2016 High School Football Preview

August 14, 2016
Lowndes . . . 4 Oktibbeha . . . 13 Noxubee . . . 15 Clay . . . 17 Monroe . . . 23
ITS GAME TIME!
The Dispatch www.cdispatch.com
2 SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016
WHATS INSIDE
New HopeTrojans......................................6
Noxubee County Tigers............................15
OakHill Academy Raiders........................17
Starkville Academy Volunteers.................14
Starkville YellowJackets..........................13
Victory ChristianEagles..............................8
West Lowndes Panthers.............................5
West Point GreenWave...........................19
Aberdeen Bulldogs...................................23
Caledonia Confederates.............................7
Central Academy Vikings..........................16
Columbus Christian Rams........................11
Columbus Falcons......................................4
Hamilton Lions..........................................24
Hebron Christian Eagles...........................18
Heritage Academy Patriots.......................12
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
A tip of the cap to you

Clark Beverage Group salutes your hard
work and preparation. We wish you the
best of luck on a great season.
places to be
August 14, 2016
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

teams to see
Lowndes . . . 4 Oktibbeha . . . 13 Noxubee . . . 15 Clay . . . 17 Monroe . . . 23
22
1
12
ITS GAME TIME!
25
10
A publication of
The Dispatch
P.O. Box 511

Columbus, MS 39703
(662) 328-2424
Publisher
Birney Imes
Managing Editor
Zack Plair
Sports
Adam Minichino
Scott Walters
Ben Wait
Cover Design
Stacy Clark
Photographers
Luisa Porter
Martin Howard
Jim Lytle
Chris McDill
Mary Alice Truitt
Stan Beall
David Miller
Graphic Artists
Kelly Ervin
Jackie Taylor
Production
Tina Perry
Anne Murphy
24
6
11 7 23
19
14
18
Some of the areas top players

gathered earlier this month at
Columbus High School to kick
off the 2016 season.
FOOTBALL
2016
16
20 21
ABOUT
THE COVER
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Aberdeen High School
8
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Aliceville High School
417 3rd St. SE,10
Aliceville
205-373-6378
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Amory High School
12 Circle, Amory
1006 Sam Haskell
662-256-5753 13
Caledonia High
14School
W
c
H S
100 Bulldog Blvd., e195Aberdeen
Old Cumberland Road, Maben
662-263-5321
662-369-8933
Aberdeen HigH ScHool
ASt
100 Bulldog Blvd., Aberdeen

662-369-8933
ebSter
ounty
igH
Aliceville HigH ScHool
HAmilton HigH ScHool
Amory HigH ScHool
Hebron cHriStiAn ScHool
cAledoniA HigH ScHool
HeritAge AcAdemy
417 3rd St. SE, Aliceville

205-373-6378
1006 Sam Haskell Circle, Amory

662-256-5753
111 Confederate Drive, Caledonia

662-356-2001
centrAl AcAdemy
300 Hale Street, Macon

662-726-5846
columbuS cHriStiAn AcAdemy

6405 Military Road, Steens
662-328-7888
columbuS HigH ScHool
215 Hemlock Street, Columbus

662-241-7200
cHool
40201 Hamilton Road, Hamilton

662-343-8307
6230 Henryville Road, Pheba
662-494-7513
625 Magnolia Lane, Columbus

662-327-5272
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
111 Confederate Drive, Caledonia

662-356-2001
Central Academy
300 Hale Street, Macon

662-726-5846
Columbus Christian Academy

6405 Military Road, Steens
662-328-7888
Columbus High School
215 Hemlock Street, Columbus

662-241-7200
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
Lamar County High School

43880 Hwy. 17 S, Vernon
205-695-7129
Louisville High School
200 Ivy Avenue, Louisville

662-773-3431
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New Hope High School
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Noxubee County High School
16478 Hwy. 45, 24
Macon
662-76-4428
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Oak Hill Academy
800 N. Eshman,26
West Point
S
H S
3419 New Hope Road,
Columbus
661 Elm
Street, Sulligent
205-698-9254
662-244-4701
noxubee county HigH ScHool

16478 Hwy. 45, Macon
662-76-4428
ulligent
igH
cHool
oAk Hill AcAdemy
victory cHriStiAn AcAdemy
pickenS AcAdemy
WeSt loWndeS HigH ScHool
pickenS county HigH ScHool
WeSt point HigH ScHool
800 N. Eshman, West Point

662-494-0301
225 Ray Bass Road, Carrollton

205-367-8144
205 4th Ave. SE, Reform
256-375-2344
SoutH lAmAr ScHool

300 Sls Road, Millport
205-662-4411
374 Mill Road, Columbus

662-327-7744
644 South Frontage Road, Columbus

662-244-5070
950 S. Eshman Avenue, West Point
662-494-5083
WinSton AcAdemy
111 Richardson Road, Louisville

662-773-3569
662-494-0301
StArkville AcAdemy
505 Academy Drive, Starkville

662-323-7814
StArkville HigH ScHool
Pickens Academy
603 Yellowjacket Drive, Starville

662-324-4130
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, Starkville

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 Point High School
950 S. Eshman Avenue, West Point

662-494-5083
Winston Academy
111 Richardson Road, Louisville

662-773-3569
The Dispatch
Keeping kids healthy

on and off the field
for Over 30 Years!
EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS MONOGRAMMING

SCREEN PRINTING TROPHIES & ENGRAVING
AD SPECIALTIES
We treat Newborns to 21
years of age
Asthma Clinic
Pediatric Healthier You Clinic
We specialize in treating food
allergies, autism & more
X-rays & EKGs
Pediatric Pulmonology
Diabetes Management
Ear, Nose & Throat Ailments
Developmental Delays
Weight Management
See our website for a list
of all our services:
www.drskiskids.com
Monday-Thursday 7am-5pm | Friday 7am-12pm

Closed for Lunch Wednesday 12pm - 1pm
Call as early as possible for

a same day appointment!
Childrens
Health Center
Your LOCAL sporting goods provider.

Thank you for 25 years of letting us get your team ready for the
Friday Night Lights. We look forward to many more!
1505 HIGHWAY 45 NORTH - COLUMBUS, MS 39705
662-327-9367 - www.sportsspecialty.net
SPORTS SPECIALTY
The Dispatch
Hours Effective Monday, August 3, 2015:

Mon.-Thurs. 7am-5pm | Closed Wed. 12pm-1pm | Fri. 7am-12pm
Call as early as possible for a same day appointment!
CHCCSKI
114 N. Lehmberg Rd. | Columbus | 662-329-2955

www.drskiskids.com
MOST INSURANCE
ACCEPTED
Aberdeen
Not Available
Caledonia
1-Tra Vion Blair
2-Jamel Thomas
3-Kelvin Robinson
4-Dylan Hankins
5-Eli Abbott
6-Brandon Edmondson
7-Graham Wesli
8-Marcus Saddler
9-Will Burton
10-Quentin Chiquito
11-Nathan Roebuck
12-Seth Brown
13-Anthony Tripplett
14-Spencer Unruh
15-Russ Smither
16-Camden Hurst
18-Chris Clements
20-Zion Ford
22-Sam Cooper
23-Roert Hamilton
25-Brayden Gholson
27-Daniel Longmire
30-Donderius Jones
31-Kevin Robinson
32-Chace Pennington
33-Ishmael Rush
34-Hunter Harris
35-Westlee Honeycutt
36-TJ Davis
38-Dillon May
39-Sam Jones
40-Kody White
42-Jordan Mitchell
45-Christian Lingle
46-Dylan Torres
50-Caleb Kincade
51-Colby Ponds
52-Floyd Pickens
53-Jonathan Rowe
54-Eli Seabrooks
57-Dalton Cantrell
58-Ragan Robinson
59-Caleb Richardson
60-Ethan Monahan
61-Tyler Harrell
62-Hayden Barker
63-Tanner Holley
64-Hunter Nenneau
66-Terrell Cunningham
69-Justin Harrison
70-Logan Canerdy
72-Ryan Stewart
74-Charlie Bell
75-Jacob Sudduth
82-Jacon Richardson
83-Jesse Allen
88-Caleb Secules
89-Caleb Comer
90-Tristan Gardner
Central Academy
8-Jerry Long
11-Jack VanDevender
12-Coby Weston
14-Dylan Ricks
15-Preston Dawkins
21-William Dawkins
22-Landon Stapleton
24-Colby Cox
51-Joel Ridell
55-Trey Freshaur
Columbus
1-Braylen Edinburgh
2-Devin King
3-Derrick Beckom Jr.
4-Patrick Jackson
5-Kenneth Martin
6-CJ Gholar
7-Chris Blair
8-Kylin Hill
9-Tyrell Hudgins
10-Josh Gray
11-Amos Mayfield
12-Caleb Garner
13-Montrez Williams
14-Jalen Poindexter
15-Trey Luscious
16-Quin Robertson
17-CJ Key
18-Kris Lucious
19-Jaleen Butler
20-Artavion Gardner
21-TJ Jackson
22-Isaiah Karriem
23-Patrick Weatherspoon
24-Jeremiah Hickman
25-Michello Garrick II
26-Derrick Jordan
27-Travion Lucious
28-Kendre Conner
29-Tahj Sykes
30-Justin Turner
31-Jarrod Bush
32-Brian Hunt
33-Quintrell Lyons
34-Dontae Gillespie
35-Jaylen Hickman
36-Darion Porter
37-Chris Taylor
38-Jamie Beckom
39-JaQuavis Cunningham
40-Titus Kirk
41-Jaleen Holt
42-Matthew Leach
43-Dedrick Anderson
44-Quaterrious Adkins
45-Keyshawn Swanigan
46-D-artagnan White
47-Quaydreon Cunningham
48-Jakolby Brooks
49-Yoquan Harrison
50-Tyler Williams
51-Marlon Johnson
52-Charles Gillespie
54-Eric Sherrod
55-Naml Karriem
56-Denzel Beckwith
57-Terry Green
58-Xavier Johnson
60-Jaylon Vance
62-Jerqualin Morris
63-Keyshawn Swanigan
66-Laquinston Sharp
70-Ellis Berry
74-Leonardo Dismuke
75-Jarious Ross
77-Jeffery Beard
78-Arick Evans
80-Fred Harris
81-Jervorious Vance
82-Jaleen Thomas
83-Micheal McCloud
84-Jordon Thomas
85-AJ Johnson
86-Demario Martin
87-Jalen Sykes
88-Quin Malone
89-Tavonta Macon
90-Christopher Craddieth
91-Ryan Dean
92-Levorn Williams
94-Christian Jackson
95-Yatriaj Conner
Columbus Christian
Academy
5/7-RJ DeLoach
9-Jayden Henderson
10-Dakota Shaw
11-LT Stowers
12-Kimarri Whitfield
15/2-Dawson Shaw
17-Tyler Beaird
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016
A Look From Above
2016 TEAM ROSTERS

22-Nate Parker
24-Ricky Patterson
41-Kelvin Mitchell
44-Bryar Kemp
50-Andrew Sparks
56-Tony Dantzler
57-DeKameron Mitchell
64-Lane Euer
66-Jaden Bennett
74-Tyler Blackwell
Hamilton
1-Bryson Butler
2-Bryant Butler
4-Gavin Toler
5-Bailey Loftin
7-TJ Warren
8-Brice Loftin
9-BJ Jones
10-Nathan Fast
11-Carl Bailey
12-Kamenski Bankhead
13-Timarco Fields
15-Branson Shields
18-Shemar Jones
20-Peyton Flannery
21-Devin Dancy
22-Noah Daniels
24-Colin Holman
32-Daniel Miller
33-Thomas Jackson
40-Anthony Williams
44-Tye Hall
50-Andrew Welch
54-Michael Harrison
55-Jalin Smith
56-Lane Stockman
61-Brady Collum
66-Jordan Rogers
67-Stone Crawford
71-Jake Rogers
72-Laderrick Despenza
75-Austin Myers
76-Grant Thompson
80-Thomas Gerritsma
82-Austin Olgesby
84-Kamron Shields
88-Joseph Roberts
Hebron Christian
2-Dash Turman
7-Jax Warren
11-Braeden Triplett
17-Elijah Parrish
23-Evin Pilkington
28-Doug Loden
33-Bradley Scott
49-Aaron Woodson
50-John McGrew
62-Jackson Langley
65-Kolbe Thompson
87-Jon Garrett Lowe
Heritage Academy
1-Moak Griffin
2-JR Lott
3-Carter Putt
5-Brandon Jones
6-Dontae Gray
7-Lex Rogers
8-Zach Oswalt
9-John Henry Fields
10-Tyler Anderson
11-Noel Fisher
12-Hayes Heredia
13-Dalton Alexander
15-Eli Acker
16-Eli Alexander
21-Wilder Strickland
22-Dylan Hughes
24-Lukas Bryant
33-Austin Dodson
34-Toby Young
43-Weston Lowery
44-Robert Brown
50-Clay Walters
52-Ethan Bumgarner
54-Logan Sneed
56-Jack Hannon
58-Parker Ray
61-Chapman Cooper
62-William Yingst
63-Reuben Proffitt
65-Chase Brooks
75-Dalton Hocutt
77-Jones Ray
New Hope
1-Jay Shinn
2-Kyree Fields
3-Andre Erby
4-Tony Deloach
5-Jordan Randle
6-Tyrece Jackson
7-Aaron Brooks
8-Roc Sanders
9-Jaylon Mays
10-Thomas Stevens
11-Jamal Berry
12-Tanner Greco
13-Jeremy Tate
14-Kyle Cruthirds
15-CJ Lewis
16-Jatwaun Taylor
17-Drew Williamson
18-AJ Dooley
19-Brandon Hardin
20-Lorenzo Taylor
21-Jaylon Howard
22-Tyler Harris
23-Rotrik Morris
24-Tyran Reed
25-Fred Brownlee
26-TJ Stephens
27-Maurice Sharp
28-Devonta White
29-Jame Taylor
30-Jordan Templeton
31-Tyran Noland
32-Javious Pryor
33-Brandon Clayton
34-Clay Williamson
35-Blake Armstrong
36-Dalton Moody
37-Andrew McCraw
38-Javaris Roberts
40-Parker Lane
41-Kodie Hoover
42-Shelby Smith
43-Kryshone Brooks
44-Ashton Husband
45-Eriq Johnson
46-Josh Scoggins
47-Alexander Smith
48-Drew Bishop
49-Courtland Malone
50-Luke Barrett
51-Brandon Craddieth
52- Tre Ellis
53-Kobe Matthews
54-Darrius Hendrix
55-Tae-Kion Reed
56-Kamron Patterson
57-Jakeim Shinn
58-Dawson Vassar
59-Jordan Smith
60-Jace West
61-Brandon Bishop
62-Bryce Braddock
64-Floriencio Martinez
65-Rashawn Tate
67-Zack Elliott
70-Mitchell Cummings
71-Cody Smith
73-AJ Yearby
74-Kalen Taylor
78-Jaylen Johnson
79- Austin Adams
Game Coverage / Results

High school football coaches who dont
speak to a reporter from The Dispatch are
asked to email information to the sports
department 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. Coaches, please let us know
what is the best time for us to contact you.
80-John Conner Rose

81-Tre Bailey
82-Nathan Wilson
86-Daniel Bradley
88-Terryonte Thomas
90-Taylor Jourdan
91-Lenin Loredo
92-Jaquante Bell
93-Marlon Clay
Noxubee County
1-Maliek Stallings
2-Javarcus Walker
3-Rashad Eades
4-TyQuintin Ramsey
5-Armoni Clark
6-Coby Clark
7-Joshua Little
8-Kyziah Pruitt
9-Jaqualyn Smith
10-Anthony Davis
11-Kymbotric Mason
12-Kadarrion Outlaw
13-Rodney Williams
14-Khristopher White
15-Jataquist Sherrod
16-Jerkazmon Barnett
17-Rashad Tate
19-Kylan Oliver
20-Kaiyus Lewis
21-Daquarius Brooks
22-Savion Price
23-Anthony Jamison
24-Kalmorris Robinson
25-Art Davis
26-Shannderius Conner
27-Edison Little
28-Eddison Rice
29-Antonio McCloud
30-Jakerrius Oliver
31-Devin Brown
32-Terry Joiner
33-L.C. Clemmons
34-Timothy Bland
35-Rodolthes Johnson
36-JaQuarius Jamison
40-Jaelen Harmon
42-Eldrick Hopkins
43-Anthony Brewer
44-Demonte Wells
46-Chaokang Brooks
50-KaDavion Robinson
51-Kerontae Gray
52-Tyler Dooley
55-Jaden Tate
56-Andrew Henley
57-Jimmy Morris
60-Tigi Shelton
61-Samuel Lowery
65-Anterrious Gray
67-DeQuaion Prince
74-Antonio Roby
75-Michael Barber
76-Johnny Slaughter
78-Kenneth Smith
79-Justin Davis
84-Danny Jones
85-Antonio Batts
87-Jeffery Malone
88-Torean King
90-Miles Smith
91-Tomorris Luster
92-Jamarrius Bradford
93-Timothy Ivy
94-Malcomn Purtue
95-Verdell Clemons
97-Christopher Pippen
Oak Hill Academy
2-Cooper Hill
4-Powell Tabor
6-Parker Brand
7-Dylan Scott
9-Jonah Caskey
10-Ken Dill
12-John Carver Middleton
13-Ash Cullum
15-Thomas Bales
18-Daniel Harrington
23-James Peavy
30-Collins Brown
32-Dalton Wilemon
34-Dale Buchanan
38-Macon McBrayer
41-Aiden McLain
50-Tyler Smith
52-Mac Newell
53-Kindrick Langford
54-Grant Knowles
55-Heath Westover
56-Ryan Simmons
57-Ethan Bryan
62-Jacob Davis
63-Bradley Jones
64-John Tyler Akers
67-Jaden Craven
70-Archie Miller
72-Pierce Loyed
75-Cody Pearson
76-Julian Nance
77-Tyler Oswalt
81-Grayson Easterling
88-Lucas Birmingham
Starkville Academy
2-Noah Methvin
3-Drew Jackson
4-Carter Roach
5-Ben Guest
7-Kyle Faver
8-Reagan Richardson
9-Campbell Spivey
10-Codie Futral
11-Brady Richardson
12-Zak Kelly
13-Jonathan Patterson
14-Landen Rogers
15-Dalton Dempsey
17-Howell Archer
22-William Wolfe
24-Garrett Smith
30-Nason Heflin
33-Will Miller
40-Noah Smith
50-Will Holley
52-Torin Hamilton
54-Walker Tranum
57-Bo Adams
58-Willie Latham
61-Ty Catchot
66-Dillon Carrell
74-Douglas Kelly
97-Sam Cox
Starkville
1-Jaquez Akins
2-Natrone Brooks
3-Willie Gay Jr.
4-Alexis Stallings
5-Andreus Swanigan
6-Tavian Clark
7-Tonorris Brookins II
8-Austin Morris
9-Malik Brown
10-Tyler Stovall
11-Keion Smith
12-Cameron Gardner
13-Tony Elliott
14-Eric Lowery
15-Jakobe Cannon
16-Benjamin Owens
17-DAngelo Scales
18-Cameron Bell
19-Jordan Thompson
20-ZyDerius Charleston
21-Braylon Fisher
22-DeAngelo Tabb
23-Jacob Williams
24-Abdias Simpore
25-Darius Brooks
26-KJ Lawrence
27-Chase Naylor
28-Rodrigues Clark
30-Jhi Rogers
34-Zitavious Williams
35-Seth Prewitt
36-George Lucious
37-Malik McBride
38-Bradley Curtis
39-Bruce Williams
40-Caleb Stewart
41-Zavier Armstead
42-Josh Lawrence
43-Rashad OBriant
44-Nelson Jordan
45-Ty Johnson
46-Levi Thompson
47-Malik Gaines
48-Derek Gandy
49-Treylon Dantzler
50-Lamarcus Logan
51-Jakoby Jones
53-Michael Goss
54-Conner Reinike
55-Antuan McDowell
56-Dawson Beard
57-Kory Hill
58-Kameron Jones
59-Derwin Ferguson
60-Neil Fortenberry
61-LaClarence Jones
62-Cortlen Hill
63-Tyler Adair
64-Jacquavious Poe
67-Hunter Hicks
68-ORyan Catledge
71-Rasheen McCarter
72-Lakenske Skinner
73-Jordan Boatman
74-Will Barefield
75-Jaylan Flowers
76-Ray Baker Jr.
77-Latorrian Dickerson
79-Joey Claybrook
80-Jonathan Evans
81-Opus Lott
82-Jalen Ware
83-Bernard Thomas
84-Cameron Hines
85-Keyshaun Spencer
86-Alunte Tate
87-Luke Davis
88-Cameron Eichelberger
89-Jalil Clemons
90-Zach Edwards
91-Tyler Roach
92-Wesley Albritton
93-Garrin Boniol
94-Roy Koryanus
95-Jared Hannah
96-Jeffery Riley
Victory Christian Academy
2-Kenny Collier
4-Gavin Forrester
7-Austin Braswell
9-Houston Ballard
10-Jay Elmore
12-Garrett Anthony
13-Dakota Bradford
16-Tyler Nelson
22-Michael Tate
24-Josh Price
25-Brandon Moore
28-Bailey Parker
42-Jordan Payne
50-Ethan Howell
54-Cole Bond
88-Cody Anthony
99-Cole Harrell
West Lowndes
Not Available
West Point
1-Damarrio Edwards
2-Marcus Murphy
3-Chris Calvert
4-Trevino Harris
5-Tray Brownlee
6-EJ Bush
7-Ledarius Glover
8-Brandon Lairy
9-Nate Montgomery
10-Ryan Melton
11-Brentt Cunningham
12-Kevion Gibbs
13-Tyler Shelton
14-Tyler Rupert
15-Clayton Knight
16-Jason Brownlee
17-Jose Garcia
18-Jake Chambless
19-Travarcus Valentine
20-Everitt Cunningham
21-Quanteze Powell
22-Tahl Johnson
23-Archie Jones
24-Terence Cherry
25-Rasson Carr
26-Komarcus Powell
27-Jaylen Cungious
28-John Facella
29-Andre Lane
30-Travion Stennis
31-Tyrese Johnson
32-Keonta Hampton
33-Xavier Fair
34-Jaylun R. Eggerson
35-Kameron Martin
36-Amir Gordonel
37-Kentavious McMillian
38-Davion Foster
39-Latarius Embry
40-Matthew Bagwell
41-Princeton Terry
42-Cassius Walker
43-Tyson Davidson
44-Jamel Banks
45-CJ Melton
46-Jacquerius Crawford
47-JeQwan Young
48-Jarvis Evans
49-Jalen Sanders
50-Robert Thompson
51-Jaylon Webb
52-Stededric Griffis
53-Jamichael Hogan
55-Jeremy Latty
56-Brian Crawford
57-Derrick Lee
58-Draylon Rieves
59-Stefon Townsend
61-Jacquan Poole
63-Zameek Price
64-Jameek Price
65-Dontavius Pargo
66-Tyler Hannah
68-Tinsley Banks
69-Jose Lemus
70-Jeremiah Walker
71-Nehemiah Walker
72-KeAris Amith
73-Dustin Baker
74-James Spann
76-David Rush
77-Ricky Armstead
78-Daveion Reives
79-Austin Morton
80-Jermarquez Cummings
81-Darius Quinn
82-Jerni White
88-Semaje Harris
90-Tyren Warren
Martin Howard/Special to The Dispatch
A view from above of the 17 public and private school players who took part in The
Dispatchs cover shoot last month at Columbus High School. By school the players
are: Spencer Unruh (Caledonia High School), Derrick Beckom, C.J. Gholar, and Kylin
Hill (Columbus High), Tyler Anderson (Heritage Academy), Andre Erby, Tae-kion Reed,
and T.J. Stephens (New Hope High), Kymbotric Mason (Noxubee County High), Ken
Buddy Dill and Macon McBrayer (Oak Hill Academy), Willie Gay and Nelson Jordan
(Starkville High), Dalton Dempsey (Starkville Academy), Everitt Cunningham, Clayton
Knight, and Marcus Murphy (West Point High). Thanks to Columbus High football
coach Randal Montgomery for allowing us to use the field.
2015 MISSISSIPPI STANDINGS

Region 1-4A
MHSAA
Region 1-6A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
South Panola
7 0 11 1 418 173
Columbus
6 1 8 4 353 259
Tupelo
4 3 6 6 291 314
Olive Branch
4 3 6 6 382 464
Southaven
3 4 6 5 200 181
Hernando
2 5 7 5 365 286
DeSoto Central 2 5 6 6 443 351
Horn Lake
0 7
2 10 237 395
PLAYOFF PARTICIPANTS
No. 1 South Panola (0-1)
No. 2 Columbus (0-1)
No. 3 Tupelo (0-1)
No. 4 Olive Branch (0-1)
Region 2-6A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Starkville
7 0 14 1 512 166
Warren Cent.
6 1 10 3 405 272
Clinton
5 2 8 5 471 343
Madison Central 4 3 9 6 363 279
NW Rankin
3 4 7 5 292 241
Murrah
2 5 4 7 219 338
Callaway
1 6 5 7 199 237
Greenville
0 7
0 12 119 446
No. 1 Starkville (4-0)
No. 2 Warren Central (1-1)
No. 3 Clinton (1-1)
No. 4 Madison Central (2-1)
Region 1-5A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Oxford
7 0 12 3 618 315
West Point
6 1 11 3 459 173
Clarksdale
4 3 7 6 239 307
Lake Cormorant 4 3 7 6 397 358
Center Hill
4 3 6 5 309 304
New Hope
2 5 3 8 192 322
Lewisburg
1 6 3 9 380 442
Saltillo
0 7
0 12 171 488
No. 1 Oxford (3-1)
No. 2 West Point (2-1)
No. 3 Lake Cormorant (0-1)
No. 4 Clarksdale (0-1)

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Corinth
4 1 8 4 458 358
Itawamba AHS 3 2 7 4 350 324
Shannon
3 2 6 5 292 266
Amory
3 2 5 7 259 361
Pontotoc
2 3 6 5 250 244
Tishomingo Co. 0 5 3 8 204 349
No. 1 Corinth (0-1)
No. 2 Itawamba AHS (0-1)
No. 3 Shannon (0-1)
No. 4 Amory (0-1)
Region 4-4A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Noxubee Co.
5 0 12 4 452 231
Kosciusko
4 1 10 3 376 221
Louisville
3 2 8 5 309 231
Houston
2 3 9 5 358 228
Caledonia
1 4 5 5 217 259
Leake Central
0 5 4 7 224 283
No. 1 Noxubee County (5-0)
No. 2 Kosciusko (2-1)
No. 3 Louisville (1-1)
No. 4 Houston (2-1)
Region 4-3A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Aberdeen
5 0 11 4 497 257
North Pontotoc 4 1 9 4 487 348
Nettleton
3 2 3 7 284 383
Mooreville
2 3 3 8 224 306
Hatley
1 4 5 6 260 242
South Pontotoc 0 5 2 8 186 416
No. 1 Aberdeen (3-1)
No. 2 North Pontotoc (1-1)
No. 3 Nettleton (0-1)
No. 4 Mooreville (0-1)
Region 4-2A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Calhoun City
5 0 10 4 525 240
East Webster
4 1 14 2 537 197
Winona
3 2 9 4 294 153
Eupora
2 3 7 5 258 165
Bruce
1 4 4 7 220 311
Okolona
0 5 2 9 162 350
No. 1 Calhoun City (2-1)
No. 2 East Webster (4-1)
No. 3 Winona (1-1)
No. 4 Eupora (0-1)
Region 1-1A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Smithville
8 0 13 2 471 213
West Lowndes 7 1 9 5 368 268
Falkner
6 2 8 4 313 245
Coldwater
5 3 6 6 230 220
Coffeeville
4 4 4 7 246 263
Vardaman
3 5 4 7 249 321
Thrasher
1 7 3 8 241 389
Biggersville
1 7 3 9 197 456
Hamilton
1 7
1 10 170 424
No. 1 Smithville (2-1)
No. 2 West Lowndes (1-1)
No. 3 Falkner (0-1)
No. 4 Coldwater (0-1)
MAIS
District 2-AAA

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Starkville Aca. 3 0 10 2 336 169
Heritage Aca.
2 1 5 6 240 295
Leake Aca.
1 2 8 4 290 201
Winston Aca.
0 3 1 9 197 322
No. 1 Starkville Academy (1-1)
No. 2 Heritage Academy (0-1)
No. 3 Leake Academy (1-1)
District 2-A/AA

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Winona Chr.
4 0 7 5 250 245
Oak Hill Aca.
3 1 7 4 354 199
Columbus Chr. 2 2 2 8 224 394
Deer Creek Aca. 1 3 3 6 136 253
Carroll Academy 0 4 1 9 207 399
No. 1 Winona Christian (1-1)
No. 2 Oak Hill Academy (0-1)
Eight Man District 2

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Kemper Aca.
3 0 11 1 578 201
Hebron Chr.
2 1 8 4 539 402
Calhoun Aca.
0 2 4 5 222 258
Central Aca.
0 2 3 6 194 299
No. 1 Kemper Academy (1-1)
No. 2 Hebron Christian (1-1)
2015 ALABAMA STANDINGS
ACFA
Eight-Man Division

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Tabernacle
6 0
10 1 614 366
Tuscaloosa Chr. 5 1 9 2 459 294
East Memorial 4 2 4 5 339 406
New Life Chr.
2 4 5 4 322 309
Cahawba Chr. 2 4 2 7 3 7 5
430
Victory Christian 1 4
1 5 115 259
Gunn Christian 0 6 0 8 58 236
No. 1 Tabernacle (1-1)
No. 2 Tuscaloosa Christian (2-0)
No. 3 East Memorial (0-1)
No. 4 Cahawba Christian (0-1)
AHSAA
Region 4-3A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Gordo
6 0
13 1 559 218
American Chr.
5 1
10 2 497 181
Aliceville
4 2 6 5 252 188
Greensboro
3 3 5 6 312 266
Hale County
2 4 5 5 240 288
Lamar County 1 5 3 7 147 362
Greene County 0 6 1 9 168 396
No. 1 Gordo (2-1)
No. 2 American Christian (1-1)
No. 3 Aliceville (0-1)
No. 4 Greensboro (0-1)
Region 4-2A
Region 6-1A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Fayetteville
6 0 9 3 287 240
Pickens County 5 1 8 4 358 254
Thorsby
4 2 6 5 324 185
Marion
3 3 4 7 266 288
Hatch
2 4 3 7 139 279
Holy Spirit
1 5 1 9 142 386
Vincent
0 6 0 10 39 508
No. 1 Fayetteville (1-1)
No. 2 Pickens County (1-1)
No. 3 Thorsby (0-1)
No. 4 Marion (0-1)

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Berry
6 0
11 3 534 300
South Lamar
5 1 7 5 394 279
Hubbertville
4 2 6 4 307 214
Meek
3 3 7 4 420 184
Marion County 2 4 2 8 199 305
Lynn
1 5
1 10 121 472
Brilliant
0 6
0 10 126 462
No. 1 Berry (2-1)
No. 2 South Lamar (1-1)
No. 3 Hubbertville (0-1)
No. 4 Meek (1-1)
Region 8-2A

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Red Bay
6 0
11 1 491 77
Sulligent
5 1 8 4 413 271
Hatton
4 2 5 7 252 279
Phil Campbell
3 3 4 7 253 390
Cherokee
2 4 4 5 221 158
Mars Hill Bible 1 5 2 8 155 328
Tharptown
0 6 0 11 55 481
No. 1 Red Bay (1-1)
No. 2 Sulligent (1-1)
No. 3 Hatton (0-1)
No. 4 Phil Campbell (0-1)
AISA
Region 2-AA

Division Overall

W L W L PF PA
Marengo Aca.
4 0
10 2 475 168
Clarke Prep
3 1 8 4 362 293
Pickens Aca.
2 2 6 5 337 303
Wilcox Academy 1 3 2 8 197 345
Russell Christian 0 4
1 10 144 439
No. 1 Marego Academy (2-1)
No. 2 Clarke Prep (1-1)
No. 3 Pickens Academy (1-1)
No. 4 Wilcox Academy (0-1)
THE BOTTOM LINE

Prep Player of Week
Every Tuesday, The Dispatch will
recognize a standout prep performer.
If you would like to nominate a prep
player of the week, call us at 662-3271297, 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.
Weekly Features
Every Monday during high school
football season, The Dispatch will feature
a review of the past weeks games with
standings of all area teams and a list of the top
performers.
Every Thursday, The Dispatch will
preview that weeks action, feature a
Game of the Week, a Q&A with a local
player, a breakdown of what to look for
that week, and information about all of
the games involving area teams.
Contacting the Sports Department

If you need to report game
scores or statistics, you call us at
662-327-1297, or e-mail us at sports@
cdispatch.com. If you need to reach sports
editor Adam Minichino, call 662-327-1297,
or email him at aminichino@cdispatch.
com. If you need to reach sports writer
Scott Walters, call 662-328-2471 ext. 165,
or email him at swalters@cdispatch.com.
If you need to reach sports writer Ben
Wait, email him at bwait@cdispatch.com
COLUMBUS FALCONS
Mississippi High School Activities Association: Class 6A, Region 1; 2015 Record 8-4 (6-1 Class 6A, Region 1)
COACHING STAFF
Head coach
Randal Montgomery
n Ivan Evans Offensive
coordinator
n Michael Kelly
Defensive coordinator/
Safeties
n Tobias Smith Offensive
line
n Michael Lowery
Running backs
n Lawrence Hill Wide
receivers
n Milton Talbert
Defensive line
n Ryan Savell
Linebackers
n Christopher Harlow
Cornerbacks
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 At Kemper Co.

Aug. 26 NOXUBEE CO.
Sept. 2 At New Hope
Sept. 9 WEST POINT
Sept. 16 OPEN DATE
Sept. 23 At DeSoto
Central
Sept. 30 TUPELO
Oct. 7
At Horn Lake
Oct. 14 SOUTHAVEN
Oct. 21 At Olive Branch
Oct. 28 SO. PANOLA
Nov. 4 HERNANDO
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2015 Results
MHSAA
Class 6A, Region 1
Aug. 21 W, 49-27

KEMPER CO.
Aug. 28 L, 8-25

At Noxubee Co.
Sept. 4 W, 27-6

NEW HOPE
Sept. 11 L, 3-13

At West Point
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 W, 23-21
DESOTO
CENTRAL
Oct. 2
W, 33-9

At Tupelo
Oct. 9
W, 45-13

HORN LAKE
Oct. 16 W, 20-10

At Southaven
Oct. 23 W, 46-20

OLIVE BRANCH
Oct. 30 L, 13-35

At South Panola
Nov. 6 W, 44-24

At Hernando
Nov. 13 L, 42-56
CLINTON
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 6A
Region 1
Columbus
Desoto Central
Hernando
Horn Lake
Olive Branch
South Panola
Southaven
Tupelo
NOTE: Top four qualify
for playoffs
Chris McDill/Special to The Dispatch
Columbus High School football coach Randal Montgomery will look to senior Kylin Hill, above, and a healthy Kendre Conner at running back to
give the Falcons one of the states top duos at running back.
FALCONS FEEL THEY CAN SOAR EVEN HIGHER

BY SCOT T WALTERS
swalters@cdispatch.com
After the Columbus

High School football team
learned how to win games
a season ago, the goal is to
win more games.
Last year, it took us a
while to come together,
Columbus senior cornerback Derrick Beckom
said. It took us a while to
unite as brothers. We had
to learn how to win games.
Beating DeSoto Central
(in the Class 6A, Region 1
opener) was the really big
win. That got everything
started. We rolled along
with some confidence after that.
Hill
Gholar
Columbus erased a 2110 halftime deficit for a

23-21 win against DeSoto
Central, and went on to
win six of seven region
games. Overall, Columbus
finished 8-4 and advanced
to the Mississippi High
School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A
playoffs, where it lost to
Clinton in the first round.
Beckom
Montgomery
This season, the Falcons will look to go even

higher. For Randal Montgomerys third edition to
do just that, growth in the
passing game is a necessity. After all, Mississippi
State commit Kylin Hill is
back for his senior season
after running for 1,801
yards and 18 touchdowns
a season ago.
Senior
quarterback
C.J. Gholar returns for
his second season as the
starter at quarterback.
C.J. has become a
great leader, Columbus
junior wide receiver Kenneth Martin said. The
guys really rally around
him. He was learning so
much about that position
last year and learning how
to become a leader. This
year, it is totally different.
He starts the year
with the respect of every
player in the locker room.
I think the guys are excited about what we can do
on offense.
Gholar threw for 1,150
yards and five touchdowns last season. The

Falcons were able to work
on the passing game with
some comfortable leads
in region play. During the
offseason, the focus has
been on making Gholar
more mechanically sound
and ready to lead the team
deeper in the playoffs.
I got into as many
camps as possible during
the summer, Gholar said.
During practice, I have
been trying to transfer
the stuff I learned in those
camps. The main thing
is paying attention to instruction. If I follow the
See COLUMBUS, 9
Randal Montgomery led the Columbus High School

football team to an eight-win season and a home
playoff game last season. The return of playmakers like
Kylin Hill and C.J. Gholar has the Falcons thinking even
bigger in 2016.
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach

2015 8-4 Randal
Montgomery
2014 4-7 Randal
Montgomery
2013 4-7 Tony Stanford
2009 3-8 Bubba Davis
2008 1-10 Bubba Davis
2007 6-5 Daryl Jones
2006 3-8 Daryl Jones
2005 6-7 Rusty Funk
2004 4-7 Rusty Funk
2003 7-4 Roy McCrory
1996 0-11 Pat Davis
1995 3-7-1 Pat Davis
1994 3-8 Pat Davis
Columbus quarterback C.J. Gholar threw for 1,150

yards and five touchdowns last season.
At Baptist Golden Triangle,

we treat everyone
like an MVP.
When your all-star needs expert care,
you can rest assured our team of all-stars
is ready. Baptist Golden Triangle has a
Last year was

simply the
beginning of
something better.
It showed us what
we can do as we
play together as a
team.
winning game plan when it comes to

emergency care, outpatient diagnostics,
surgery, and rehabilitation from an injury.
For more information about our services or
our outpatient rehabilitation department,
please call 662-244-1000.
Columbus High School senior Jaelyn Poindexter is part

of a deep and talented group of receivers with junior
Columbus High School Patrick Jackson, sophomore Michello Garrick, senior
senior running back Mike McCloud, senior Amos Mayfield, sophomore
Kylin Hill Jarrod Bush, and junior Kenneth Martin.
goldentriangle.baptistonline.org
662-244-1000
Get Better.
WEST LOWNDES PANTHERS
Mississippi High School Activities Association: Class 1A, Region 1; 2015 Record: 9-5 (7-1 Class 1A, Region 1)
COACHING STAFF
Head coach
Anthony King
n Todd Stanley
n Frederick McGee
n Roy Williams
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 DURANT
Aug. 26 STARKVILLE ACA.
Sept. 2 At McAdams
Sept. 9 At Biggersville
Sept. 16 OPEN DATE
Sept. 23 At Falkner
Sept. 30 At Heritage Aca.
Oct. 7
SMITHVILLE
Oct. 14 At Vardaman
Oct. 21 HAMILTON
Oct. 28 At Coffeeville
Nov. 4 THRASHER
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2015 Results
MHSAA
Class 1A, Region 3
Aug. 21 L, 0-12

At Durant
Aug. 28 L, 8-28

At Starkville Aca.
Sept. 4 W, 48-14
MCADAMS
Sept. 11 W, 46-6
BIGGERSVILLE
Sept. 18 W, 30-8

At Coldwater
Sept. 25 W, 26-21
FALKNER
Oct. 2
L, 20-30

HERITAGE ACA.
Oct. 9
L, 6-20

At Smithville
Oct. 16 W, 38-21
VARDAMAN
Oct. 23 W, 36-7

At Hamilton
Oct. 30 W, 16-0
COFFEEVILLE
Nov. 6 W, 52-20

At Thrasher
Nov. 13 W, 30-6
BROOKS
Nov. 20 L, 12-75

At Simmons
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 1A
Region 1
Biggersville
Coffeeville
Falkner
Hamilton
Smithville
Thrasher
Vardaman
West Lowndes
for playoffs
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach
2015 9-5 Anthony King
2010 6-5 Bobby Berry
1997 4-4 Felix Wicks
1994 3-5-1 Felix Wicks
NOTE: Changed from Motley
to West Lowndes in 1989.
Marcus Farmer likely will be catching passes not throwing them this season the for the West Lowndes High School football team.
UNDERMANNED PANTHERS WILL LOOK TO FARMER

said the Panthers 9-5 finish last season and run deep into the Mississippi High School Activities Association
(MHSAA) Class 1A playoffs is part
of his recruiting pitch.
We do it daily, in school, in the
community, Farmer said. Its kind
of getting to the guys on the outside.
No one really has turned me down
yet. Ive told like five or six to come
out and they bought in and came
out. We have some first-year seniors
playing high school football. Theyve
been putting in the work.
Farmer has been West Lowndes
top outside receiver the last two seasons. He hit the camp circuit hard in
the summer and said coaches have
liked his physicality off the line. The
6-foot-1 wideout said the recruiting
attention drives him harder.
They want me to come off a littler harder and cut down some of the
jukes in my routes, Farmer said.
Just keep it simple. But with the
recruitment and the team, I really
put the team first and worry about
BY DAVID MILLER
Special to The Dispatch
Marcus Farmer does it all for

West Lowndes High School sports.
Hes a standout basketball and
football player who has verbal offers
from Texas Southern, Jackson State,
and several junior colleges. Southern Mississippi and Louisiana-Lafayette also are recruiting him.
But West Lowndes High football
coach Anthony King doesnt need
Farmer to be Superman, just the alpha on a team loaded with talent at
skill positions, devoid of experience
in the trenches, and low in numbers.
Its really not pressure, said
Farmer, who is a wide receiver. The
team knows how hard we have to
work to get to the state championship, and everyone knows Im gonna
be the one pushing them.
That push occurs in various
ways, from verbal encouragement
to recruiting players at school and in
the community to join the team. He
QUARTERBACKS
Lemerrius Fair, John Neal
n Fair started last year
and brings experience to
the position, King said.
RUNNING BACKS
Kemario Evans,
Kentrell Guyton
n The speed of our
backs will create a lot of
explosive plays, King said.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Tyress Wells,
Adolphus Brewer,
Rashaad Rice,
Reggie Wilburn,
Nicholas Foster
n We are thin up front,
and this group must stay
healthy, King said.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Marcus Farmer,
Quinshawn Lucious
n Lucious has the
speed to really make things
happen on offense, King
said.
TIGHT ENDS
John Neal
n Hopefully our speed
on the perimeter can open
things for our tight end,
King said.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Tyress Wells,
Adolphus Brewer,
Rashaad Rice,
Reggie Wilburn,
Nicholas Foster
Hes as good as
any receiver in
this area. We can
hit him on
reverses, throw
it to him deep. If
its in the air, hes
gonna go get it.
GOOD LUCK!
n Reggie has the

chance to be West Lowndes first Dandy Dozen,
King said.
LINEBACKERS
Zacchaeus Williams,
Fredrick Clarks
n Zacc is the most
physical guy on our team
and will anchor our middle,
King said.
SECONDARY
Dequan Montgomery,
Gavin Fields
n We have speed in our
defensive backfield, King
said.
David Miller
BY THE NUMBERS
18
n The Panthers finished

second in their region last
season, the highest finish
under coach Anthony King.
n Number of players on the

roster.
Fair
Foster
Guyton
Wilburn
Williams
West Lowndes High

School football coach Wells
Anthony King, talking
about senior wide
receiver Marcus Farmer
Rice
We Wish All
Our Area Teams
A Great Season!
If it crawls, call...
Northeast
Exterminating
The Dispatch
Stanley
the skill positions appear to be loaded with speed, especially with Quinshawn Lucious and Kemario Evans.
But its Farmers big-play ability
that will be an X-factor, even if hes a
decoy on some plays, King said.
Hes as good as any receiver in
this area, King said. We can hit
him on reverses, throw it to him
deep. If its in the air, hes gonna go
get it. He has the D-I body and is
ready to go.
Farmers preseason camp started
on a rough note after he was hospitalized for two days due to dehydration.
He said he was re-hydrating himself
properly but was likely pushing himself too hard. He returned to practice
the following week.
King said Farmers role will expand to include work in the slot and
outside the hashes.
I like to run versus man coverage, but it doesnt matter the coverage, Farmer said. Theyll get the
ball in my hands. I just need a small
seam. Im a threat at every position.
A CLOSER LOOK AT WEST LOWNDES
2
King
recruitment later. Its about making

the playoffs and trying to win state.
Im trying to make everyone remember the potential we have here.
King is thankful for Farmers
willingness to embrace an expanded
leadership role and his eagerness to
re-capture the fire that burned before the team suffered a blowout loss
to Hollandale Simmons in the playoffs. King said his players lost their
edge late in the year.
Whatever it was, we just lost it,
King said. I dont know if guys were
looking ahead to basketball season,
but when November came around,
things just seemed different.
West Lowndes lost Jarrod Anderson, who moved to Michigan,
and Denzel Beckwith, who moved
back to Columbus. Anderson was a
key player at running back and linebacker. The team also lost 10 seniors
from last years team.
King described the Panthers as
young, noting they have six linemen
who are ready to play both ways. But
Jimmy Linley Richard Linley
LLC
www.NorthEastExterminating.com
NEW HOPE TROJANS
COACHING STAFF
Head coach
Kris Pickle
n Jon Cates
n Kyle Watson
n Trac Baughn
n Mike Mahoney
n Kevin Edge
n John Jennings
n Rufus Warren
n Hunter Williams
n Jared Garrett
n Tyler Neal
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 LOUISVILLE
Aug. 26 At Aberdeen
Sept. 2 COLUMBUS
Sept. 9 OPEN DATE
Sept. 16 At Caledonia
Sept. 23 CLARKSDALE
Sept. 30 At Center Hill
Oct. 7
LAKE
CORMORANT
Oct. 14 At Oxford
Oct. 21 LEWISBURG
Oct. 28 At West Point
Nov. 4 SALTILLO
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2015 Results
MHSAA
Class 5A, Region 1
Aug. 21 L, 3-20

At Louisville
Aug. 28 L, 27-32
ABERDEEN
Sept. 4 L, 6-27

At Columbus
Sept. 11 OPEN DATE
Sept. 18 W, 27-24
CALEDONIA
Sept. 25 L, 14-20

At Clarksdale
Oct. 2
L, 21-35

CENTER HILL
Oct. 9
L, 24-35

At Lake
Cormorant
Oct. 16 L, 12-43
OXFORD
Oct. 23 W, 35-33

At Lewisburg
Oct. 30 L, 0-44

WEST POINT
Nov. 6 W, 23-6

At Saltillo
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 5A
Region 1
Center Hill
Clarksdale
Lake Cormorant
Lewisburg
New Hope
Oxford
Saltillo
West Point
NOTE: Top four qualify for
playoffs
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach
2015 3-8 Kris Pickle
2014 10-3 Kris Pickle
2013 4-7 Shawn Gregory
2012 3-8 Michael Bradley
2005 2-8 Dale Hardin
2000 2-9 Rick Cahalane
1998 7-5 Andy Stevens
The biggest
thing about going
into the season I
feel good about
is experience.
We have a bunch
of guys who
have been in the
game, seen how it
works, and
experienced how
a high school
football game
works.
Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff
From left: New Hope High School seniors T.J. Stephens, Andre Erby, and Tae-Kion Reed will try to set the tone and help the program bounce
back from a 3-8 finish last season.
TROJANS HAVE TURNAROUND IN THEIR SIGHTS

BY ADAM MINICHINO
aminichino@cdispatch.com
After talent, experience likely is the trait

coaches covet the most
when theyre assembling
teams.
Kris Pickle is no different. Thats why he
had to wonder how the
football team would fare
in 2015 after losing more
than 20 seniors from a
team that went 10-3.
It didnt help that the
Trojans had
only seven
returning
with playing experience from
the previous season.
Pickle
To
make
matters
more challenging, New
Hope went through the
2015 season without senior running back Brenton Spann, who was ineligible. Spann rushed for
1,736 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2014.
If you lose 26 or 27
kids and you have been
sitting in a program for
five or six years and
your program is running
smooth and you have
continuity, you just move
this kid up and theyre
ready to go , Pickle said.
Were talking about year
two. You go from 26-27
seniors and bam, were
down to seven guys who
have playing time in year
two of this thing, it is basically starting over again.
That is the way it kind of
felt last year. It almost felt
like this was our first year
because we had so many
inexperienced guys.
Entering his third season at New Hope High,
Pickle appears to have
more talent and experience to contend with
powers Oxford and West
Point in Mississippi High
School Activities Association Class 5A, Region
1. With more than 20 se-
niors on the 2016 roster,

Pickle hopes those team
leaders can work with a
promising class of sophomores to push the Trojans
back to the playoffs.
The biggest thing
about going into the season I feel good about is
experience, Pickle said.
We have a bunch of guys
who have been in the
game, seen how it works,
and experienced how a
high school football game
works. I hope this year we
are going to know how to
close some games out.
More experience
The best example is

at quarterback, where
senior Thomas Stevens
returns. Pickle also will
look to offensive lineman
Tae-Kion Reed, TJ Stephens, Jay Shinn, Kyree
Fields, James Taylor,
Bryce Braddock, and Andre Erby, among others,
to help the program reverse its fortunes.
I think we are going to
be more mentally tough
this year because we are
going to be more experienced, Pickle said. The
only way youre going to
learn how to deal with
adversity is to face adversity. Those guys had
never faced adversity last
year. You can simulate
it all you want, but when
it hits them in the face,
they dont know how to
respond to it.
These guys know
what to expect. They
know somebody is going
to be watching them every second. They know
somebody is going to be
coaching them every second.
Pickle said the Trojans showed commitment
in the offseason by having strong attendance at
workouts. He said he saw
signs the senior class had
the right mix of personalities with players like
Stephens, a vocal leader,
and Shinn, a quiet leader
David Miller/Dispatch File Photo

football coach New Hope High School quarterback Thomas Stevens,
Kris Pickle shown above against West Point, threw for 1,988 yards
and 13 touchdowns last season.
who has matured and is

accepting coaching, to set
the tone.
Those players will have
an important role because
Pickle felt the teams lack
of experience played a
large part in the 3-8 finish
last season. The inexperience coupled with an
inability to finish several
games cost the Trojans a
chance to compete for a
playoff spot out of Class
5A, Region 1.
The absence of Spann,
who signed a scholarship to play football at
Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson,
left the Trojans without
a playmaker who could
make something out of
nothing. The lack of experience made it doubly
tough to find someone to

fill the void left by Spanns
absence.
Last years team, we
didnt have any leadership, but this year we are
looking forward to having
a better team with some
great seniors, said Erby,
a 5-foot-9, 160-pound wide
receiver/slot
receiver.
Having more seniors will
help us watch out for what
everybody is doing and
taking care of everything
that needs to be taken
care of.
Filling the gaps
Stephens,
a
6-3,
236-pound tight end/defensive end, agreed the
Trojans lacked leadership
and didnt know how to fill
in the gaps. As a result, he
said New Hope had trouble finishing games. This

year, though, he feels the
Trojans have a new mindset, which is reflected in
part by the word believe
on the back of their black
T-shirts. Stephens said
each New Hope player
will have to believe in the
player beside him, believe
in the coaching staff, and
believe in himself.
We said it but we
didnt show it, Stephens
said, referring to last season. We didnt have any
leadership. That is why
we werent able to show
it. We all looked to the seniors for the leadership,
but they didnt show it.
Since I am a senior this
year, we have got to show
See NEW HOPE, 10
CALEDONIA CONFEDERATES
CONFIDENT UNRUH SET TO LEAD EXPERIENCED FEDS

BY DAVID MILLER
COACHING STAFF
Head coach
Andy Crotwell
n Brian White Defensive
Coordinator / Linebackers
n Jason Forrester
H-backs
n Murray Woody
Wide Receivers
n Nate Kendrick
Offensive Line
n Richard Kendrick
Defensive Line
n Ricky Smither
Defensive Backs
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 SHANNON
Aug. 26 At Mooreville
Sept. 2 OPEN DATE
Sept. 9 At Okolona
Sept. 16 NEW HOPE
Sept. 23 TISHOMINGO CO.
Sept. 30 HOUSTON
Oct. 7
At Louisville
Oct. 14 At Kosciusko
Oct. 21 NOXUBEE CO.
Oct. 28 At Leake Central
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2015 Results
MHSAA
Class 4A, Region 4
Aug. 21 W, 24-19

At Shannon
Aug. 28 W, 31-7
MOOREVILLE
Sept. 4 OPEN DATE
Sept. 11 W, 17-6
OKOLONA
Sept. 18 L, 24-27

At New Hope
Sept. 25 W, 35-0

At Tishomingo Co.
Oct. 2
L, 7-39

At Houston
Oct. 9
L, 13-38
LOUISVILLE
Oct. 16 L, 31-40
KOSCIUSKO
Oct. 23 L, 0-55

At Noxubee Co.
Oct. 30 W, 35-28
LEAKE
CENTRAL
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 4A
Region 4
Caledonia
Houston
Kosciusko
Leake Central
Louisville
Noxubee County
for playoffs
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach
2015 5-5 Andy Crotwell
2011 4-7 Ricky Kendrick
2009 0-10 David Boykin
2008 1-9 Jason Forrester
2005 5-6 Jack Hankins
1998 2-9 Chris Chambless
1997 1-10 James Reed
1994 3-8 David Brown
Throwing that
much (at camps
in the summer)
has helped me
develop some
arm strength. My
favorite routes,
right now, are
the deep
comeback route
or the post.
Caledonia High School
senior quarterback
Spencer Unruh
CALEDONIA
Confidence.
Caledonia High School
senior quarterback Spencer Unruh has it, enough
that he can consistently
throw the routes he wasnt
able to last year.
His coach, Andy Crotwell, has enough confidence in how much Unruh
has improved to influence
his play calls.
All good, right?
Caledonia still plays in
a region that
features
Mississippi
High School
Activities
Association
(MHSA A)
Class
4A
Unruh
h e a v y weights
Noxubee
County and
L ou is v i l le .
Teams from
Region
4
went 7-1 in
the first two
Crotwell
rounds
of
the playoffs
last season.
But Crotwell believes
his senior-laden team is
best equipped to make
the postseason as it has
been since he took over
four years ago. And, naturally, a lot will ride on
Unruh, who accounted for
18 touchdowns and 1,192
passing yards in 2015.
The Confederates relied on quick and intermediate passes last season, but after a summer
in which Unruh camped
nearly everywhere in
the state and focused on
strengthening his arm,
Unruh is ready to push the
ball down the field.
At these camps, they
have coaches that are
David Miller/Special to The Dispatch
Caledonia High School quarterback Spencer Unruh spent most of his summer attending football camps to help
him gain exposure and prepare for his senior season.
BY THE NUMBERS
27
n Number of seniors
16
n Number of returning
offensive and defensive
starters.
watching every throw,

Unruh said, really focusing on having the
same release every time.
Throwing that much has
helped me develop some
arm strength. My favorite
A CLOSER LOOK AT CALEDONIA

QUARTERBACKS
Spencer Unruh (Sr.),
Seth Brown (Jr.),
Brandon Edmondson (Fr.)
n Unruh returns as
a two-year starter having
thrown for over 2800 yards
and 23 touchdowns in his
career. His arm-strength
has improved, too, Crotwell said.
RUNNING BACKS
Zion Ford (Sr.),
Brayden Gholson (Soph.),
Camden Hurst (Fr.)
n Zion is a versatile
player and returns as a
two year starter (one as Z
receiver and last year as
RB). He had over 900 yards
rushing last year and has
54 career receptions. -Crotwell
OFFENSIVE LINE
Colby Ponds (Sr.),
Floyd Pickens (Sr.),
Ragan Robinson (Sr.),
Logan Canerdy (Jr.),
Ethan Monahan (Sr.),
Triston Gardner (Sr.),
Jonathan Rowe (Jr.)
n Ponds, Pickens, and
Robinson started as juniors, while Canerdy started
as a sophomore. Monahan,
Gardner, and Rowe are competing for playing time at
right guard.
The left side of our line
is set. Crotwell
WIDE RECEIVERS
Robert Hamilton (Sr.),
Jamel Thomas (Sr.),
Graham Weseli 9Jr.),
TraVion Blair (Sr.),
Jesse Allen (Sr.),
Russ Smither (TE)
n Hamilton, a two-year
starter, and Thomas, a twoyear starter who will play
both ways, are expected to
lead the group.
Robert has an intuitive
feel for the intermediate
routes and will be a reliable
pass-catcher, Crotwell
said. Russ started last
year at Cordova high in
Alabama and will contribute

immediately.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jacob Sudduth (Sr.),
Timothy Davis (Sr.),
Dalton Cantrell (Soph.),
Tyler Harrell (Sr.),
Eli Seabrooks (Sr.),
Hunter Nenneau (Sr.)
n There isnt a single
player in our program who
has as much game-experience as Jacob, who has
started since his ninth
grade year, Crotwell said.
LINEBACKER
Kody White (Sr.),
Eli Abbott (Sr.),
Dylan Hankins (Jr.),
Caleb Richardson (Jr.),
Bryar Kemp (Fr.)
n White, a two-year
starter, is expected to lead
the group.
Weve played Kody inside and out and it doesnt
matter where you plug him
hell read everything and be
around the ball, Crotwell
said.
SECONDARY
Daniel Longmire (Sr.),
Sam Cooper (Sr.),
Jamel Thomas (Sr.),
Chris Clements (Sr.),
Will Burton (Sr.),
Nathan Roebuck (Sr.),
Robert Hamilton (Sr.)
n Daniel and Jamel
have a particular swagger
about them that wed like to
see our other DBs take on,
Crotwell said.
SPECIALISTS
Caleb Comer (Sr.),
Will Burton (Sr.)
n Comer will handle the
kicking duties, while Burton
will punt.
Caleb is reliable and
an asset in the kicking
game. Im looking forward
to seeing him improve even
more. Crotwell said.
David Miller
KEY LOSSES
n Henry Lewis, ILB third leading tackler

n G Carrlon Byrd 44 pancakes, first team
Class 4A All-State
n OT Stone Bustin
n TE/DE Jantsen Glasgow 52 tackles, two
sacks
n WR Mike Taylor 10 receptions
n NT Coby Coleman 59 tackles, five-anda-half sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two blocked
kicks
n FS Kristian Mott 33 tackles
routes, right now, are the

deep comeback route or
the post.
Crotwell praised Unruhs willingness to take
coaching and his improved command of the
TOP RETURNERS
n SS/LB (Sr.) Daniel Longmire 92 tackles

n LB (Sr.) Kody White 85 tackles
n CB/WR (Sr.) Jamel Thomas 55 tackles,
two INT, 17 receptions, three TDs
n SS (Sr.) Sam Cooper 50 tackles
n DE (Sr.) Triston Gardner 49 tackles
n DE (Sr.) Jacob Sudduth 44 tackles
n CB (Sr.) Chris Clements 42 tackles
n WR (Sr.) Robert Hamilton 18 tackles, 17
receptions, three TDs
n QB (Sr.) Spencer Unruh 1,200 yards
passing, 10 touchdown passes, eight rushing
TDs
n RB (Sr.) Zion Ford 910 yards rushing, 405
yards receiving, 11 TDs
offense. Unruh threw half

as many interceptions in
2015 as he did in 2014,
his first year as the starter. But he threw for fewer
yards, and the Caledonia offense fell from 335
yards a game to 240.

Having
dual-threat
running back Zion Ford,
who led the team with 38
catches last year, back in
the mix will help elevate
See CALEDONIA, 10
VICTORY CHRISTIAN EAGLES
Alabama Christian Athletic Association Eight-Man League (Christian Football Association); 2015 Record: 2-5 (2-4 Christian Football Association)
EAGLES HOPE TO FLY HIGH AGAIN 219
BY THE NUMBERS
BY DAVID MILLER
There was a time when

Kody Anthony tried to do
too much.
COACHING STAFF
The Victory Christian
Head coach
Academy
tight end/deChris Hamm
fensive end is one of two
n Kevin Harrell Defense, younger brothers of Anthony Sharp, one of the
Special Teams
most decorated athlete in
n Todd Dyer Defense
school history and standn Ronnie McDaniel
out of the Eagles chamOffense
pionship season in 2014.
n Andrew Pace
After injuries, including a
Offensive, Defensive Line
season-ending setback to
n Anthony Sharp
brother Garrett Anthony
Strength and Conditioning
n Rodney Sullivan Trainer in Week 2, marred what
already was a rebuilding
year in 2015, the pressure
to elevate the team increased each week.
Victory
Christian
coach Chris Hamm said
Aug. 19 At Meadowview
Kody seemed tentative
Aug. 26 TABERNACLE
at times, likely nervous
Sept. 2 OPEN DATE
about being compared to
Sept. 9 At Russell Chr.
his older brother, but he
Sept. 16 EAST MEMORIAL
hasnt had to talk to Kody
Sept. 23 At New Life
about it since last year.
Sept. 30 GUNN
When Anthony was
Oct. 7
FIRST
a
senior
two years ago,
ASSEMBLY
and even last year, I felt
Oct. 13 At Tuscaloosa
like both of them (Garrett
Chr.
Oct. 21 OPEN DATE
and Kody) were trying to
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
duplicate what hed done,
Hamm said. But I feel
like theyve gotten past
that, Kody especially, to
play within themselves
and do their own thing.
The confidence and leadership he has exhibited in
the locker room and workAlabama Christian
outs hes gotten to a
8-Man League
Aug. 28 L, 6-52
place where its his time.

At Tabernacle
Kody led the Eagles
Sept. 4 L, 19-46
in receptions (11) and

NEW LIFE
CHRISTIAN
receiving
touchdowns
Sept. 11 W, 30-26
(four) last season. He has
CAHAWBA
eight touchdowns in the
CHRISTIAN
last two seasons, but with
Sept. 18 L, 32-46

At East Memorial
an increased skill set and
Sept. 25 L, 9-36
motivation to get Victo
NORTH RIVER
ry Christian back to the
Oct. 2
OPEN DATE
Oct. 9
OPEN DATE
postseason, Kody is lookOct. 15 L, 17-53
ing for an expanded role
TUSCALOOSA
in the offense.
CHRISTIAN
Oct. 23 Forfeit
Kody said hes bigger,

At Gunn
aster, and has improved
Christian
his footwork and catchHOME GAMES IN CAPS
ing.
Just a lot more repeti-
2016 Schedule
2015 Results
Victory Christian Academys Gavin Forrester

is expected to take over at quarterback this season.
The confidence and leadership he

has exhibited in the locker room and
workouts hes gotten to a place
where its his time.
Victory Christian Academy football coach
Chris Hamm, talking about Kody Anthony
tion, he said. Me and my
brother and some teammates started running
routes before and after
practice and during the
summer. We were always
playing catch.
Kody said having a
younger brother (Garrett) who plays quarterback helped him improve,
but he also is comfortable
with projected starter
Gavin Forrester, who
served as a backup to
Reed Fulgham the last
two years.
Weve been friends
since seventh grade and
have played together
since then, Kody said of
Forrester. We know what

each other is gonna do.
Hes got a good arm, too.
And with Garrett, hes the
dual-threat guy Im comfortable with, too.
Hamm said Forrester
has grown several inches,
which should help him
get the ball out over the
line. Hamm said starting
sophomore center Ethan
Howell has also grown
stronger and taller, giving the Eagles size and
strength through the
middle of their offense.
Hamm hopes that growth
will help the Eagles increase their scoring from
16.4 points per game in
2015.
With a new quarterback, the look of the offense will revert back to
the spread attack that
saw the Eagles score
more than 50 points four
times in 11 games and
70 or more in two games
in 2014. Hamm said the
teams strength will rest
with its skill players,
though overall depth
likely will be an issue
throughout the season.
Its a pretty simple
offense just a matter
of creating matchup and
create confusion with
motions, Hamm said.
Weve always, even when
we werent exclusively
spread, weve kept some
of it in. The younger guys
coming up used it some
last year, so its not as
difficult a transition as it
would seem.
For Kody, that means
plenty of looks over the
middle. But hell play just
as pivotal a role on defense, where he had nearly 50 tackles last season.
Im probably going
to spend just the same
amount of time on each
side, Kody said, but I
feel like a better tight end
than defensive end. Ive
played more of it, and I
love catching the ball and
trying to beat people on
my routes.
Kody said he and his
teammates have added
motivation:
avenging
blowout losses to New Life
and Tuscaloosa Christian.
Victory beat Tuscaloosa
Christian for the league
title in 2014.
Those losses really
sting, he said. New Life,
last year, we had a streak
going against them. They
hadnt beaten us for years.
Were waiting on payback
for that. That game, our
running back got hurt the
first part of the game.
It definitely motivates
me and the rest of the
team.
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach

2015 2-5 Chris Hamm
2014 10-1 Chris Hamm
2013 7-4 Chris Hamm
2012 3-8 Chris Hamm
2011 6-2 Chris Hamm
2010 8-1 Chris Hamm
2007 6-3 Chris Hamm
2006 9-1 Chris Hamm
2005 4-5 Chris Hamm
2004 3-6 Chris Hamm
2003 7-4 Jim Cain
2002 6-4 Chris Hamm
2001 0-7 Chris Hamm
2000 5-5 Chris Hamm
1999 2-6 Chris Hamm
1998 8-2 Chris Hamm
1997 5-6 Chris Hamm
1996 4-4 Chris Hamm*
1995 2-5 Chris Hamm
1994 3-4 Chris Hamm
*No playoff score recorded
Victory Christian Academys Bailey Parker had six

receptions for 63 yards last season.
A CLOSER LOOK AT VICTORY CHRISTIAN

QUARTERBACKS
Gavin Forrester, Garrett Anthony
n There will be a new starter this season with the graduation of two year starter
Reed Fulgham, Hamm said.
RUNNING BACK
Garrett Anthony, Bailey Parker,
Jordan Payne, Kody Anthony
n Garrett showed promise early last
season, but an injury in game two ended
his season. The other three got some
experience, and will look to build on that,
Hamm said.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Ethan Howell, Cole Bond
n Injuries forced Ethan into the starting
center position as a freshman last season.
That experience should help this season,
Hamm said.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Tyler Nelson, Kenny Collier, Jay Elmore
n Inexperience and youth will hopefully
be overcome by the talent that these players have shown in junior high football and
practice, Hamm said.
TIGHT ENDS
Kody Anthony, Jordan Payne
n This is the position with the most
game experience on offense, Hamm said.
n Number of offensive
yards per game in 2015.
0
n Number of passes
attempted by projected
starting quarterback Gavin
Forrester.
KEY LOSSES
n QB/LB Reed Fulgham, 616

yards, 8 TDs
n OL/DL/P Chase Austin, 69
tackles, four sacks
n OL/DL Chandler Honnoll, 30
tackles
n PK Eric Dunaway
STARTERS
RETURNING
n RB/CB Garrett Anthony (Jr.),

67 rushing yards
n TE/DE Kody Anthony (Jr.), 11
receptions, 164 yards, four TDs
n FB/LB Bailey Parker (Jr.),
six receptions, 63 yards
n OL Ethan Howell (Soph.)
n OL Cole Bond (Jr.)
n CB Gavin Forrester (Jr.), 36
tackles
n TE/DE Jordan Payne (Sr.),
40 tackles, three sacks
Hamm
Harrell
McDaniel
Pace
G. Anthony
K. Anthony
Bond
Braswell
Forrester
Howell
Parker
Payne
Victory Christian Academys Kody Anthony had 11

catches for four touchdowns last season.
Columbus Foot Clinic

Dr. Aaron Owens
2221 5th St. N. Columbus, MS
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jordan Payne, Kody Anthony, Ethan
Howell, Cole Bond, Dakota Bradford, Jay
Elmore, Michael Tate
n We will need to develop all of these
guys to rotate in our four-man front, Hamm
said.
662-244-8585
LINEBACKERS
Bailey Parker, Garrett Anthony
n Some of our defensive linemen will
also help at the second level, Hamm said.
SECONDARY
Gavin Forrester, Kenny Collier,
Tyler Nelson
n We have some inexperience in the
defensive backfield, so well need to get
them up to speed, Hamm said.
Specializing in
Diabetic Foot Care,
Ingrown Nails,
Plantar Warts,
Heel Pain,
Hammertoes,
and much more.
SPECIALISTS
n Still looking for replacements for
Eric (Dunaway) and Chase (Austin), Hamm
said.
David Miller
The Dispatch
Columbus High Schools Kylin Hill, a Mississippi State commitment, rushed for 1,801 yards and 18 touchdowns last season to help the Falcons finish 8-4.
Columbus
Continued from Page 4
instruction and do what I

am supposed to do, everything will work out just
fine in the end.
Fellow senior back
Kendre
Conner
also
returns after an injury-plagued junior campaign. Hill and Conner
will share the rushing
load with sophomore Derrick Jordan. However, the
emphasis will be on the
passing game, where Hill
excelled a year ago by
catching several slant patterns and breaking them
for big yardage.
We are really expecting some big things from
the passing game in general and C.J. in particular, Montgomery said.
He has grown up a lot in

the past year. He was really thrust in the spotlight a
year ago. He was learning
how to lead and learning
how to play the quarterback position on a really
high level. The thing with
C.J. is he makes good decisions. He is going to be
dependable and reliable.
He works hard and
sets an example for the
other guys on the field.
The
confidence,
the
swagger in the huddle,
those are things you cant
coach. You just hope they
learn. I think he has put
the whole package together nicely.
Junior Patrick Jackson
also will figure promi-
QUARTERBACKS
C.J. Gholar (Sr.), Tray Lucious
(Soph.), Mon Williams (Jr.)
Gholar returns for his second
season as the starter.
n C.J. has made a lot of
strides this off-season, Columbus coach Randal Montgomery
said. He has emerged as a
leader and the other guys really
rally around him.
RUNNING BACKS
Kylin Hill (Sr.), Derrick Jordan
(Soph.), Kendre Conner (Sr.),
Mon Williams (Jr.),
Jaquavis Cunningham (Jr.)
n Mississippi State commitment Hill returns after running for
1,801 yards last season.
Obviously, Kylin will be one
of the best players in the state,
WEEK ONE
Thursday, Aug. 18
Hamilton at South Pontotoc, 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 19
Columbus at Kemper County, 7 p.m.
Louisville at New Hope, 7 p.m.
Shannon at Caledonia, 7 p.m.
Durant at West Lowndes, 7 p.m.
Noxubee County at Starkville, 7 p.m.
Aberdeen at Corinth, 7 p.m.
DeSoto Central at Amory, 7 p.m.
East Webster at Vardaman, 7 p.m.
Heritage Academy at Columbus Christian, 7 p.m.
Starkville Academy at Marshall Academy, 7 p.m.
Oak Hill Academy at Newton County Academy,
7 p.m.
Winston Academy at Lamar School, 7 p.m.
Park Place Christian at Central Academy, 7 p.m.
Hebron Christian at Sharkey-Issaquena Academy, 7 p.m.
Lamar County at South Lamar, 7 p.m.
Sulligent at Marion County, 7 p.m.
WEEK TWO
Friday, Aug. 26
Noxubee County at Columbus, 7 p.m.
New Hope at Aberdeen, 7 p.m.
Caledonia at Mooreville, 7 p.m.
Starkville Academy at West Lowndes, 7 p.m.
Starkville at Oxford, 7 p.m.
Louisville at West Point, 7 p.m.
Hamilton at East Union, 7 p.m.
Amory at Saltillo, 7 p.m.
Noxapater at East Webster, 7 p.m.
Lamar School at Heritage Academy, 7 p.m.
Columbus Christian at Kirk Academy, 7 p.m.
Oak Hill Academy at Tupelo Christian Prep, 7 p.m.
Winston Academy at Winona Christian, 7 p.m.
Central Academy at North Sunflower Academy,
7 p.m.
Hebron Christian at Delta Streets Academy, 7 p.m.
Aliceville at Gordo, 7 p.m.
Oakman at Lamar County, 7 p.m.
Pickens County at Thorsby, 7 p.m.
South Lamar at Corner, 7 p.m.
Sulligent at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
North River Christian at Pickens Academy, 7 p.m.
WEEK THREE
Friday, Sept. 2
Columbus at New Hope, 7 p.m.
West Lowndes at McAdams, 7 p.m.
West Point at Starkville, 7 p.m.
Forest at Noxubee County, 7 p.m.
Kemper County at Louisville, 7 p.m.
nently at running back,

wide receiver, and slot
back.
The defense will be
keyed in on Kylin this
year, Jackson said. That
means other players will
have one-on-one opportunities. We just have to
do our thing. When they
stack the box to stuff the
run, we have to take advantage of running good
routes and popping some
big plays. Everybody
on the offense has good
speed.
We are just grinding
to get ready. We know
teams will be prepared for
us more than they were
last year, so we have to
come harder.
Hill was an afterthought in early season

losses to Noxubee County and West Point. As the
offense grew, the spotlight fell to Hill, especially with Conner not at 100
percent.
Last year was simply
the beginning of something better, Hill said. It
showed us what we can
do as we play together
as a team. This summer
has been good for me
and good for this team.
More guys have been in
the weight room. We have
more experience. A lot of
us have played together
for four years now, so its
time to show what we can
do. We are trying to do
some things that are new

to Columbus football.
The Falcons also will
get a lift from the return
of senior Amos Mayfield,
who missed all of last season with an injury. Gholar
said Mayfield might be
the teams fastest receiver.
I feel like we did pretty good last season, Mayfield said. As Falcons,
though, now is the time
to step up and take flight.
Coach Montgomery does
a great job of putting people in the right spots to be
successful. Everybody on
the field knows their assignment. As far as C.J.
goes, he is a real leader.
He is a quarterback now. I
am glad I am back for this

final season together with
him.
Montgomery said the
growth of the program is
on schedule. Columbus
even has two Division I
commitments in Hill and
defensive end Tahj Sykes
(Southern Mississippi).
Coming to Columbus
football games is a pretty
big deal, Montgomery
said. These kids have
worked hard. They deserve everything that has
come to them.
Follow Dispatch sports
writer Scott Walters on
Twitter @dispatchscott
A CLOSER LOOK AT COLUMBUS

Montgomery said. We have
some depth back here and are
looking forward to contributions
from everybody.
WIDE RECEIVERS / TIGHT ENDS
Patrick Jackson (Jr.),
Michello Garrick (Soph.),
Mike McCloud (Sr.),
Jaelyn Poindexter (Sr.),
Amos Mayfield (Sr.), Jarrod Bush
(Soph.), Kenneth Martin (Jr.)
n Jackson and McCloud
anchor a talented, deep group of
receivers.
We will need to use the
passing game more this season,
Montgomery said. The good
news is we have more options
back there and more speed.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jarius Ross (Sr.),
Denzel Beckwith (Sr.),

Leo Dismukes (Sr.),
Laquinston Sharp (Sr.),
Eric Sherrod (Sr.)
n The most experienced unit
on the offensive side of the ball
with several starters returning.
We have to had shuffle some
people on the offensive line,
Montgomery said. The offensive
line was a strong point for our
team last year and hopefully that
will continue.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Josh Gray (Jr.), Levorn Williams
(Soph.), Tahj Sykes (Sr.)
n Southern Mississippi commitment Sykes anchors the line.
We have some experienced
with our front three, Montgomery
said. These guys have worked
hard during the off-season to be

even better this year.
LINEBACKERS
Chris Blair (Sr.),
Patrick Weatherspoon (Sr.),
Isaiah Karriem (Jr.),
Tyrell Hudgins (Sr.)
n Blair anchors a veteran
group of linebackers.
Our line backing play improved tremendously throughout
last season, Montgomery said.
We have five or six guys who will
get some playing time there.
SECONDARY
Justin Turner (Sr.),
Derrick Beckom (Sr.),
Tray Lucious (Soph.),
Devon King (Jr.)
n Beckom leads the secondary.
This unit may have the most

experience returning on defense,
Montgomery said. We had a lot
of big plays in the secondary and
we will need more of that this
year.
SPECIALISTS
Chris Taylor (Jr.)
n Taylor returns to handle
kicking duties.
We are in good shape with
special teams, Montgomery
said. Being strong in the kicking
games helps win the close
games.
Scott Walters
2016 WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Hatley at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Amory at Aberdeen, 7 p.m.
East Webster at Choctaw County, 7 p.m.
Heritage Academy at Oak Hill Academy, 7 p.m.
Columbus Christian at Sylva-Bay Academy, 7 p.m.
Magnolia Heights at Starkville Academy, 7 p.m.
Benton Academy at Winston Academy, 7 p.m.
Riverdale Academy at Central Academy, 7 p.m.
Delta Academy at Hebron Christian, 7 p.m.
Aliceville at Keith, 7 p.m.
Phil Campbell at Lamar County, 7 p.m.
Holy Spirit Catholic at Pickens County, 7 p.m.
Hubbertville at South Lamar, 7 p.m.
Sulligent at Sheffield, 7 p.m.
Pickens Academy at Patrician Academy, 7 p.m.
WEEK FOUR
Friday, Sept. 9
West Point at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Caledonia at Okolona, 7 p.m.
West Lowndes at Biggersville, 7 p.m.
Meridian at Noxubee County, 7 p.m.
Aberdeen at Calhoun City, 7 p.m.
Louisville at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
New Albany at Amory, 7 p.m.
East Webster at Coffeeville, 7 p.m.
Lee Academy at Heritage Academy, 7 p.m.
Tupelo Christian Prep at Columbus Christian, 7 p.m.
Lamar School at Starkville Academy, 7 p.m.
West Memphis Christian at Oak Hill Academy, 7 p.m.
Wayne Academy at Winston Academy, 7 p.m.
Central Academy at Hebron Christian, 7 p.m.
Marion at Aliceville, 7 p.m.
Lamar County at Mars Hill Bible, 7 p.m.
Pickens County at Marion County, 7 p.m.
South Lamar at Berry, 7 p.m.
Escambia Academy at Pickens Academy, 7 p.m.
WEEK FIVE
Friday, Sept. 16
New Hope at Caledonia, 7 p.m.
Starkville at Meridian, 7 p.m.
Noxubee County at West Point, 7 p.m.
Itawamba AHS at Aberdeen, 7 p.m.
Coffeeville at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Louisville at Lafayette, 7 p.m.
Amory at Center Hill, 7 p.m.
East Webster at Brooks, 7 p.m.
Pisgah at Heritage Academy, 7 p.m.
Winona Christian at Columbus Christian, 7 p.m.
Starkville Academy at Washington School, 7 p.m.
Marshall Academy at Oak Hill Academy, 7 p.m.
Winston Academy at Simpson Academy, 7 p.m.
Central Academy at Unity Christian Academy, 7 p.m.
Aliceville at Verbena, 7 p.m.
Hatton at Lamar County, 7 p.m.

Pickens County at Oakman, 7 p.m.
Holy Spirit at South Lamar, 7 p.m.
Phil Campbell at Sulligent, 7 p.m.
Pickens Academy at Autauga Academy, 7 p.m.
WEEK SIX
Friday, Sept. 23
Columbus at DeSoto Central, 7 p.m.
Clarksdale at New Hope, 7 p.m.
Tishomingo County at Caledonia, 7 p.m.
West Lowndes at Falkner, 7 p.m.
Callaway at Starkville, 7 p.m.
Oxford at West Point, 7 p.m.
Kemper County at Noxubee County, 7 p.m.
Aberdeen at Shannon, 7 p.m.
Hamilton at Thrasher, 7 p.m.
Amanda Elzy at Louisville, 7 p.m.
Northport Christian at Amory, 7 p.m.
South Pontotoc at East Webster, 7 p.m.
Heritage Academy at Starkville Academy, 7 p.m.
Newton County Academy at Columbus Christian,
7 p.m.
Winona Christian at Oak Hill Academy, 7 p.m.
Leake Academy at Winston Academy, 7 p.m.
Hebron Christian at Strider Academy, 7 p.m.
Pickens County at Aliceville, 7 p.m.
Lamar County at Berry, 7 p.m.
Curry at South Lamar, 7 p.m.
Winfield at Sulligent, 7 p.m.
Pickens Academy at Coosa Valley Academy, 7 p.m.
WEEK SEVEN
Friday, Sept. 30
Tupelo at Columbus, 7 p.m.
New Hope at Center Hill, 7 p.m.
Houston at Caledonia, 7 p.m.
West Lowndes at Heritage Academy, 7 p.m.
Starkville at Northwest Rankin, 7 p.m.
West Point at Clarksdale, 7 p.m.
Noxubee County at Kosciusko, 7 p.m.
Mooreville at Aberdeen, 7 p.m.
Biggersville at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Louisville at Leake Central, 7 p.m.
Amory at Itawamba AHS, 7 p.m.
East Webster at Calhoun City, 7 p.m.
Oak Hill Academy at Columbus Christian, 7 p.m.
French Camp Academy at Starkville Academy, 7 p.m.
Winston Academy at Hartfield Academy, 7 p.m.
Central Academy at Calhoun Academy, 7 p.m.
Hatch at Aliceville, 7 p.m.
Lamar County at Red Bay, 7 p.m.
Brilliant at Pickens County, 7 p.m.
South Lamar at Marion County, 7 p.m.
Sulligent at Mars Hill Bible, 7 p.m.
Pickens Academy at Newton County Academy,
7 p.m.
WEEK EIGHT
Friday, Oct. 7
Columbus at Horn Lake, 7 p.m.
Lake Cormorant at New Hope, 7 p.m.
Caledonia at Louisville, 7 p.m.
Smithville at West Lowndes, 7 p.m.
Greenville at Starkville, 7 p.m.
Center Hill at West Point, 7 p.m.
Leake Central at Noxubee County, 7 p.m.
Aberdeen at Hatley, 7 p.m.
Pontotoc at Amory, 7 p.m.
Winona at East Webster, 7 p.m.
Heritage Academy at Winston Academy, 7 p.m.
Columbus Christian at Deer Creek School, 7 p.m.
Starkville Academy at Leake Academy, 7 p.m.
Oak Hill Academy at Carroll Academy, 7 p.m.
Central Academy at Delta Academy, 7 p.m.
Hebron Christian at Marvell Academy, 7 p.m.
Aliceville at Thorsby, 7 p.m.
Pickens County at South Lamar, 7 p.m.
Hatton at Sulligent, 7 p.m.
Southern Academy at Pickens Academy, 7 p.m.
WEEK NINE
Friday, Oct. 14
Southaven at Columbus, 7 p.m.
New Hope at Oxford, 7 p.m.
Caledonia at Kosciusko, 7 p.m.
West Lowndes at Vardaman, 7 p.m.
Starkville at Madison Central, 7 p.m.
West Point at Lake Cormorant, 7 p.m.
Noxubee County at Louisville, 7 p.m.
North Pontotoc at Aberdeen, 7 p.m.
Falkner at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Shannon at Amory, 7 p.m.
Okolona at East Webster, 7 p.m.
Heritage Academy at Indianola Academy, 7 p.m.
Columbus Christian at Carroll Academy, 7 p.m.
Starkville Academy at Pillow Academy, 7 p.m.
Oak Hill Academy at Leake Academy, 7 p.m.
Sylva-Bay Academy at Winston Academy, 7 p.m.
Central Academy at Kemper Academy, 7 p.m.
Hebron Christian at Calhoun Academy, 7 p.m.
Greene County at Aliceville, 7 p.m.
Sheffield at Lamar County, 7 p.m.
Hubbertville at Pickens County, 7 p.m.
South Lamar at Brilliant, 7 p.m.
Sulligent at Red Bay, 7 p.m.
Jackson Academy at Pickens Academy, 7 p.m.
WEEK TEN
Friday, Oct. 21
Columbus at Olive Branch, 7 p.m.
Lewisburg at New Hope, 7 p.m.
Noxubee County at Caledonia, 7 p.m.
Hamilton at West Lowndes, 7 p.m.

Murrah at Starkville, 7 p.m.
West Point at Saltillo, 7 p.m.
Aberdeen at South Pontotoc, 7 p.m.
Louisville at Houston, 7 p.m.
Amory at Tishomingo County, 7 p.m.
East Webster at Bruce, 7 p.m.
Leake Academy at Heritage Academy, 7 p.m.
Columbus Christian at Wayne Academy, 7 p.m.
Winston Academy at Starkville Academy, 7 p.m.
Deer Creek School at Oak Hill Academy, 7 p.m.
Unity Christian at Central Academy, 7 p.m.
Park Place Christian at Hebron Christian, 7 p.m.
Billingsley at Aliceville, 7 p.m.
Lamar County at Sulligent, 7 p.m.
Pickens County at Berry, 7 p.m.
Pickens Academy at Clarke Prep, 7 p.m.
WEEK ELEVEN
Thursday, Oct. 27
Winfield at Lamar County, 7 p.m.
Gordo at Pickens County, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28
South Panola at Columbus, 7 p.m.
New Hope at West Point, 7 p.m.
Caledonia at Leake Central, 7 p.m.
West Lowndes at Coffeeville, 7 p.m.
Warren Central at Starkville, 7 p.m.
Houston at Noxubee County, 7 p.m.
Aberdeen at Nettleton, 7 p.m.
Smithville at Hamilton, 7 p.m.
Kosciusko at Louisville, 7 p.m.
Corinth at Amory, 7 p.m.
East Webster at Eupora, 7 p.m.
Strider Academy at Central Academy, 7 p.m.
Kemper Academy at Hebron Christian, 7 p.m.
Hillcrest at Aliceville, 7 p.m.
South Lamar at Sulligent, 7 p.m.
Kingwood Christian at Pickens Academy, 7 p.m.
WEEK TWELVE
Friday, Nov. 4
Hernando at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Saltillo at New Hope, 7 p.m.
Thrasher at West Lowndes, 7 p.m.
Starkville at Clinton, 7 p.m.
West Point at Lewisburg, 7 p.m.
Hamilton at Vardaman, 7 p.m.
10 Sunday, August 14, 2016
New Hope
A CLOSER LOOK AT NEW HOPE
it because I saw how it was

and how I used to look at
them. Thats why I know
how the underclassmen are
looking at us as seniors.
Stephens hopes the
frustration the team felt
last season makes it easier for the leaders to set
an example. He admits it
puts pressure on the seniors, but he said it is their
responsibility to accept
the challenge and to help
establish a foundation for
future classes.
It is going to be different because we felt that
feeling when we werent
doing so great and we
didnt like that feeling,
Stephens said. We arent going to feel that
anymore. We have a lot of
guys coming back, so we
know how the game is. We
know how it feels because
we have a lot of guys who
played last year. We are
going to get it done.
Pickle said he is curious to see how the Trojans perform. He said the
positive sign is 23-24 guys
didnt miss a workout in the
summer. He said 30 others
missed one or two. That
says the Trojans could have
the experience to know
hard work and investment
are going to be the keys to
a reversal of fortunes.
When you have guys
who have been in the program for three years and
they have worked hard like
that for three years, they
have become invested in
the program, Pickle said.
Patriots
high school football preview
They have a lot more in

it and it means a whole lot
more to them to lose. That
way if you dont get something out of it it isnt going
to matter to you.
If I put 50 cents on the
table and lose 50 cents, it is
not that big of a deal. If I put
$300 on the table and lose
$300, it is going to sting a little bit more, so if I invest my
time, my work, and work
out and do all of the things
and I lose or someone takes
it from me, it stings a little
bit more. This group has
invested in the program a
lot more than the last group
did, and I think it means a
lot more to them because
they want to get more out of
it going into their last year.
Erby wants to be a leader who makes it happen.
He intends to use his final
season to pass on the lessons he learned from former New Hope players so
he and everyone else can
follow in their footsteps.
We are going to learn
from it, Erby said. We
have to finish games. We
would be up in the game
and then we would forget
after halftime what job
had to be done. We just
have to come out and keep
playing for four quarters.
We have to have our
mind right for everything.
We are looking forward to
getting there. I have confidence everybody will get
there.
editor Adam Minichino on
Twitter @ctsportseditor
QUARTERBACKS
Thomas Stevens (Sr.), Kyree Fields (Jr.), Ryan Burt (Fr.),
Tanner Greco (Soph.)
n Stevens started last season and gained valuable experience in his first year in that role. Fields ran the team in
the spring while Stevens was playing baseball. Fields also
will play safety/linebacker. Pickle said the coaches have
talked about moving Burt up to the varsity team.
Stevens has a lot of command of the offense, Pickle
said. I have seen him make strides in the fall. It shows he
is in better command of what is going on. ... Kyree is plenty capable of coming in and filling in if need be. ... Burt has
a huge upside. He has a chance to be big time one day. He
is a big, tall kid with a strong arm. Tanner has gotten a lot
better and keeps improving every day. We feel pretty good
about the quarterback position.
RUNNING BACKS
Tyran Reed (Jr.), Tony Deloach (Sr.), Tyler Harris (Soph.)
n Reed replaced C.J. Clay (ankle injury) toward the end
of last season and rushed for more than 100 yards nearly
every game. Pickle said Deloachs bruising style of running
will complement Reed. Harris is a scat back who also
provides a different dimension.
We are probably deeper at running back than we have
been in a long time, Pickle said. Reed is explosive and is
a big kid. He is just a really good football player. ...
Deloach is a downhill back. He has gotten a ton better
since last year.
Andre Erby (Sr.), Terryonte Thomas (Sr.),
Jeremy Tate (Jr.), Aaron Brooks (Jr.), Jaylon Mays (Jr.),
T.J. Stephens (Sr.), Jamal Berry (Sr.), Roc Sanders (Sr.)
n Erby is a three-year starter. He was the second-leading receiver last season despite playing all season with
an ankle injury that kept him out of two games. Thomas
missed the first week of training camp, but he decided to
return for his second year on the team following a busy
summer playing travel basketball. Pickle said Austin Peay
offered Tate a scholarship a few weeks ago. Pickle said
Mays has improved. Sanders has moved back to the area
from Georgia. Stephens suffered from dehydration issues
early in training camp. Berrys health is uncertain due to
an injury. Pickle said the teams third-string tight end quit
the team.
We dont have a lot of depth at receiver, but we have
a lot of good ballplayers there, Pickle said. Tate has a
chance to be really good. He is probably one of the best at
ball skills and playing the ball in the air. ... We will be big
and tall at receiver.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Kalen Taylor (Soph.), Tae-Kion Reed (Sr.), Brandon Bishop
(Sr.), Bryce Braddock (Jr.), Darrius Hendrix (Sr.),
Jaylen Johnson (Jr.)
n Pickle said the team lost two starters from last
season. He said Taylor is stepping in this season and
has a chance to be a really good football player. Reed will
play left tackle. Bishop, the center, is a three-year starter.
Braddock, who started at right guard last season, will play
guard and tackle. Hendrix is a two-year starter.
We are probably going to move a couple of ninthgrades on the offensive line up to give us some more
depth, Pickle said. Our ninth-grade class has some big
kids in there that are going to give us a chance to be pretty
good in the years to come.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jaquante Bell (Sr.), Tae-kion Reed (Sr.), Javious Pryor
(Jr.), Jordan Smith (Sr.), Brandon Craddieth (Jr.)
n The Trojans switched to a four-man front this season.
Bell is a transfer from West Lowndes High School. Pryor
has moved from middle linebacker to tackle.
There are 12 or 13 guys in the mix, Pickle said.
LINEBACKERS
Devonta White (Jr.), Parker Lane (Sr.), Kobe Matthews
(Soph.), Kyle Cruthirds (Sr.), Kyree Fields (Jr.)
n Pickle said the Trojans still are sorting out who fits
best at this position. Fields, who played safety last season, has moved up to play a hybrid linebacker.
We have a plethora of guys were looking at, Pickle
said.
SECONDARY
Jay Shinn (Sr.), Jordan Randle (Jr.), Kyree Fields (Jr.),
Tyrece Jackson (Jr.), James Taylor (Jr.), C.J. Lewis (Sr.),
Jeremy Tate (Jr.), Terryonte Thomas (Sr.), A.J. Dooley (Jr.)
n Shinn is a three-year starter, while Randle is a returning starter. Jackson moved to safety, while Taylor moved
from cornerback to safety.
The least amount of depth we have is probably at
cornerback, Pickle said.
SPECIALISTS
Andrew McCraw (Soph.), Thomas Stevens (Sr.),
Daniel Bradley (Jr.), Nathan Wilson (Sr.),
John Conner Rose (Jr.), Tyran Reed (Jr.), Andre Erby (Sr.),
Tyler Harris (Soph.)
n The Trojans return all of their kickers from last
season. Stevens is the returning punter.
We will figure out which one is having the best fall
camp and we will throw that person out there first in the
jamboree and we will work it out from there, Pickle said.
Adam Minichino
Continued on Page 10
Were getting used to
it. We are going to be all
right, Anderson said. It
is fast paced. That is hard
to learn, but, other than
that, it is pretty similar.
Another similarity to
the 2015 team could come
at quarterback, where Harrison said Anderson and
Zach Oswalt will compete
for playing time. He said
Andersons importance at
free safety makes it difficult to determine how he
will use the players once
the season starts.
Harrison
said
he
doesnt buy into the notion
of using one quarterback
all the time. He said he
plans to use both players
because they bring differ-
ent things to the table, so

the other will get a chance
if one is struggling. Harrison said Anderson is
more of a spread quarterback who runs well and
has a strong arm. He said
Oswalt doesnt run as well
but is an accurate passer.
I just want competition, Harrison said.
Somebody has to step
up and take the reins and
know the other one is nipping at the heels. They
are great kids. They both
compete every day. That
is where I am lucky. A lot
of teams dont have two
quarterbacks who will do
that. I am proud of both
of them. It is just figuring
out which one helps our
accomplished last season.

(Coach Harrison) is
definitely trying to get
us into space so we can
do what we do and make
plays, Gray said. It is
exciting when you make a
play for your team.
Grays ability to make
plays will be a good sign
for Harrison. However,
the Patriots will have to
find a way to play without
sophomore Moak Griffin,
who is out indefinitely
with an injury. Harrison
said he hopes to have
Griffin back this season.
Despite not having
Griffin, Harrison said the
Patriots have made progress, especially in the mental part of the game. Its a
big change from the first

practice when some of the
players nearly werent able
to finish. Harrison said it
wasnt because the practice was hard, but it was
because the practice was
hard for the players and
players were getting yelled
at and feeling sorry for
themselves.
When we got here
in the spring we thought
that was lacking, Harrison said of mental toughness. We busted them
every day. Sometimes
they get their feelings
hurt because they dont
feel like they messed up
and theyre get hollered
at saying they did. In
football and in life, what-
ever, everything is not

perfect all of the time.
Sometimes you get mistreated. Get over it. Move
on. In a football game, the
ref is going to make a bad
call. Are you going to fuss
about it or are you going
to move on and play hard
the next play? The mental
toughness is the stuff we
are working on the most
because with mental
toughness the physical
toughness comes.
We are on the right
track, and we are almost
there. By the end of twoa-days I expect us to be
there.
A CLOSER LOOK AT HERITAGE ACADEMY

QUARTERBACKS
Tyler Anderson (Sr.),
Zach Oswalt (Sr.)
n Anderson competed with
Dylan Barker for the job last
season before an injury paved
the way for Barker to take over.
Anderson also will be a fixture in
the secondary, which could give
Oswalt opportunities to shine.
I think Tyler is going to start,
Heritage Academy coach Sean
Harrison said. He brings the
athleticism and the canon. In
the scrimmage (against Pillow
Academy), Tyler got tired and we
put Zach in and we didnt miss a
beat. I was really proud of that. It
is not one and two. It is really 1A
and 1B.
RUNNING BACKS
Dontae Gray (Jr.), Dylan Hughes
(Sr.), Moak Griffin (Soph.),
Wilder Strickland (Sr.)
n Another source of strength.
Gray emerged last season as a
1,000-yard rusher. This season,
he figures to get even more touches because he has accepted the
role of go-to player. Hughes will
add speed, while Griffin is out indefinitely with an injury. Strickland
played defense last season.
Caledonia
team the most.

Anderson said the new
coaching staff pushed
the players pretty good
in the offseason to help
them adjust. He said the
work was so tough he
called it one of the hardest summers I have ever
had here.
Gray said Harrison and
the coaches are pushing
us by making practice
harder to make sure we finish everything, finish practice, try to finish games,
so it can translate to the
games. He admits the
change has been different,
but he said he and his teammates have gotten used to
it and are looking forward
to building on what they
I think Dontae has a chance

to be one of the best in the
league, Harrison said. Dylan ran
really hard and well against Pillow
Academy, which should give us
the flexibility to put Dontae out at
receiver to get him the ball in different ways. We also have been
getting Strickland some snaps
there. He has done a good job.
WIDE RECEIVERS /
TIGHT ENDS
Dalton Alexander (Jr.),
Brandon Jones (Sr.), J.R. Lott
(Soph.), Moak Griffin (Soph.),
Carter Putt (Fr.), Eli Acker (Fr.),
Hayes Heredia (Sr.)
n Harrison said there has
been growth at this position,
which will be counted on for
productivity to balance the attack
and to give the team a chance to
play a faster pace.
Alexander does a really good
job blocking. The routes are coming on, and he is catching the ball
well, Harrison said.
Jones is a great route runner
with good hands. J.R. will get a lot
of playing time. Griffin will be an
automatic starter when he gets
back. ... Acker and Heredia will

play tight end and receiver. We
will flex them out. They have done
a good job receiving and blocking.
Theyre coming along.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Logan Sneed (Sr.), Jack Hannon
(Sr.), Chase Brooks (Sr.),
Jones Ray (Sr.), Dalton Hocutt
(Sr.), William Yingst (Sr.)
n This could be the teams
strongest position based on experience. Ray will play right tackle,
Brooks and Yingst will rotate at
right guard, Hocutt will move to
center, Sneed will play left guard
(center last season), and Hannon
will play left tackle.
Jones is big and strong and
his feet have come on, Harrison said. He has gotten into
shape and done a really good
job. Brooks and Yingst have
done a pretty decent job for us.
... We moved Sneed so we can
get him out pulling. ... They are
experienced. We are putting a lot
of pressure on them. As they go,
we go.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Dalton Hocutt (Sr.),
Wilder Strickland (Sr.),
Lukas Bryant (Sr.),
William Yingst (Sr.),
Chase Brooks (Sr.)
n Another position with plenty
of experience. Harrison said he
wants to rotate Hocutt to keep
him fresh, while Strickland and
Bryant will work in at end. Yingst
and Brooks also will see playing
time.
Wilder is a smaller guy who
is athletic, strong, and quick. He
does a great job, Harrison said.
LINEBACKERS
Logan Sneed (Sr.), Toby Young
(Jr.), Robert Brown (Sr.),
Hayes Heredia (Sr.), Eli Acker
(Fr.), Dylan Hughes (Sr.)
n Harrison said Sneed is going
to play SAM, while Young will play
WILL. Hughes will start, likely on
the outside.
Sneed and Young started last
year, so they have experience,
Harrison said. Were thin at
the linebacker spots, but theyre
doing well.
SECONDARY
Dontae Gray (Jr.), Brandon Jones
(Sr.), Dalton Alexander (Jr.),
J.R. Lott (Soph.)
n This will be an important
position because Anderson
and Gray will play big roles on
offense, so they will have to stay
healthy and the coaches will have
to find them ways to get rest so
they are sharp.
SPECIALISTS
Lex Rogers (Soph.), Dontae Gray
(Jr.), Dylan Hughes (Sr.),
Moak Griffin (Soph.),
Brandon Jones (Sr.)
n Rogers will kick and punt
for the Patriots. He kicked for the
ninth-grade team last season.
Rogers has changed to a rugby
style punt. Gray likely will return
punts, while a group of players
will share kick return duties.
Adam Minichino
the passing game, but the

emergence two receivers
will make a more explosive passing game possible. Jamel Thomas, who
will play cornerback and
receiver this year, adds a
speedy option for Unruh,
while Robert Hamilton,
who scored three touchdowns last season, will
provide a taller option on
dig routes.
Two years ago, when
we had a big line and Buck
(running back Brandon
Henry), we hammered people and defenses packed
the box, Crotwell said.
We didnt have anyone
that could run the post behind them, but we have that
guy (Thomas) now.
In the years past, Ive
been a bit uncomfortable
throwing the dig, but
Spencer can really drive
it in there now. Hes shortened his stride to consistently get more power
from the ground up. And
we have a guy in Robert
Hamilton that can consistently run that route.
Its not just Hamilton
and Thomas, who has
several scholarship offers
from junior colleges, leading the charge at receiver.
Crotwell pointed to junior
Graham Weseli, who, despite not recording a catch

last year, has improved his
40 time from 5.2 to 4.8 in
the last two years.
At this point, you
have a lot of guys who
are bigger and faster after being in the program
for a few years, Crotwell
said. You see it in a guy
like Graham, who doesnt
drop passes. Theres no
reason for tentativeness
in our team.
At nearly 6-foot-5, Unruh looks the part. He has
for a couple of years. But
the feedback he received
at the camps has helped
motivate him for his senior season. He wants a

scholarship offer, and his
senior tape will determine if the interest generated this summer will
lead to that goal. His personal ambitions, though,
remain to lead Caledonia back to the playoffs.
He doesnt set statistical
goals or entertain the notion of favoring particular
plays to enhance his college rsum.
Ive had coaches tell
me if you just focus on
your team and play hard,
the other stuff will come,
as far as scholarships go,
Unruh said. Just dont

stress out about it is what
they told me. All the other
stuff will follow.
In addition to the camp
circuit, Unruh said he developed even more chemistry with his receivers
during four seven-on-seven sessions against other
teams in the area. He said
the increased rhythm of
the passing game will
help the Confederates
avoid early down mistakes and allow them to
play faster.
Still, he is keen to
shoulder more leadership
responsibilities, even if
his coaches dont press

him for it.
(Crotwell) doesnt really talk to me about it,
Unruh said. But he pushes me to lead by example
and make sure Im not
slacking. He has his way
of letting me know, and
not just me, how to lead
and be a good influence.
Quarterback is the
position that shoulders
that, and theres good and
bad with it you take
the blame and you get
the credit, probably more
than you should at times.
I just try to play as hard as
I can.
11
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY RAMS
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: 11-Man Football Class A-AA, District 2; 2015 Record: 2-8 (2-2 Class A-AA, District 2)
COACHING STAFF
Head coach
Greg Watkins
n Sylvester Marks
n Antwann Richardson
n Frank Richardson
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 HERITAGE ACA.

Aug. 26 At Kirk Aca.
Sept. 2 At Sylva-Bay Aca.
Sept. 9 TUPELO CHR.
PREP
Sept. 16 WINONA CHR.
Sept. 23 NEWTON CO. ACA.
Sept. 30 OAK HILL ACA.
Oct. 7
At Deer Creek
Oct. 14 At Carroll Aca.
Oct. 21 At Wayne Aca.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Columbus Christian Academy football coach Greg Watkins will look to (from left) Dawson Shaw, Kimarri Whitfield, and RJ Deloach to lead a
squad that has only 12 players in grades 10-12.
TALENTED RAMS WILL MAKE DO WITH LIMITED NUMBERS

2015 Results
MAIS
Class A/AA, District 2
Aug. 21 L, 0-48

At Heritage Aca.
Aug. 28 L, 19-24

KIRK ACA.
Sept. 4 L, 13-48

SYLVA-BAY ACA.
Sept. 11 L, 14-34

At Tupelo

Christian Prep
Sept. 18 L, 27-34

At Winona
Christian
Sept. 25 L, 28-56

At Newton

Co. Aca.
Oct. 2 L, 13-48

At Oak Hill Aca.
Oct. 9 W, 34-16

DEER CREEK
Oct. 16 W. 55-38

CARROLL ACA.
Oct. 23 L, 21-56

WAYNE ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
11-Man Football
Class A-AA, Dist. 2
BY ADAM MINICHINO
STEENS Dawson
Shaw knows what it takes
to overcome obstacles.
At 5-foot-5, 140 pounds,
Shaw isnt one of the biggest quarterbacks in the
state of Mississippi. But
Shaws size hasnt stopped
him from playing a key role
on the Columbus Christian
Academy football team for
the past two seasons.
This season, CCA coach
Greg Watkins will look to
Shaw and his other five seniors Kimarri Whitfield,
Andrew Sparks, DeKameron Mitchell, Tyler Beaird,
and Tony Dantzler to
help the Rams overcome
another obstacle. With
only 12 players in grades
Watkins
Deloach
10-12 on the teams roster,

the Rams wont have any
margin for error as they try
to rebound from a 2-8 finish
in 2015.
Our numbers are low,
and that is the biggest
thing that is hurting us,
Watkins said. I feel we are
pretty athletic, and we have
a real good senior group.
Last year, we had one senior, and while we lost
some kids (to other schools
and injuries) we are excit-
Carroll Academy
Columbus Christian Aca.
Deer Creek School
Oak Hill Academy
Winona Christian
for playoffs
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach

2015 2-8 Greg Watkins
2010 6-6 Shawn Gates
2009 1-9 Shawn Gates
2008 1-8 Billy Thomas
2005 3-4 Dickey Peralto
2004 3-6 Gary White
2003 7-3 Gary White
2002 7-3 Gary White
2001 6-4 Gary White
2000 2-7 Gary White
1999 3-6 Gary White
1998 7-4 Gary White
1997 7-4 Gary White
1996 8-2 Gary White
1995 6-3 Gary White
1994 2-6 Gary White
Dawson Shaw will look to lead the Columbus Christian

Academy football team in his third year as quarterback.
Shaw
Whitfield
ed about the year. We have

been working real hard to
get ready for the season.
CCA is two seasons removed from a Mississippi
Association of Independent
Schools (MAIS) Class A,
District 2 title, a home playoff victory, and a trip to the
second round of the playoffs. But MAIS reclassification combined Classes
A and AA last season and
altered the landscape for
the Rams. The change con-
tributed to CCA losing its

first seven games last season before the team found
success down the stretch.
Watkins said his team
will try to bounce back
after losing several key
performers from the 2015
squad. However, he feels
the team has accepted its
situation and is ready to
give its best effort.
You just look at each
other and say, This is it.
Lets go to war, Watkins
said. We have a few freshmen who will come in and
help out and on special
teams to give them a break,
but they are not whining
about it or down about it.
They are excited about this
year. I wouldnt expect anything less from this group.
Shaw feels the Power of

12 easily could be as powerful a slogan for the team
as many parts, one body
has been the past few years
for many of the CCA teams.
Last season, Watkins, who
coaches the boys basketball and boys track and
field teams, watched those
squads overcome huge
deficits and a lack of numbers (seven on the track
and field team) to win state
titles. The schools boys
cross country team also
won a state championship.
Members of the football
program were part of the
success of those teams.
Shaw, who plays basketball
and runs cross country, believes being a part of title
See RAMS, 20
HERITAGE ACADEMY PATRIOTS
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Class AAA, District 2; 2015 Record: 5-6 (2-1 Class AAA, District 2)
HARRISON TRYING TO BRING BEST OUT OF PATRIOTS

BY ADAM MINICHINO
COACHING STAFF
n
n
n
n
n
n
Head coach
Sean Harrison
Ryan Deer
Russ Whiteside
Bruce Branch
Ed Lott
Toby Lott
Henry Pilkinton
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 At Columbus

Chr. Aca.
Aug. 26 LAMAR
Sept. 2 At Oak Hill Aca.
Sept. 9 LEE ACA,
Sept. 16 PISGAH
Sept. 23 At Starkville Aca.
Sept. 30 WEST LOWNDES
Oct. 7
At Winston Aca.
Oct. 14 at Indianola Aca.
Oct. 21 LEAKE ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2015 Results
MAIS Class 3A,

District 2
Aug. 21 W, 48-0
COLUMBUS
CHRISTIAN
Aug. 28 L, 7-47

At Lamar
Sept. 4 W, 10-0

OAK HILL ACA.
Sept. 11 L, 34-35

At Lee Aca.
Sept. 18 L, 24-45

At Pisgah
Sept. 25 L, 14-35

STARKVILLE ACA.
Oct. 2 W, 30-20

At West Lowndes
Oct. 9 W, 24-19

WINSTON ACA.
Oct. 16 L, 7-38

INDIANOLA ACA.
Oct. 23 W, 25-13

At Leake Aca.
Oct. 30 L, 7-43

At Silliman
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class AAA
District 2
Heritage Academy
Leake Academy
Starkville Academy
Winston Academy
for playoffs
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach
2015 5-6 Barrett Donahoe
2011 5-5 Brad Butler
2008 4-7 Lee Davis
2007 1-10 Lee Davis
2006 2-8 Riley Myers
2005 9-4 Herbert Davis
2004 3-8 Lynn Moore
2001 1-9 Ray Weeks
2000 5-5 Ray Weeks
1999 10-3 Ray Weeks
1998 9-3 Jon Wilson
1997 6-4 Jon Wilson
1996 4-6 Jon Wilson
1995 6-4 Hank Shows
1994 10-3 Ray Wooten
Sean Harrison likes the

potential he sees in his
first Heritage Academy
football team.
But before you book the
Patriots playoff dates for
late October and early November, be warned: Harrison believes potential is
a dirty word.
We show flashes of it,
Harrison
said of his
teams work
early in the
p res e a s on .
One out of
every three
plays in the
Harrison
first
five
practices
was
like,
Wow, that
is what we
could be.
We see the
speed
on
this
play,
Anderson
we see the
toughness
on this play,
we see 11
guys working together
on this play,
and on maybe one we
Gray
will see it
all happen.
It is a long road, and it is
my responsibility to make
it happen.
Harrison spent the past
two seasons at Wayne
Academy as athletic director and football coach. He
guided Wayne Academy to
an 0-10 record in his first
season but a 5-6 record
and a trip to the playoffs in
his second season.
Harrison
replaces
Barrett Donahoe, who
became headmaster at
Marshall Academy, a
Mississippi
Association
of Independent School
(MAIS) member school
in Holly Springs. Donahoe replaced Brad Butler
as football coach at Heritage Academy in 2012. He
led the Patriots to a 25-23
record in four seasons, including a Class AAA, Division II state title in 2012.
Heritage Academy beat
Magnolia Heights 10-3 in
the Class AAA, Division
II title game to cap a season-ending five-game winning streak.
Heritage Academy advanced to the playoffs in
three of Donahoes four
seasons as coach.
Born in Fort Walton
Beach, Florida, Harrison
grew up in Jackson and
attended Jackson Academy, where he earned a
scholarship to play football at Delta State. Harrison remained in the Delta
and served as an assistant
coach at Washington
School for two years. He
then worked at Greenville-Weston High School
as offensive coordinator
for two years and at Mississippi Delta Community
Mary Alice Truitt/Dispatch Staff
Sean Harrison watches the Heritage Academy football teams practice earlier this month. Harrison spent the past
two seasons at Wayne Academy as athletic director and football coach.
It starts with Tyler (Anderson) and

Dontae (Gray), but weve got
pieces around them. The name of the
game is going to be to get the ball in
space.
Heritage Academy football coach Sean Harrison
scoot. Dylan Hughes can
run. He is going to play
Mary Alice Truitt/Dispatch Staff some running back and
Dontae Gray rushed for more than 1,000 yards in his
receiver. It starts with Tyfirst season in a featured role in the Heritage Academy ler and Dontae, but weve
football teams offense.
got pieces around them.
The name of the game is
College for two years. He I have been impressed going to be to get the ball
worked at Pillow Academy with.
in space.
Heritage
Academy
for one year before movwent 5-6 last season and
ing to Wayne Academy.
lost to Silliman Institute
Harrison said he alin the first round of the ways has been a coach
Harrison said he has Class AAA playoffs. The on power-counter teams,
faced the usual test- Patriots rebounded from but he said the Patriots
ing the waters players a 2-4 start to earn key probably are going to be
district victories against
try when they get a new
an inside-outside zone
Winston Academy and at
coach. He said he and his
team that doesnt do a lot
Leake Academy to secure
coaching staff reined that
between the tackles. As a
a playoff spot.
behavior in quickly to set
former lineman, he said
The return of senior
the tone for the offseason,
that kills him to say
quarterback/free safety
As a result, he said 98 perthat, but the inside-outTyler Anderson and jucent of the kids made evnior running back Dontae side style best suits the
ery summer workout they Gray is expected to ease teams personnel.
were supposed to.
Harrison said that
Harrisons transition. AnStill, Harrison feels the derson started the 2015 style isnt a knock against
2016 squad is feeling for season in competition the offensive linemen bean identity. He believes with Dylan Barker for the cause he feels that group
the Patriots can be a pret- job as starting quarter- is one of the most talented
ty tough and a pretty fast back. An injury sidelined he has coached. His goal
team. He said he also Anderson and paved the is to play to his teams
would like Heritage Acad- way for Barker to take strengths, and one of
emy to be a physical team, over the team.
them is speed.
but he said the players
As soon as I turned on
Gray came on at the end
will have to show him they of the season to eclipse their film from last year I
can do that.
1,000 yards rushing for the knew we couldnt do what
Last year they were campaign. Both players fig- I did at Wayne County,
immature and they were ure to play prominent roles Harrison said. It wasnt
young, Harrison said. in the offense.
we couldnt do it, it is just
This year, they are startIt starts with Tyler and that it wouldnt be sucing to get a sense, espe- Dontae, Harrison said. cessful. We are probably
cially with all of these Wilder Strickland played running half of what I ran
seniors, that they need to defensive end last year last year. The other half is
step up, they need to grow and he is going play de- new stuff stuff I have
up and take responsibility. fensive end this year, but done in previous stops,
We are starting to see it. he is going to play some but I havent done in the
That is one of the things running back. He can past couple of years.
Style fits personnel
Setting the tone
The Dispatch
Photo courtesy of Kelly Hayes Photography
We are not in college.

If I could recruit, yeah,
Id run what I want to
run. But being in Class
AAA and in this league
dictates a lot of that, too.
I have been playing week
in and week out where I
see a lot of split four, cover three, so all of my plays
were designed to beat a
split-four, cover three. We
have some got some really good defensive coaches
in this league, but we are
going to have to be really multiple because we
are going to face a lot of
fronts. Were going to
be Pro, were going to be
spread. Were keeping our
blocking schemes simple
and were giving the ball
to those guys in space
and letting them work.
We are not going to be
fancy. We are going to run
a lot of formations at you,
but there wont be a lot of
plays because I want them
to play fast. I dont want
them thinking.
Anderson said the Patriots will have to find a
way to replace the contributions of Barker and running back Michael Ledbetter. He said they will
try to do that in an offense
that should be similar to
Donahoes.
See PATRIOTS, 10
INSIDE
n MORE HERITAGE
ACADEMY : A breakdown
of the Patriots by position.
Page 10
Proud to be
a Patriot!
www.HeritagePatriots.com
Dispatch File Photo
Heritage Academy running back Dylan Hughes moves in for a touchdown against
West Lowndes last season. Hughes is expected to play a key role on offense for the
Patriots, who are adjusting to the fast-paced style of new coach Sean Harrison.
High School
625 Magnolia Lane | Columbus, MS | 662-327-5272
Elementary
623 Willowbrook Road | Columbus, MS | 662-327-1556
Dr. Greg Carlyle, Headmaster
Mrs. Cindy Wamble, Elementary Principal
Heritage Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnic origin or sex.
Qualified applicants of all races and creeds are welcome.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
13
Starkville Yellow Jackets
2015 Results
MHSAA
Class 6A, Region 2
Coaching staff
Head coach
Ricky Woods
n Randy Carlisle
n Tate Fischer
n Willie Gillespie
n Carlos Kemp
n David Boykin
n Lee Grisham
n Chuck Friend
n Kevin Farmer
n Joshua Pulphus
n Culleen Greer
n Warren Hardy
n Alonzo Clay
n Wyatt Roberts
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 NOXUBEE CO.

Aug. 26 At Oxford
Sept. 2 WEST POINT
Sept. 9 OPEN DATE
Sept. 16 At Meridian
Sept. 23 CALLAWAY
Sept. 30 At Northwest
Rankin
Oct. 7
GREENVILLE
Oct. 14 At Madison
Central
Oct. 21 MURRAH
Oct. 28 WARREN CENTRAL
Nov. 4
At Clinton
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach
2015 14-1 Ricky Woods
2014 13-1 Jamie Mitchell
2009 4-8 Bill Lee
2008 3-8 Bill Lee
2007 7-6 Bill Lee
2006 6-6 Bill Lee
2005 7-4 Bill Lee
2004 5-5 Bill Lee
2003 10-4 Ronnie Cuevas
2002 9-3 Ronnie Cuevas
2001 14-1 Bill Lee
2000 12-2 Chuck Friend
Members of the Starkville High School football team celebrate the teams 27-7 victory against Petal in the
Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship game on Dec. 4, 2015.
JACKETS RELOAD FOR ANOTHER RUN

Although Starkville has
a group of running backs
that is young and inexperienced, coach Ricky Woods
intends to use them in a rotation, which could make
the offense that much
better.
Its going to be crucial
out there, junior Andreus
Swanigan said. Everybodys going to get to play.
We get breaks, so when I
go back in, I wont be tired
as much. I get to go at my
best.
Along with Swanigan,
the Yellow Jackets have
sophomores K.J. Lawrence and Rodrigues
Clark. Lawrence and
See STARKVILLE, 21
BY BEN WAIT
bwait@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE Last
season, the Starkville
High School football team
mainly relied on one running back.
Avery Brown had three
times
the
n u m b e r
of
carries
than
his
next closest
teammate
and rushed
for
1,562
Woods
yards and
17 touchdowns. While
quarterback
Montario
Montgomery threw for
2,777 yards and 28 touchdowns, there were crucial
times when Brown took
Mary Alice Truitt/Dispatch Staff Inside
over games, as evidenced Even though the Starkville High School football team
n MORE STARKVILLE : A
by his 288 carries in 15 suffered key graduation losses, coach Rocky Woods
breakdown of the Yellow
likes his teams potential.
Jackets by position. Page 21
games.
Aug. 21 L, 20-26 2-OT

At Noxubee Co.
Aug. 28 W, 20-7
OXFORD
Sept. 4 W, 16-0

At West Point
Sept. 11 W, 48-0
KIPP
COLLEGIATE
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 W, 49-7

At Callaway
Oct. 2
W, 30-7
NORTHWEST
RANKIN
Oct. 9
W, 42-0

At Greenville
Oct. 16 W, 28-10
MADISON
CENTRAL
Oct. 23 W, 42-14

At Murrah
Oct. 30 W, 28-10

At Warren
Central
Nov. 6 W, 45-7
CLINTON
Nov. 13 W, 46-24

OLIVE BRANCH
Nov. 20 W, 45-27

At Clinton
Nov. 27 W, 28-20
MADISON
CENTRAL
Dec. 4 W, 27-7

Vs. Petal
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 6A
Region 2
Callaway
Clinton
Greenville
Madison Central
Murrah
NW Rankin
Starkville
Warren Central
for playoffs
Its going to be
crucial out there.
Everybodys going
to get to play.
Starkville High School

junior running back
Andreus Swanigan
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Starkville Academy volunteers
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Class AAA, District 2 2015 Record: 10-2 (3-0 Class AAA, District 2)
2015 Results
MAIS Class AAA,

District 2
Coaching staff
Aug. 21 W, 45-0

MARSHALL ACA.
Aug. 28 W, 28-8

WEST LOWNDES
Sept. 4 W, 28-0

At Magnolia
Heights
Sept. 11 L, 13-31

At Lamar School
Sept. 18 W, 31-21
WASHINGTON
SCHOOL
Sept. 25 W, 35-14

At Heritage
Oct. 2 W, 26-13

At French Camp
Oct. 9 W, 21-14

LEAKE ACA.
Oct. 16 W, 24-19

PILLOW ACA.
Oct. 23 W, 42-20

At Winston Aca.
Oct. 30 W, 29-0

LEE ACA.
Nov. 6 L, 14-29

SIMPSON ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Head coach
Chase Nicholson
n Bubba Davis
n Tony Stanford
n Brad Butler
n Brooks Roberts
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 At Marshall Aca.

Aug. 26 At West
Lowndes
Sept. 2 MAGNOLIA
HEIGHTS
Sept. 9 LAMAR
Sept. 16 At Washington
Sept. 23 HERITAGE ACA.
Sept. 30 FRENCH CAMP
ACA.
Oct. 7
At Leake Aca.
Oct. 14 At Pillow Aca.
Oct. 21 WINSTON ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
We have a lot
of pressure on
our backs. Thats
really what keeps
us going. You
arent motivated
if you arent in a
winning program.
We know what
the people now
expect out here,
and we want to
give it to them.
Class AAA
District 2
Starkville Academy football coach Chase Nicholson wants to lead the Volunteers to their third season of
double-digit wins. He will try to do that with a group of senior leaders that want to build the programs momentum.
SENIORS WANTS TO END ON HIGH NOTE

BY SCOT T WALTERS
STARKVILLE A
third-straight 10-win season would be a pretty big
deal for the seniors on the
Starkville Academy football team.
The Volunteers have
a
tradition-rich
program.
Howe ve r,
this squad
feels
like
that distinction would
Nicholson
help
set
them apart.
There also is that unfinished piece of business
Starkville Academy called a Mississippi Assenior defensive end sociation of Independent
Torin Hamilton Schools (MAIS) Class AAA
state championship. A top-
it to them.
After going winless in
2009, Jeff Terrill was hired
and helped engineer a successful five-year run. In
2011, the Volunteers won
10 games and returned to
the state championship
game for the first time
since 2005. However,
Starkville Academy then
suffered back-to-back losing seasons.
Terrills final team won
11 games in 2014 (and
Starkville Academy junior Noah Methvin will replace
again played in the state
Houston Clark at quarterback.
championship).
Chase
ranked team for part of nior defensive end Torin Nicholsons first team also
See VOLUNTEERS, 22
the 2015 season, Starkville Hamilton said. Thats
Academy lost to Simpson really what keeps us goAcademy in the second ing. You arent motivated Inside
round of the playoffs.
if you arent in a winning n MORE STARKVILLE
We have a lot of program. We know what ACADEMY: A breakdown of
pressure on our backs, the people now expect out the Volunteers by position.
Starkville Academy se- here, and we want to give Page 22
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Leake Academy
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Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach

2015 10-2 Chase Nicholson
2014 11-2 Jeff Terrill
2009 0-11 Brian Sims
2008 4-7 Brian Sims
2007 4-7 Jimmy Jennings
2006 1-9 Jimmy Jennings
2005 10-2 Jack French
2004 4-7 Steve Morgan
1998 4-6 Lee Davis
1997 2-8 Jay Watts
1996 2-8 Jay Watts
1995 2-8 David Butler
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15
noxubee county tigers
Coaching staff
Head coach
Tyrone Shorter
n James Patterson
n Michael Ashford
n Heyward Ashford
n Teddy Young
n Ed Square
n Kenny Bledsoe
n Terry Dora
n Christopher Carlisle
n Chris Jones
n Curtis Bush
n Kendrick Vivians
n Marcus Jamison
n Michael Johnson
Team Chaplain
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 At Starkville
Aug. 26 At Columbus
Sept. 2 FOREST
Sept. 9 MERIDIAN
Sept. 16 At West Point
Sept. 23 KEMPER CO.
Sept. 30 At Kosciusko
Oct. 7
LEAKE CENTRAL
Oct. 14 At Louisville
Oct. 21 At Caledonia
Oct. 28 HOUSTON
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Stan Beall/Dispatch File Photo
Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter is surrounded by players, including defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons to his right,
as he holds up the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State championship trophy following the teams victory
against St. Stanislaus in Oxford.
tigers confident about chances despite losses

MHSAA
Class 4A, Region 4
Aug. 21 W, 26-20 2-OT

STARKVILLE
Aug. 28 W, 25-8
COLUMBUS
Sept. 4 L, 6-10

At Aledo
Sept. 11 L, 0-28

At Meridian
Sept. 18 L, 6-21

WEST POINT
Sept. 25 L, 28-29 OT

At Kemper Co.
Oct. 2
W, 22-12
KOSCIUSKO
Oct. 9
W, 41-7

At Leake
Central
Oct. 16 W, 33-7
LOUISVILLE
Oct. 23 W, 55-0
CALEDONIA
Oct. 30 W, 35-10

At Houston
Nov. 5 W, 45-10
AMORY
Nov. 13 W, 20-13
LAFAYETTE
Nov. 20 W, 56-26

At Houston
Nov. 27 W, 14-7

At Greenwood
Dec. 5 W, 44-23

Vs. Stanislaus
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 4A
Region 4
Caledonia
Houston
Kosciusko
Leake Central
Louisville
Noxubee County
for playoffs
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach
2015 12-4 Tyrone Shorter
2009 12-2 M.C. Miller
2008 14-0 M.C. Miller
2007 12-3 M.C. Miller
2006 4-5 M.C. Miller
2004 11-2 M.C. Miller
2003 10-4 M.C. Miller
2002 10-2 M.C. Miller
2001 10-2 M.C. Miller
1995 2-8-1 M.C. Miller
1994 1-9-1 Sam Williams
MACON The Noxubee County High School

locker room has a different look in 2016.
A quick glance around
the weight room reveals
the same squat racks and
stations that have helped
the Tigers become one of
the states most dominant
football programs.
But a closer inspection
showcases the differences. Dominant playmakers like Jeffery Simmons,
Qendarrion
Barnett,
Deveon Ball, Ladaveon
Smith, Timorrius Conner,
Shunessy Sherrod II, and
others have moved on following Noxubee Countys
run to a second-consecutive Mississippi High
School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A
State title. The championship was the Tigers third
in four seasons.
This season, Noxubee
County will try to make
another run at history and
capture its third-straight
crown. To do that, Noxubee County coach Tyrone
Shorter knows the team
will have to rely on younger players who are stepping into new or bigger
roles. But Shorter feels
the Tigers success in recent years has prepared
the next group.
There is a lot of youth,
Shorter said. When you
look at that senior class
we just had, a lot of those
guys played as 10th-graders. When you have a
group like that that brings
as much leadership that it
brought to the program, it
is kind of different around
Senior linebacker Kalmorris Robinson will look to fill the void left by the graduation
of Jeffery Simmons, Qendarrion Barnett, and Deveon Ball from the 2015 Noxubee
County High School football teams defense.
Mason
Robinson
Roby
Sherrod
Noxubee County High

School senior wide receiver
Kymbotric Mason, right, is
being counted on for big
things. He had 39 catches
for 809 yards and eight
touchdowns last season.
I told them it
is not their fault
that they have
the bulls eye on
their back. It is
the tradition of
the program, and
it is up to them to
carry on the
tradition.
here to lose all of that leadership with Jeffery, Barnett, Conner, and Smith
and all of those guys. They
were great guys, good
leaders, and great football
players.
But I think they left a
lot of these guys wanting
to be that way. We are going to have a very young
football team this year,
but we have a chance to be
very good.
Noxubee County went
through plenty of ups
and downs en route to the
2015 crown. After beating Starkville in overtime
and Columbus, Noxubee
County went on an uncharacteristic four-game
losing streak. The Tigers
dealt with injuries, including one to Simmons that
forced him to miss four
games, inconsistency on
offense, identity concerns,
turnover problems, and
chemistry issues before
righting the ship and embarking on a 10-game
winning streak to end
the season. A 44-23 victory against St. Stanislaus
helped Noxubee County
become the schools first
football team to win backto-back state titles.
Shorter credited the
senior leaders for helping
the Tigers get back on
track. He hopes more seniors can become the kind
of vocal leaders he needs
this season to help set
the tone, but he feels the
championship mentality
the program has forged in
See TIGERS, 20
Inside
n MORE NOXUBEE COUNTY:
A breakdown of the Tigers
by position. Page 20
GO
TIGERS!
N OXU B E E
Noxubee County High

School football coach
Tyrone Shorter
Freddie L. Poindexter/Special to The Dispatch
Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone

Shorter shows off his 2015 state championship ring.
The Dispatch
2015 Results
By Adam Minichino
TIRE SERVICE
16080 US Hwy. 45 Macon, MS 39341 662-726-4705
Central academy vikings
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Eight-Man Football District 2; 2015 Record: 3-6 (0-2 Eight-Man District 2)
Coaching staff
Head coach
Michael Dawkins
n Bryan Ricks
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 PARK PLACE CHR.

Aug. 26 At No. Sunflower
Aca.
Sept. 2 RIVERDALE ACA.
Sept. 9 At Hebron Chr.
Sept. 16 At Unity Chr. Aca.
Sept. 23 OPEN DATE
Sept. 30 At Calhoun Aca.
Oct. 7
At Delta Aca.
Oct. 14 At Kemper Aca.
Oct. 21 UNITY CHR.
Oct. 28 STRIDER ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2015 Results
MAIS Eight-Man
District 2
Aug. 21 W, 22-8

At Park Place
Christian
Aug. 28 L, 8-36

NO. SUNFLOWER
ACADEMY
Sept. 4 L, 20-44

At Sharkey
Issaquena Aca.
Sept. 11 L, 16-46
HEBRON
CHRISTIAN
Sept. 18 W, 44-22

At Unity

Christian Aca.
Sept. 25 OPEN DATE
Oct. 2
Canceled

At Calhoun Aca.
Oct. 9
L, 14-41
DELTA
ACADEMY
Oct. 16 L, 6-56

KEMPER ACA.
Oct. 23 L, 14-16

At Calvary
Christian
Oct. 30 W, 50-30

STRIDER ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Adam Minichino/Dispatch Staff
From left: Central Academy seniors Jerry Long, Jack VanDevender, William Dawkins, and Preston Dawkins make up a senior class that hopes
to help the Vikings rebound from a three-win season in 2015.
VIKINGS CONFIDENT AFTER STRETCH RUN

By Adam Minichino
MACON
The
Central Academy football
team saved its best game
for last in 2015.
Those were the words
of coach Michael Dawkins
following his squads 5030 victory against Strider
Academy.
Quarterback
Jerry Long capped his
first season at the position
since middle school with
196 yards rushing and
four touchdowns and two
touchdown passes to help
the Vikings close a 3-6
season.
Nearly 10 months later, Dawkins, coach Bryan
Ricks and their 10-player
team hope Central Academy can pick up where it
Calhoun Academy
left off and ride the moCentral Academy
mentum through the 2016
Hebron Academy
season.
Kemper Academy
Throughout the seaNOTE: Top two qualify for
son, we had some ups and
playoffs
downs, but we got it together in the last game and we
showed what we can do,
Central Academys Preston Dawkins said. We
have to work hard every
practice and not underestimate anybody and push
everybody to make sure
they are doing good.
The return of seniors
Long, Jack VanDevender,
Central Academy William and Preston Dawfootball coach kins, who are sons of MiMichael Dawkins chael Dawkins, has created a sense of excitement
that the Vikings could
compete for a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS)
Eight-Man District 2 title
this season.
I think we have the
Eight-Man
District 2
You couldnt
ask for a better
group. I wouldnt
trade these 10
for 30 more.
David Allen Williams/Dispatch File Photo
Central Academys Jerry Long (8) tries to power past Hebron Christians Nolan Whitt in their game last season.
Long played quarterback for the first time since the eighth grade last season and grew more confident as the
season progressed. He earned The Dispatch Prep Player of the Week honors for his effort in the teams victory
against Strider Academy in the season finale.
potential to achieve a lot

this year, said William
Dawkins, who will play
tailback, defensive end,
and wherever else he is
needed. I think we can
(compete for a district title).
The Vikings will have
to replace Nelson Robbins, who was one of the
teams leading rushers.
Robbins suffered a broken thumb and wrist last
season, but he returned

to rush for 110 yards
and a touchdown against
Strider Academy. Central
Academy also will have to
replace Wyatt Norris, one
of its leading receivers,
and Dylan Manning.
Lessons learned
But Dawkins feels the

lessons the team learned
last season will prepare
it for a successful season. He was pleased with

the growth Long, who
hadnt played quarterback since the eighth
grade, and proud that the
team showed resolve after tough losses to Sharkey-Issaquena Academy
and Hebron Christian early in the year.
I have been coaching a long time, and they
showed me last year what
kind of heart they have,

Dawkins said. We went
up against a couple of
huge teams, like Sharkey-Issaquena. The ones
that werent scared to
death just didnt say it.
We got through that game
and they became men that
games. They got knocked
down and they got right
back up. There was no
See VIKINGS, 22
Proud Supporter of the

Central Academy Vikings
Year-by-Year Record
The Dispatch
Year Record Coach

2015 3-6 Michael Dawkins
2014 6-3 Will Walker
2013 2-8 Steve Ball
2012 0-9 Bobby Bowman
2011 8-3 Ronnie Sciple
2007 1-9 Ike Melton
2006 4-6 Tommy Roberts
2005 6-4 Lee Davis
2004 4-6 Lee Davis
2003 3-7 Lee Davis
2000 0-10 Brach White
1999 7-6 Brian Pickens
1998 2-9 Wayne Stewart
1995 7-4 Charlie Newell
1994 ** Charlie Newell
**Record unavailable
Central Academys Jack VanDevender (11) looks for

someone to block for teammate Preston Dawkins in
their game against Hebron Christian last season.
VanDevender and Dawkins are two of four seniors on
the 2016 team that feel confident they can help the
squad improve on last seasons 3-6 finish.
Macon Oil Company

16080 US Hwy. 45 Macon, MS 662-726-5494
17
Oak HIll academy raiders
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: 11-Man Football Class A-AA, District 2; 2015 Record: 7-4 (4-1 Class A-AA, District 2)
Coaching staff
Head coach
Chris Craven
n Carl Middleton
Defensive coordinator,
Defensive line
n Cody Allen Offensive,
Defensive Line
n Thomas Easterling
Special Teams
n Drake Riley
Special Assistant
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 At Newton Co.

Aca.
Aug. 26 At Tupelo Chr.
Prep
Sept. 2 HERITAGE ACA,
Sept. 9 WEST MEMPHIS
CHR.
Sept. 16 MARSHALL ACA.
Sept. 23 WINONA CHR.
Sept. 30 At. Columbus

Chr. Aca.
Oct. 7
At Carroll Aca.
Oct. 14 At Leake Aca.
Oct. 21 DEER CREEK
ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
From left: Oak Hill Academys Macon McBrayer, Collins Brown, and Ken Buddy Dill hope to help the Raiders rebound from an injury-plagued
season that saw the team have to shift multiple players into new positions.
Injuries in 15 made raiders stronger for 16

By Adam Minichino
WEST POINT Dont

cry for Chris Craven.
That would be a natural
instinct for some if their
football coach lost All-Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS)
MAIS
performers like Drew Riley,
Class 2A, District 2
Caleb Roberson, and Heath
Aug. 21 W, 42-0

NEWTON CO. ACA.
Ford from a roster of only
Aug. 28 W, 49-7
16.
TUPELO
But dont rush to rele
CHRISTIAN PREP
Sept. 4 L, 0-10
gate the Oak Hill Academy

At Heritage Aca.
football team to a season of
Sept. 11 W, 48+12
mediocrity in 2016. Thats

At West Memphis
Christian
because the Raiders hope
Sept. 18 W, 31-30
to have senior Ken Buddy

At Marshall Aca.
Dill back for an entire seaSept. 25 L, 7-24
son. They also are looking
WINONA
CHRISTIAN
forward to having a versaOct. 2
W, 48-13
tile backfield with junior
COLUMBUS
Collins Brown and senior

CHRISTIAN ACA.
Oct. 9
W, 61-13
Macon McBrayer to go with

CARROLL ACA.
a talented cast of receivers.
Oct. 16 L, 13-42
Add it all up and Craven

LEAKE ACA.
Oct. 23 W, 41-6
isnt crying. In fact, he cant

At Deer Creek
wait to get the season start Aca.
ed.
Oct. 30 L, 14-42
Were approaching it

At Tri-County Aca.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
with the mentality that the
glass is half full, Craven
said. We do have our quarterback, Buddy Dill, back.
But we basically finished
the season playing with
who we started with. We got
Carroll Academy
some guys who will be able
Columbus Christian Aca.
to fill those roles like they
Deer Creek School
Oak Hill Academy
had and feed off the legacy
Winona Christian
they left. I believe we still
will be strong up front on
for playoffs
the line.
We did good last year.
We had a winning record
and a playoff berth. We also
got some people to come out
Year Record Coach
who didnt play football last
2015 7-4 Chris Craven
year. Not a lot, but a few.
Oak
Hill
Academy
2013 5-6 Daniel Merchant
finished 7-4 and lost to
2012 6-6 Daniel Merchant
Tri-County Academy in
2011 0-10 Benjie Merchant
the first round of the Class
2010 3-8 Leroy Gregg
A-AA playoffs. Injuries to
Dill and Riley hampered
2007 0-10 Randy Carlisle
the teams effort to win the
District 2 title. Rileys in2005 6-5 Randy Carlisle
jury came at a particularly
bad time because Oak Hill
2003 3-8 Charles Faulkner
Academy was set to play
2002 4-7 Charles Faulkner
Winona Christian in its first
District 2 game. Coming off
a 31-30 victory against Mar1999 4-7 Phil Flynn
shall Academy, Oak Hill
1998 3-8 Phil Flynn
Academy lost to Winona
Christian 24-7 in Winona.
1995 1-9 G.T. Thames
The Stars won the district
1994 ** G.T. Thames
with a 3-0 record.
**Record unavailable
This season, Oak Hill
Academy has 20 players in
grades 9-12 on the varsity
team and 34 in the program. He knows he likely
wont find players who can
provide the dual threat
Riley did at running back
and linebacker, the stability up front of Roberson, or
the versatility of Ford, who
returned seven of his 13 interceptions for touchdowns.
Roberson and Ford were
MAIS All-Stars in football.
All three were All-Stars in
baseball.
Thats OK, though,
because Craven plans to
build on what those players
Oak Hill Academy helped start. He feels an
football coach offense that relies on interChris Craven changeable parts and a variety of options will help the
2015 Results
11-Man Football
Class A-AA, Dist. 2
A broken fibula in the third week of the season forced Oak Hill Academy quarterback Ken Buddy Dill to be a
spectator for most of last season.
You had to rely on everybody

because you really didnt have
another choice. You just kept going
and played with what you had and
made the best of every situation.
Oak Hill Academy senior running back
Macon McBrayer, talking about the injuries
that affected the 2015 team
Year-by-Year Record
The adversity we
went through last
year lent itself to
the kids buying
in. You can play
multiple
positions. You
can understand
this offense.
Raiders make up for their

graduation losses.
There is not going to
be another Drew Riley,
Craven said. There is not
going to be another Caleb
Roberson. You cant replace
them. Those guys were
four-year starters at this
school, but we just build off
the legacy they left. Those
guys turned out to be collegiate athletes.
Heath Ford was a great
wide receiver. You cant
replace something like
that. But we have some
guys who are stepping into
those shoes and filling that
void.
The return of former
Oak Hill Academy standout
Drake Riley, the brother of
Drew, as well as help from
Drew Riley, Roberson, and
Ford in the preseason aided the Raiders cause. Craven said Drake Riley will
help on the coaching staff
this season, too.
That likely will be one
of a few changes Craven
and his coaches make. He
said he has tweaked a
few things on offense to
give players better opportunities, but he said the majority of the offense didnt
change. That is good news
for McBrayer, who stepped
in at quarterback and took
on a bigger role at running
back to help the Raiders
overcome their injuries.
I think it helped us in
the long run to face adversity and learn how to overcome it, McBrayer said.
You had to rely on everybody because you really
didnt have another choice.
You just kept going and
played with what you had
and made the best of every
situation.
Next man up
McBrayer said that

next-man-up mentality
carried over to the offseason. He said everyone
knew they had to be ready
last season, so they have
worked hard in the weight
room in the offseason in
case they have to do the
same thing this season.
Dill hopes that isnt the
case. A broken fibula in the
third week of the season
forced Dill to be a spectator
for most of the season. It
also erased the momentum
Oak Hill Academy gained
from victories against Newton County Academy (42-0)
and Tupelo Christian Prep
(49-7) to open the season.
I wanted to help as
much as I could, but the
whole time I just wanted to
get back out there as much
as possible, Dill said. It
hurt to not be able to get out
there and help, but I think it
will help me in the long run
because I really got to learn
the offense. I think I will be
able to make more adjust-
ments. I think it will come a

little easier this year.
Dill believes the injuries
helped Oak Hill Academy
grow closer because they
knew they had rely on each
other to have a chance.
After missing so much
playing time last year and
with only one more football
season remaining, Dill said
the teams 2015 showing
has motivated him to have
an even bigger 2016.
As soon as it happened
and as soon as we finished
last year I couldnt wait to
get back and finish what we
started, Dill said. It has
been tough getting back to
100 percent, but I feel like I
am there and ready to take
on this year and see what
we can do.
McBrayer agrees and
said he thinks about what
the Raiders could have accomplished last season if
they had been healthy. He
said it was disappointing
not to go deeper into the
playoffs after being considered a state title contender
early in the season, but he
feels a healthy Oak Hill
Academy team can make
a run at a championship in
2016.
We have weapons all
over the field, McBrayer said. We have a lot of
speed and a lot of hands. I
think were going to score
a lot of points this year. We
have great arms, and Collins and I are going to run
the ball pretty well. Our
line is going to as good or
better than last year. We
ought to be pretty good.
Craven will try to mix
nine seniors and 14 freshmen to make that happen.
He feels the addition of Dillon Scott, a transfer from
West Point High School,
and James Michael Peavey,
a senior, will bring athleticism and speed to the offense. Those two players
werent on the 20-minute

highlight tape Craven compiled from last season and
showed his team. Craven
made the video to show the
Raiders what they accomplished with so many players moving in and out of
the lineup and to different
positions. While he would
have preferred not to have
faced that much adversity,
Craven acknowledges injuries are part of the game
and he feels his players will
use what they learned last
season to be even better,
so dont shed any tears for
him.
I really believe if we
can stay healthy we have a
chance at a district championship, Craven said. Last
year, a lot of things happened. The backup quarterback had a tear in his
quad after the first game,
so were on our third-string
quarterback. That means
two starters are going to
have to do something else.
The adversity we went
through last year lent itself
to the kids buying in. You
can play multiple positions.
You can understand this
offense. The guys who had
to go through that last year
are able to lead the others
on the team and go ahead
and buy into this because
this is real. This can happen.
So much is learned
from hard times. We have
discussed it at practice.
Life isnt easy. It comes the
way it comes. We could find
ourselves in the same situation we were in last year. I
am sorry you dont just get
to learn how to be a wide
receiver. You have to learn
how to play another guys
spot, too. I wish it was different, but it is not. Man up
and learn your stuff.
hebron Christian eagles
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Eight-Man Football District 2; 2015 Record: 8-4 (2-1 Eight-Man District 2)
Coaching staff
Head coach
David Foster
n Hearne Foster
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 At Sharkey
Issaquena Aca.
Aug. 26 At Delta Streets
Aca.
Sept. 2 DELTA ACA.
Sept. 9 CENTRAL ACA.
Sept. 16 OPEN DATE
Sept. 23 At Strider Aca.
Sept. 30 OPEN DATE
Oct. 7
At Marvell Aca.
Oct. 14 At Calhoun Aca.
Oct. 21 PARK PLACE CHR.
Oct. 28 KEMPER ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Entering his fifth season as head coach, David Foster will have one of his youngest teams at Hebron Christian School.
2015 Results
MAIS Eight-Man
District 2
Aug. 21 L, 48-64
SHARKEY
ISSAQUENA ACA.
Aug. 28 W, 60-24

At Delta Streets
Aca.
Sept. 4 W, 92-74

At Delta Aca.
Sept. 11 W, 46-16

At Central Aca.
Sept. 18 OPEN DATE
Sept. 25 W, 51-0

STRIDER ACA.
Oct. 2
W, 44-0

At Calvary
Christian
Oct. 9
L, 16-46

MARVELL ACA.
Oct. 16 W, 46-16

CALHOUN ACA.
Oct. 23 W, 40-12

At Park Place
Christian
Oct. 30 L, 20-48

At Kemper Aca.
Nov. 6 W, 54-46

At Marvell Aca.
Nov. 13 L, 22-56

At Tallulah Aca.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
REINVIGORATED FOSTER SET TO LEAD YOUNG TEAM

By Adam Minichino
PHEBA This is the time of

the year David Foster loves the
most.
When youre a coach who
prefers
the
3 -yards -and-a
cloud-of-dust approach, its easy
to tell why Foster
loves the work involved in preparing the Hebron
Foster
Christian football
team for another
season.
This year, though, things will
look drastically different for the
That is pretty neat. There is a bunch of stuff I

dont remember from way back, but I
remember my junior high coachs name when I
started playing. I thought he was it.
Hebron Christian football coach David Foster
long-time coach. Already accustomed to working with smaller
rosters at the Mississippi Association of Independent School
(MAIS) school in Clay County,
Foster is primed to go back to the
basics to teach more fundamentals to a younger group. He spent
much of the preseason teaching
Eight-Man
District 2
Calhoun Academy
Central Academy
Hebron Academy
Kemper Academy
playoffs
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach
2015 8-4 David Foster
2011 4-3 Tri Nason
2008 8-5 Sam Pearson
2004 3-7 San Pearson
NOTE: Records not available
before 2003.
There arent
many other
things I would
rather be doing,
unless I was a
professional bass
fisherman, and I
wouldnt be very
good at that. It is
not really like a
job. I am a grown
man dealing in a
kids realm, so it
makes me
younger I guess
you could say.
Hebron Christian School eighth-grader Doug Loden is

one of the young players coach David Foster is
working with to help the Eagles make up for the loss of
10 seniors from last seasons team.
Quarterback Channing Tapley will be one of the key

players coach David Foster will have to replace in 2016.
Hebron Christian football

coach David Foster
Hebron Christian School junior Kolbe Thompson will be

one of the most experienced players by class on the
2016 team.
the basics because the Eagles

lost a senior class of 10 players,
including standouts Channing
Tapley and Landon Hill, that
pushed Hebron Christian (84) into the second round of the
Eight-Man playoffs last season.
Instead of the experienced
hands of Tapley, Hill, Payton
Griffin, and others on both sides

of the ball, Foster will have to
work with newcomers like seventh-grader Jesse Williamson
at the junior varsity and varsity
levels. But Foster hasnt backed
away from the challenge of going
back to the fundamentals. Instead, the move has re-invigorated him because he can make his
mark on a player by showing him
to play the game his way.
That is pretty neat, Foster
said. There is a bunch of stuff I
dont remember from way back,
but I remember my junior high
coachs name when I started
playing. I thought he was it. It
was just because I am in the
See EAGLES, 22
19
west point green wave
GREEN WAVE SET SIGHTS ON TITLE

BY SCOT T WALTERS
Coaching staff
Head coach
Chris Chambless
n Roger Burton
n Alex Williams
n Brett Morgan
n Casey Welch
n Jerry Fremin
n Charles Herron
n Matt Snow
n Ricky Melton
n Seth Stillman
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 OPEN DATE

Aug. 26 LOUISVILLE
Sept. 2 At Starkville
Sept. 9 At Columbus
Sept. 16 NOXUBEE CO.
Sept. 23 OXFORD
Sept. 30 At Clarksdale
Oct. 7
CENTER HILL
Oct. 14 At Lake
Cormorant
Oct. 21 At Saltillo
Oct. 28 NEW HOPE
Nov. 4 At Lewisburg
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
WEST POINT Chris

Chambless has built West
Point High School into one
of the premier football programs in the Mississippi
High School Activities Association by running the
football and playing physical defense.
This season, things
might be a little different
at Hamblin Stadium.
With two 1,000-yard
rushers
returning
and a 1,000yard passer
transferring
into the program, the
Green Wave
Chambless
should be
able to put
up a lot of points on the
scoreboard.
Our offense is going to
be scary good, West Point
junior defensive back Trey
Brownlee said. I dont
think people need to sleep
on us over there. We have
our work cut out for us (on
defense) every day in practice. I am glad we dont
West Point High School head coach Chris Chambless,

right, and assistant coach Roger Burton are
optimistic about the teams chances this season. The
Green Wave have an experienced group back that
includes a lot of versatility on offense.
have to defend our offense

on game nights.
Junior
quarterback
Marcus Murphy led an offensive resurgence of sorts
last season, rushing for
1,615 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also threw for
770 yards and nine more
scores. As a sophomore,
he was learning to play
varsity football, learning
to lead, and learning how
to throw the ball as a quarterback.
It was really a lot for
me to handle, said Murphy, who verbally committed to Mississippi State
earlier this year. As the
quarterback, you have
to be the leader in pretty
much every aspect of the
team. I knew I wasnt vocal enough, so I tried to
learn how to become more
vocal. I also worked on my
footwork and throwing the
ball better.
My whole career it
See GREEN WAVE, 21
Inside
n MORE WEST POINT: A
breakdown of the Green
Wave by positions. Page 21
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach
2005 14-1 Dennis Allen
1998 1-10 Tom Goode Jr.
1996 5-6 Lynn Moore
1995 4-7 Skip Taylor
1994 2 -9 Skip Taylor
2015 Results
MHSAA
Class 5A, Region 1
Aug. 21 OPEN DATE

Aug. 28 W, 46-7

At Louisville
Sept. 4 L, 0-16
STARKVILLE
Sept. 11 W, 13-3
COLUMBUS
Sept. 18 W, 21-6

At Noxubee Co.
Sept. 25 L, 28-50

At Oxford
Oct. 2
W, 53-16
CLARKSDALE
Oct. 9
W, 54-13

At Center Hill
Oct. 16 W, 47-21
LAKE
CORMORANT
Oct. 23 W, 50-0
SALTILLO
Oct. 30 W, 44-0

At New Hope
Nov. 5 W, 34-0
LEWISBURG
Nov. 13 W, 46-7
RIDGELAND
Nov. 20 W, 16-9

At Grenada
Nov. 27 L, 7-35

At Oxford
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 5A
Region 1
Center Hill
Clarksdale
Lake Cormorant
Lewisburg
New Hope
Oxford
Saltillo
West Point
for playoffs
Our offense is
going to be scary
good. I dont
think people need
to sleep on us
over there.
West Point High School senior Keonta Hampton will

be a key member of a defense that hopes to push the
Green Wave into title contention.
West Point High School senior Demarrio Edwards will

play a variety of roles in what is expected to be an
explosive offense in 2016.
West Point High School

junior defensive back
Trey Brownlee
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ADVENTURE ATV
Tigers

the last few years will help
keep it strong.
I think it is embedded
in them to be good, and
they want to win and keep
this tradition going, Shorter said. I told them it is not
their fault that they have
the bulls eye on their back.
It is the tradition of the program, and it is up to them
to carry on the tradition.
They realize the schedule
we have. They are working
hard.
Jataquist Sherrod is
one of the seniors Shorter
will lean on. The 6-foot,
180-pound
cornerback/
free safety was fifth on the
team in tackles (70) and
first in pass deflections
(16) last season. He also
had three interceptions.
He is one of eight returning
starters on defense.
Our last team, we had
guys who were there a
couple of years and had
experience, Sherrod said.
This year, we are kind of
inexperienced on defense.
On offense, we mostly
got it. That is where our
strength is at. On defense,
we just have to learn what
we have to do so we will be
in the same spot to make
Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter said in the preseason
that sophomore Maliek Stallings appears to be the front-runner to be the teams
starting quarterback.
the plays we did last year.

Sherrod is an ideal example of the transition
Noxubee County will try
to make. He admits he isnt
the teams most vocal player. He said talking is not
a big part of me, but he
understands he will have
to be a more vocal player if
that is what Shorter and his

coaches want to do.
I just dont like to talk. I
would rather someone else
do it, Sherrod said. That
is why I go so hard and I
am on my teammates about
talking so they teach somebody what to do so they can
talk and I dont have to talk
to tell them what to do.

Shorter also will count
on senior Antonio Roby.
The veteran has been a
fixture on the offensive line
for the last few years and
knows the offense will take
on a new look with a sophomore quarterback.
Without Conner, Sim-
mons, Barnett, Ball, and

the others lost to graduation, Roby said he has
heard many people feel
Noxubee County will take
a step back. Roby isnt one
for bulletin board material,
but he said dont count the
Tigers out.
Just wait until the season starts, Roby said. I
know we lost some bigtime players, but we have
a lot of big-time players.
We have that every year,
so just wait until the season starts.
Roby, who is 6-4, 290,
expects to play guard and
tackle and maybe even a
little center. He also anticipates playing at defensive
tackle. He said the Tigers
might have to rely on their
defense to make plays
while the offense, which
he feels has plenty of
weapons, finds its footing.
Everybody is ready to
go out the same way we
went out last year, Roby
said.
Shorter shares that
optimism. Its a mind-set
that has become second
nature for him in nearly
20 years in the program.
While he questioned the
2015 teams focus at times

last season and ability to
play the Tigers attacking
brand of football, he said
the teams ability to regroup showed its resolve
and character. He knows
those traits are at the
heart of a younger bunch
of Tigers, too.
It is about this program.
Guys still expect to win no
matter who is left, Shorter
said. They responded in
the summer. Everybody is
working their tail off.
Sherrod senses the enthusiasm. Even though
some of the names will be
different in 2016, Sherrod
and the Tigers intend the
prove the results will be the
same.
We have to live up to
the hype, Sherrod said.
We didnt put ourselves
in this position. The teams
before us did, so we have
live up to the hype. Coach
Shorter and the rest of
the coaches and the rest
of the seniors are making
sure the younger guys understand we have to live
up to our expectations.
A CLOSER LOOK AT NOXUBEE COUNTY

QUARTERBACKS
Maliek Stallings (Soph.),
Armoni Clark (Jr.),
Rodney Williams (Soph.)
n Clark was in line to take
over for Timorrius Conner, but
Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter said a
knee injury kept Clark from paying
last season. As a result, Stallings, who is 6-foot, 170 pounds,
has impressed and has the edge.
I think they are two really
good quarterbacks, Shorter said.
They are young and inexperienced, but we have two kids to
work with and build our team
around moving forward. Stallings
has had a better summer, and we
feel like hes our guy, but all of
that can change.
RUNNING BACKS
Javarcus Walker (Sr.),
TyQuintin Ramsey (Sr.),
Jaqualyn Smith (Soph.),
Kaiyus Lewis (Soph.),
Daquarius Brooks (Jr.),
Jakerrius Oliver (Sr.),
Devin Brown (Jr.),
L.C. Clemmons (Jr.)
n The Tigers largely went with
a committee approach at this
position last season. Shorter said
Lions
the Tigers likely will employ a similar strategy because they are so
deep and have so many talented
players.
We are loaded at the running
back position, Shorter said. We
have about four guys who are
really going to touch the ball this
year. All of them can be productive for us.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Kymbotric Mason (Sr.),
Kyziah Pruitt (Soph.),
Rashad Eades (Jr.),
Kadarrion Outlaw (Sr.)
n The loss of Ladaveon Smith
will hurt, but Shorter feels this
is Masons time to emerge and
realize his potential. He also
feels Pruitt, who played primarily
on defense last season, Eades,
and Outlaw can make big-time
contributions.
We are very talented at the
wide receiver spot, Shorter said.
I think Pruitt is going to be one
of he next best players to come
out of here, and we are expecting
Mason to turn his game up a
notch. We have a lot of speed and
size.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Tyler Dooley (Sr.),
Antonio Roby (Sr.),
Anterrious Gray (Jr.),
Justin Davis (Jr.),
Johnny Slaughter (Sr.),
DeQuaion Prince (Jr.)
n The Tigers lost center
Bobby May and Laterience Dora
from last season. Still, Shorter
believes the Tigers will be fine up
front because they have plenty
of size and experience. Dooley, a
three-year starter, leads the way
with Roby, a two-year starter.
We can be really, really big up
front if we want to, Shorter said.
If we take Slaughter (who is 200
pounds) out, we can put five guys
in who are almost 300 pounds
who can play. We feel we can be
really explosive on offense this
year because we have the pieces.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jamarrius Bradford (Sr.),
Myles Smith (Jr.),
Malcomn Purtue (Soph.),
Jimmy Morris (Sr.),
Antonio McCloud (Sr.)
n The loss of Jeffery Simmons, a Mississippi State signee,
will be impossible to overcome
because he often was a one-man
sack party. The Tigers still have

experience and size up front
with Bradford and Smith, who
are returning starters. McCloud
also played a lot when Simmons
missed time with an injury.
We feel good about where we
are, Shorter said. Our front five
is made up of guys who have a lot
of experience.
LINEBACKERS
Kalmorris Robinson (Sr.),
Eddison Little (Sr.),
Timothy Bland (Jr.)
n Just like defensive line, the
Tigers will have to make up for a
big loss. Qendarrion Barnett led
the team in tackles and made
all of the play calls, but Shorter
feels Robinson can step in and
fill those shoes. Little also is a
returning starter.
Barnett was a talented guy,
but we have some guys who have
experience at that position,
Shorter said.
SECONDARY
Joshua Little (Sr.),
Jataquist Sherrod (Sr.),
Art Davis (Sr.), Javarcus Walker
(Sr.), Rashad Eades (Sr.)

Baty will have only three
seniors this season.
In typical 1A fashion,
well have a half dozen or
so players go both ways, so
my plan is to rest them as
often as possible and keep
fresh legs in the game,
Baty said. We want to run
the ball, milk the clock, and
keep the first half as close
as we can so were still in
the game in the second half
with rested players available down the stretch.
Keeping players off the
injured list is paramount,
especially along the offensive and defensive lines.
The offensive line and
the defensive line are our
strength and our weakness
at the same time, Baty
said. We have five solid
offensive linemen with just
one backup and three solid
defensive linemen with two
backups. All are young,
quality linemen, but there
is a lack of depth on both
sides of the ball, especially
since two of them will be
playing both ways.
We can only go as far
as our offensive and defensive lines take us, and if
we lose any of them, were
in a ton of trouble because
there just arent that many
replacements.
In addition to staying
healthy, Baty plans to run
the ball 90 percent of the
time to shorten the game.
Were going to be an under-center, run-first type offense, Baty said. Were going to slow things down, try
to keep the ball away from
our opponents, and snap
the ball every 20 seconds or
even 25 if theyll let us.
Batys third and final
goal is to play good defense.
Defense is where
games are won and lost,
and I plan on being more
aggressive, Baty said.
Were going to play a 34
Rams
n Just like defensive line and

linebacker, Noxubee County will
have to make up for a big loss.
Deveon Ball anchored the position last season, but the rest of
the starting cast from last season
returns. Shorter said other players like Mason also could step
in at this position depending on
matchups. Sherrod is a three-year
starter. Skill positions players
will compete for opportunities to
return kicks and punts.
We have some pieces,
Shorter said. We have eight
starters returning on defense. We
lost three good ones, but we have
a lot of kids who played a lot.
SPECIALISTS
Samuel Lowery (Jr.),
Kymbotric Mason (Sr.)
n Shorter likes how the Tigers
shape up on special teams.
Mason will handle the punting
chores, while Lowery is primed
for an even better season after
attending several camps in the
offseason.
Lowery is hitting the ball
well, Shorter said. We think we
are solid all the way around.
Adam Minichino
A CLOSER LOOK AT HAMILTON

QUARTERBACKS
Gavin Toler (Fr.)
n Toler (6-foot-1, 160
pounds) will be backed up
by Sam France and sophomore Bryant Butler.
RUNNING BACKS
Branson Shields (Sr.),
Noah Daniels (Soph.)
n Shields (6-1, 220) will
go both ways, fullback on
offense and middle linebacker on defense. Daniels
(5-8, 21 0) was the teams
leading rusher last year
with almost 700 yards in
just six games. Relief help
will come from sophomores
Nathan Fast and Daniel
Miller and Tye Hall. All three
should get some carries
every game to keep Shields
and Daniels fresh.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Kamenski Bankhead (Fr.),
Brice Loftin (Jr.),
Bailey Loftin (Jr.)
n Bankhead is the biggest of the three wideouts
at 6-2, 175, with the Loftin
twins listed at 5-9, 155.
Backup help will come from
Timarco Fields.
defense with a lot of slants

up front and a lot of blitzes.
Back for a second season assisting Baty will be
John David Hartley, Victor
Cunningham, Joel Cosgrove, and Dallas Flippo.
It doesnt matter if you
score three points a game,
if you can keep the other
team from scoring youre
going to win, Baty said. If
were sound on the defensive side of the ball, well be
OK.
Hartley coaches the
quarterbacks and linebackers, while Flippo works
with the wide receivers and
Cunningham handles the
running backs. Both also
share coaching duties with
the defensive backs.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Laderrick Despenza
(Soph.), Michael Harrison
(Jr.), Lane Stockman (Jr.),
Stone Crawford (Jr.),
Grant Thompson (Soph.)
n Despenza (6-4,
240) and Thompson (6-5,
255) will line up at tackle,
Harrison (6-2, 255) and
Crawford (6-1, 275) will be
at guard, and Stockman
(5-6, 230) will center the
ball. Senior Austin Myers
will rotate in and out of the
lineup.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Lane Stockman (Jr.),
Michael Harrison (Jr.),
Carl Bailey (Soph.)
n Harrison (6-2, 255)
and Bailey (5-1 0, 230) will
line up at the end positions
and Stockman is slated
to play nose tackle in the
Lions 34 defense. Junior
Stone Crawford and Austin
Myers will provide relief
help.
run with a pair of sizable

middle backers in Despenza (6-4, 240) and Shields
(6-1, 220), both of whom
will also start on offense.
Sophomore Bryson Butler
and freshman Thomas Jackson will give the starters a
rest.
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
Daniel Miller (Soph.),
Sam France
n Miller (5-10, 175) and
France (5-9, 170) arent
penciled in on the offensive
side of the ball.
MIDDLE LINEBACKERS
Laderrick Despenza
(Soph.),
Branson Shields (Sr.)
n Baty plans to stop the
SECONDARY
Devin Dancy (Soph.),
Kamenski Bankhead (Fr.),
T.J. Warren (Sr.),
Bailey Loftin (Jr.)
n Dancy (5-10, 175)
and Bankhead (6-2, 175)
will man the corners, with
Warren (5-7, 180) and
Loftin (5-9, 155) starting at
safety. Timarco Fields, Brice
Lofton, Bryant Butler, and
Nathan Fast also will see
action.
Don Rowe
John David (Hartley)

and Victor (Cunningham)
pretty much call the shots
on offense because theyre
more
offensive-minded
than me, Baty said. I
spend most of my time with
the offensive and defensive
line, kind of a facilitator, although I call the defense.
Cosgrove is in charge
of the offensive and defensive lines and, according
to Baty, is the morale guy
who motivates our players.
Win or Jose, Baty wants
his team to play with class
and represent the school in
a manner that brings credit
to the community.
We have all the players sign a code of conduct,
which covers their behav-
ior at school, away from

school, and on the field,
whether it be actual games
or practices, Baty said.
I want to enjoy coaching
these kids and dont want
to have a players conduct
cause a distraction for our
team or bring embarrassment to our school.
If something does arise
along those lines, I can assure you that conduct will
be addressed and he will be
punished in an appropriate
manner.
Speaking of distractions, Baty had one major
distraction this past week
as he and his wife, Katie,
became the proud father of
a daughter, Coralayne Rose
Baty.
runs in other sports will

translate to the football team.
I think all of us realize
we are not doing it for us,
were doing it for the guy
next to us, Shaw said. It is
not a one-man thing. We all
know we have to have each
other.
I think each one of us
knows what we are capable
of, so if we dont see that
we push each other to that.
I guess we know each others inner self and it is heart
and determination and a
willingness to push each
other.
Shaw said that was a part
of the basketball teams success last season, particularly after it saw its season end
in the same spot two years
in a row. He said all 12 of
the players in grades 10-12
on the football team will
have to be leaders and hold
the person next to them accountable. If that happens,
Shaw said the Rams will
have a chance to realize
their potential.
I think we have probably the best talent we have
had in a while, Shaw said.
We have speed, we have
big guys. I think we have a
real good team all around.
Everyone can do dangerous things. It is crazy.
Whitfield is one of the
weapons Shaw will look to.
With Beaird, RJ Deloach,
Nate Parker, Dejuan Miller, and DeKelvyn Mitchell,
Whitfield thinks the Rams
have options they can turn
to on offense so, as he said,
opponents will have to pick
their poison.
Whitfield said the Rams
have worked hard since the
end of the 2015-16 school
year to get into the best
shape possible. He said the
players knew they likely
wouldnt have the depth of
past teams, so they took
the initiative to lift weights
and to do conditioning to
give them the confidence to
know they can do anything
if they are committed.
I think we have the
best offense out there,
Whitfield said. Any play
anybody can take it to the
house. Nobody can match
up with us out there. We
have the best we have ever
had this year.
Watkins also likes the
level of talent on the squad.
But the teams level of focus
and chemistry impressed
him in the offseason. He
said he hasnt had to preach
to players about keeping
everyone up and motivated.
In fact, he said he would
rather take 12 players who
are as enthusiastic as his
current group over 20 kids
who werent as enthused.
Watkins hopes the
Rams drive will remain
constant because it was a
big part of the championship runs of the boys cross
country, boys basketball,
and boys track and field
teams. The basketball team
overcame a double-digit
third-quarter deficit en
route to its Class AA State
title, while the boys track
and field team trailed by 30
points midway through the
meet before it rallied.
Watkins hopes those
journeys make the Rams
mentally stronger because
he knows the challenges
will be even bigger in football.
It is not going to be
easy, but football is not an
easy sport, either, Watkins
said. I am going to let this
group determine its identity. Right now, it is just hard
work because they know
they are going to have to
play both ways and they
arent going to get many
breaks. The work they put
in now is going to benefit
them Friday nights.
21
Starkville High Schools Jaquez Akins is in the mix at quarterback with Malik Brown
and Ben Owens. Akins also will play in the secondary this season.
Starkville

Clark played with the freshman team.
Lawrence was moved to the varsity team
late in the season. Clark would have
been moved to the varsity team, but he
broke his leg and had to sit out the rest
of the fall.
Sophomores Chase Naylor, Jhitwan
Rogers, and Zavier Armistead also will
compete for playing time.
Ive got confidence in the other
ones, Woods said. Theyre just babies
that need to get on the field, and were
going to get them on the field.
Bigger role for Swanigan
Swanigan had 75 carries for 510 yards

and eight touchdowns in 15 games last
season. With Brown sidelined, Swanigan stepped up with 161 yards and three
touchdowns in a 27-7 victory against Petal in the 2015 Mississippi High School
Activities Association (MHSAA) Class
6A State championship.
Lawrence, who had 15 yards on three
carries in the title game, played in three
games and finished with 65 yards.
Potential starting quarterback Jaquez
Akins feels the Yellow Jackets have a
strong group of running backs and will
be hard to stop.
Im with these guys every single day,
and I just see the work they put in on and
off the field, Akins said. Its tremendous. I dont see anybody out working
them or out running them. I feel like
were about to break every running record there is.
If Clark had remained healthy, he
might have made a name for himself.
His teammates expect him to make an
immediate impact now that he is healthy.
In fact, Akins called him a super
freak with power and speed who can
handle any responsibility thrown his
way. He feels Clark will open eyes the
first time he touches the ball.

Swanigan has trained with Clark for
a while, so he knows him inside and out.
I wouldnt expect nothing but the
best from him, Swanigan said. Hes
physical, fast, strong, elusive, and hes
got vision.
Swanigan, who is 5-foot-8, 185
pounds, has the most experience, so the
Yellow Jackets could lean on early in the
process, especially since three players
are competing for playing time at quarterback. Swanigan said it has excited
him to see Starkville use some two-back
sets early in practice.
As for his chance, hes ready.
Im trying to bring everything, said
Swanigan, who had three catches for 33
yards. Im trying to be an all-around
running back and do as much as I can.
I want to be physical, fast, have vision and be loose.
Through the offseason, Swanigans
game has improved.
(Hes a) great, great back, Akins
said. (He) can catch out of the backfield, (has) great vision and great speed.
Hes just an all-around great back.
Starkville didnt need Brown, who
was second on the team with 33 catches
with 430 yards and three touchdowns,
to win a championship, but with several unknowns on the offense, the Yellow
Jackets will need everyone if they are
going to repeat. Thats why the running
back is so important and the depth will
help take pressure off an inexperienced
quarterback.
It will give the opposing team a
harder opportunity to keep up with one.
Theyre getting tired, were not, Akins
said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait
on Twitter @bcwait
A CLOSER LOOK AT STARKVILLE

QUARTERBACKS
Jaquez Akins (Sr.),
Malik Brown (Soph.),
Ben Owens (Jr.)
n Starkville High School
football coach Ricky Woods
hasnt committed to a
starter and hasnt given any
indication if there is a leader. Owens was Montario
Montgomerys backup last
season. Akins, who also
will play in the secondary,
is the most athletic player
in the group. Many wouldnt
be surprised if he takes a
majority of the snaps.
All three bring different
things to the table, and
its really just whos going
to surround them, Woods
said. Weve got packages
for all three of them. Weve
just got to pick out the best
scenario for us to move the
football.
perience, and Gardner has

the look to be a threat at
6-foot-4, 200 pounds.
I feel like weve got a
great receiving corp, Akins
said. All around were
great. We never slack off.
You dont have to worry.
RUNNING BACKS
Zavier Armistead (Soph.),
Rodrigues Clark (Soph.),
K.J. Lawrence (Soph.),
Chase Naylor (Soph.),
Jhitwan Rogers (Soph.),
Andreus Swanigan (Jr.)
n With the departure of
Avery Brown, Swanigans
role as the featured back
looks likely. However, Clark
is on the rise and the
Yellow Jackets could use
a rotation as the season
wears on. Swanigan, Clark,
and Lawrence will get a
bulk of the carries in an
offense that might be more
run-oriented.
I feel like we have the
best running backs in the
nation, Akins said. I feel
like at any given time, nobody can stop them.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Joey Claybrook (Sr.),
Jakoby Jones (Sr.)
Kameron Jones (Jr.),
Antuan McDowell (Jr.),
Connor Reinike (Sr.)
n The Yellow Jackets
experience at the position
starts with Claybrook, who
signed with Tulane, at left
tackle. Reinike will be the
center, with Jakoby at right
guard, Kameron at right
tackle, and McDowell at left
guard.
I think were going to
be really good this year,
Claybrook said.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Tonorris Brookins (Soph.),
Jakobe Cannon (Jr.),
Tavian Clark (Sr.),
Luke Davis (Sr.),
Cameron Eichelberger (Jr.),
Cameron Gardner (Jr.),
Malik McBride (Jr.),
Keion Smith (Sr.),
Tyler Stovall (Sr.),
Jordan Thompson (Jr.)
n Replacing A.J. Brown,
who signed with Ole Miss,
wont be easy, but the
Yellow Jackets have players
will try to make up for
his production. Clark and
Stovall have the most ex-
TIGHT ENDS
Cameron Bell (Soph.),
Bradley Curtis (Sr.)
n Parker Lemm was the
main tight end a season
ago, but he used more as
a blocker than an option
in the passing game. In
Woods offense, the tight
end isnt featured often, but
they could see more action.
Well have a double
tight set, Woods said.
Weve got young kids and
weve got old kids. Were
just going to be a multiple
offense this year.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jalil Clemons (Soph.),
Zach Edwards (Soph.),
Kory Hill (Sr.), Cortlen Hill
(Jr.), Nelson Jordan (Sr.),
Josh Lawrence (Jr.),
Tyler Roach (Sr.)
n The Yellow Jackets
lost Maleke Bell, Kobe
Jones, and Lorenzo Dantzler on the line. They were
a dominant force and set
the tone of a very good
defense. Jordan, the only
returning starter, is poised
for a big season. Corey
moved from offensive line,
while Cortlen was hurt last
season.
Nelsons going to be
the leader of the defensive
front, Woods said. Weve
got young guys that are
going to have to step up
and help us.

LINEBACKERS
Darius Brooks (Jr.),
Bradley Curtis (Sr.),
Tony Elliott (Sr.),
Willie Gay (Sr.),
Seth Prewitt (Jr.),
Abdias Simpore (Jr.),
DeAngelo Tabb (Jr.),
Jacob Williams (Jr.)
n Gay, who committed
to Ole Miss, will be the
leader. Brooks, Elliott, and
Williams provide experience
that will take pressure off
Gay and give some reliable
options when he is out of
the game.
Weve got several veterans back at linebacker,
Woods said. Youre looking
at three guys that play a
whole lot.
SECONDARY
Jaquez Akins (Sr.),
Natrone Brooks (Jr.),
ZyDerius Charleston (Jr.),
Austin Morris (Sr.),
DAngelo Scales (Jr.),
Alexis Stallings (Soph.),
Jalen Ware (Jr.)
n Brooks, Charleston,
and Stallings will play
cornerback, while Akins,
Morris, Scales, and Ware
will play safety. Akins will
split time between defense
and offense. Brooks is
the most experienced and
will be counted on to be a
leader.
Hes been pretty good
to the guys, trying to get
them on track, tell them
what they should be doing
and what they should not
be doing, cornerbacks
coach Kevin Farmer said of
Brooks.
David Miller/Dispatch File Photo
West Point High Schools Marcus Murphy, shown above against New Hope last
season, rushed for 1,615 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also threw for 770 yards
and nine more scores.
Green Wave
has been about being the fastest guy on

the field, so those were all challenges for
me last year. I leaned on the seniors a lot
for advice. Even though I was leading, I
was listening every day, too.
Murphy shared the bulk of the
rushing load with current junior Chris
Calvert, who ran for 1,490 yards and 18
touchdowns last season. However, those
two werent it. The Green Wave ran for a
Class 5A best 4,316 yards, an average of
308.3 yards per game.
It took a little while for everything
to click, Calvert said. (Murphy and I)
were sophomores last year, so we really
had to learn on the fly. At the beginning
of the year, we were learning how to do
things, how to win games. As the season went on, things got better and better on offense. I think we really can pick
up where we left off last year and have a
special season.
Keep the offense clicking
While the offensive numbers were

gaudy, the team remained stuck in neutral in some big games. Class 6A champion Starkville shut out West Point.
Against Class 6A playoff participant Columbus, West Point used to two runs of
better than 50 yards to pull off a 13-3 victory. In the North State Class 5A Championship, region rival Oxford rolled to a
35-7 victory.
Some of the challenge of making West
Points offense less one-dimensional
will fall on the shoulders of Saltillo High
transfer Clayton Knight. A 5-foot-11,
165-pound senior, Knight threw for 1,099
yards and six touchdowns last season.
West Point has one of the best programs in the state, said Knight, who
enrolled at the school in March and went
through spring drills. I am not really
here to change anything because what
they do is perfect. Hopefully, I can add
to it. The goal is to win a state championship, so, hopefully, the offense can do
a few more things to put the team over
the top.
It is a win-win situation for Murphy
and Calvert. Murphy can display his
skills at other positions, including wide
receiver, while Calvert can find more

openings when defenses respect the
pass more.
It has been great from day one,
Calvert said. You can tell Clayton wants
to be the leader and the other guys really
bought in from the beginning. (Murphy)
can keep getting better at quarterback
without the pressure of having to make
all of the plays. We are going to have
some things we can do on offense. It is
exciting.
On defense, West Point will rely on a
starting lineup that will have as many as
nine juniors.
Its all about playing West Point football, junior defensive lineman Terence
Cherry said. As good as our offense is,
we dont have to be perfect on every possession. They are going to help us out a
lot, but we still plan on being physical
and fast, like always.
Chambless knows what to expect
from his defense. It is a standard.
On offense all bets are off as the team
enters a new era. Many plays will involve
Knight, Murphy, and Calvert on the field
at the same time.
West Point football grounds and
pounds, Chambless said. The game
is still about blocking and tackling.
The team executing the best wins most
nights. You have to block, tackle, and
run the football. However, we know we
have some different personnel. We know
what that personnel can do. We will adjust to that personnel.
West Point will try to adjust against a
difficult non-region schedule. The quest
for a state championship will feature
another daunting schedule in Region 1.
Each of the last two seasons have ended
with a playoff loss to rival Oxford.
Losing to Oxford to end the season
has been a major motivation, Cherry
said. We werent at our best that night.
To win a state championship, you have
to be at your best every night. I think we
have learned from that and we are ready
for the new season.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott
Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
A CLOSER LOOK AT WEST POINT

QUARTERBACKS
Clayton Knight (Sr.),
Demarrio Edwards (Sr.),
Marcus Murphy (Jr.)
n Knight takes over as
the starter after transferring
from Saltillo High School.
We have a lot of options this year, West Point
coach Chris Chambless
said. Clayton fit in really
well with our team right
away because he is a hard
worker. If you work hard,
you will be accepted here.
RUNNING BACKS
Chris Calvert (Jr.),
Marcus Murphy (Jr.),
Archie Jones (Jr.),
Andre Lane (Sr.)
n Calvert and Murphy
combined for better than
3,000 rushing yards and 34
touchdowns last season.
Chris has incredible
season for us last year,
Chambless said. With his
size (5-foot-9, 177 pounds),
he flies under the radar. He
is very undervalued as one
of the best backs in the
state.
SPECIALISTS
Welsey Albritton (Sr.),
Garin Boniol (Soph.),
Roy Korynas (Soph.)
n Albritton will handle
WIDE RECEIVERS /
most of the duties, includTIGHT ENDS
ing kickoffs, punting, and
Jason Brownlee (Jr.),
field goals. Korynas will
Demarrio Edwards (Sr.),
help with punting and AlbritKevion Gibbs (Sr.),
ton hopes he is his holder.
Trey Shelton (Sr.),
The stats from last year
Nate Montgomery (Jr.),
were really nice, Albritton
Everitt Cunningham (Sr.)
said. Hopefully I do the
n Murphy will provide
same thing from last year
an instant lift to this group,
to this year and carry on.
as the Green Wave looks to
Ben Wait throw the ball more.
Its a real talented

group of receivers with lots
of speed, Chambless said.
We will have some extra
plays to show off the diversity of this group.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Derrick Lee (Sr.),
Zameek Price (Jr.),
Jameek Price (Jr.),
Daveion Reives (Soph.),
James Spann (Sr.)
n West Point has limited
experience returning on the
offensive line, after the departure of Alabama signee
Scott Lashley.
We will have to have
this group grow up immediately, Chambless said.
West Point football has
always been ground and
pound, punch you in the
mouth and control the line
of scrimmage. That will be
this groups challenge.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Everitt Cunningham (Sr.),
Terrence Cherry (Jr.),
Ledarius Glover (Jr.),
Jamel Banks (Jr.)
n Cherry anchors an
experienced defensive line.
We expect some big
things from this group,
Chambless said. They
have played together for a
while now.
LINEBACKERS
Rasson Carr (Jr.),
Keonta Hampton (Sr.),
Xavier Fair (Jr.)
n The Green Wave has
experience and depth at

this position.
Our linebacking group
is solid. Chambless said.
We lost some experience
from that group but we
know we have some young
guys ready to step in and
make plays.
SECONDARY
Trevino Harris (Sr.),
Trey Brownlee (Jr.),
Ryan Melton (Soph.),
Komarcus Powell (Jr.)
n Harris anchors this
young group.
We had some sophomores get good playing
time back there last year,
Chambless said. That
group will be more experienced and ready to go this
season.
SPECIALISTS
Jose Garcia (Sr.),
Jose Lemus (Soph.)
n Returnees handle all
the kicking duties.
We have been fortunate
over the years with our
special teams, Chambless said. We are in good
hands again there this
year.
Scott Walters
Volunteers
reached double-digit wins

a year ago. Now, the challenge is to make it three in
a row.
The seniors that have
been here take a lot of pride
in the success we have
had, Starkville Academy
senior running back Dalton Dempsey said. There
are not many Friday nights
we go home with a loss.
Our job is to teach to the
young guys how we want
the program to go now and
in the future.
There is an expectation
to win out here, and that is
something different. The
work ethic has increased
each year. We are always
running, working out.
Even though we are low on
numbers, we are strong as
a team. We have worked
real hard in the offseason
to build on what we helped
start as sophomores.
Nicholson was an assistant under Terrill and
watched as the veteran
coach laid a foundation.
His challenge has become
somewhat easier now that
players are coming to the
program instead of coaches encouraging the best
athletes in the school to
come play.
The excitement is
Starkville Academy sophomore Ben Guest will give the Volunteers a versatile threat
out of the backfield or in the passing game.
an all-time high around

here, Nicholson said. We
have an exciting team and
something people to want
be part of. We have a great
coaching staff. We have
some great coaches to be
around. The attract these
guys because the players
want to be around them.
There is also the excitement of the game itself.
The success from the
last couple of years has re-
ally helped. We want it fun.

We want it exciting. I think
we have helped build that
the last couple of years.
Nicholson had some advantages last season. The
MAIS realigned and created four classifications before the 2015 season. While
remaining in Class AAA,
the road to a state championship became easier with
schools like Jackson Academy and Jackson Prep no
longer in the way.

In addition, seniors
made up half of the Volunteers roster.
We did a lose bunch
of people, but we gained
a bunch of people, too,
Starkville Academy senior
linebacker Drew Jackson
said. This is a big step for
the seniors. We used to get
to goof around. Now, we
have to be leaders. Last
year taught us how to do
that. We learned from so

many really great guys and
players. We are hoping to
keep that success going.
We dont want to let anybody down.
The program is in a different place, and it is our job
to make sure that it doesnt
slip any.
After the 2015 season,
Nicholson was concerned
about depth. However, the
programs success has resulted in a bigger turnout.
Last years junior class of
five has grown to eight.
Each class has experienced growth.
We had some guys
who played before, quit,
and came back, Nicholson
said. We have had some
basketball players come
out for the team. That is
what happens when you get
momentum. We dont have
large numbers. We do have
a lot of heart and a lot of togetherness.
On offense, junior Noah
Methvin will replace Houston Clark at quarterback.
Dempsey will inherit the
rushing load left behind by
Drake Gordman and Grant
Wolfe. The offensive line
will have some new faces,
too. More experience returns on the defense.
A lot of people are

doubting us, Dempsey
said. Those people havent
been to our practices. We
are going to surprise a lot
of people. Some of football
is mental, and we have that
mind-set we are going to be
hard to beat. Offensively,
we will be able to spread
the ball out more this year.
I think that will help. Defensively, we will be very
strong.
Hamilton said the seniors had to transition from
followers to leaders in a
hurry. Once they made the
change, the enthusiasm
level took off.
The mind-set for this
team is great, Hamilton
said. We are going out there
and getting after it. I think
we will have a great season.
Its a lot different from last
season. You are learning
from people your whole life
and then suddenly you have
to be the teachers.
We have a bunch of
sophomores, though, and
they know they have won
the last couple of years.
They have won in junior
high, so its a good transition.
writer Scott Walters on
Twitter @dispatchscott
A CLOSER LOOK AT STARKVILLE ACADEMY

QUARTERBACKS
Noah Methvin (Jr),
Kyle Faver (Jr.)
n Nicholson looks forward to
Methvin taking over the reins.
Excited about Noah,
Starkville Academy coach Chase
Nicholson said. He brings a different style of quarterback than
we have had in the past. He is
very smart, and that is his strong
point. We will be able to throw the
ball well. He has worked hard to
be in this position. It wasnt given
to him. He earned it.
RUNNING BACKS
Drew Jackson (Sr.), Kyle Faver
(Jr.), Landen Rogers (Sr.),
Dalton Dempsey (Sr.),
Garrett Smith (Jr.), Nason Heflin
(Soph.), Will Miller (Soph.),
Noah Smith (Jr.)
n The Volunteers have talent
but will be replacing last seasons
top two backs.
Eagles
We have a stable of running

backs, Nicholson said. We have
a lot of different ways we can
do things. I like the depth. We
can have some fresh legs in the
second halves of games.
Carter Roach (Sr.), Ben Guest
(Soph.), Reagan Richardson (Jr.),
Campbell Spivey (Soph.),
Codie Futral (Sr.),
Brady Richardson (Jr.), Zak Kelly
(Soph.), Jonathan Patterson (Jr.),
Howell Archer (Soph.),
William Wolfe (Jr.)
n This group be will be counted on heavily with the Volunteers
going to more of a spread attack
this season.
We have some speed on the
ends, Nicholson said. We have
some basketball players back
there who have shown they know
how to go get a ball. This group
has progressed nicely from the
spring through the summer.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Will Holley (Jr.), Torin Hamilton
(Sr.), Bo Adams (Sr.), Ty Catchot
(Jr.), Dillon Carrell (Sr.),
Douglas Kelly (Soph.),
Walker Tranum (Soph.)
n For the Volunteers, this
group has the most returning
experience on offense.
We have several guys back
who played last season, Nicholson said. Its a strong, physical
line. A year ago, we were able to
be dominant in the second halves
of games when we were trying
to close out wins. That should
continue.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Will Holley (Jr.), Torin Hamilton
(Sr.), Bo Adams (Sr.), Ty Catchot
(Jr.), Dillon Carrell (Sr.),
Douglas Kelly (Soph.),
Walker Tranum (Soph.)
n Also on defense, the Volunteers have experience here.

Our defensive line led the way
last season, Nicholson said. We
have some players we can rotate
through, as well.
LINEBACKERS
Drew Jackson (Sr.), Kyle Faver
(Jr.), Campbell Spivey (Soph.),
Landen Rogers (Sr.),
Howell Archer (Soph.),
Nason Heflin (Soph.), Will Miller
(Soph.), Noah Smith (Jr.),
Willie Latham (Fr.)
n The Volunteers will look to
build at linebacker, with some
new players coming into the
program and some returnees
changing positions.
Our linebackers are going
to be inexperienced, Nicholson said. Some of the young
guys will have to step up and
contribute. We will see how they
progress.
SECONDARY
Carter Roach (Sr.), Ben Guest
(Soph.), Reagan Richardson (Jr.),
Codie Futral (Sr.),
Brady Richardson (Jr.), Zak Kelly
(Soph.), Jonathan Patterson (Jr.),
Dalton Dempsey (Sr.),
Garrett Smith (Jr.),
William Wolfe (Jr.)
n The secondary has added a
few new faces.
(The new players) will be able
to make some contributions,
Nicholson said. We have a lot of
competition for some spots.
SPECIALISTS
Sam Cox (Sr.)
n Cox will handle kicking duties for a third year.
We have a lot of experience
back in the kicking game,
Nicholson said. Sam has always
been a weapon for us, helping us
control the field position.
Scott Walters

seventh grade and I am playing
football with pads and a helmet,
and I am ready to go.
By his standards, the
ninth-graders were the dogs. I
played tackle, which was fine. I
got to play. I didnt care. From
there, I played some guard and
a little bit of running back.
Lasting impression
Foster hopes to make a similar impression on his players.

Last season, he showed he can
adapt with the times when he
relaxed the reins and allowed
Tapley and the Eagles to throw
the football more. The result
was an offense that put up 539
points, including 92 in a victory
against Delta Academy.
Foster isnt sure what his offense will look like or how many
points it will score this season.
He has focused his attention
on teaching the kids the right
way to play the game and the
lessons that accompany being
involved in a physically and
mentally taxing sport.
You have to take your time
and make sure they understand
what you want and do reps,
Foster said. The main problem
I see with them is intensity, but
Vikings
it is because they are young and

they dont know.
Foster said it doesnt take
long for players to figure out
something they think is minor
is major to him. He understands
that might make him a bit of a
hard head, but he wants everyone to follow his lead. Throughout the process, Foster emphasizes he treats all of his players
like they are his sons. He wont
change the way the parents of
each player have raised their
boys. However, he isnt going
to alter his old-school coaching methods because he knows
they work.
I am a hollerer. I dont say
bad words to anybody, Foster
said. The reason I holler at
people is because I want them
to do something I know they
can do and theyre not doing it.
If you cant do something I expect you to do, I know you cant
do that and I am not going to get
mad if you cant do it. I would
want my kid done the same way.
That is the way I did my kid. He
probably caught more wrath
from me than anybody did because he had to ride home with
daddy and he had to live with
daddy. My wife said, Why dont
you tell him when he does stuff
good? I told her, I do. But that

is not what were about. I am
trying to correct bad things,
something he did not very well.
But you have to praise kids
when they need it. I tell all of
the kids when they get here. I
am for you all and I want you to
do well here and in school and
I am going to do what I think is
best for you.
Different path
Foster never intended to get

into coaching. After graduating
from Delta State with an accounting degree, Foster quickly discovered he hated it. He
then worked for himself at an
exhaust and body shop and
then owned a shop before doing
construction work for a while.
Those jobs led Foster to Hebron
Christian, where his daughter,
Ruth, and his son, Hearne, went
to school.
Twelve to 13 years later, Foster has come to realize coaching is the best thing he ever
did. While he loves the fact
he had a chance to be close to
his children, Foster said the
long days have been worth it
because he has come to be a
parent and a teacher to boys
he has helped mold into young

men. He has done it by camping at the school for preseason
workouts and having fish frys
and cooking other meals for his
second family.
There arent many other
things I would rather be doing,
unless I was a professional bass
fisherman, and I wouldnt be
very good at that, Foster said.
It is not really like a job. I am
a grown man dealing in a kids
realm, so it makes me younger
I guess you could say.
Foster admits he has to lean
on Hearne to keep him up with
the changing lives of teenagers.
When Hearne tells him, Daddy, it is like this, Foster replies
with a line that hasnt changed
very much through the years,
Were not doing that. Were doing it my way.
Foster isnt sure if he will
find it easier or tougher to do
it his way. When you have been
coaching for as long as he has,
you can tell when players usually older ones who have been
with you for a few years tune
you out. Its not that they have
lost respect for their coach, its
just that they think they know
what is right and have the freedom to do what they want to do
when they want to do it.

Foster smiles as he recalls
that happening at least one time
last season. He couldnt quibble, though, because the pass
play went for a touchdown.
If things are going well this
season, Foster hopes to teach
the fundamentals to the latest
group of Eagles so they can
mature and have a chance to be
as good or better than the 2015
team. He anticipates doing a little more coaching this season,
but his goal is to make sure the
younger players know what to
do in every situation.
I enjoy it because that is
what football is about, Foster
said. Hitting and tackling correctly and carrying the ball correctly, all of that is technique. It
has brought me back in years.
Not that we didnt work on technique last year, but I am making
sure I throttle back a little bit as
far as my, if you want to call it
craziness. I know these guys
are learning this thing, and I
have to be calm with them because I want them to succeed
and enjoy what they are doing.
Follow
Dispatch
sports
editor Adam Minichino on Twitter
@ctsportseditor

give-up in any of them.
Dawkins
said
the
teams confidence started
to build after the game
against Sharkey-Issaquena Academy. He said
things clicked so well he
felt the team was close to
being unbeatable in the
final three games. A 16-14
loss to Calvary Christian
in double overtime in the
next-to-last game of the
season could have gone
the other way. He said the
Vikings have used that
loss as motivation during
their conditioning for the
2016 campaign.
They had their backs
up against the wall, Dawkins said. Their backs
were up against the wall
skill wise and skill at the
position wise because

we had no one who had
experience at their position. They developed confidence that they could
play toward the end of
the year. I think it went
past perseverance to confidence, being confident
in themselves. They persevered up to the point
of knowing they could do
it. Once they figured out
they could do it, it was
on. They knew they could
play some ball, they knew
they could execute, and
they did.
Winning attitude
VanDevender said the

Vikings learned from the
loss to Calvary Christian
not to half-do anything
and never to underestimate an opponent. He

said he gets the sense
that attitude has carried
over from 2015.
I think this group of
seniors has its mind set
on going as hard as we
can and making sure we
dont leave anything behind we will regret, VanDevender said. We are
banking on that mind-set
sets the tone for everybody else.
The return of six starters gives coach Dawkins
plenty of hope. He joked
he is foaming at the
mouth to get the season started. He feels the
experience the players
gained last season has
made the learning curve
entering this season a lot

less steep, which could
help the team compete
against Hebron Christian, Kemper Academy,
and Calhoun Academy in
District 2. Kemper Academy won the district last
season.
We think we can compete in the conference
this year, Dawkins said.
If we play up to our potential, we have a chance
to play for the conference
championship. Hebron,
Calhoun, and Kemper
are all tough and coached
very, very well, but I think
our teams match up a lot
better this year, whereas
in the past it was always
one team was loaded, and
it was not us.
Long won The Dispatchs Prep Player of

the Week honors for his
efforts against Strider
Academy. He finished
with 925 yards passing
and 400 yards rushing.
He also made 50 tackles.
Long doesnt think it
will be difficult to pick
up that momentum after
nearly a year since the
teams last victory. He believes the added maturity
will help the Vikings pick
up where they left off.
I think we had a lot
of confidence going into
the last game, Long said.
Once we won it, I think
that is going to carry a lot
more confidence into our
first game this year.
Central Academy also
received strong contributions from Preston Dawkins (400 receiving yards,

45 tackles), William Dawkins (450 yards rushing,
95 tackles), VanDevender
(300 yard rushing, 80
tackles), Joel Ridell (65
tackles), Dylan Ricks
(12 tackles), and Coby
Weston (10 tackles). All
of those players return.
Junior Colby Cox, freshman Landon Stapleton,
and eighth-grader Trey
Freshaur round out the
roster.
You couldnt ask for a
better group. I wouldnt
trade these 10 for 30
more, Dawkins said.
23
aberdeen bulldogs
Coaching staff
Head coach
Eric Spann
2016 Schedule
Aug. 19 At Corinth
Aug. 26 NEW HOPE
Sept. 2 AMORY
Sept. 9 At Calhoun City
Sept. 23 At Shannon
Sept. 30 MOOREVILLE
Oct. 7
At Hatley
Oct. 14 NO. PONTOTOC
Oct. 21 At So. Pontotoc
Oct. 28 At Nettleton
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2015 Results
Class 3A, Region 4
Aberdeen High School football coach Eric Spann and the Bulldogs will have to overcome significant graduation losses from an 11-win team in 2015.
But coach Eric Spann likes the potential of his team, especially at quarterback, where Fred Fields will take over for Tramonte Prather.
bulldogs will try to bounce back with youth
Aug. 21 L, 20-21
CORINTH
Aug. 28 W, 32-27

At New Hope
By DAVID MILLER
Sept. 4 W, 16-11

At Amory
Sept. 11 W, 40-34
ABERDEEN Its kind

CALHOUN CITY
of strange to look around
Sept. 18 L, 36-43
the practice fields at Aber
At Itawamba AHS
deen
High School.
Sept. 25 L, 20-21
You
wont find quarter
SHANNON
back
Tramonte
Prather,
Oct. 2
W, 39-0
receiver Jerrick Orr, run
At Mooreville
ning back Donte Carter, or
Oct. 9
W, 37-0
linebacker Tay Carothers.
HATLEY
In fact, you wont find seven
Oct. 16 W, 48-3

So. pontotoc
of the top 10 tacklers or sevOct. 23 W, 33-28
en of the top eight leaders

At No. Pontotoc
in all-purpose yards from
Oct. 30 W, 46-7
last seasons team, which
NETTLETON
reached the Mississippi
Nov. 6 W, 52-6
High School Activities As BELMONT sociation (MHSAA) Class
Nov. 13 W, 42-13
3A North Half State title

WATER VALLEY
game.
Nov. 20 W, 28-6
Its a rebuilding year, and

At East Side
Aberdeen
coach Eric Spann
Nov. 27 L, 6-37
has an optimistic and realis
At Charleston
tic approach to the 2016 seaHOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 3A
Region 4
Aberdeen
Hatley
Mooreville
MSMS
Nettleton
North Pontotoc
South Pontotoc
for playoffs
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach
2015 11-4 Eric Spann
2014 10-4 Mark Bray
2013 7-6 Mark Bray
2012 11-3 Mark Bray
2011 7-6 Chris Duncan
2001 2-8 Lee Doty
2000 1-9 Lee Doty
1999 2-8 Steve Herring
1998 4-7 Scott Samsel
1997 8-5 Scott Samsel
1996 3-8 Royce Stephens
1995 3-8 Royce Stephens
1994 2-8 Perry Liles
I dont think
weve got but
about six players
that have played
in a high school
game. Were
replacing eight on
defense and eight
on offense, which
is tough for any
3A club.
Aberdeen
High School
football
coach
Eric Spann
son. He said he and his staff

see just as great a reward
in molding young talent as
they do winning football
games, and its the teaching
aspect, even through the
mistakes, that will determine how significant a step
his young team will take
this year.
Aberdeen lost 20 players
last season, many of whom
started.
I dont think weve got
but about six players that
have played in a high school
game, Spann said. Were
replacing eight on defense
and eight on offense, which
is tough for any 3A club.
Weve got to do a lot of
coaching.
One position Spann isnt
worried about is quarterback, where Fred Fields
takes over for Prather, who
racked up 2,300 yards and
27 touchdowns last season.
Fields, a sophomore, saw
limited action in 2015 and
finished with 100 yards
passing and a touchdown.
Though this season will
serve as an introduction to a starting role,

Spann sees potential
in the strong-armed
Fields, whom he said
is a blend of Prather
and Josh Williams,
each of whom threw Fields
for more than 2,300
yards in their senior
seasons.
Hes got the live arm
like Josh Williams, but
hes taller and lankier than
Josh, Spann said. Hes
not a runner like Tramonte,
but we hope hell be a taller,
quicker Tramonte in that
regard. Fred has a strong
of an arm as weve seen in
a while, but hes young and
needs reps. Right now, its
his job.
Spann said Fields had
the greatest gains of any
player on the team from
the spring and offseason
to fall camp, particularly in
seven-on-seven
matches
during the summer, where
he showed he could make
multiple reads and complete
different routes.
Thats very encouraging to see him make every
throw on the field deep
ball, crossing route, just
show you all that, Spann
said. But then again, when
you put helmets and shoulder pads on, its a different
world. The first spring
game in the jamboree, first
team, he was shaky. The
second game, he settled
down and let the game
come to him. He just needs
more reps.
Aberdeens offense, a
four-wide, one-back spread,
wont change much from
the past few seasons, but it
will include some two-back
sets to limit the early load
on Fields. Hell have help,
too. Isiah McMillan, who
was third on the team with
41 catches and 728 yards
last season, will take over as
Aberdeen High Schools Isiah McMillan, top, and Malik

Holiday will be new leaders on a young team.
the teams No. 1 receiver. Two starting

offensive
linemen
return, too.
I dont know that
we had a specific
plan to grow Fred,
Spann said. Were
just going to grind
and get better at what we
do. The more you get comfortable, the more he gets
comfortable, and the more
we can grow. Its like, if you
learn half the playbook, the
next half will be easier and
faster to learn. My goal is
to cram him, throw everything at him to see what he
can take.
Hes done a pretty good
job of learning the offense,
but the problem is being on

time. Coaches have to be
patient with young quarterbacks because theyre going
to be late on seeing the field
and making the throws, but
when he throws on time, he
spins it pretty good.
While Fields learns
to command the offense,
Spann is keen to find a pair
of alphas to be vocal leaders. Spann said he has a
string of players who work
hard and lead by example,
but with such a young team
he needs several wholl embrace a leadership role. Hes
looking to his defensive line,
where Malik Holiday and
Cameron Blaylock lead the
teams most experienced
group, to carry that torch.

Holiday, who anchors a
defensive end spot in Aberdeens three-man front, had
108 tackles and five sacks
last season.
How Spann goes about
inspiring players to embrace that role varies by
player, he said.
From
encouraging
them to scolding them, to
challenging them to step
up and take ownership,
you have to know how to
connect with each player,
Spann said. Some you can
coach hard, some you can
encourage, some you dont
need to say anything to.
Thats the fun and challenging thing about coaching.
hamilton lions
Baty hopes for healthier second season

By Don Rowe
Coaching staff
Head coach
Josh Baty
n Dallas Flippo
n Victor Cunningham
n John David Hartley
n Joel Cosgrove
2016 Schedule
Aug. 18 At So. Pontotoc

Aug. 26 at East Union
Sept. 2 HATLEY
Sept. 9 OPEN DATE
Sept. 16 COFFEEVILLE
Sept. 23 At Thrasher
Sept. 30 BIGGERSVILLE
Oct. 7
OPEN DATE
Oct. 14 FALKNER
Oct. 21 At West Lowndes
Oct. 28 SMITHVILLE
Nov. 4 At Vardaman
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2015 Results
MHSAA
Class 1A, Region 1
Aug. 21 L,13-49

SO. PONTOTOC
Aug. 28 L, 26-30

EAST UNION
Sept. 4 L, 14-28

At Hatley
Sept. 11 OPEN DATE
Sept. 18 L, 0-42

At Coffeeville
Sept. 25 L, 20-38
THRASHER
Oct. 2
W, 54-12

At Biggersville
Oct. 9
L, 10-14
COLDWATER
Oct. 16 L, 26-51

At Falkner
Oct. 23 L, 7-36

WEST LOWNDES
Oct. 30 L, 0-69

At Smithville
Nov. 6 L, 0-55
VARDAMAN
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Class 1A
Region 1
HAMILTON
A
coachs first year leading a
football program is, without a doubt, a daunting
task.
A rookie head coach,
more times than not, usually served as an offensive
or defensive coordinator
and focused on one side of
the ball. As a head coach,
though, he finds himself
in charge of every facet of
the program from evaluating personnel to formulating a game plan.
As expected, Josh Baty
was prepared to step into
his new role leading the
Hamilton High School
football team last season.
But, paraphrasing a line
from Scottish poet Robert Bums poem, the best
laid plans of mice and men
often go awry, and that
statement hit home for
Baty as a rash of injuries
sidelined almost a dozen
starters, injuries which
included two tom anterior
cruciate ligaments, three
ankle surgeries, two broken arms, two season-ending concussions, one tom
rotator cuff, and one Tommy John surgery.
Our starting center,
James Melton, played all
year with a tom pectoral muscle, Baty said.
Defensive end Austin
Lancaster played with a
tom labrum and several
others should have been
sidelined with various ailments but managed to play
through their injuries.
In addition, two twoway senior starters were
dismissed from the team,
including one of whom
projected to be one of the
states top running backs.
When you have a 1A
team with a limited number of players, injuries of
Hamilton High School football coach Josh Baty talks to his players during a break in practice earlier this month.
The second-year head coach hopes his team can avoid the rash of injuries that plagued it in 2015.
that magnitude and dismissed players make it

hard to compete against
teams we have to face on
our schedule, Baty said.
Injuries started early
Baty
received
a
glimpse of how the year
was going to go medically when he lost starting
quarterback Sam Peloquin (tom ACL) and three
starting linemen with
ankle injuries in the first
quarter of the preseason
jamboree.
Sam (Peloquin) was
just running down the
sideline and collapsed,
Baty said. There was no
contact on the play, but
somehow he came back
a week or so later and
played five more games
before calling it a season.
During that stretch, he
wasnt himself (because)
Biggersville
Coffeeville
Falkner
Hamilton
Smithville
Thrasher
Vardaman
West Lowndes
for playoffs
Year-by-Year Record
Year Record Coach

2015 1-10 Josh Baty
2014 6-5 Ray Weeks
2013 9-4 Ray Weeks
2012 4-8 Ray Weeks
2011 9-3 Ray Weeks
2010 5-7 Ray Weeks
2009 4-7 Ray Weeks
2008 5-6 Ray Weeks
2007 4-7 Ray Weeks
2006 5-6 Ray Weeks
2005 7-5 Ray Weeks
2004 1-9 Ray Weeks
2001 6-4 Bracky Brett
2000 9-2 Scott Cantrell
1995 5-6 Paul Dees
1994 4-7 Paul Dees
Hamilton High School guard Stone Crawford is part of a

solid unit that lacks depth for second-year head coach
Josh Baty.
Despenza
Myers
Shields
Stockman
The Dispatch
GO
LIONS!
Thompsons
Welding Service, Inc.
Since 1972
P.O. Box 308 * Hamilton, MS
Pressure Vessels * Code Parts * Tanks * Power/Processing Piping * Structural
Office: 662-343-8955 Fax: 662-343-5473 Web: thompsonwelding.com
he had to stay in the pocket. At best, he played at

about 50 percent.
As a result of the loss
of so many players, Batys
first year leading his alma
mater was, through no
fault of his own, a disaster
as Hamilton limped home
with a 1-10 record and was
outscored 424-170.
The Lions opened the
season with a 49-13 loss
to 3A South Pontotoc
and ended the year with
a 55-0 loss to Vardaman.
Hamilton bookended five
consecutive losses to
start the season and five
straight setbacks down
the stretch around a 54-12
victory against Biggersville.
Included in the 10 defeats was a 42-0 whitewash at the hands of
Coffeeville and a 69-0
pounding by county and
region rival Smithville.
In the final four games,

Hamilton was outscored
211-33. It had 16 freshmen
and sophomores listed as
starters (all of whom return this season).
We got ripped at
times, but we also had
several games which we
had a chance to win,
said Baty, referring to a
30-26 loss to East Union,
a 28-14 loss at Hatley, a
14-10 loss to Coldwater in
which Hamilton fumbled
at the 1-yard line late in
the game, and a 51-26 loss
to Falkner after leading
by six points entering the
fourth quarter.
Looking back on the
2015 season, Baty said
it wasnt how he wanted things to turn out after taking over for Ray
Weeks, but he will look to
tum things around in his
second year. His primary
goal is to keep his team as
healthy as possible.
If we can stay healthy,
I think we can have a
successful season, Baty
said. I know were not
going to rack up nine or
10 wins or win the state
championship being as
young as we are. But we
are better than a one-win
team. Realistically, (we)
have a chance to win five,
six or maybe even seven games if we can stay
healthy.
Baty said 20-25 of the
34 players listed on his
roster should letter at the
close of the season. After
losing a dozen seniors,
the majority of whom
were lost because of injuries or were dismissed,
See LIONS, 20
Inside
n MORE HAMILTON: A
breakdown of the Lions by
position. Page 20

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August 14, 2016

Lowndes . . . 4 Oktibbeha . . . 13 Noxubee . . . 15 Clay . . . 17 Monroe . . . 23

ITS GAME TIME!

The Dispatch www.cdispatch.com

2 SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

A tip of the cap to you

August 14, 2016

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Lowndes . . . 4 Oktibbeha . . . 13 Noxubee . . . 15 Clay . . . 17 Monroe . . . 23

ITS GAME TIME!

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