater numbers
to call on and can run in
substitutes to give their
starters a rest.
If Weeks is to improve
the Lions 4-8 record in his
10th year at the helm, hell
have to fnd replacements
for 10 senior starters, in-
cluding: Jeremy Lindsey,
Cole Richardson, Dusty
Bryan, Silas Gill, Dement,
and last but not least, De-
ion Howard.
We lost some good
ones off last years team,
but weve got some good,
young talent I feel will
step up and do a good job,
Weeks said.
Hamilton still will
play larger schools in its
non-district schedule
Class 2A Potts Camp,
Class 4A Caledonia, and
Class 2A Monroe Coun-
ty rival Hatley before
moving into district play
against Vardaman, Falk-
ner, Houlka, Thrasher,
Biggersville, Coldwa-
ter, Smithville, and Cof-
feeville.
Were going from fve
division opponents to
eight, Weeks said. Its
going to be an interesting
year.
Lions
Dement and Bishop
give us a solid 1-2 punch
at wide receiver, Weeks
said. They both have good
hands, good speed, run
good routes, and are smart,
and I feel confdent throwing
to either one of them.
Austin works hard and
has good fundamentals.
Were also counting on
him to provide some extra
blocking along the offensive
line.
Offensive line
Westly fikes (Jr.),
nick Owens (sr.),
Cole Williams (Jr.),
Dominique Dobbs (sr.),
Reed Dyess (Jr.)
nThe front fve average
225 pounds per man, with
Dobbs the biggest at 6-2,
270 and Owens the small-
est at 6-0, 180. Everyone
except Owens are returning
starters. Owens started at
center as a sophomore and
has more than adequate-
ly handled the move to
guard. Owens (center), John
Vaughn (Soph.), and Blake
Pritchett (Sr.) at guard, and
Davis Hankins (Sr.) and Da-
vid Logan (Soph.) at tackle
are the backups.
Weve got a lot of
experience on the offensive
line and we expect them to
block for the run game as
well as protect Quinshay at
quarterback, Weeks said.
Defensive line
elijuawan Rudy Trimble
(sr.),
Dominique Dobbs (sr.),
Blake Pritchett,
Austin lancaster (soph.),
Tanner Dement (Jr.)
nWeeks three down
linemen average 280
pounds, with Trimble,
Dobbs, and Dement the
returning veterans. Relief
will come from nose guards
Chantan Saul (Jr.) and Walk-
er Plunkett (Soph.), tackles
Reed Dyess (Jr.), Cole Wil-
liams (Jr.), and David Logan
(Soph.), and ends Davis
Hankins (Sr.) and Sequintis
Coleman (Jr.).
Weve got good size
and strength inside as well
as at the ends, Weeks
said.
lineBACkeR
nick Owens (sr.),
Michael Roberts (Jr.),
Michael Roberts (Jr.),
Aaron fontenot (soph.),
Caleb Williams (soph.),
Pallas fair (sr.),
Branson shields (fr.)
nOwens gets the nod
over Roberts in the middle.
Roberts and Fontenot have
stepped ahead on the
inside and outside.
Nick is a good tackler,
plays physical and has a
nose for the ball, Weeks
said. Hes going to be a
leader on the defensive
side of the ball. Michael
has good speed and can
defend the run or the pass,
while Fontenot is a hard-
nosed, physical defender.
seCOnDARy
keshon Heard (soph.),
Quinshay Heard (sr.)
nHeard and Bishop are
new to the secondary, but
capable of big things. Heard
is back at safety looking to
stay injury-free this season.
Sophomore Byron Butler is
in reserve. Austin Bishop
and Pallas Fair will step in
when needed.
(Keshon and Austin) are
two of our best athletes,
both are smart and very
athletic and I think they will
turn out to be good cover
guys, Weeks said. Having
Quinshay (at safety) reading
the offense is a big plus for
us. Hes an unquestioned
leader on the defensive
side of the ball.
sPeCiAlisTs
Tanner Dement (Jr.),
keshon Heard (soph.),
Pallas fair (sr.)
nDement will handle
the punting and kicking
chores, while Bishop,
Heard, and Fair are the
return specialists.
Tanner really works
at the kicking game and
does a good job, Weeks
said. Bishop, Heard, and
Fair give us three return
men with vision and good
speed.
Don Rowe

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