High School Football Preview 2012

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THE DISPATCH www.cdispatch.com 2 SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2012 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
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Special thanks to Stacy
Clark and Sam Gause
for their work on the
photo, and to the
players and the
coaches for making it to
Columbus High to be a
part of the picture.
FOOTBALL
2012
A publication of
THE DISPATCH
P.O. Box 511
Columbus, MS 39703
(662) 328-2424
Editor and
Publisher
Birney Imes
Sports
Adam Minichino
Matt Stevens
Scott Walters
Cover Design
Stacy Clark
Photographers
Luisa Porter
Sam Gause
Graphic Artists
Jackie Taylor
Ernest Rogers
Production
Tina Perry
Anne Murphy
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A
ugust 12, 2012
Low
ndes . . . . . 3
Oktibbeha . . . . . 13
Clay . . . . . 17
Noxubee . . . . . 20
M
onroe . . . . . 22
ABOUT
THE COVER
WHAT S I NSI DE
Aberdeen Bulldogs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Caledonia Confederates . . . . . . . . . .5
Central Academy Vikings . . . . . . . . .23
Columbus Falcons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
East Oktibbeha Titans . . . . . . . . . . .15
Hamilton Lions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Hebron Christian Eagles . . . . . . . . .19
Heritage Academy Patriots . . . . . . . .8
Immanuel Rams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
New Hope Trojans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Noxubee County Tigers . . . . . . . . . .22
Oak Hill Academy Raiders . . . . . . . .18
Starkville Academy Volunteers . . . . .14
Starkville Yellow Jackets . . . . . . . . . .13
Victory Christian Eagles . . . . . . . . . .10
West Lowndes Panthers . . . . . . . . .11
West Oktibbeha Timberwolves . . . .16
West Point Green Wave . . . . . . . . . .17
OUR PREP COVERAGE
All fall sports coaches
are reminded to report
their game results to The
Dispatch.
Coaches, scorekeepers,
parents and/or players can
call 662-327-1297 or email
information to sports@cdis-
patch.com or
aminichino@cdispatch.com.
Our deadline is 8:30
a.m. Please give us the
final score, where the
game was played, the team
records, leading perform-
ers, the teams next game
and any other notable
information.
Since The Dispatch is an
afternoon paper, we will try
the next morning to track
results of all games not
called in to the newspaper.
We will try to call at a reason-
able hour and dont mean to
disrupt any coach, teacher
or professional at work, but
our goal is to recognize the
performances of as many
student-athletes as possible.
If you are a coach, score-
keeper or parent who
reports information, please
give us the best time and
the best number to reach
you. If the result of a game
isnt in The Dispatch, please
work with us to encourage
that coach to contact us so
we can provide the best pos-
sible coverage to this area.
If you have any questions,
call 662-327-1297.
Prep Football Results
High school football
coaches who dont speak
to a reporter from The
Dispatch are asked to
email information the
sports department infor-
mation from their games.
The Dispatch will include
its prep football coverage in
Sundays edition, so we will
contact coaches Friday
night or Saturday to get
details from the last game.
Coaches, please let us know
what is the best time for us
to contact you.
HUDDLE UP:
Thanks to the Players; Good Luck for 2012
Sam Gause/Dispatch Staff
Some of the areas top players were asked to participate in The Dispatchs annual cover shoot. West Point Highs Mario Virges also was invited but couldnt attend.
Here is another version that features Columbus Highs Jake Thomas, Noxubee Countys Dillon Bradley, Starkvilles Gabe Myles, Columbus Quan Latham, Columbus
DeMarcus Vance, New Hopes Tee Payne, Starkville Academys Colby Runnels, New Hopes Trae Collins, Starkville Academys Stephen Robertson, Noxubee Countys
Javancy Jones, and Heritage Academys Cade Lott.
From kids to pros ... we cover the field. Visit us online at www.cdispatch.com

BY ADAM MINICHINO
aminichino@cdispatch.com
The challenge has been issued
to Jake Thomas, Quan Latham,
and Demarcus Vance: Each
Columbus High School senior
has a statement to make in his
final season of high school foot-
ball.
Thomas wants to complete his
maturation into a college prospect
and to step out of the shadow of
his older brother, Zach. Latham
hopes to recover from a back
injury that forced him to miss the
final five games of the season.
Vance intends to prove he can
take the place of Deontae Jones
and become the Falcons go-to
receiver.
Individually, each challenge will
play a key role in Columbus suc-
cess. Collectively, the hurdles the
three seniors face represent a sin-
gular obstacle Columbus must
clear if it wants to continue to move
forward and make the playoffs.
Columbus coach Tony
Stanford believes all three seniors
will be able to meet their individ-
ual and team challenges.
We have always told them the
leaders are only going to be as
good as they lead us, Stanford
said. If other players see them
not putting in the time, theyre
going to think they dont have to
put in the time.
Thomas, Latham, and Vance
agree they all have to hold up
their part of the deal if Columbus
is going to take the next step after
finishing 7-4 last season. The
three-game improvement from
2010 was nearly enough to qualify
for the Class 6A North State play-
offs, but the Falcons lost out on a
tiebreaker due to point differen-
tial. It just so happens that the
game that turned the tide a 35-
7 loss to Southaven was the
game Columbus lost Latham to
injury.
Latham, who suffered a rup-
tured disc and two fractures of his
spine, is back to 100 percent. In
addition to seeing time on
defense, Stanford said the
Falcons will showcase Latham on
offense in an attempt to find a
playmaker to help replace the
graduation losses of quarterback
Cedrick Jackson, running back
Damian Baker, and Jones.
I have a lot of work to do and
a lot of stats to put up, Latham
said. I have a lot of interceptions
to put up and tackles to make, a
lot of punt and kick returns and
kick blocks.
Latham prepared for a bigger
role by adding 30 pounds. He said
the hard work in the offseason
helped him get faster and
stronger. Not only did he want to
prove he could come back from
the injury, he also wanted to erase
the frustration he felt in his play.
This season, he said he wont be
as uptight about his mistakes
because he knows as a senior he
is expected to set the tone.
Trace Lee (Jr.),
Keith Brooks (Sr.)
Lee, an All-State base-
ball player and a soccer
player, shared time with
Cedrick Jackson last sea-
son. This season, he will
look to take on a bigger
role in a new offense that
will feature multiple forma-
tions and a few plays.
He has had a great early
camp and he has thrown
the ball really well,
Columbus High School
coach Tony Stanford said. I
look for a great year out of
him.
Kevin Jackson (Jr.),
Kendrick Conner (Jr.),
Quan Latham (Sr.),
Jarcquarius Clark (Jr.),
Corey Brown (Jr.)
The Falcons will try to
find a go-to back after
Damian Baker, who led the
way the past two seasons,
graduated. Clark and Brown
will share time at fullback.
It will be by committee,
Stanford said. If we want a
different look we will get Q
in there to be a bigger
back. He is real good, has
good speed, and cuts real
well. The other two are kind
of scat backs. When they
see the seam they hit it
real fast, but theyre not
going to run over you a lot.
DeMarcus Vance (Sr.),
Rod Hogan (Soph.),
Dalon Moore (Sr.),
JJ Swanigan (Soph.),
Meunta Verner (Jr.),
Iziah Jones (Sr., TE),
Kris Releford (Jr., TE)
Columbus has plenty of
players with potential,
including Vance, a sprinter
on the schools track and
field team. He is coming off
hamstring injuries in the
spring. Stanford hopes
someone emerges to help
make up for the loss of
leading receiver Deontae
Jones. Meunta is the broth-
er of former Columbus High
football player and power-
lifter Justin Verner.
Jake Thomas (Sr., T),
Jeremy Morgan (Sr., C),
Tyrus Brooks (Jr. C),
Kenneth Miller (Jr., G),
Jarvis Glenn (Jr., G),
TreMarcus Monroe (Jr., G-T),
Jeremiah Caine (Soph., G),
Darius Poindexter (Jr., T)
The discussion begins
with Thomas, a Dandy
Dozen selection by The
Clarion-Ledger. The 6-foot-5,
300-pounder is being
recruited by Mississippi
State University, the
University of North
Carolina, Stanford
University, and Vanderbilt
University. After that,
Stanford said the Falcons
will mix and match and
hope things come together.
Its a work in progress
right now, Stanford said.
It is probably the spot we
need to improve the most
to have a good football
team. If they dont come
along it will be a long year.
Chris Releford (Jr.),
Ramadus Beasley (Sr.),
Ryan and Bryan Ezell
(Soph.), Corey Brown (Jr.),
Jalen Stewart (Jr.),
Greg Sykes (Jr.),
Leon Payne (Soph.)
While one side of the
ball is lean on experience,
Stanford likes the unit and
feels it could dominate.
This is probably our strong
point, Stanford said.
There are more starters
returning there than any
other position. They are big,
strong, and fast. They are
the main part of our
defense right now.
Jarcquarius Clark (Jr.),
Martavious McKinley (Sr.),
Larry Williams, (Sr.), John
Neil Stanback (Soph.),
Damian Moore (Jr.),
Gemriah Williams (Sr.),
Quavis Sherrod (Jr.)
Stanford said this unit
will have to come together
to make the defense solid.
He said Stanback really is
doing an outstanding job.
Jimmy Cockrell (Jr.)
Rashad Meeks (Sr.),
Vonshay Walker (Soph.),
Tyler Sanders (Sr.),
Quan Latham (Sr.),
Alex Lipscomb (Soph.)
Another area of possible
strength. Stanford likes the
experience and athleticism
in this group. He said
Jimmy Cockrell hasnt been
with the team this week
because he has been at a
baseball camp.
After we lost a couple of
people like Byke (Byerson
Cockrell), we feel like this
could become a strength,
Stanford said. Quan played
about half of the year
before he was injured, so
we have some experience.
Rashad Meeks (Sr.),
John Neil Stanback (Soph.),
Michael Sturdivant (Jr.),
Greg Sykes (Jr.)
Meeks and Stanback
will share the punting
duties. Sturdivant and
Sykes will handle the kick-
ing and extra points.
THE DISPATCH www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2012 3 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
gol dent r i angl e. bapt i st onl i ne. or g | 662- 244-1 000
We treat everyone
like an MVP.
BAPTIST GOLDEN TRIANGLE Whenever your all-star
needs expert care, you can rest assured that our team of
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game plan when it comes to emergency care, outpatient
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For more information about our services or our
relocated Outpatient Rehabilitation Department (now
between the entrances to the patient tower and the
outpatient pavilion), please call 662-244-1000.
COLUMBUS FALCONS
Mississippi High School Activities Association: Class 6A, Region 1; 2011 Record 7-4
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 ABERDEEN
Aug. 24 Open
Aug. 31 WEST POINT
Sept. 7 New Hope
Sept. 14 LOUISVILLE
Sept. 21 Tupelo
Sept. 28 SOUTHAVEN
Oct. 5 So. Panola
Oct. 12 DeSOTO
CENTRAL
Oct. 19 Horn Lake
Oct. 26 OLIVE
BRANCH
Nov. 2 Grenada
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 31-14
At Aberdeen
Sept. 2 W, 35-27 OT
WEST POINT
Sept. 9 W, 33-0
NEW HOPE
Sept. 16 L, 22-10
At Louisville
Sept. 23 W, 24-23
TUPELO
Sept. 30 L, 35-7
At Southaven
Oct. 7 L, 21-7
SO. PANOLA
Oct. 14 W, 34-6
At DeSoto
Central
Oct. 21 W, 41-21
HORN LAKE
Oct. 28 L, 43-14
At Olive
Branch
Nov. 4 W, 48-21
GRENADA
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FALCONS
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
Class 6A
Region 1, District 2
Columbus
DeSoto Central
Grenada
Horn Lake
Olive Branch
Southaven
South Panola
Tupelo
NOTE: Top four qualify for
playoffs.
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Tony Stanford
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Chris Childers (offensive
coordinator), Brandan
Haynes (offensive line),
Lawrence Hill and James
Richardson (wide
receivers), Brandan Brown
(defensive coordinator /
secondary), Jim Hamilton,
Cody Rader, and Zach
Leech (linebackers),
Lee Davis, Rader, Childers
(junior high program)
See COLUMBUS, 19
From left: Columbus High School seniors Quan Latham, Jake Thomas, and DeMarcus Vance will play integral roles this season in helping
the Falcons overcome key graduation losses in hopes of building on a 7-4 finish last season.
Seniors hope to meet challenges, set tone

and to be tough.
Payne graduated to the
Columbus city league when
he was 9-10. He said he was
always big for his age and
that it took time for his tech-
nique to match his size.
When it did, he was ready
to take off.
Four years later, Payne
was taking the advice of
New Hope High School
coach Michael Bradley and
his assistant coaches who
instructed him to partici-
pate in the football teams
summer workouts. Their
thought was Payne was a
strong young man who had
the potential to help the var-
sity squad.
They were right.
Payne won a battle for a
starting spot prior to the
start of the 2009 season and
has been a fixture on the
defensive line ever since.
Tee is one of the best
individuals you could ever
hope to have on your team,
Bradley said. He is as good
a kid as you will ever want
to be around. He is a leader
in the weight room, he is a
leader on the field, he is a
leader off the field. If Tee
Payne was 6 feet tall, he
would have recruiters from
ever part of the country try-
ing to recruit him.
Brady Davis (Soph.)
Davis experienced what
Bradley called a trial by
fire last season as a fresh-
man. This season, Bradley
hopes Davis will continue
to mature and to slow
down and not try to score a
touchdown on every play.
He learned a lot of hard
lessons and had more suc-
cess than I was anticipat-
ing he was going to have,
Bradley said. He really
did a good job. He still has
a lot of mental develop-
ment to do. Quarterback
is such a mental position,
but he will get it. He has a
lot of potential.
Q Newby (Sr.),
Ryan Lowe (Sr.),
Brandon Spann (Jr.)
Newby moves over from
the defense to give the
Trojans a power running
threat.
Q is a big kid with a lot
of strength, Bradley said.
He goes straight ahead,
and were looking for big
things from him. He is
looking forward to having
a chance to help the
team. Q is a team player
and he will do whatever he
can to help the team.
Ryan Lee (Sr.),
Lee Brandon (Soph.),
Jameel Johnson (Sr.),
Jaquin Weatherspoon (Sr.),
Trae Collins (Sr.),
Victor Deloach (Jr.),
James Hill (Sr.),
DeAngelo Hamilton (Jr.),
Stone Sisson (Soph.),
Ryan Dye (Jr.),
Jeremy Washington (Sr.),
Tyler Staples (Soph.)
The Trojans have plenty
of options. Bradley said Lee
had a really good summer
and fall camp. He said
Johnson will move from run-
ning back and will add a
valuable dimension of speed.
Deloach started in the
spring but was hurt looking
and is expected back in the
second or third game.
Were looking for big
things out of Lee, Bradley
said.
Joseph Hreish (Jr., C),
Blake Hardin (Soph., C),
Melvin Bradley
(Soph., RG),
T.J. Davis (Soph., RT),
Nate Saint (Sr., LG),
Allen Harvey (Jr., LT),
Austin Oswalt (Sr., T),
Drew Hoyt (Jr., G/T)
An inexperienced group
that feature only one player
Saint with starting
experience from last sea-
son. Saint played the first
three or four games and was
injured and didnt return.
Marcus Johnson (Sr.),
Tee Payne (Sr.),
Kearick Patterson (Sr.),
Dylan Tribolet (Jr.),
Austin Oswalt (Sr.),
Peyton Lane (Soph.),
Patrick Johnson (Soph.)
Payne leads the way with
38 career starts. He is a fix-
ture in the middle, and uses
his strength to help control
the line of scrimmage.
We are pretty deep on the
defensive line and have
seven kids who have the
potential to play, Bradley
said.
M.J. Shirley (Sr.),
Shontae Miller (Jr.),
Juan Cedano (Sr.),
Justin Sherrod (Sr.),
Gavin Salter (Soph.),
Dan Temple (Soph.),
Javonte Ellis (Soph.),
Javontay Lewis (Jr.),
Lonnie Stephenson (Sr.)
Another strong piece to
what could shape up to be a
tough defense.
We have a chance to be
pretty good here, Bradley
said of his defense.
Trae Collins (Sr.),
Howard Petty (Jr.), Preston
Davis (Jr.),
Jeremy Newton (Soph.),
Quinton White (Sr.),
Ryan Lee (Sr.)
Bradley said Collins is a
Division I prospect who he
hopes will take on a bigger
role this season. He said
Petty had an excellent
spring and offseason and
has really worked hard to
position himself to start.
Hopefully he will grow into
a leadership role, Bradley
said. Trae has the physical
tools. He just has to grab
the game and work on the
mental aspect of the game
and step up and be more of
a leader. He has the physi-
cal tools, thats for sure.
Jerrod Bradley (Jr.),
Austin Oswalt (Sr.)
Bradley, a transfer from
Kosciusko High, will com-
pete with Oswalt, who han-
dled the duties last season.
NEW HOPE TROJANS
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 LOUISVILLE
Aug. 24 Open
Aug. 31 Noxubee
Sept. 7 COLUMBUS
Sept. 14 Caledonia
Sept. 21 SALTILLO
Sept. 28 Oxford
Oct. 5 HERNANDO
Oct. 12 Lake
Cormorant
Oct. 19 CLARKSDALE
Oct. 26 Center Hill
Nov. 2 WEST POINT
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TROJANS
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 17-12
At Louisville
Sept. 2 L, 45-29
NOXUBEE CO.
Sept. 9 L, 33-0
At Columbus
Sept. 16 W, 28-0
CALEDONIA
Sept. 23 W, 34-19
At Saltillo
Sept. 30 W, 43-22
OXFORD
Oct. 7 L, 24-7
At Hernando
Oct. 14 L, 15-12
LAKE
CORMORANT
Oct. 21 L, 41-27
At Clarksdale
Oct. 28 L, 23-12
CENTER HILL
Nov. 4 L, 56-20
At West Point
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Michael Bradley
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Bob Reaves (wide receivers
/ running backs), Matt
Keith (defensive coordinator
/ defensive line), Brian
Walker (offensive line), Ike
Melton (linebackers),
Shawn Gregory (defensive
backs)
CLASS 5A
REGION 1, DISTRICT 2
Center Hill
Clarksdale
Hernando
Lake Cormorant
New Hope
Oxford
Saltillo
West Point
playoffs.
See NEWHOPE, 12
Newby, Payne show heart, hunger to be best
Sam Gause, Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff
Q Newby, top, and Tee Payne, above, epitomize pride and toughness for the New
Hope High School football team. The seniors also represent the heart and hunger
it takes to be the best, even though they might not be the biggest or the fastest.
BY ADAM MINICHINO
A hungry heart knows
no limits.
On paper, Terrence
Tee Payne and Quanterris
Q Newby wouldnt have
been the most likely fresh-
men selected to move up to
play with the New Hope
High School varsity football
team.
But a successful player is
built with intangibles like
faith, perseverance, and
effort otherwise known
as heart that cant be
measured on a piece of
paper. Thats how a 5-foot-7,
240-pound freshman won a
preseason battle to earn a
starting position on the
Trojans defensive line.
Thats also how several
weeks later, Newby used
his drive to be the best to
capitalize on an injury and
then made the most of his
promotion.
Today, both players have
matured into team leaders,
even though their bodies
largely have stayed the
same since their freshman
seasons.
I never thought I was
too small to do anything,
Payne said. I thought
about it because my parents
talked to me about it. My
mom was one of the main
ones. She kept telling me,
You can do it, you can do it,
you can do it, just keep
working hard. My dad was
kind of skeptical about it.
He said, I dont know if you
should be moved up to var-
sity because youre just 14
years old and youre going
to be going up against 17- to
18-year-old kids. I was like,
I dont care. I love football. I
just want to play. I never
thought I could do it. Coach
(Michael) Bradley and
coach (Matt) Keith kept
telling me just keep work-
ing hard and it is going to
be your time. God was just
with me and it was my
time.
Letitia and Aaron Payne
instilled a tenacity in Tee at
an early age. When Tee
was 3 years old, he started
to play baseball. When he
was 5, it was time to play
football. His mother was so
serious about him playing
that he traveled to
Aliceville, Ala., where he
participated in a league
with kids who were as old
as 8. That didnt prevent
Payne from running
around and trying to hit
people. He recalls playing
as hard as he could
because his mother wanted
him to have that attitude

most schools because we
really dont want a lot of
guys having to play two
ways.
Marchbanks returns for
his second season as start-
ing quarterback. He feels
the new offensive wrinkles
will allow him to make
plays with his arm and his
feet. Just as important, he
will be able to make better
reads with his eyes.
The spread gives me
more room to see the
field, Marchbanks said.
Being under center, I
couldnt get a hang to it. I
really couldnt see every-
thing I needed to see. In
the spring, with the new
offense, things went a lot
smoother. It was different
all right. I thought we real-
ly matured and developed
during the spring. Now it is
a matter of working really
hard to make things close
to perfect.
As one of 22 seniors on
the roster, Armistad knows
now is the time for
Caledonia to turn the cor-
ner and to return to the
postseason.
Everybody is excited
CALEDONIA CONFEDERATES
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 Nettleton
Aug. 24 West Lowndes
Aug. 31 HERITAGE
Sept. 7 East Webster
Sept. 14 NEW HOPE
Sept. 21 Ackerman
Sept. 28 CARTHAGE
Oct. 5 Houston
Oct. 12 LOUISVILLE
Oct. 19 Kosciusko
Oct. 26 NOXUBEE
COUNTY
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
See CALEDONIA, 12
CLASS 4A
Caledonia
Houston
Kosciusko
Leake Central
Louisville
Noxubee County
playoffs.
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 29-20
NETTLETON
Aug. 26 W, 29-15
W. LOWNDES
Sept. 2 L, 48-45
At Heritage Aca.
Sept. 9 W, 24-0
E. WEBSTER
Sept. 16 L, 28-0
At New Hope
Sept. 23 L, 14-0
ACKERMAN
Sept. 30 L, 20-6
At Leake Cent.
Oct. 7 L, 39-10
HOUSTON
Oct. 14 L, 42-0
At Louisville
Oct. 21 W, 28-10
KOSCIUSKO
Oct. 28 L, 36-7
At Noxubee Co.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
I Head Coach: Ricky Kendrick
(5-17 in third season)
I Assistant Coaches: Mark Hysaw
(offensive backs); Brian White
(defensive coordinator/
linebackers); Jason Forrester
(defensive line); Murray Woody
(defensive backs); Cody Brownlee
(ninth grade/split ends and backs)
I 2005 Last non-losing season
for Caledonia
I22 Seniors on the 2012 roster
I 50-50 Balance coaches hope
to attain with running and passing
Ben Marchbanks (Jr.)
Marchbanks will adjust to a
new offense this season after
starting a year ago.
Ben has really grown a lot at the
quarterback position, Caledonia
coach Ricky Kendrick said. He
was an all-district player last year.
The switch to a spread offense
will allow him to see the field
more and will give him more
options to make plays.
Cole Bruce (Sr.)
Tyler Armistad (Sr.)
Onterrio Lowery (Jr.)
The spread offense will employ
more backs, so look for new faces
to emerge.
For the most part, all of our
backs return from last year,
Kendrick said. Experience is not
something that we have had a lot
of around here the last couple of
years. This year is different.
These players have been regulars.
Still, we will be doing some differ-
ent things.
Daniel Cunningham (Soph.)
Stephen Black (Sr.)
Will Mainka (Sr.)
Garrett Wester (Sr.)
Wester, the center, is the only
returning starter.
We will be looking to develop a
few more linemen in camp,
Kendrick said. We have some
seniors who will step in and get
some playing time there. Four of
our five line sports are new, so it
will be interesting to see how
quickly the line matures and how
well they play together.
COACHING STAFF
Kendrick hopes team can take to air in spread attack
Quarterback Ben Marchbanks, left, and running back Tyler Armistad will be two
key pieces of a new-look Caledonia High School offense.
BY SCOTT WALTERS
swalters@cdispatch.com
CALEDONIA The
Caledonia High School
football team spent a
majority of its spring prac-
tice changing its offensive
philosophy.
Now, all of the
Confederates need is a
catchy nickname.
Air Feds, anyone?
We have had a lot of
work to do since the end of
last season, Caledonia
coach Ricky Kendrick said.
We are switching offens-
es. In spring practice, we
did a lot of experimenting.
We found some things we
are good at and some areas
where we really need
work. That is what hap-
pens when you try some-
thing new.
Caledonia is shifting to
more of a spread offense
this season that will give
junior quarterback Ben
Marchbanks more
run/pass options. Senior
running back Tyler
Armistad believes the
change will get him and
his fellow backs more
touches. Both players are
excited about the potential.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CONFEDERATES
BY THE NUMBERS
QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACKS OFFENSIVE LINE
I think the fans will
see a different game this
year, Armistad said. It
will be like our spring
game but more intense.
The biggest thing during
the offseason is condition-
ing. We dont have a lot of
depth and we have to be
ready to run a lot of plays.
I think this will be excit-
ing.
Caledonia lost only five
seniors from last seasons
4-7 squad. With numbers
beginning to rise in the
program, Kendrick feels
he is at a point in his third
season that he can change
things.
Are the numbers
where you want them to
be? No, Kendrick said.
However, we are headed
in the right direction. We
are one of the smaller
Class 4A schools. The key
is depth and conditioning.
We have to work on our
conditioning more than
See A CLOSER LOOK, 12

places to be
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
teams to see
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
ABERDEEN HIGH SCHOOL
100 Bulldog Blvd., Aberdeen
662-369-8933
ALICEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
417 3rd St. SE, Aliceville
205-373-6378
AMORY HIGH SCHOOL
1006 Sam Haskell Circle, Amory
662-256-5753
CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL
111 Confederate Drive, Caledonia
662-356-2001
CENTRAL ACADEMY
300 Hale Street, Macon
662-726-5846
COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL
215 Hemlock Street, Columbus
662-241-7200
EAST OKTIBBEHA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
178 Moor High Road, Crawford
662-272-5603
EAST WEBSTER COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
195 Old Cumberland Road, Maben
662-263-5321
HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL
40201 Hamilton Road, Hamilton
662-343-8307
HEBRON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
6230 Henryville Road, Pheba
662-494-7513
HERITAGE ACADEMY
625 Magnolia Lane, Columbus
662-327-5272
IMMANUEL CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
6405 Military Road, Steens
662-328-7888
LAMAR COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
43880 Hwy. 17 S, Vernon
205-695-7129
LOUISVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
200 Ivy Avenue, Louisville
662-773-3431
NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL
3419 New Hope Road, Columbus
662-244-4701
NOXUBEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
16478 Hwy. 45, Macon
662-76-4428
OAK HILL ACADEMY
800 N. Eshman, West Point
662-494-0301
PICKENS ACADEMY
225 Ray Bass Road, Carrollton
205-367-8144
PICKENS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
205 4th Ave. SE, Reform
256-375-2344
SOUTH LAMAR SCHOOL
300 Sls Road, Millport
205-662-4411
STARKVILLE ACADEMY
505 Academy Drive, Starkville
662-323-7814
STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
603 Yellowjacket Drive, Starville
662-324-4130
SULLIGENT HIGH SCHOOL
661 Elm Street, Sulligent
205-698-9254
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
374 Mill Road, Columbus
662-327-7744
WEST LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL
644 South Frontage Road, Columbus
662-244-5070
WEST OKTIBBEHA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
2459 Holland Street, Maben
662-263-8106
WEST POINT HIGH SCHOOL
950 S. Eshman Avenue, West Point
662-494-5083
WINSTON ACADEMY
111 Richardson Road, Louisville
662-773-3569
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7
8 8
9 9
1 10 0
1 11 1
1 12 2
1 13 3
1 14 4
1 15 5
1 16 6
1 17 7
1 18 8
1 19 9
2 20 0
2 21 1
2 22 2
2 23 3
2 24 4
2 25 5
2 26 6
2 27 7
2 28 8
The 2012
Lineup
Some of the areas top
players were asked to
participate in The
Dispatchs annual cover
shoot. West Point Highs
Mario Virges also was
invited but couldnt
attend. Here is another
version that from left
features Columbus Highs
Jake Thomas, Noxubee
Countys Dillon Bradley,
Starkvilles Gabe Myles,
Columbus Quan Latham,
Columbus DeMarcus
Vance, New Hopes Tee
Payne, Starkville
Academys Colby
Runnels, New Hopes Trae
Collins, Starkville
Academys Stephen
Robertson, Noxubee
Countys Javancy Jones,
and Heritage Academys
Cade Lott.
Class 1A
East Oktibbeha
Ethel
Nanih Waiya
Noxpater
Pelahatchie
Sebastopol
Weir
West Lowndes
West Oktibbeha
Class 2A
Ackerman
East Webster
Eupora
Hamilton
J.Z. George
Williams-Sullivan
Class 3A
Aberdeen
Mantachie
Mooreville
Nettleton
South Pontotoc
Water Valley
Class 4A
Caledonia
Houston
Kosciusko
Leake Central
Louisville
Noxubee County
Class 5A
Center Hill
Clarksdale
Hernando
Lake Cormorant
New Hope
Oxford
Saltillo
West Point
Callaway
Canton
Lanier
Neshoba Central
Provine
Ridgeland
Starkville
Yazoo City
Class 6A
Columbus
DeSoto Central
Grenada
Horn Lake
Olive Branch
Southaven
South Panola
Tupelo
MAIS
Eight-Man / North - District 1
Calhoun Academy
Calvary Christian School
Central Academy
Delta Academy
Kemper Academy
North Sunflower Academy
Russell Christian
Veritas School
Class AA
District 2A
Canton Academy
Immanuel Christian
Leake Academy
Manchester Academy
Oak Hill Academy
Winston Academy
Class AAA
District 1A, Division II
Heritage Academy
Lee Academy
Magnolia Heights
Washington School
Jackson Academy
Madison-Ridgeland Academy
Pillow Academy
NOTE: Jackson Academy, MRA,
and Pillow Academy are Division
I. All regular-season games
count toward determining who
will advance to the Division I and
Division II playoffs.
District 2AAA
Copiah Academy
East Rankin Academy
Hillcrest Christian
Starkville Academy
Jackson Prep
Parkland Academy
Presbyterian Christian
NOTE: Jackson Prep, Parklane
Academy, and Presbyterian Chr.
are Division I. All regular-season
games count toward determining
who will advance to the Division I
and Division II playoffs.
Christian Football Association
Eight-Man
Flint Hill (Ala.)
North River (Ala.)
Tabernacle (Ala.)
New Life (Ala.)
Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Christian
Victory Christian
NOTE: Hebron Christian will play
as an independent this season.
LOCAL TEAMS
CLASSES

BY SCOTT WALTERS
Bart Gregory first talked on
the radio when he was a freshman
at Mississippi State University.
Seventeen years later, Gregory
is still entertaining and informing.
High school football is where I
got my start, said Gregory, a
graduate of Nanih Waiya High
School and MSU. Its a passion in
this state. There is something
about a Friday night. In stadiums
all across the state it is electrify-
ing. It is something great to be a
part of.
In 1995 at the age of 18,
Gregory read statistics at halftime
of Louisville High School radio
broadcasts. Five years later,
Gregory was doing play by play of
Winston County schools games
on WLSM-FM. Now a staple on
the MSU broadcast team,
Gregory still finds time to do a
handful of Louisville High and
Winston Academy games for his
friend and station owner, Phil
Harrison.
I have most of my games on
tape, Gregory said, Some of the
early ones were really atrocious. I
dont know why anyone listened.
Anthony Craven shares the
same passion for Friday night.
News Director for WMSV-FM in
Starkville, Craven, and senior
MSU student Zach Miller team up
each Friday night to call
Columbus High School football
on WMSV, which is on the MSU
campus.
I love doing play by play of
sports period. That is my true pas-
sion, Craven said. There is
something unique and special
about Friday nights and about
high school football. It is different
than anything else you do as a
broadcaster.
There is the access to the
players and coaches. Walking
through the gates, everybody in
the stadium associates you as that
schools radio guy. That is what it
makes it neat and special.
With Columbus playing in the
states highest classification, the
Falcons broadcast team has seen
its fair share of top-notch athletes
and coaches.
The thing that appeals to me
the most is all the players we get
to watch, Miller said. Each week
we have a good football game. We
are watching players you know
will play in the Southeastern
Conference. You have some who
will have a chance to play in the
(NFL). It is a little overwhelming
to be a part of that action.
Gregory also can relate to the
Friday night experiences.
It is so different than a college
football weekend where you are
saturated by games, Gregory
said. The question is what is hap-
pening in x game over there or y
game over there. Everybody gets
in their car when they leave the
stadium and flip around for anoth-
er game.
They eventually many land on
Jason Crowder and the WFCA-
FM Friday Night Scoreboard
Show. Crowder and Jonathan
Holmes co-host a two-hour score-
board show that wraps up the
night of high school football.
We try to get as many story-
lines as we can out over the air, said
Crowder, who is the play-by-play
voice of French Camp Academy and
East Mississippi Community
College on WFCA. We have a
loyal group of callers, which may
include coaches, newspaper people,
and other radio broadcasters. The
show is never dull and never boring.
It moves along at a break-neck pace
and we try to give as much informa-
tion as we can.
What people do not realize is
the tremendous amount of
research which goes into the fin-
ished product. It starts as a side
job and then turns into a passion,
an obsession.
A local newspaper reporter,
Michael Wardlaw, also learned
first-hand the amount of advance
time needed to place a quality
product on the air. Wardlaw will
call Starkville High football on
WKBB-FM for a fourth season.
This will be third season Wardlaw
will work with local attorney Jay
Perry.
My first year, I didnt do any-
thing, Wardlaw said. It was like
grab a roster and call the game.
Now, I spend a couple of days
researching Starkville and the
opponent. I will drop in for a film
session or go to a practice.
I found the more you can do in
advance, the better the broadcast
turns out. The access to the high
school players and the coaches is
my favorite part. They make it
easy to enjoy what you are doing.
Miller has found a similar
enjoyment watching the Falcons.
This will be his third season to
team with Crowder. As the games
analyst, Miller, a kinesiology
major from Starkville, compiles
the stats and helps spot during the
broadcast.
I have learned so much from
Anthony about the radio busi-
ness, Craven said. He is a total
professional and has been so
great to me. I have learned about
preparation and about profession-
alism. High school football is spe-
cial to so many people. We try to
bring that energy and enthusiasm
home to the people who cant
attend the games.
In what is a common theme in
athletics, the radio business also is
all about the relationships.
With Columbus football and
Columbus basketball, it has been
a chance to build some really
great relationships with the coach-
es, Craven said. It is great when
a players parents will come up
and knock on the press box win-
dow and thank you for what you
said about their son.
A lot of people are genuinely
appreciative you are the ones help-
ing getting their teams games out
over the air. Some of the things
that are lost and taken for granted
on the college level are not lost on
the high school level.
Many college broadcasters
load their plate with high school
broadcasts. Jim Ellis previously
served two stints as the play-by-
play broadcaster of Starkville
High. Last season, Ellis assumed
the play-by-play roles for football
and mens basketball while contin-
uing to do baseball at MSU.
Legendary MSU broadcaster
Jack Cristil had a long run as the
voice of Tupelo High and
Itawamba C.C.
Now, Crowder is working well
past the midnight hour on Friday
nights before hosting an MSU
pregame show Saturday and
describing MSU womens basket-
ball. Gregory cant walk away from
the high school game despite join-
ing Ellis as an analyst on close to
100 MSU games a year. Craven
loves his Falcons and also co-hosts
a daily call-in show and describes
MSU softball in the fall.
I do more research each sea-
son, Crowder said. I have to
carve out an hour or two each day
either at the station or at home at
night. Before the season starts,
you are researching your team
because you have new players and
new wrinkles. As the year goes
along, you get a comfort level with
your team and it is more about the
opponent.
Late in the year, it is all about
the playoffs. You have to monitor
others games and you have to
know what they mean. It goes
from passion to obsessions quick-
ly. You want the folks at home to
enjoy your broadcast. But you also
want them to feel they got a good
sense of what just happened.
Describing what has happened
has been Gregorys calling card
for 17 seasons. His love for high
school football also was fueled by
his relationship with his father,
Larry Gregory. On many Friday
nights, Larry will assist his son in
the broadcast booth, helping spot
and compile stats.
We make a great team,
Gregory said. It is a really a good
way for some father-son time. It
also makes me want to be profes-
sional. After all, you dont want to
disappoint dad.
Scott Walters/Dispatch Staff
Anthony Craven, left, and Zach Miller were be the broadcasting team that will announce the Columbus High School football teams games this season on .
Local stations lend voices to Friday Night Lights
BY ADAM MINICHINO
Aaron Studdard always
was considered big
when he played pee wee
football.
But as much as
Studdards youth coaches
wanted to use his size on
the of fensive line, he
fought back and did
everything he could not to
play the position and to
play where he really want-
ed: fullback.
If Barrett Donahoe had
known that
when he
took over as
H e r i t a g e
Academy s
f o o t b a l l
coach, he
might have
found anoth-
er senior to move to the
offensive line. Coming in,
Donahoe realized any
switch, especially one
involving a senior, could
have repercussions that
made his first year on the
job more challenging.
Studdard didnt want to
make things dif ficult.
Instead, he wanted his
senior season to be spe-
cial, so he listened when
Donahoe told him he was
going to be moved from
fullback to offensive line.
The reaction was what any
coach would expect from
a team leader.
Maybe any other year
I would have been upset
about it, but, I dont know,
I trusted him and what he
wanted to do with this
team, Studdard said. If it
is all for the team, I am all
for it.
Studdards approach on
the field has mirrored his
initial reaction. While it
has been an adjustment
moving from fullback to
of fensive line in
Donahoes pistol set,
Studdard is excited about
the possibilities, as is
Donahoe, who said the
way Studdard handled the
move allowed him to ease
into his new job much
faster.
(His reaction) showed
his selfless attitude and
that he was going to do
whatever for the team to
be successful, Donahoe
said. When we decided
we were going to have
that conversation with
Aaron, (the coaches) said
this could be one of the
moments that starts mov-
ing us in the right direc-
tion with our kids and atti-
tude. We felt like it was a
huge win for our football
program and our new
coaching staf f when
Aaron accepted it so well.
He didnt just say it, he
went out there and did it
and has never complained
about it.
I am sure there are
some nights Aaron gets a
little frustrated with us.
No doubt would I ever
blame him for it. But when
he looked at us and said,
Coach, I will do whatever
you need me to and then
walked out to the field for
the next two weeks during
spring training and did it
with a positive attitude and
became a leader on the
offensive line ... and the
way the kids saw that we
feel that is one of the
biggest positive things we
have had as a coaching
staff since we have been
here.
Donahoe first saw
Studdard in the weight
room in early April after
he took the job. He imme-
diately thought Studdard
would be an ideal fit as an
offensive guard. He also
realized talk about a posi-
tion change wasnt a con-
versation a coach wants to
have with a player
Cade Lott (Sr.),
Garrett Taylor (Soph.)
Lott takes over the full-
time duties after seeing
time at the position with
Brandon Bell last season.
Heritage Academy first-
year coach Barrett
Donahoe has installed an
offense that will run a vari-
ety of looks out of the pis-
tol, and likes what he has
seen from Lott. He hopes
Lott gives the Patriots a
running threat who can get
outside the pocket and
make throws down the
field and run a little option,
too. Taylor will be the
backup.
I feel very confident Cade
is going to be the guy for
us, Donahoe said. He has
looked good. I wish he had
more high school reps
under his belt, but he does-
nt and he still is going
through a little bit of a
learning curve. He com-
mands the offense, is a
competitor, makes natural
plays, and is getting better
at making decisions on cov-
erages and options reads.
He still has some learning
to do and he knows it, and
he is all in on it.
Miller Puckett (Sr.),
Parker Turner (Sr.),
Parker Short (Jr.),
Hunter Bean (Sr.),
Parker Anderson (Jr.)
Puckett, who suffered a
season-ending injury last
season, is injured again,
and Donahoe isnt sure how
long he will be out. He said
the Patriots planned to
work several players into
the rotation, so the injury
hasnt forced the coaching
staff to scuttle their initial
plans. He said Bean and
Anderson will provide
depth.
Parker Short is taking the
tailback reps this week
with Parker Turner at full-
back, Donahoe said. We
felt like a lot of guys were
capable of running the foot-
ball. We do want to get
those guys more experi-
ence.
Parker Dunaway (Sr.),
Logan Bell (Jr.),
Mark Thatcher (Jr.)
Dunaway, a standout on
the schools track and field
program, is the go-to
receiver and the speed
threat all wrapped up into
one.
If their health stays with
them we will have a solid
group of receivers, guys who
can run good routes and
play hard for us, Donahoe
said. The good thing is
were going to have other
threats in our passing game
other than Parker Dunaway.
Of our guys, Parker is proba-
bly the biggest threat
because of his speed. He is
a guy who can stretch the
field for us.
Hunter Ferguson (Jr., RT)
Aaron Studdard (Sr., RG),
Wesley Swedenburg (Sr., C),
Bryant Bonner (Sr., LG),
Marshall Tomlinson (Sr., LT),
Douglas Kilarski (Jr.)
Donahoe said
Swedenburg had to move
from tackle to center to
replace Will Bonner, who is
recovering from a torn ante-
rior cruciate ligament. He
hopes to have Bonner back
midway through the sea-
son. He said Kilarski will
work in and be a valuable
component to give other
players a break. Bryant
Bonner and Will Bonner are
twins.
This group has done a
great job, Donahoe said. I
dont want to say theyre
not skilled because I do
think they have had coach-
ing in the past, but our
style of offensive blocking
is different from that they
have been doing. They are
still trying to transition.
They have the opportunity
to be very strong. They
have shown things to be
good as a core group.
Aaron Studdard (Sr., DE),
Wesley Swedenburg (Sr., DT),
Brady Clark (Soph.),
RT Bryant Bonner (Sr., RT),
David Hardy (Sr., DE),
Douglas Kilarski (Jr.),
Taylor Fields (Sr.)
Donahoe said Fields and
Clark will be valuable
pieces considering several
of the linemen will go both
ways. The bigger role Clark
plays, the more time other
players will have to rest
and to be fresh late in
games. Hardy is back with
the program for the first
time since his sophomore
year.
Taylor Fields is our biggest
utility guy, if you can imag-
ine a guy playing defensive
end, cornerback, and line-
backer at the same time,
Donahoe said.
Matthew Morrison
(Sr., MLB), Parker Turner
(Sr., OLB), Miller Puckett
(Sr., OLB)
Donahoe said Morrison
is going a great job in the
middle. Coach Tate Marsh
said the group continues to
improve.
Coach Marsh feels they do
have the ability to be good
but that theyre not quite
where he wanted them
when he started, Donahoe
said. He has been pleased
in the last week and a half
with their development.
Cade Lott (Sr.),
Parker Dunaway (Sr.)
Hudson Bean (Sr.),
Parker Short (Jr.),
Mark Thatcher (Jr.),
Taylor Fields (Sr.)
Another pivotal position
where the contributions of
Thatcher and Fields will be
key to make sure Lott and
Dunaway arent playing
every snap.
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HERITAGE ACADEMY PATRIOTS
Mississippi Association of Independent School: Class AAA, District 1AAA, North Division 2; 2011 Record 5-5
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 LAMAR
Aug. 24 Starkville
Aug. 31 Caledonia
Sept. 7 MRA
Sept. 14 CLARKSDALE
LEE
Sept. 21 Jackson
Sept. 28 Magnolia
Heights
Oct. 5 OAK HILL
Oct. 12 Open
Oct. 19 WASHINGTON
Oct. 26 Pillow
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
See STUDDARD, 12
MAIS
CLASS AAA,
DISTRICT 1AAA,
DIVISION II
Heritage Academy
Lee Academy
Magnolia Heights
Washington School
Jackson Academy
Madison-Ridgeland Academy
Pillow Academy
NOTE: Jackson Academy, MRA,
and Pillow Academy are Division
I. All regular-season games count
toward determining the teams
that will advance to the playoffs.
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W. 37-36
At Lamar
Aug. 26 L, 33-7
STARKVILLE
ACADEMY
Sept. 2 W, 48-45
CALEDONIA
Sept. 9 L, 24-14
At Madison-
Ridgeland Aca.
Sept. 16 L, 29-14
At Clarksdale-
Lee Aca.
Sept. 23 L, 42-0
JACKSON ACA.
Sept. 30 W, 56-28
MAGNOLIA
HEIGHTS
Oct. 7 W, 49-0
At Oak Hill Aca.
Oct. 21 L, 41-3 At
Washington
Oct. 28 W, 32-14
PILLOW ACA.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PATRIOTS
QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACK
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKER
SECONDARY
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Barrett Donahoe
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Tate Marsh (defensive
coordinator / running
backs / linebackers),
Bruce Branch (defensive
assistant / defensive
backs / wide receivers),
Jimmy Hicks (passing
game coordinator / quar-
terbacks / defensive
backs), Toby Lott, Ed Lott,
Tommy Studdard (junior
varsity / varsity assis-
tance)
Studdard shifts to offensive line to make his mark
Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff
Heritage Academy senior Aaron Studdard wasnt sure what to expect when new coach Barrett Donahoe took
over the football program. When Donahoe asked him to move from fullback to offensive line for his senior
season, Studdard didnt hesitate to do what was best for the team.
Studdard

BY ADAM MINICHINO
STEENS Negativity is
suffocating.
Thrust into a new city and
a new living arrangement,
Wilson Harmond didnt see
anything worthwhile. He did-
nt like school, he didnt want
to make friends, he had a
filthy mouth and a filthy atti-
tude and everything he did
was awful.
With his life spiraling
down the wrong path,
Harmond paused one day
and asked himself a question:
Am I really doing this with
my life?
Now a senior at Immanuel
Christian School, Harmond
can look back to his fresh-
man and sophomore years
and talk honestly about
everything he did wrong and
how he has transformed his
life.
I was the stereotypical
bad boy, Harmond said. I
had the bad girlfriend. I was
doing all of the bad things. ...
I was dating all of the wrong
people, I was doing all of the
wrong things, cussing, swear-
ing I just did not care. I
was leading an ungodly life,
and it was awful. I never felt
happy. Then I finally got right
with Christ and I dont have
to feel sad or bad anymore.
I just finally came to the
realization I can do it. I am
smart enough to be able to
play, I am smart enough to be
making As in the classroom,
why am I not doing it? I am
cheating myself. I just real-
ized I am not giving it 100 per-
cent, I am not living up to my
fullest potential, I am not liv-
ing life to the best I can live it.
Why cheat myself out of fun
and happiness and being
remembered?
As captain of Immanuel
Christians 2012 football
team, Harmond immunizes
the Rams daily with positivity
and a work ethic that dares
his teammates not to give
their all. If they dont
respond, their punishment is
to work out with Harmond,
who will push and prod and
cajole teammates into invest-
ing every ounce of effort into
a workout.
On the field, the 5-foot-11,
180-pound Harmond isnt the
biggest or the strongest play-
er. But he doesnt let any-
thing stand in his way of goal.
This year, his goal is to leave
a legacy for future Immanuel
Christian football teams.
Anybody at this school
can become anything they
want, Harmond said. I
came here and I was the
loser, I was the kid nobody
liked, nobody talked to. ...
Now I am on student council,
I am football captain, I am
involved with everybody,
everybody likes me, I am
everybodys friend, I am
always willing to help, I tutor
some of the younger kids on
the team, I tutor some of the
kids in my class. ... I want to
leave a legacy that anybody
can do anything if they set
their minds to it and work
hard. The biggest thing in life
is working hard.
Harmond lived in
Columbus before living with
his mother in Atlanta for 13
years. When he entered high
school in the metro Atlanta
area, he quickly found him-
self in trouble. Skipping
school wasnt the route his
mother, Chandra Brandel,
wanted her son to take, so
she told him there would be
consequences if he did it
again. The following week,
Harmond skipped school
again and was sent packing to
live with his grandparents,
Sherry and Charles
Harmond, in Mississippi.
It was difficult to make
that decision, Brandel said.
I knew if I wanted Will to
develop and to mature into a
young man the path he was
headed down he wasnt going
to make it. I knew the place
he was going to be in in
Columbus was a good place,
and I felt confident about the
decision and the people he
was going to be with and with
the education he was going
to get. The way I always
wrapped my mind around it
was that he was going to col-
lege four years early.
Initially, the move left
Harmond in culture shock.
He didnt know anyone, he
felt like an outsider, he didnt
want to study. The only sol-
ace was an opportunity to
play on both sides of the ball
on Immanuel Christians foot-
ball team. Unfortunately, that
highlight didnt prevent
Harmond from getting into
trouble. As a result, he
became a regular in the office
of Bob Williford, an adminis-
trator at Immanuel Christian.
He came to us as a young
man who was pretty bitter
and pretty frustrated with
things that were going on,
Williford said. At the begin-
ning, we spent a good deal of
time together. I have known
his grandparents for a num-
ber of years they were totally
supportive when I would call
them up and tell them this is
what were dealing with and
this is what were going to do.
Inside of a year you could see
his attitude start changing.
He began to get comfortable
at Immanuel and he saw he
could excel at some things.
As old habits faded away
and gave way to a new identi-
ty, Harmond applied himself
in the classroom. His grades
improved. He made friends.
His attitude changed.
Trips in the summer back
to Atlanta helped him take
the next step. Working with
his stepfather, Mike Brandel,
he discovered a passion for
working out and he quickly
applied it to football. He also
re-connected with his father,
Edward, who lives in Atlanta,
after not speaking with him
for a number of years.
K.C. Cunningham (Soph.),
Omar Aquil (Jr.)
Cunningham will get his
first chance at varsity
action at the position to
kick off the season. He
played quarterback for
three years on the junior
varsity team. Immanuel
Christian coach Greg
Watkins said the Rams will
run a lot of same stuff they
did last season and likely
will lean more toward the
run. He said the decision to
attend a 7-on-7 camp in the
summer will pay dividends
because it helped the Rams
work out the mistakes and
get more comfortable in
the passing game.
(K.C.) played some high
school on defense and a lit-
tle on the running back
side, Watkins said, so he
already is familiar with the
speed of the game. He has
done a real good job. Were
looking for big things out of
him this season.
Justin Tate (Jr.),
Joshua Dantzler (Sr.),
Ryan Forrester
Another new look due to
the losses of Michael Tate,
Norris Harris, Jason Davis,
and Darius Jones. Tate, who
is the brother of Mississippi
State University track and
field standout Tavaris Tate,
will provide the speed,
while Dantzler, who is 6-
foot-3, 200 pounds, will pro-
vide the size. He played
running back and wide
receiver last season.
Watkins said Forrester, who
has played at New Hope
and at Central Academy, is
out four to five weeks with
a bone bruise and partially
torn meniscus.
Justin has real good speed
and quickness, Watkins
said He is an electrifying
runner who is capable of
breaking one at any time.
He is a real coachable kid
with a lot of natural talent.
Joshua has real good speed
for his size.
Omar Aquil (Jr.),
Jaylin Bankhead (Jr.)
Watkins hopes the work
the team did in 7-on-7 in
the summer carries over to
the season because there
will be plenty of new parts.
Both guys have pretty
good hands, Watkins said.
They are more possession
style receivers who are new
to the program.
Wilson Harmond (Sr., G),
Luke Hudson (Jr., G),
Christopher Randazzo
(Soph., C),
Zach Johnwick (Soph., T),
Phillip Taylor (Jr.),
Bruce Baudoin (Soph.),
John Michael Randazzo (Jr.)
Hudson played on the
offensive line last season,
while Harmond provides
experience. Still, the Rams
likely will be at size disad-
vantages at this position.
Taylor is a transfer from
Columbus High School.
It will be a big test for our
guys, Watkins said.
Thats probably one of our
big concerns because we
have a lot of young guys.
Wilson Harmond (Sr.),
Luke Hudson (Jr.),
Zack Ferguson (Sr.),
Reed Williams (Soph.),
John Michael Randazzo (Jr.)
Like on the offensive
line, Watkins said the Rams
wont have a lot of size, but
he feels they will have the
athleticism to get the job
done.
We are going to be fairly
quick, Watkins said.
Were going to run differ-
ent packages with blitzes
to offset having a small
defensive line.
B.J. Shirley (Soph.),
Joshua Dantzler (Sr.),
Ryan Forrester,
Omar Aquil (Jr.),
Luke Hudson (Jr.)
There are plenty of pos-
sibilities, but Watkins has
liked what he has seen
from Shirley.
He started last year in the
Oak Hill Academy game,
Watkins said. He has
played some high school
linebacker. We expect a lot
out of B.J.
Justin Tate (Jr.),
K.C. Cunningham (Soph.),
Jaylin Bankhead (CB),
Zach Ferguson (Sr.)
Cunningham and Bankhead
are penciled in at corner-
back. Ferguson also played
there last season.
Joel Meek (Sr.),
Zach Ferguson (Sr.)
Two years ago, Meek hit
a game-winning field goal
to help Immanuel Christian
beat Central Holmes to
qualify for the Class A play-
offs. He will handle the
kicking and the punting
duties.
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IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN RAMS
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Class AA, District 2AA; 2011 Record 2-8
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 Winona
Christian
Aug. 24 LEAKE
Aug. 31 Marshall
Sept. 7 NEW SITE
Sept. 14 Canton
Sept. 21 Park Place
Sept. 28 CARROLL
Oct. 5 Potts Camp
Oct. 12 MANCHESTER
Oct. 19 Winston
Oct. 26 OAK HILL
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
I just finally came to
the realization I can
do it. I am smart
enough to be able to
play, I am smart
enough to be making
As in the classroom,
why am I not doing it?
I am cheating
myself.
Immanuel Christian
senior Wilson Harmond
See HARMOND, 19
MAIS
Class AA
District 2AA
Canton Academy
Immanuel Christian
Leake Academy
Manchester Academy
Oak Hill Academy
Winston Academy
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE RAMS
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY SPECIAL TEAMS
2011 Results
Aug. 19 L, 14-0
WINONA CHR.
Aug. 26 L, 35-8
At Leake Aca.
Sept. 2 L, 49-12
MARSHALL ACA.
Sept. 9 W, 42-8
At New Site
Sept. 16 L, 25-14
CANTON ACA.
Sept. 30 L, 27-26
At Carroll Aca.
Oct. 7 L, 35-0
POTTS CAMP
Oct. 14 L, 42-16 At
Manchester Aca.
Oct. 21 L, 42-14
WINSTON ACA.
Oct. 28 W, 14-12
At Oak Hill Aca.
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Greg Watkins
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Rob Barron (defensive
backs), Antwan Richards
( running backs / lineback-
ers), Dickey Peralto and
Bruce Baudoin (offensive /
defensive lines)
Change of attitude allows Harmond to be leader
Immanuel Christian football player Wilson Harmond very nearly lost his opportunity to play football at the school.
He admits he had a bad attitude as a freshman and a new perspective allows him to be more positive.

Bryer Bolton (Sr.),
Anthony Sharp (Soph.)
Victory Christian coach
Chris Hamm said earlier
this week that Bolton
would start if the Eagles
played today. He also said
both figure to take snaps to
capitalize on their skills.
Were probably going to
depend a little more on
Anthony at running back
and Bryer at QB, Hamm
said. As far as the pass-
ing game, Bryer is a little
ahead of Anthony. Anthony
is probably a little better
runner and a little more
elusive.
Anthony Sharp (Soph.),
Hunter Austin (Jr.),
Sean Meadows (Fr.)
If Sharp isnt playing
quarterback, he likely will
be featured in a one-back
set that will go out of the
shotgun. Last year, Bolton
and Sharp worked more
under center.
They seem to have done
well, Hamm said of
Boltons and Sharps tran-
sition to the offense. It is
a little bit different for
Bolton, but he has been
doing a lot of that and has
done a pretty good job of
handling the snaps.
Cody Bolton (Soph.),
Tayler Frye (Jr.),
Roy Boden (Sr.),
Austin Richardson (Jr.),
Michael Elliott (Sr.)
Hamm hopes Cody
Bolton emerges as a sec-
ond option in the offense.
Last year, Bolton moved to
wide receiver after Sharp
had to replace Bryer
Bolton, who is Codys
brother, at quarterback.
Boden also showed last
season he could make big
plays. Hamm said
Richardson has improved
as a receiver and has good
speed. Elliott will play a key
role in the Eagles blocking
scheme and could be a
threat in the play-action
game, Hamm said.
Were looking for Cody
Bolton to have a big year,
Hamm said. He had some
good catches and some
good games. He has real
good hands.
Shane Bradford (Soph., C),
Bo McCrary (Soph., G),
Brandon Shaw (Jr., G)
Hamm said a young line
wont have to learn new
blocking schemes out of
the shotgun set.
Bo played center for us last
year and Brandon played
guard, Hamm said. Toward
the end of the season,
Shane came in and got a lit-
tle more experience. Shane
has done a really good job
snapping the ball for us. He
has been really consistent.
Michael Elliott (Sr., DE),
Roy Boden (Sr., DE),
Clinton Spencer (Sr.)
Hamm said the Eagles
will rely on the size and
experience of this group.
He said junior Joshua
Foxworthy will miss six to
eight weeks with a foot
injury. He also said Shane
Bradford and Bo McCrary
could see time at tackle.
Brandon Shaw (Jr.),
Hunter Austin (Jr.),
Sean Meadows (Fr.),
Bryer Bolton (Sr.)
Hamm feels depth will
help the Eagles stay fresh
and keep two players on
the field at all times.
Cody Bolton (Soph.),
Tayler Frye (Jr.),
Austin Richardson (Jr.)
Like on offense, Hamm
said Bolton did a fine job
stepping in and playing
cornerback following his
brothers injury.
Roy Boden (Sr.)
Hamm said Boden will
handle the kicking and
extra points, and likely,
punting, too.
I Hamm said the
Eagles will carr y a varsity
roster of 18-20 players.
That number is a little
down from past years.
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like
eagles;
they will run and not grow
weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
(Holy Bible, New
International Version)
BY ADAM MINICHINO
Like a lot of coaches, Chris
Hamm takes time before each sea-
son to locate a saying or to find a
Bible verse to motivate his players.
Coming off a 6-2 season that
ended in the semifinals of the
Christian Football Association
playoffs, Hamm hoped to discov-
er the words that could help play-
ers emerge as leaders and make
everyone understand the impor-
tance of sacrifice, hard work, and
commitment.
When he found the right pas-
sage, Hamm added a twist and
tied it in with the teams offseason
workouts. The result was a dog
tag that features a capital letter S
with the word Strength and
Isaiah 40:31. The Bible verse cap-
tures the dedication Hamm want-
ed to his players to invest in their
training for the 2012 season.
Those who attended all or most of
the teams offseason training ses-
sions received a dog tag as their
reward.
We always choose something
for the year to focus them on that
they can rally around and to apply
a bigger message and a life lesson
to the sport of football, Hamm
said. The idea of endurance and
strength and being Eagles is
something they repeat at the end
of every practice, and is some-
thing they have bought into.
That mind-set might be even
more important this season
because Victory Christian has
only four seniors, including quar-
terback Bryer Bolton, who suf-
fered a season-ending injury mid-
way through 2011 that changed
the Eagles plans. Bolton broke
his arm in a victory against
Heritage Christian, paving the
way for freshman Anthony Sharp
to step in and lead the team.
Now that he is healthy, Bolton
wants to work with classmates
Roy Boden, Clinton Spencer, and
Michael Elliott to make sure
Victory Christian learns from last
season and applies the principles
the dog tags signify.
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Sports Specialty
VICTORY CHRISTIAN EAGLES
Christian Football Association (Eight-Man); 2011 Record 6-2
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 Clinton
Aug. 24 HEBRON
Aug. 31 New Life
Sept. 7 Tabernacle
Sept. 14 EVANGEL
Sept. 21 FLINT HILL
Oct. 5 Open
Oct. 11 NORTH RIVER
Oct. 19 Tuscaloosa
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
See STRENGTH, 15
18-20
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE EAGLES
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Chris Hamm
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Ronnie McDaniel (offense),
Kevin Harrell (defense),
Todd Dyer (defense),
Andrew Pace (offensive /
defensive lines), T.J.
Meadows, Heath Simpson,
Jerr y McCrary, Rodney
Sullivan (trainer), Jason
Heaton (manager)
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 42-6
CLINTON CHR.
Sept. 2 W, 37-12
NEW LIFE
Sept. 9 L, 58-28
TABERNACLE
CHRISTIAN
Sept. 23 W, 44-0
At Heritage Chr.
Sept. 29 W, 49-20
At Flint Hill
Oct. 14 W, 58-14
At North River
Oct. 21 W, 54-52
TUSCALOOSA
CHRISTIAN
Oct. 28 L, 28-16
NORTH RIVER
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
CHRISTIAN
FOOTBALL
ASSOCIATION
Eight-Man
Flint Hill (Ala.)
North River (Ala.)
Tabernacle (Ala.)
New Life (Ala.)
Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Christian
Victory Christian
QUARTERBACK
Victory Christian senior football players Bryer Bolton and Michael Elliott hold out the dog tags they earned for their participation in the
teams offseason conditioning and strength training program. The dog tags feature the word strength and a verse from the Bible Isaiah
40:31 that represents the commitment, dedication, and hard work the players intend to invest in the season.
Victory Christian football coach Chris Hamm smiles as his players take a break
during an early season practice. Hamm likes how his players have responded to
the idea of Strength and the dog tags they received for participation in the
teams offseason workouts. He hopes the hard work they put in to earn the dog
tags translates this season on the field.
Hamm hopes strength will bring team together
DEFENSIVE LINE
BY THE NUMBERS

Justin Stephenson (Jr.),
Daniel Davis (Soph.)
Stephenson spent part
of his summer at a quarter-
back camp at the
University of Alabama. The
graduation of running back
Antonio Wilson leaves the
door open for someone to
emerge as the Panthers
primary playmaker. West
Lowndes High School coach
Anthony King hopes
Stephenson can be that
player by mixing passing
and running.
Justin can throw the
ball with the best of them,
King said. We want him to
be able to carry the ball
because we have a young
offensive line. If Justin is
mobile, we will be very
good.
Trey Williams (Soph.),
Eric Harris (Soph.),
Darious Douglas (Jr.)
Williams and Harris
could be a version of thun-
der and lightning, with
Harris providing the power
and Harris adding the
speed. King said Douglas is
quick and hits the hole as
fast as Wilson.
Trey has real good
hands out of the backfield,
he can catch the ball, he
has good speed, and is
very strong, King said.
Eric is probably fastest
guy on the team. He got a
lot of playing time at run-
ning back last season
also.
Shaquille Sharpe (Sr.),
Deion Ames (Sr.)
The ability of a young
offensive line to protect the
quarterback coupled with
Stephensons development
will determine how much
the Panthers wide
receivers will contribute.
Sharpe can fly, King
said. He has real good
hands and is really long.
Breshon Brooks (Sr., C),
LeVonte Campbell (Sr.),
Krayveon Harris,
Devin Givens (Jr.),
Torrie Evans (Jr.)
King will look to Brooks,
a four-year starter, and
Campbell, another senior
leader, to set the tone and
to help bring the rest of a
young offensive line up to
tempo.
They look pretty good,
King said. My line is real
young and it is going to get
better as the season goes
along. We are going to plug
them in and out until they
get up to speed. As the
season goes along I hope it
will be a strength.
Ronnie Porter (Sr.),
Breshon Brooks (Sr.),
LaVonte Campbell (Sr.),
Kazmin Rogers (Sr.),
Lavonte Porter (Fr.)
Four seniors will play key
roles in Kings 5-3 defense.
A year ago, King was disap-
pointed in the aggressive-
ness of his defense. This
season, he feels it will be
better prepared after a full
offseason to train and to
play together.
The defensive line is
going to be the strength of
the team, King said. They
are real fast, and I think
they can put a lot of pres-
sure on offenses.
Thytrell Williams (Jr.),
Javarious Ellis (Soph.),
Marquise Miller (Sr.)
King will look to the line-
backers to use their speed
to support the defensive
line by going side to side
with a purpose.
Williams is extremely
fast and smart, King said.
I am expecting them to
have a big role because
they played last year.
Jermaine Thomas (Sr.),
Deion Ames;
Eric Harris (Soph.)
King feels Thomas
experience as a three-year
starter works well with
Harris speed.
I think our defense will
be the strength of our
team, King said. As soon
as our offense gets there I
think we will be a very dan-
gerous team.
Proud to
support the
West Lowndes
Panthers!
Priscilla King
940 Tuscaloosa Road
Columbus, MS
662-328-9988
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WEST LOWNDES PANTHERS
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 MONTGOMERY
Aug. 24 CALEDONIA
Aug. 31 Shannon
Sept. 7 Ethel
Sept. 14 Open
Sept. 21 EAST
OKTIBBEHA
Sept. 28 Noxapater
Oct. 5 PELAHATCHIE
Oct. 12 West
Oktibbeha
Oct. 19 NANIH WAIYA
Oct. 26 Weir
Nov. 2 SEBASTOPOL
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
CLASS 1A
East Oktibbeha
Ethel
Nanih Waiya
Noxpater
Pelahatchie
Sebastopol
Weir
West Lowndes
West Oktibbeha
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 40-28
At
Montgomery Co.
Aug. 25 L, 29-15
At Caledonia
Sept. 2 L, 50-14
SHANNON
Sept. 9 W, 42-20
ETHEL
Sept. 23 L, 6-0
At E. Oktibbeha
Sept. 30 L, 49-0
NOXAPATER
Oct. 7 L, 5-14
At Pelahatchie
Oct. 14 L, 36-30
W. OKTIBBEHA
Oct. 21 L, 46-6
At Nanih Waiya
Oct. 28 L, 46-44 WEIR
Nov. 4 L, 35-20
At Sebastopol
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PANTHERS
QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACKS RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Anthony King
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Todd Stanley (offensive
coordinator), Eddie
Chapman (special teams,
defense)
Stephenson will try to grow into leader at QB
From left: West Lowndes High Schools Jermaine Thomas, Bre Brooks, and Ronnie Porter will be counted on to contribute this season if
the Panthers are going to improve on a 2-9 finish last season.
BY ADAM MINICHINO
The stage is there for Justin
Stephenson to take it.
A year ago, Stephenson admit-
tedly was nervous as a sophomore
in his first varsity action as quarter-
back of the West Lowndes High
School football team. It didnt take
long for lanky right-hander to shake
the butterflies and settle in, even
though the team finished 2-9 last
season.
This season, without a go-to
teammate like Antonio Wilson in
the backfield, coach Anthony King
is looking to Stephenson to break
out as a dual threat in his junior sea-
son.
He has matured a whole lot
over the summer, said King, who is
in his second year as head coach.
Going to camp (at the University of
Alabama) helped him manage the
offense a lot better and he doesnt
seem to be as rushed as he was
before. He takes his time to let the
play develop and has a lot calmer
demeanor.
Thats a good sign for an offense
that also will rely on seniors Bre
Brooks and LeVonte Campbell to
anchor a young offensive line that
will need time to come together.
King said the uncertainty about
the offensive line is why he wants
Stephenson to branch out and use
his athleticism to be a running
threat. He said Stephensons ability
to use his 6-foot, 176-pound frame to
roll out and to create opportunities
for his teammates will be a valuable
weapon, especially early in the sea-
son as the unit learns to jell.
Justin has put a lot of time in in
the weight room because we know
he is going to take some licks,
King said. He looks pretty good
when he pulls it down and runs.
Were asking him to get down and
not take as many hits. We want him
to pick his spots.
Stephenson said he is eager to
put what he has learned at various
quarterback camps. He attended
Nick Sabans camp earlier this sum-
mer, and has went to Mississippi
State University and the University
of Memphis to learn the finer points
on how to play the position.
When I was in pee wee, I didnt
even play quarterback because I
was a bigger guy, Stephenson said.
I lost a lot of weight.
Stephenson smiles when he said
he was a chubby kid when he was
8-10 years old. He said he was taller
than his teammates, but he said he
dropped 20 pounds as he entered
his teenage years. In the offseason,
he continued to do situps and
pushups and worked out at the
school to keep himself in shape and
prepared for what he hopes is his
chance to shine.
I am looking forward to it a lot,
Stephenson said. I am confident I
will do a good job. I am going to be
able to throw the ball more. My
three-step and my five-step drop
backs have improved.
We have a lot of confidence
because we have been lifting weight
more and working out more.
Campbell and Brooks are
focused on doing their part to help
Stephenson and to make sure
everyone is committed to a winning
season.
Last year, we saw we didnt put
in much work and we saw the con-
sequences, Campbell said. This
year, we have put in more work over
the summer trying to get better and
stronger. Were looking to have a
better team than last year.

Josh Betts (Jr.)
Luke Eads (Sr.)
Ryan Unruh (Sr.)
The receiving corps is
back and should work well
in another season with a
veteran backfield.
Our split ends all return.
We have some depth and
skill at those positions,
Kendrick said. You have
to develop a passing game
to be successful on this
level and I think we have
some really good
receivers. It is about tim-
ing and finding a rhythm.
Ryan Unruh (Sr.)
Zach Harrell (Sr.)
Colton Gilbreath (Sr.)
Darryl Williams (Sr.)
The defensive line
returns experience and will
be led by seniors.
Our defensive line is pretty
much intact from last year,
Kendrick said. It has been
together and now many of
them are starting together
as seniors. Defensive line
play was strength from last
season and hopefully that
will carry over.
Darius Chatman (Jr.)
Hunter Hill Kirkland (Jr.)
Josh Livingston (Jr.)
Orlandis Smith (Soph.)
New, new, new. The
Confederates will start
over at this position.
We have had some play-
ers who have moved in
who will be helping us
there, Kendrick said. I
think this group has come
a long way since the off-
season. However, it is the
area where we are the
newest.
Randy Reynolds (Sr.)
Peter Pagaduan (Sr.)
John Pagaduan (Sr.)
Brandon Henry (Soph.)
Several seniors will help
anchor a unit that improved
greatly last season in
region play.
With Randy and the
Pagaduan twins, we have
experience back there,
Kendrick said. Brandon
Henry has really stepped
up. We are expecting big
things out of here. It is a
solid group.
Josh Kugel (Sr.)
Kugel will handle the
kicking chores and hopes
to build on a solid junior
season. We have one of
the best kickers in North
Mississippi in Josh Kugel,
Kendrick said.
Caledonia
Continued from Page 5
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
about this year because us seniors have
been waiting a long time for it, Armistad
said. In the past, we had some problems,
but I think this years team is a lot differ-
ent. Practice is going well. Players are
coming early and staying late.
For a lot of us, this is our last season,
so we want to make it the best year pos-
sible.
Kendrick credits his seniors for play-
ing an integral role in rebuilding the pro-
gram. While the squad struggled at
times last season, there were signs it was
headed in the right direction.
For the first time, we can really say
experience is a plus, Kendrick said.
Being our third year together, the kids
know the system. They know what is
expected of them and they know what to
expect of me. Some of these seniors have
started since they were freshmen.
I am proud of them for sticking with
it. Even when times are tough, they had
the right mind-set to persevere. This
group of seniors will be special for the
sacrifice they have made.
The offensive line will rebuild with four
new starters. The backfield will include
returnees Cole Bruce, Onterrio Lowery,
and Armistad. On defense, the line
returns, the secondary includes all sen-
iors, and the linebackers will all be new.
Our new offense will open up the
running game a lot more, Marchbanks
said. We can pass out of it and run out it,
with different options on different plays.
We have put in a lot of hard work during
the offseason. The seniors have put in
more effort and shown a lot of leader-
ship.
The biggest thing now is building
depth. Coach wants everybody to have a
primary position to play that position, so
we are working hard to find some more
guys who can step in and play right
away.
With Louisville and Noxubee County
expected to contend for the Class 4A
state title, the Class 4A, Region 4 race will
be challenging. Still, Caledonia is ready
for the challenge.
The players have had a great sum-
mer, Kendrick said. Our strength pro-
gram has come a long way. We got a long
way to go. We want to be realistic. We
understand where we are. Our seniors
do, too. We try to be as realistic with
them as we can.
We want to be as competitive as we
can. Last year, we had success at times.
Now, the challenge is to do that more
consistently.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CONFEDERATES
RECEIVERS
Studdard
because it is natural for
them to want to touch the
football and to score
touchdowns. Still, he
couldnt overlook
Studdards strength and
how that could contribute
to the success of the
offense.
His upper body
strength and his ability to
maintain blocks at the
point of contact was very
apparent during spring
training, Donahoe said.
He is a quicker offensive
lineman. From a speed
standpoint, he is a little bit
around average for a full-
back, but that makes him
a quick offensive lineman,
especially in our guard
series with what were
doing.
Donahoes pistol is a
variation of the shotgun
and single-back offenses.
In it, a quarterback stands
4 yards behind the center,
whereas he would be 7
yards behind the center in
the shotgun. The tailback
also is directly behind the
quarterback in the pistol.
In the shotgun, the tail-
back is beside the quarter-
back.
We are not going to be
your base zone-blocking,
up front, inside, outside,
zone offensive scheme,
Donahoe said. We are
going to create angles
through down blocking,
pulling, trapping, things
you have seen for years
and years and years.
Donahoe likes the fact
that Heritage Academy
has plenty of speed to be
able to use the pistol to its
advantage. That speed
also is key for the offen-
sive linemen, which is
why Studdard has fit in so
well.
The quicker guards,
the guys who can get out
of the backfield fast, that
is kind of what were look-
ing for, Donahoe said.
As quickly as Studdard
has picked up on the new
system, he is having to
read things faster. At full-
back, he would have a sec-
ond or two to read the
defense. Up front,
Studdard has to react
quicker. In the spring,
Donahoe said Studdard
fared well on first-level
blocks. He said making
second-level blocks and
understanding where line-
backers were was a little
tougher, but Donahoe
feels Studdard will devel-
op that comfort level with
more practice.
Studdard is more than
willing to put in that time
after not getting as much
playing time as he wanted
last season. He realized he
might have had to wait his
turn playing behind a sen-
ior. When Heritage
Academy finished 5-5 and
failed to qualify for the
playoffs, Studdard knew
he would have another
season to realize his
dream to play the position
he wanted.
Now that he is
immersed in life at the
point of contact, Studdard
said his experience at full-
back is helping him. He
said the pulling he will be
asked to do at guard is
similar to what he did as a
fullback. He said his foot-
work also will help him
follow the blocking paths
In addition to playing
on the of fensive line,
Studdard also will play on
the defensive line, a posi-
tion he played as a sopho-
more. Donahoe feels
Studdard will be equally
important on defense.
Some players just play
better with their hand on
the ground, said
Donahoe, who coaches
the offensive and defen-
sive linemen. Were
going to put his hand on
the ground at defensive
end and teach him proper
reads, and we really feel
he is going to be a very,
very strong defensive in
our league because of his
speed and his strength.
Now that the season is
about to begin, Studdard
said the experience wasnt
what he expected it to be.
He said he has gained a
new appreciation for line-
men because they have to
know a lot of things and
do them in a split second.
If they dont, a play can
blow up for loss. That
doesnt worry Studdard,
though, because he feels
he will do OK and that he
will only get better.
Coach Donahoe is a
really good coach and he
teaches more than I have
ever learned, Studdard
said. I pick it up faster
from him. He just spends a
certain amount of time on
the line every day in teach-
ing us the steps and the
footwork all the way to the
play, and incorporating it
with everybody. It helps
me get it a lot better.
New Hope
He is dependable. He
is hard working. There
are not enough good
adjectives in the English
dictionar y to describe
him.
Listed at 5-8 1/2 245
pounds, Payne hasnt
grown much physically
since his freshman year.
He has matured mentally
to the point where he
understands the impor-
tance of faith, persever-
ance, and effort. To him,
thats the definition of
heart, something coach-
es and teammates say is
Paynes biggest quality.
Tee is an athlete. He
is all heart, New Hope
High School baseball
coach Lee Boyd said. He
has done a wonderful
job.
Said Bradley, Heart
doesnt have an age. It is
not something you get
more of as you get older.
In my years of experi-
ence, kids have heart
from the time they start
playing. Tee was not as
big or as strong then as
he is now, but he always
has been as quick. As he
has gotten bigger and
stronger, he hasnt lost
any quickness. If any-
thing, he has gotten
quicker. His first step off
the ball is explosive. If
youre not on your Ps and
Qs, he is going to blow
right by you
He has that innate
instinct that he is going to
play every play as hard as
he can, he is going to do
everything he does at 100
percent, and you dont
have to push him to do
that. He never had a prob-
lem from the ninth grade
on. He was a dominant
varsity football player in
the ninth grade. He has
been pretty much the
rock on our defensive
line ever since.
The lessons Payne
learned from his parents
helped him fortify his
starting position. Bradley
said Payne has gained the
respect of his teammates
and coaches for never
asking out of a drill or for
using any medical condi-
tions as an excuse not to
work hard. Payne realizes
his size works against
him, especially since he
usually goes up against
of fensive linemen who
are bigger. In no way,
though, does that mean
theyre stronger. Thats
Paynes forte. Through
May 25, Payne held the
team records for best par-
allel squat (605 pounds),
bench press (320), and
power clean (260). He
was second in the dead
lift (510).
Payne attributes his
success to his parents.
He said they taught him
at an early age that he
had to be tough and that
he had to play as hard as
he could. Its a mind-set
that still drives him today.
I just keep a mentality
I can beat anybody and
do whatever I want,
Payne said. I just work
hard in the weight room
because I have to be as
strong because I am
short and when I go up
against an offensive line-
man who is 6-3 or 6-4, I
can get leverage on them
and just push them back.
I just use my strength,
quickness, or speed to go
around people, or go
through them.
Newby has a similar
approach. He doesnt
remember being sur-
prised when he received
an opportunity to move
from the freshman team
to the varsity squad. In
fact, he felt he had
worked hard and thought
he deserved a chance.
I am hungry, Newby
said. It is just a drive
inside me I cant control.
I want to be the best at
everything I do.
Newby admits he did
better than he expected
as a freshman thanks to a
fearless attitude that
didnt allow him to think
of himself as a freshman.
Now at 5-9, 210, Newbys
physical talents dont
jump off the page. They
are more apparent when
you watch him compete
in any situation.
You want to be the
best, Newby said.
There is no point in
doing the same thing
over and over and getting
the same result. I would-
nt like anyone to be bet-
ter than me. It is just the
drive to succeed.
This season, Newby
will take that mind-set to
the offensive side of the
ball to play running back.
Bradley said it didnt take
the coaches long to see
how Newbys head-on
approach to life could
ser ve the Trojans
offense well every Friday
night.
Newbys move to
offense means Payne will
have to pick up the slack
and help the defensive
line control the point of
attack. On paper, that
might sound tough for a
player his size, but Payne
and Newby have learned
how to push themselves
and to be their harshest
critics. Bradley said that
will serve them very well
down the road.
After all, a hungr y
heart knows no bound-
aries, and after coming so
far, Payne and Newby
arent about to change
their thinking
If they see me on the
field, the weight room,
the practice field, the
game field, people are
going to see I play with a
lot of emotion, heart,
intensity, passion, and I
am a smart player,
Payne said. I am physi-
cal. Whatever you need
on the field, I can give
you. If you need a sack, a
tackle for loss, a vocal
leader, whatever type of
player you need me to be,
I will be it. I just want to
win.

starting quarterback to
more efficient. He said he
grasps what the offense is
designed to do and will be
able to handle high-pres-
sure situations.
Its not like the coach-
es have flipped me the
keys and Im the one driv-
ing the car because itll
always be the coaches first,
but maybe Im in the pas-
senger seat knowing the
directions, Myles said.
Im just more comfortable
with what Im supposed to
be doing and where the
ball needs to go.
After leading the Yellow
Jackets in rushing with
1,018 yards last season,
Myles once again will be
asked to make plays with
his feet and with his right
arm.
Mitchell already has
simulated rollouts in most
of the 11-on-11 scrim-
mages in practice to make
the defense decide if it
wants to allow Myles to
take off or if it wants to
cover a group of skilled
receivers in a zone pack-
age.
We have to keep Gabe
healthy, but I just dont
think we can sit around
and ponder on it and worry
about him running it,
C|000S\C\ ++/08
'SRXEGX QI XS PIEVR
LS[ [I GER IRVMGL ]SYV PMJI
Adam 0avIs
FInancIal RepresentatIve
Fhone: 662-574-J741
akdavIs@woodmen.org
101 Airport Road Starkville, MS 662-323-8021
Proud Supporters of
Starkville Area Teams!

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STARKVILLE YELLOW JACKETS
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 NOXUBEE
COUNTY
Aug. 24 Madison
Central
Aug. 31 Tupelo
Sept. 7 WEST POINT
Sept. 14 Open
Sept. 21 Lanier
Sept. 28 Provine
Oct. 5 RIDGELAND
Oct. 12 Canton
Oct. 19 YAZOO CITY
Oct. 26 Callaway
Nov. 2 NESHOBA
CENTRAL
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
CLASS 5A
Callaway
Canton
Lanier
Neshoba Central
Provine
Ridgeland
Starkville
Yazoo City
playoffs. Starkville was the
runner-up in Class 5A last
season.
2011 Results
Aug. 19 L, 33-21
At Noxubee Co.
Aug. 26 W, 16-14
MADISON
CENTRAL
Sept. 2 W, 10-7
TUPELO
Sept. 9 L, 33-12
At West Point
Sept. 23 W, 53-13
LANIER
Sept. 30 W, 38-7
PROVINE
Oct. 7 W, 26-23
At Ridgeland
Oct. 14 W, 45-8
CANTON
Oct. 21 W, 35-0
At Yazoo City
Oct. 28 W, 35-21
CALLAWAY
Nov. 4 W, 35-14
At Neshoba
Central
Nov. 11 W, 42-28
HERNANDO
Nov. 18 W, 20-14
WEST POINT
Nov. 25 W, 28-7
At Ridgeland
Dec. 3 L, 38-21
vs. Picayune
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE YELLOW JACKETS
Gabe Myles, Sr.
Caleb Wilson, Soph.
Myles had 2,934 total yards last sea-
son. The Mississippi State University ver-
bal commitment will be responsible for
figuring out which highly talented athlete
to give the football to. Wilson, the son of
MSU defensive coordinator Chris Wilson,
is a 6-foot-3 athlete who could be the QB
of the future.
Gabes total understanding of the offense
is way better than even it was in the spring
and he understands coverages in the way
youd love to see in a leader, Starkville
coach Jamie Mitchell said. His input will
be involved tremendously this year.
Preston Baker, Sr,
Ladorrius Pittman, Jr.
Shyquell Spruell, Sr.
Shytraille Spruell, Soph.
Jaquez Horsley, Soph.
Rodrigquez Norman, Soph.
Baker and Pittman combined for 811
yards and have the inside-and-outside
combination that can put defenses on
their heels. A key will be Pittmans ability
to stay healthy. The coaches are excited
about Horsley.
We feel like we have a group of guys we are
not afraid to hand the football to, Mitchell
said. We knew (Baker and Pittman) would
be great players for us. Horsley had a tremen-
dous ninth-grade season, and is somebody
that will be a great player.
Stanley Higgins, Sr.
Princeton Jones, Sr.
Jimmy Saulsberry, Sr.
Darius Grayer, Jr.
Kentrell Spencer, Sr.
Nigil Randle, Sr.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Higgins, who
had 544 total yards last season, has
caught the eye of many Division I coach-
es. Saulsberr y will return from a knee
injury after the first month of the season.
QUARTERBACK
RECEIVERS
BY MATTHEW STEVENS
mstevens@cdispatch.com
STARKVILLE Dec.
3, 2011 will go down as a
miserable night in the his-
tory of Starkville High
School football.
Starkville lost a second-
half lead en route to a 38-21
loss to Picayune in the
Mississippi High School
Activities Class 5A state
championship game at
Memorial Stadium in
Jackson. The title appear-
ance was Starkvilles first
in a decade. Everybody
wearing yellow and black
colors was clearly in a low
mood and understandably
not looking forward to the
two-hour bus ride back
home.
The night got worse
when the teams bus suf-
fered a mechanical mal-
function and broke down
in the stadium parking lot
after moving only a few
feet from its parking spot.
The players and coaches
had to wait until nearly 2
a.m. for a replacement part
to be installed on the bus
before they could even
start back to Starkville.
Coach Jamie Mitchell,
who had crying daughters
on both arms in the final
seconds of the loss, is
determined to have a more
enjoyable experience in
the state capitol city at the
end of this season.
Theres a lot of things
wed like to accomplish
here at Starkville, and
theres just no doubt about
that, but everybody knows
thats the ultimate prize,
Mitchell said of winning a
state title. What weve got
to do is be careful to not
make that the only priority
but always have it the top
priority.
The new era of
Starkville High football
Mitchell, Myles focused on return trip to Jackson
Starkville High School football coach Jamie Mitchell, right, watches as senior
quarterback Gabe Myles drops back for a pass in an early season practice. Myles,
who has given a verbal commitment to play football at Mississippi State University,
is focused on leading the Yellow Jackets back to the Class 5A title game.
RUNNING BACKS
See STARKVILLE, 24
continued in the summer
when the program moved
into a new field house near
the south end zone of the
football field. The talent in
Mitchells third season
matches the facility
upgrades.
We think were getting
there as a program where
you circle Starkville on
your schedule every year
when you know youll get
a test on a Friday night,
Mitchell said.
The Yellow Jackets
have at least four seniors
Division I colleges are tar-
geting this year. The most
well-known prospect is
quarterback Gabe Myles,
who recently gave a verbal
commitment to
Mississippi State
University. He emerged
last year as a player who
could be a physical and
verbal leader and some-
one who could manage
Mitchells offense.
After ending 2011 just
84 passing yards from
achieving 2,000 passing
yards and 1,000 rushing
yards, Myles expects his
second season as the

year. We dont want people
to think of last year as a
fluke.
When people talk
about the best academy
teams in the state of
Mississippi, we want to be
right up there with
Jackson Academy and
Jackson Prep. This is a big
year for us as we continue
to restore the football her-
itage at this school.
A longtime junior col-
lege coach in the state,
Terrill found his creating
an attitude and building a
belief in what he and his
staff were trying to accom-
plish were his biggest
tasks. After going 10-3 last
season, the roles have
been reversed.
The kids are excited
because they know we
have a chance to really
make a statement this
year, Terrill said. We
want people to know that
the tradition is returning
and we were not simply a
one-year flash. The kids
know that nothing carries
over from last year. We
will be facing opponents
with more experience this
season.
We are going to be a
young football team. It will
be up to our players to
respond to the challenge
of keeping this thing
going.
Senior quarterback
Drew Pellum return. In
the backfield, Mike Miller,
Drew Harrell, Slaughter,
and Colby Runnels will
pick up the slack from the
departure of Ryan Mann,
a 1,000-yard rusher last
season.
We wont be the hard,
bruising, run-you-over
team we were last sea-
son, Slaughter said. In
some ways though, we will
be a better football team.
We have some guys who
will have to step in and
replace Ryan, who was a
big asset for us.
I think the biggest
thing is technique.
Sometimes, the little
things determine whether
you win or lose a football
game. That is what we
have been working hard at
during fall practice, work-
ing on the little things. We
have gotten the big things
down, but the little things
can be just as important.
Bolin agrees it will be
crucial for the team to play
BY SCOTT WALTERS
STARKVILLE
Accept the challenge.
Starkville Academy foot-
ball coach
Jef f Terrill
has encour-
aged his
Vol unt eers
to relish
their trans-
f o r ma t i o n
from hunter
to hunted. After a winless
2009 season, Starkvile
Academy moved to three
wins in 2010 and won 10
games and played in the
state championship game
last season.
Last year, we were the
homecoming game for
four or five opponents, and
we took that as a slap in the
face, Starkville Academy
senior wide receiver/cor-
nerback Hunter Bolin said.
We really won't be sneak-
ing up on anybody any-
more. A lot of teams used
to think losing to us was an
embarrassment. It is our
job to make sure we are
past that point.
Terrill delivered a brief,
yet powerful, message to
his juniors shortly after
last seasons 20-0 loss to
Greenville Washington
School in the Mississippi
Association of
Independent Schools Class
AAA, Division II state
championship game. It was
the Volunteers first
appearance in the title
game since they won the
2005 championship.
Our slogan is to accept
the challenge, Starkville
Academy senior running
back/safety Zach
Slaughter said. That
mind-set was established
during offseason workouts
as soon as last year ended.
We are not going to be that
team that had one good
Drew Pellum (Sr.)
Pellum returns after
star ting last season. Fully
healed from a season-
ending shoulder injur y,
Pellum missed the final
two games last season,
including the state
championship.
You feel good to have a
returning star ter at
quar terback," Starkville
Academy coach Jef f
Terrill said. "We are
looking hard for a No. 2.
Depth at that position
was our death sentence
last year. One of the
biggest tasks of fall camp
is finding a backup for
Drew.
Mike Miller (Jr.)
Drew Harrell (Soph.)
Colby Runnels (Sr.)
Zach Slaughter (Sr.)
The task here is to
replace 1,000-yard rusher
Ryan Mann. Harrell was a
key back on a highly tout-
ed junior high team last
season. Runnels will be
asked to shoulder the full-
back load. He was a short-
yardage back last season.
We have several talented
players in our backfield,"
Terrill said. "Colby and
Zach do a great job of
leading by example. We
will be working some
younger players in the
backfield, too. I feel confi-
dent in the players we will
have running the ball.
Oktibbeha County Co-Op
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STARKVILLE ACADEMY VOLUNTEERS
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Class AAA, District 2; 2011 Record 10-3
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 St. Andrews
Aug. 24 HERITAGE
Aug. 31 Magnolia
Heights
Sept. 7 LEAKE
Sept. 14 HILLCREST
Sept. 21 J PREP
Sept. 28 Copiah
Oct. 5 Parklane
Oct. 12 WINSTON
Oct. 19 ERA
Oct. 26 PCS
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
When people talk about the best academy
teams in the state of Mississippi, we want to
be right up there with Jackson Academy and
Jackson Prep.
Starkville Academy senior Zach Slaughter
Terrill
See VOLUNTEERS, 24
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE VOLS
QUARTERBACK RUNNING BACKS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Jeff Terrill
(13-11 in third season)
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Brad Butler (defensive coor-
dinator), Chase Nicholson
(offensive
coordinator), Marcus Ballard
(DL), Matt Crosetti
(WRs/special teams), Chad
Peterson, Neal Henry, and
Preston Bates (junior high)
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 38-3
ST. ANDREWS
Aug. 26 W, 33-7
At Heritage
Academy
Sept. 2 W, 22-0
MAGNOLIA
HEIGHTS
Sept. 9 W, 42-14
At Leake Aca.
Sept. 16 W, 42-8
At Hillcrest
Sept. 23 L, 23-0
At Jackson Prep
Sept. 30 W, 34-26
COPIAH ACA.
Oct. 7 W, 7-5
PARKLANE
Oct. 14 W, 55-12
At Winston Aca.
Oct. 21 W, 18-7
EAST RANKIN
Oct. 28 L, 21-3
At Presbyterian
Christian
Nov. 4 W, 28-0
WASHINGTON-
LEE
Nov. 11 L, 20-0
vs. Washington
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
MAIS
CLASS AAA, DISTRICT 2
Copiah Academy
East Rankin Academy
Hillcrest Christian
Starkville Academy
Jackson Prep
Parkland Academy
Presbyterian Christian
NOTE: Jackson Prep, Parklane
Academy, and Presbyterian
Christian are Division I. All regu-
lar-season games count toward
determining the teams that will
advance to the Division I and
Division II playoffs.
Terrill, Vols ready to accept the challenge
Starkville Academy quarterback Drew Pellum will try to lead the Volunteers back to the Mississippi
Association of Independent Schools Class AAA Division II state title game.

13927 Old Hwy. 82 East Starkville, MS 39759
662-323-1450
Next to MSU Golf Course
Specializing in:
Engines | Transmission | Tune-Ups
24 HOUR WRECKER SERVICE DAMAGE FREE TOWING
EAST OKTIBBEHA TITANS
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 Leake County
Aug. 24 McAdams
Aug. 31 North
Pontotoc
Sept. 7 Sebastopol
Sept. 14 ETHEL
Sept. 21 West Lowndes
Sept. 28 Open
Oct. 2 NOXAPATER
Oct. 12 Pelahatchie
Oct. 19 WEST
OKTIBBEHA
Oct. 26 Nanih Waiya
Nov. 2 WEIR
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TITANS
Justin Williams (Jr.),
Curtis Randle Jr. (Soph.)
Were going to have a lot
of depth, East Oktibbeha
County High School coach
Randy Brooks said. One
of the more talented Ive
had.
Justin Covington (Soph.),
Bryton Conley (Jr.)
Weve got a great deal of
speed. This group will
impress, Brooks said.
Juwan Roberts (Sr.),
Bryton Conley (Jr.),
Ladavion Cannon
(Eighth Grade),
James Brownlee (Fr.)
These guys are pretty
fast, in the 4.4-4.5 range,
Brooks said.
Clayton Carr (Jr.),
Robert McCarter (Fr.),
Zack Williams (Jr.),
Zack McCarter (Soph.),
Laderrick Riley (Sr.)
Will be one of our
strengths. Just one senior,
but well have plenty of
size.
Steve Bell (Sr.),
Eddie Young (Sr.),
Clayton Carr (Jr.)
Just like our offensive
line, well be strong. Well
average 320 pounds.
Lenathan Brown (Sr.),
Justin Williams (Jr.)
Well have two of the
biggest linebackers in all
of 1A.
Juwan Roberts (Sr.),
Bryton Conley (Jr.),
John Outlaw (Jr.),
Theyre quick. Theyll be
able to get to the ball in
run support and are good
cover guys.
Justin Williams (Jr.),
With Justin Williams, we
expect most of his kick-
offs to be touchbacks.
Curtis Randle will give us
our first placekicker.
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Randy Brooks
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Coach Wolf (first year)
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 34-6
LEAKE CO.
Aug. 26 W, 54-0
McADAMS
Sept. 2 L, 55-0
N. PONTOTOC
Sept. 9 W, 20-9
SEBASTOPOL
Sept. 16 W, 46-12
At Ethel
Sept. 23 W, 6-0
W. LOWNDES
Oct. 7 L, 41-18
At Noxapater
Oct. 14 L, 41-28
PELAHATCHIE
Oct. 21 L, 40-14
At W. Oktibbeha
Oct. 28 L, 47-6
NANIH WAIYA
Nov. 4 L, 32-6
At Weir
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
This years group
has my kind of
mind-set and work
ethic.
East Oktibbeha County
High School football
coach Randy Brooks
CLASS 1A
East Oktibbeha
Ethel
Nanih Waiya
Noxpater
Pelahatchie
Sebastopol
Weir
West Lowndes
West Oktibbeha
playoffs.
BY DAVID MILLER
Special to The Dispatch
CRAWFORD
Changing the culture can
be an overlooked element
in building a football pro-
gram, especially when a
coach enters his third year.
If one were to ask East
Oktibbeha County High
School coach Randy
Brooks, hed tell you its
still a work in process.
The East Oktibbeha
High School football team
was flying high last season
after a 5-1 start. Then, a
five-game losing streak in
which the Titans gave up
an average of 40 points a
game made everyone for-
get about the feverish start.
Sure, East Oktibbeha
ran into some tough oppo-
nents rivals West
Oktibbeha and four play-
off teams but the core
of returning players point
to a loss of confidence as a
great factor for the 2011
teams demise.
Last season, the Titans
had 13 seniors, including
tall, speedy skill players
Arthur Gillespie, Kodi
Petty, and Terrance Rice.
It wasnt enough, though.
It all went downhill
(during the losing
streak), junior quarter-
back Justin Williams said.
We hated the feeling. It
was like there was nothing
we could do about it.
Williams and Brooks
believe the collapse could
have been avoided if the
team had stronger charac-
ter and commitment.
Without a strong senior
class in 2012, Brooks will
lean on Williams, a first-
year starter at quarter-
back, and sophomore run-
ning back Destin
Covington, who didnt
play football in 2011.
I was in the stands a
lot, Covington said. I
came out because I
thought I could make a
difference.
Covington (5-foot-4,
155 pounds) and Williams
(6-2, 222 pounds) will
carry the load in a run-
heavy offense, theres a
considerable gap in expe-
rience. Without experi-
ence, confidence and com-
mitment can be hard to
build, but Covington does-
nt see the teams youth as
a hurdle.
Just come to practice,
work hard and try to get big-
ger, stronger and faster in
the weight room, he said.
Its simple. Do all of that
and youll do it on the field.
Despite losses at skill
positions and a dearth of
upperclassmen, Brooks
believes the tide is chang-
ing in players attitudes. It
has showed in the summer
weightlifting attendance
numbers. Last year, four
players showed up on a reg-
ular basis. This summer,
Brooks had 17 regulars.
The last few years, we
had a lot of guys who were
from the old regime, said
Brooks, cracking a smile as
his response was drowned
out by exuberant players in
the nearby weight room.
They had a mind-set
the guys this years group
has my kind of mind-set
and work ethic.
Brooks players are
working harder and buy-
ing into his brand of disci-
pline and structure, but he
admits his influence does-
nt carry as much weight
as Covingtons and
Williams. Brooks has
molded Williams into a do-
it-all athlete; Williams fea-
tured at defensive tackle
last season. Hell see time
at fullback in wishbone
looks and also will play
linebacker this year.
Williams, a mild-man-
nered, soft-spoken hoss,
has been tutored by
Brooks for the past two
seasons. Williams is more
accustomed to Brooks
system, and more is
demanded from him than
any other player.
I believe hes a great
coach, Williams said of
Brooks. He is kind of
demanding, but thats a
good thing about him. You
put in the work and it pays
off. If you work, hell have
confidence in you. I got
some work at quarterback
last year, but hes got confi-
dence in me to do it this year
that means a lot to me.
Brooks is steadfast in
changing the culture of the
program and earning play-
ers confidence. Thats why
hell require any player
who joins the team on the
first day of school to under-
go a trial period. Brooks
anticipates keeping just 35
of the projected 50 players
hell have on the first day,
partly because of a small
coaching staff.
Ill give them one
week, Brooks said, and
if they give me a week of
hard work, Ill consider
keeping them on the
team.
Ultimately, success this
season will hinge greatly
on talent. Despite inexpe-
rience, players and coach-
es insist this years team
has more talent than last
years team.
I think we have
enough to finish with
seven, eight wins,
Covington said. Well be
running right at people
this year.
Brooks backs up his
tailbacks feelings.
Just because you
havent heard of them
doesnt mean they are
good players, Brooks
said. Weve got some
speed in the backfield, and
Destin, though hes only
5-foot-4, is a powerful play-
er. Weve got a lot of guys
just like him. Were going
to surprise some people
this year.
Brooks hopes better attitude triggers reversal
David Miller/Special to The Dispatch
Sophomore Destin Covington, left, and junior Justin Williams hope to help the East Oktibbeha County High
School football team regain the momentum it had last season when it started 5-1. Unfortunately, the Titans
lost the final five games and missed the playoffs.
QUOTABLE
Dispatch File Photo
East Oktibbeha County High Schools Juwan Rober ts.
Strength
It also represents
unity, Bolton said. It
has brought us together
as a team. Were Victory
Christian Academy.
Were going to play like
that this year. Youre
going to see a tremen-
dous difference in us this
year.
The dog tags appear to
have worked because the
seniors dont hesitate to
talk about their desire to
win a championship in
their final season. A title
would be Victor y
Christians first since
2009. To accomplish that
goal, said the Eagles will
rely on their will and con-
ditioning to outwork
teams that might over-
look them.
It means strength to
me, Spencer said of the
dog tags. It is a fourth-
quarter thing, when
everyone is tired we have
the strength to do what
we need to get done.
Said Elliott, When we
get down in the fourth
quarter I think were
going to remember the
dog tags and all of the
training we had and I
think were just going to
come together and push
through and make it to
the top.
Hamm credits T.J.
Meadows, Heath
Simpson, and Jerr y
McCrary for handling the
of fseason conditioning
and the work in the
weight room and condi-
tioning. He said the time
has prepared the team for
what he hopes will be a
successful season.
Bolton agrees. Even
though he only has a few
games of experience as a
quarterback, Bolton is
confident the Eagles will
be able to stir memories
of recent Victor y
Christian teams that
made a habit of winning
championships.
Were very young this
year, Bolton said.
Usually Victory is a pow-
erhouse. Nobody really
wants to play us because
we had tremendous ath-
letes, like Landon (Ellis)
and Ben Williams and all
of the other players who
have graduated. This
year, I believe people are
looking at us more like
underdogs and thinking
theyre going to handle
us. But they can think
what they want. Were
going to stick together
this year, and leadership
is going to take us a long
way. Were going to play
hard. Were going to give
them a challenge. I really
believe we have a good
shot at winning the whole
thing.

Tiberias had 138 total
tackles last year, Lowrey
said.
Von Smith (Sr.)
Lavontae Tate (Sr.)
Both guys are versatile
and great cover corners,
Lowrey said.
I West Oktibbeha will have
to replace wide receiver
Dwight Quinn, a two-time
first-team All-state per-
former, and Drake Powell
(WR/DB), Sharrod Staford
(DL), Alex Chambers (OL),
and Shun Fair (RB/LB). The
Timberwolves will try to
pick up the slack left by
those players led by return-
ing starters, including Von
Smith, a two-time first-team
All-State performer,
Tiberias Lampkin (RB/LB),
Donovan Henderson
(DE/OL), Johnny Chambers
(OL/DL), Jonathan Love
(RB/LB), Micheal Graise
(DE/OL), and Kelsey
Jefferson (Slot/LB).
I Timberwolves have
improved their win total
each year since Lowrey
took over in 2008.
I Smith finished second in
Class 1A with 2,536
passing yards in 2011.
INumber of seniors who
have played on the varsity
team since the eighth grade.
That also is the number of
seniors who have started
every game since their
ninth-grade season.
more than eight sacks in
three years, Lowrey said.
Kelsey Jefferson (Sr.)
Jerell Daniels (Fr.)
Jerrell has been very
impressive this summer
and promises to be very
good as a freshman,
Lowrey said.
Johnny Chambers (Sr.)
Donovan Henderson (Sr.)
Donovan will anchor one
side of the defensive line
and is an exceptional pass
rusher as a stand-up defen-
sive end, Lowrey said.
Tiberias Lampkin (Sr.)
Jonathan Love (Sr.)
WEST OKTIBBEHA TIMBERWOLVES
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 SV MARSHALL
Aug. 24 Montgomery
County
Aug. 31 Open
Sept. 6 Eupora
Sept. 14 NANIH WAIYA
Sept. 21 Weir
Sept. 28 SEBASTOPOL
Oct. 5 Ethel
Oct. 12 WEST
LOWNDES
Oct. 19 East
Oktibbeha
Oct. 26 NOXAPATER
Nov. 2 Pelahatchie
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
Were doing
something a lot of
teams dont do, or
dont have the talent to
do.
West Oktibbeha County
High School QB
Von Smith
5
Smith, Lampkin will try to power
return run to playoffs
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TIMBERWOLVES
Von Smith (Sr.)
Rontavious Clark (Fr.)
Von had exactly 6,900
total yards passing over
the last three years, West
Pktibbeha County High
School coach Adam Lowrey
said. I would guess that
his career numbers are bet-
ter than anyone in the
state this year, and proba-
bly for the last 10 years.
Tiberias Lampkin (Sr.)
Jonathan Love (Sr.)
Lowrey said Love is a
fast back who should help
keep defenses off Lampkin.
Tiberias has great hands,
is a dedicated and hard
worker, Lowrey said.
Jonathan is a great com-
plement to him.
Johnny Chambers (Sr.)
Donovan Henderson (Sr.)
Donovan is a true iron
man that hasnt given up
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS OFFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
FAST FACTS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Adam Lowrey
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Kelvin Cistrunk (defensive
coordinator /offensive
line), Jonathan Hunter
(wide receivers / defensive
backs)
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 44-36
At Univ. Chr.
Aug. 26 W, 50-30
MNTGMRY
COUNTY
Sept. 8 L, 36-16
EUPORA
Sept. 16 L, 50-14
At Nanih Waiya
Sept. 23 W, 38-8 WEIR
Sept. 30 W, 48-22
At Sebastopol
Oct. 7 W, 42-18
ETHEL
Oct. 14 W, 36-30
At W. Lowndes
Oct. 21 W, 40-14
E. OKTIBBEHA
Oct. 28 L, 41-6
At Noxapater
Nov. 4 L, 42-40
PELAHATCHIE
Nov. 11 L, 43-8
At Cathedral
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
CLASS 1A
East Oktibbeha
Ethel
Nanih Waiya
Noxpater
Pelahatchie
Sebastopol
Weir
West Lowndes
West Oktibbeha
playoffs.
BY DAVID MILLER
MABEN For the past
two seasons, every oppo-
nent has known whats
coming. Each game,
theyve struggled to stop it:
The Fast Break.
The West Oktibbeha
County High School foot-
ball teams high-tempo
passing attack was installed
midseason a few years ago.
It caught fire immediately,
and two of its igniters are
primed to take the offense
to the next level in 2012.
Senior quarterback Von
Smith and senior running
back Tiberias Lampkin
helped the Timberwolves
average 38 points a game
last season and led the
team to its third playoff
appearance in school histo-
ry. Smith cracked 2,500
passing yards good for
second in Class 1A while
Lampkin posted 1,000 total
yards of offense.
Lampkin and Smith, like
the majority of their team-
mates each year, play both
ways. Each year, theres a
great emphasis on improv-
ing defensive play.
(Defense) wins cham-
pionships, West
Oktibbeha fifth-year coach
Adam Lowrey said.
Still, the Timberwolves
are unlikely to field enough
players to spell the prime-
time players of the Fast
Break who play both ways,
so if the defense doesnt
improve like Lowrey
hopes, the Timberwolves'
hopes of making a playoff
run may be in increasing
their scoring average.
We've got to get
tougher on defense, said
Smith, but it helps when
we keep the pace up on
offense. We've got to get
other defense's tired and
just keep going at them.
After three seasons of
being one of Class 1As
most potent attacks and
expecting teams to devise
new ways to stop it one
would expect the
Timberwolves offense to
become more intricate and
complex. Lowrey has done
the opposite.
We have actually taken
stuff out, Lowrey said.
Three years ago, we had
10 pass plays; now we have
five. We want to be excellent
at a few things. Wrinkles
we've added are one or two
packages with a play or two.
I've had other coaches
laugh with me and say, 'All
y'all did was run four pass
plays' ... and we did.
Lowrey said the
Timberwolves wont devi-
ate much from their usual
plan, opting to keep the
playbook simple with a few
special packages installed
each week. Lowrey said
the next step is balancing
the offense, and it begins
with Smith.
I think Von is gonna be
a much stronger runner
this year, Lowrey said.
People were dropping so
many on us before that
they made us have to be
more balanced. He'll run a
lot more this year.
Smith, who also will start
at cornerback, said hes
ready for an increased load.
In addition to having a goal
of passing for 3,500 yards
and however many touch-
downs it takes to win each
game, hes ready to show
he can do it all. One of his
motivations is attracting the
attention of college coach-
es. Smith hasnt received an
offer, but he has received
letters from Mississippi
State University, Tennessee
Tech University, and East
Mississippi Community
College.
We're doing something
a lot of teams don't do or
don't have the talent to do,
Smith said. We just thank
God for giving us the talent
and giving us a great coach
to develop this scheme. It's
our bread and butter. It's
like we do it for a living.
At the same time, get-
ting a college scholarship is
important to me. I dont
want to take my eyes and
focus off helping this team
win, but it also helps that Ill
get to everything for us.
With extra focus on the
running game, Lampkin
will split the extra carries
with Smith. Last season,
Lampkin had 203 attempts
from scrimmage and 17
touchdowns.
And like Smith,
Lampkin, a dynamic and
powerfully built athlete,
has his eyes on the next
level.
It feels good, at running
back, to be able to get those
extra touches, Lampkin
said. In 1A, you can't find a
lot of corners and safeties
who can stop the pass, so
it's great for us to be able to
balance our offense.
I do feel a little bit of
pressure, but there are a lot
of other people on this
team who play a big part.
We are going to make it
work.
QUARTERBACK
FAST
BREAK
David Miller/Special to The Dispatch
West Oktibbeha County High School seniors, Von Smith, left, and Tiberias Lampkins will be the primary
playmakers this season for the Timberwolves.
Dispatch File Photo
The West Oktibbeha County High School defense had one of its best games of the
season against Ethel last year. The Timberwolves will need more per formances
like that this season if they want to get back to the playoffs.
OFFENSIVE LINE
BY THE NUMBERS
QUOTABLE

BY ADAM MINICHINO
WEST POINT
Physical.
One look at Mario
Virges and you can tell he
feels at home in a weight
room.
In four years, the West
Point High School line-
backer has matured from
being known as Curtis
Virges little brother to a
weight-room warrior. He
has earned that nickname
for his prowess in and his
love for the weight room.
This season, Virges has
bulked up and added defi-
nition to the 215-pound
frame he used in 2011 to
play fullback and line-
backer. While its unclear
if Virges will play as much
of a dual role as he did last
year, theres no doubt
Virges will be one member
of a large senior class who
is focused on returning
the Green Wave to their
championship glory.
Anybody who has
played for us knows that
theyre going to play wher-
ever we need them,
regardless of what theyre
going to do in college,
West Point High School
football coach Chris
Chambless said. Were
about West Point football
right now. He has been
real receptive to do what-
ever we have asked him to
do. He has lined up at tail-
back last year. I know in
junior high he played
some defensive line. He
played some defensive end
for us in the spring.
Coming off Mississippi
High School Activities
Association Class 5A state
titles in 2009 and 2010,
West Point finished 8-5
and lost to eventual state
runner-up Starkville in the
North State playoffs.
Virges and the rest of the
Green Wave are focused
on rectifying that abnor-
mality.
Virges used the loss to
Starkville High as reason
to get back into the weight
room and sculpt his upper
body. The loss wasnt the
only thing that motivated
Virges. He is used to hear-
ing questions about his
brother and how alike they
are, and said he works so
hard in the weight room so
he can carve out an identi-
ty that is separate from his
brother, a redshirt sopho-
more defensive lineman at
Mississippi State
University.
I work out a lot,
Virges said. My determi-
nation is to get where he is
and beyond that. My goal
is to be the best.
Virges said he has
never told his brother he
uses his accomplishments
to motivate him. Whether
it is in the West Point High
field house or at home,
Virges said he is working
out to make a statement.
It is determination to
win a state championship,
Virges said. I have
changed a lot since the
ninth grade. In the ninth
grade, I broke my (right)
shoulder, but that didnt
stop me from doing what I
do. I ran a lot.
This season, Virges
expects to patrol middle
linebacker as the general
of the defense. He also
said he could see time as
fullback on offense. Each
series will be a chance to
erase the memory of see-
ing West Point High sen-
iors crying after a season-
ending loss to Starkville.
Virges used that loss as
motivation in the weight
room. Judging from his
appearance,
This team has a lot of
potential, Virges said.
Rome wasnt built in a
day, so we have to build it,
build it, build it.
Chambless is confident
Virges and the rest of the
seniors will respond to
that call. While he said the
seniors will look to lead
the team as a group,
Chambless believes
Virges will be at the front
of the pack leading the
charge.
He has worked hard,
and we have pushed him
and he has helped push
others, Chambless said.
That is one thing about
being a good leader, you
have to set a good example
in the weight room.
Everything is the right way.
You dont skip sets. He has
done a good job of that.
Tez Lane (Sr.),
Josh Ewing (Soph.),
Jason Burnett (Jr.),
Dason Thomas (Soph.)
West Point High School
coach Chris Chambless will
look to replace DeQuinten
Spraggins, last seasons
starter, with a talented but
inexperienced leader.
It is a pretty good competi-
tion, Chambless said. The
most experienced guy we
have on the field is Tez
Lane. But just being on the
field is not much experience
at quarterback. Theyre
catching on pretty good.
Aeris Williams (Jr.),
Roger Thomas (Jr.),
Quincy Starks (Soph.)
Williams saw varsity
action last season, while
Thomas will play fullback.
TJ Minor (Sr.),
Cortez Young (Sr.)
West Point typically
relies on its running game,
but it has experience at the
position as it tries to fill in
for the loss of Will Harrell.
Kadarius Forside (Soph., C),
Riley Morton (Sr. RT),
Demondtae Donald (Sr., RG),
Bradley Ewing (Sr., LT),
Leandrew Hampton (Sr., LG)
The deepest area of the
team always has been a
source of strength for the
Green Wave. The effort of
this group will dictate the
success of the offense.
Offensive line coach Casey
Welch said the Green Wave
also have a bunch of sopho-
mores pushing for playing
time.
Ladarrius Gallion (Jr.),
Freddie Reed (Sr.),
Ed Brown (Sr.),
Tre Bennett (Sr.),
Tyler Logan (Soph.),
Antonio Dent (Sr.) ,
Lyndon Johnson (Sr.)
Chambless will look for a
turnaround from this group
that usually is a strength of
the team.
We hope to be a lot more
fierce than we were last
year in terms of being
aggressive (on defense),
Chambless said. They are
showing that in practice.
The defensive line is a very
big strong point for us to
get pressure on the quarter-
back and to help us stop
the run.
Mario Virges (Sr.),
Davion Bradshaw (Jr.),
Tarrence Orr (Jr.),
Eddious Webb (Jr.)
Rashad Jones (Jr.),
Jonathan Patterson (Sr.),
Anthony Johnson (Sr.),
Nelson McIntosh (Sr.)
Eric Lemus (Sr.),
Tarrence Moore (Jr.)
Lemus will handle the
kicking duties.
SOUTHERN IONICS INCORPORATED
www.southernionics.com
Good Luck
to our
Local
Teams!
Hebron Christian
Oak Hill Academy
West Point
201 Commerce Street | West Point, MS | 662.494.3055
T
h
e
D
is
p
a
t
c
h
WEST POINT GREEN WAVE
2012 Schedule
Aug. 18 South Panola
Aug. 24 Open
Aug. 31 Columbus
Sept. 7 Starkville
Sept. 14 NOXUBEE
Sept. 21 LAKE
CORMORANT
Sept. 28 Hernando
Oct. 5 CLARKSDALE
Oct. 12 Saltillo
Oct. 19 CENTER HILL
Oct. 26 OXFORD
Nov. 2 New Hope
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER
LOOK AT THE
GREEN WAVE
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Chris Chambless
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Lee Jay Grisham (offensive
coordinator), Kendall
Pickens (defensive coordi-
nator), Casey Welch (offen-
sive line), Josh Pulphus
( running backs), Brett
Morgan (wide receivers),
Floizell Wilson (defensive
backs), Rickey Melton
(linebackers), Matt Snow
(defensive line)
2011 Results
Aug. 20 L, 37-17
S. PANOLA
Sept. 2 L, 35-27 OT
At Columbus
Sept. 9 W, 33-12
STARKVILLE
Sept. 16 L, 22-17
At Noxubee Co.
Sept. 23 W, 42-14
At Lake
Cormorant
Sept. 30 W, 33-22
HERNANDO
Oct. 7 W, 37-19
At Clarksdale
Oct. 14 W, 47-7
SALTILLO
Oct. 21 L, 30-29
At Center Hill
Oct. 28 W, 31-21
At Oxford
Nov. 4 W, 56-20
NEW HOPE
Nov. 11 W, 43-14
At Neshoba
Central
Nov. 18 L, 20-14
At Starkville
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
CLASS 5A
Center Hill
Clarksdale
Hernando
Lake Cormorant
New Hope
Oxford
Saltillo
West Point
playoffs. Starkville was the
runner-up in Class 5A last
season.
Virges, Green Wave use loss as motivation
TOP: West Point High
School senior Mario
Virges will be counted
on to be a driving
force in the Green
Waves defense this
season.
RIGHT: Coach Chris
Chambless talks to
two of his players
during an early
season practice.
BOTTOM: Mario
Virges (20) and the
rest of the Green
Wave want to reclaim
the state title that
the program last won
in 2010.
Sam Gause/Dispatch Staff;
Dispatch File Photo
QUARTERBACK
LINEBACKERS

Brian McClellan (Jr., LT)
It will start up front
with a group that mixes
experience and strength.
They looked pretty good
in the (Red and White)
scrimmage, Merchant
said. That is going to be
our question mark. If they
can block for these running
backs, were going to have
a pretty good year.
Jacob Dickens (Sr.),
Curt Huffman (Jr.)
Blake Henly (Soph.),
Dakota OBryant (Soph.)
Merchant expects this
group to do its share in the
running game and to be on
alert to make a big play in
the passing game.
They have to block in this
offense for us to be suc-
cessful, Merchant said.
Jacob is the leading
receiver. They all can catch
the ball pretty well.
Matthew Gwathney
(Soph.),
Palmer White (Sr.),
Joseph Caskey (Jr.),
Cooper Orman (Sr.)
Merchant will rely on an
experienced group to set
the tone on defense.
We have to be physical up
front, and they have done a
pretty good job of that,
Merchant said.
Drake Riley (Soph.),
Drew Riley (Fr.),
Jeb Stevens (Sr.,),
This group makes up for
what it lacks in experience
with speed and athleti-
cism.
You probably will see our
linebackers be our strength,
especially at outside line-
backer, Merchant said.
They are really fast on the
edge and pretty good tack-
lers up the middle.
John Willis Stevens
(Soph.),
Samuel Harrell (Soph.),
Blake Henly (Soph.),
Curt Huffman (Jr.),
Jacob Dickens (Sr.)
Merchant likes what he
has seen from the group in
its ability to come up and
provide run support. He
feels the entire defense
needs to improve on its
pass coverage.
Were going to have to
rely on our defense in the
first part of the season
until our offense gets click-
ing on all cylinders,
Merchant said.
Drew Riley (Fr.),
Bradley Allen (Jr.),
John Willis Stevens
(Soph.),
Paxton Trull (Jr.)
Merchant feels Trull will
be a good weapon at
punter, while Willis Stevens
will be the kicker. Allen
will be the long snapper.
OAK HILL ACADEMY RAIDERS
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Class AA, District 2; 2011 Record 0-10
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 Newton
County
Aug. 24 WINSTON
Aug. 31 INDIANOLA
Sept. 7 Manchester
Sept. 14 WINONA
CHRISTIAN
Sept. 21 CANTON
Sept. 28 Leake
Oct. 5 Heritage
Oct. 12 Open
Oct. 19 KIRK
Oct. 26 Immanuel
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2011 Results
Aug. 19 L, 18-7
NEWTON CO.
Aug. 26 L, 41-6
At Winston Aca.
Sept. 2 L, 39-14
At Indianola Aca.
Sept. 9 L, 37-0
MANCHESTER
ACADEMY
Sept. 16 L, 40-0
At Winona
Sept. 23 L, 40-0
At Canton Aca.
Sept. 30 L, 35-6
LEAKE
ACADEMY
Oct. 7 L, 49-0
HERITAGE
ACADEMY
Oct. 21 L, 21-6
At Kirk Aca.
Oct. 28 L, 14-12
IMMANUEL
CHRISTIAN
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE RAIDERS
Conner Baird (Sr.),
Riley Pierce (Soph.),
Baird returns from an
injury last season to lead
an attack that will rely on
the offensive line and run-
ning backs. Pierce suffered
a broken growth plate in
his hand and will miss four
weeks.
Conner is doing a pretty
good job of leading us,
Oak Hill Academy coach
Daniel Merchant said. (I
like) the way he carries
himself and (his) poise in
the pocket. He is a good
passer on the run. He has
a very strong arm and is
accurate with the football
as well.
Drew Riley (Fr.),
Jeb Stevens (Sr.)
Merchant doesnt hide
the fact that the Raiders
will be a running team,
which means the backs
will have plenty of
chances.
Drake is a big powerful
back with good
endurance, Merchant
said. Drew is very strong
and he definitely will be our
power back. Harrell is a
speedster, and Jeb is very
powerful and has gotten a
lot better and stronger.
Bradley Allen (Jr., TE),
Matthew Gwathney
(Soph.),
Ben Holcomb (Soph.),
A.J. Isley (Soph., RT),
Palmer White (Sr., RG),
Murray Faulkner
(Soph., C),
Cooper Orman (Sr., LG),
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACK
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Daniel Merchant
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Cris Craven (offensive
coordinator / receivers
/defensive backs), Carl
Middleton (defensive
coordinator /offensive-
defensive lines), Cody Allen
(offensive / defensive
lines)
MAIS
CLASS AA, DISTRICT 2
Canton Academy
Immanuel Christian
Leake Academy
Manchester Academy
Oak Hill Academy
Winston Academy
BY ADAM MINICHINO
WEST POINT
Football is played with
punctuation.
Whether its the crack of
player hitting player, the
whoosh of speed or the
crack of strength, or the
explosion of the crowd, no
other sport delivers excla-
mations that celebrate each
game like football.
When youre not having
success, it can be difficult
to generate the motivation
to play at the highest levels.
Daniel Merchant
intends to change that
with an exclamation point.
Not only has Merchant
brought a disciplined
approach to Oak Hill
Academy, but he also has
instilled a new attitude in
the team. Red T-shirts
with the words We
Believe! on the back epit-
omize a new mentality.
That mantra fueled the off-
season weight training and
conditioning, and contin-
ues to be a source of
strength through the heat
and humidity of preseason
workouts.
We have definitely
bought into it, Merchant
said of We Believe. We
pushed them a lot and told
them practices were going
to be harder. It is great to
see the team camaraderie
and to see them come
together. I think were
going to see some results
on Friday night.
Daniel Merchant
replaces Benjie Merchant,
who spent one season as
the teams head coach
before leaving to take a job
as an assistant football
coach at Raymond High
School. He is the schools
fourth head football coach
in the past six years. The
Raiders are 7-46 in the past
five years. The Raiders last
winning season was 2006
when they went 7-4 and
advanced to the playoffs.
Last season, Oak Hill
Academy was shut out four
times en route to an 0-10
finish. For now, though,
those memories have been
washed away in a torrent of
enthusiasm and anticipa-
tion. Daniel Merchant feels
the community is even
more behind the team this
season because it senses
the potential. He shares
that optimism after seeing
how hard the players have
worked in the offseason
and in the preseason. He
said they have responded
to his disciplined approach
and look to be in good
shape to start the turn-
around.
Merchant spent last sea-
son at Nettleton High,
where he worked as an
assistant baseball coach. He
also worked in the spring
with the schools football
team as its secondary
coach. Prior to that, he
worked as baseball coach
and defensive coordinator
on the football team at
Immanuel Christian. He
worked with head coach
Shawn Gates and assistant
coach Bubba Davis to help
lead the Rams to a 6-6
record in 2010 and a spot in
the Mississippi Association
of Independent Schools
playoffs.
This season, Merchant
will get a chance to face off
against his old program.
He hopes the teams ability
to erase the memory of a
14-12 loss to the Rams last
season is just another step
he and the Raiders will take
on the road back to
respectability.
He just wants to turn
this program around, said
sophomore Drake Riley, a
6-foot-1, 180-pound tail-
back/outside linebacker,
who started the last two
games of the 2011 season.
We have been working
really hard.
Riley said Daniel
Merchant is stricter and
gets on players when they
do something wrong. He
said the demeanor of their
new coach fits with the per-
sonality of this years team,
and matches the players
hunger to be a part of a
winning program. As a
result, everyone has invest-
ed in the weight room and
has a new attitude.
Senior lineman Cooper
Orman said the Raiders
worked hard last season,
but he also said there was a
lot of playing around and
that the team didnt work
near as hard as it has so
far in the preseason. Once
Daniel Merchant took over,
Orman and his teammates
discovered they had to fol-
low a big list of rules. He
believes the Raiders need-
ed someone to come in
with that mind-set and
change things.
We needed to get our
butt in line, said. That is
exactly what we needed.
The same can be said
for the mantra the Raiders
will use to push through
this season
He put it on there, but
we believe were not going
0-10 again and were going
to win games, Orman said.
I have never worked this
hard in my high school
career. Coach has pushed
us very hard.
Senior wide
receiver/cornerback Jacob
Dickens said he and his
teammates hoped a coach
would come in give them
something they could use
as motivation. He admits,
though, that no one expect-
ed to work as hard as they
have. Now that they under-
stand that level of commit-
ment is what it will take to
reverse their fortunes,
Dickens said We Believe!
has become the perfect ral-
lying cry for a new coach
and a new team that has
big plans.
He wants to be a win-
ner, and thats what every-
body else here wants to
be, Dickens said. Were
all glad hes here.
Senior quarterback
Conner Baird agrees and is
anxious to put a new offense
that will be run-heavy into
action. Merchant, who will
coach the quarterbacks and
running backs, hopes to
incorporate Bairds athleti-
cism and ability to throw on
the run into wing-
back/option sets. Baird
likes what he has seen in
practice and is confident that
hard work will carry over to
the regular season and pro-
duce results.
In years past, the first
game or so, we thought it
was going to be a good sea-
son, Baird said. After that,
we would lose and just give
up. This season, we do
believe, and I dont think
were going to give up. Were
a lot different this year.
New coach Merchant believes Raiders can change
New Oak Hill Academy football coach Daniel Merchant has instilled a We
Believe! attitude he hopes will help reverse the programs fortunes.

I have to work really
hard and do my best to
help the team, Latham
said. I just want to moti-
vate the whole team to do
better than what I am
doing.
Thomas also under-
stands he faces a chal-
lenge. From prospect to
Dandy Dozen selection by
The Clarion-Ledger,
Thomas has matured into
a 6-5, 300-pounder who
lists Mississippi State
University, the University
of North Carolina,
Vanderbilt University, and
Stanford University as his
top four choices, in no par-
ticular order.
It has gone a lot far-
ther than I thought it
would go, Thomas said of
the recruiting process. I
kind of thought I would
get recruited, but not like
Stanford talking to me and
people on such a wide
basis talking to me.
Thomas suf fered a
mid foot sprain earlier in
the summer, and he said
last month he needed
time back on the field to
get his confidence back.
When that happens,
Thomas is expected to
play one of the tackle
spots in front of quarter-
back Trace Lee.
Thomas credits Zach,
who played football at
Columbus High, for push-
ing him when he was
younger. He said the
example his brother set
helped him grow into the
player he is today. That
player hopes to use this
season to carve out an
identity all his own.
I really looked up to
him at the beginning
because I didnt want to
Zachs little brother. I
wanted to be Jake
Thomas, Thomas said. I
definitely feel that load. I
feel all of us in this room
are carrying that load. It is
going to be the key to
what we end up doing this
year.
Thomas admits being a
senior leader will be a
challenge because he
doesnt consider himself a
vocal leader. Even though
he is a lead-by-example
kind of player, Stanford
said Thomas has elevated
all facets of his game.
Jake has been a
tremendous player for us
the past two years.
Ever ything is kind of
coming his way. He made
the Dandy Dozen, and
another recruiting serv-
ice was in here the other
day to give him an
award, Stanford said.
He probably grew up in
the shadow of Zach. He
wanted to prove he was a
better player than Zach,
and he has done it. He is
a top-notch student, and
when he steps out here
on the field, he is a top-
notch student.
Looking back, Stanford
admits Thomas probably
shouldnt have been
moved up to the varsity
level as a freshman. Still,
Thomas developed with-
out a lot of playing time
early in his career. He said
the move from tight end to
the offensive line was the
best thing for Thomas
Like Latham, Vance
will try to avoid the injury
bug. During track and
field season in the spring,
Vance was bothered by a
hamstring injury. He said
he has gone through grad-
ual changes up until this
year and is prepared to
take on a bigger burden
without Jones.
I have to step up to the
plate, Vance said. In the
past years, I had people in
front of me to guide me on
the way, but now that I
dont have those people, I
have to work hard. If your
teammates see you work
hard, theyre going to
work hard.
That comment echoes
Lathams feelings and
shows the seniors are on
the same page when it
comes to 2012. The trick
now is for all of them to
answer the call when it is
their time to shine. If they
do, good things are bound
to happen for the entire
team.
It is a big step, Vance
said. Deontae was the
guy. If you needed him for
anything, he was there. I
got to fill those shoes.
They were telling me that
last year. Now that I dont
have him, I cant be tired
or hurt or complain. I
have to be there. If coach
wants me to do it, I have
to do it.
It is very exciting.
People arent expecting
anything out of us because
we lost all our seniors. But
once we put our shoulder
pads and helmets on, we
have to show the people
what we have. We had a
pretty good season last
year, finishing 7-4. We
have to take it up a level
this year. Coach always
says we cant go mediocre,
we have to go all the way
out, all the time.
BY ADAM MINICHINO
PHEBA These days,
nine years is an eternity is
coaching.
But when your kids
have gone to a school and
you enjoy staying involved,
there really isnt any reason
to leave.
So when Tri Nason III
s t e p p e d
down as
head football
coach at
H e b r o n
Ch r i s t i a n
School after
one season
to take a
position at Center Hill High
School, school officials
were fortunate to find
someone who had been
there all along through a
handful of coaching
changes.
This year, David Foster
will take what he has
learned in his nine years as
an assistant coach and will
lead the Eagles as head
coach in their second year
as an independent.
The main thing I have
to get used to is controlling
the game, Foster said. I
feel confident about it. I am
glad to have the opportuni-
ty. I care a lot about the
kids. I have had them since
they were in the fourth
grade, when I started
here.
Foster will have 14-16
players when Hebron
Christian plays host to
Strider Academy on Aug.
17. The game is the first of
10 scheduled for the
Eagles, who moved from
11-man to eight-man before
the start of the 2011-12
school year. The move
forced Hebron Christian to
drop out of the Mississippi
Association of Independent
Schools Eight-Man division
to play as an independent.
Last year, the football team
struggled to put together a
schedule at such a late date
and finished 4-3.
Foster said a group of five
seniors, that includes Will
Corben Rogers, Taylor
Coggins, Jacob Ware, and
Ryan Moore, will lead the
team. He said the relation-
ship he has built with the
kids will help everyone as he
transitions to head coach.
I expect when we go
out to play that we play with
effort, Foster said. I dont
like to lose, but if I get
effort from everybody and
we get beat, I am going to
be OK.
Fosters son, Hearne,
who played football at
Hebron Christian, will
work as an assistant coach.
Foster said he wont
change much from what
Nason instituted and antici-
pates adding some twists to
the mix. Due to the fact
that some of his players
were still involved in other
sports during the summer,
Foster wasnt sure in late
July what he would imple-
ment. He did say, though,
that he had a good core of
players regularly attend
conditioning and weight
training.
Were going to do what-
ever we can to put a football
team on the field, Foster
said. Our numbers at the
school are probably going
to be as good as they were
last year, with some of them
being elementary kids.
That being said, Foster
admits finding offensive
linemen will be a challenge.
He said he has pretty good
numbers in the freshman
class to go with three soph-
omores and a junior, so he
will have to mix and match
at key positions.
Moore could play any-
where from guard to
receiver. Despite the uncer-
tainty about his positions,
he is confident the Eagles
can have another winning
season.
It is similar to last year
when we had to pick up
games. It was hard,
Moore said. We lost some
seniors, but we picked up
some good younger guys
to replace them. Were kind
of a small team, but I think
we can do it.
I think we can have a
pretty good season. We did
pretty good last year, even
though we had to go down
to eight, but we know how
that works now.
Foster agrees and
points back to the effort as
a key. Last season, Foster
said defense was a strength
in that the Eagles allowed
more than 28 points only
twice. Both of those games
were losses. Kemper
Academy beat Hebron
Christian 28-26.
This season, Foster
hopes the defense returns
to form.
We did a real good job
on defense, Foster said. If
we can play defense, we
stress that, (we should be
all right). I have a lot of
those guys returning, so I
am looking for a strong
defense.
HEBRON CHRISTIAN EAGLES
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Independent; 2011 Record 4-3
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 STRIDER
Aug. 24 Victory
Christian
Aug. 31 CALVARY
CHRISTIAN
Sept. 6 Clinton
Christian
Sept. 14 MT. SALUS
Sept. 21 CENTRAL
Sept. 28 KEMPER
Oct. 5 Flint Hill
Christian
Oct. 12 Calhoun
Oct. 19 HUMPHRIES
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2011 Results
Aug. 19 L, 34-16
At Strider
Sept. 2 W, 42-8
At Calvary
Christian
Sept. 9 W, 36-16
CLINTON
CHRISTIAN
Sept. 23 L, 52-50
At Park Place
Sept. 30 L, 28-26
At Kemper
Academy
Oct. 7 W, 52-6
FLINT HILL
Oct. 14 W, 24-6
CALHOUN
ACADEMY
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
I feel confident
about it. I am glad to
have the opportunity.
I care a lot about the
kids. I have had them
since they were in
fourth grade, when I
started here.
Hebron Christian coach
David Foster
Foster
Foster ready to move from assistant to head coach
TOP: Hebron Christian
freshman Brian Euddy
stays focused as he
works on his biceps in
the schools weight room,
while RIGHT freshman
Jessie Moore, standing,
spots for freshman
Channing Tapley on the
bench press and Ryan
Moore does biceps curls.
First-year coach David
Foster, who has worked
with the program as an
assistant coach for the
past nine years, may not
have a deep roster, but
he says the Eagles are
going to try to build on
their 4-3 finish last
season.
Dispatchs 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-
327-1297 or e-mail us at
sports@cdispatch.com
before 5 p.m. Saturday.
Be sure to give us a
reason why you are nom-
inating the player, and be
sure to give us as many
statistics from the past
weeks action.
We also are compiling
a list of former local high
school athletes. If you
know of any former local
high school athletes play-
ing a sport in college, call
us at 662-327-1297, 662-
241-5000 or 1-888-329-
8937 or e-mail us at
sports@cdispatch.com.
Columbus
I have to work really
hard and do my best
to help the team. I
just want to motivate
the whole team to do
better than what I am
doing.
Columbus High School
senior Quan Latham
Harmond
As coach will tell you, I
am not the biggest, I am not
the strongest, I am not the
fastest, but I work harder
than everybody else and
eventually I am going to
beat you, Harmond said.
Immanuel Christian foot-
ball coach Greg Watkins
said Harmonds attitude has
infected the team. He said
his senior captain sets the
tone in training and has cre-
ated a positive vibe on the
team that has everyone
striving to be great.
As I coached him, I have
learned he is not just going
to the extra mile, but he has
that competitive nature
where he almost competes
with himself, Watkins said.
When you have an athlete
who pushes himself beyond,
he is going to excel.
Williford credits Sherry
and Charles Harmond for
their support. Will echoes
that thought by praising his
grandmother for believing
in him and not allowing him
to get away with anything
because she knows he is
smart.
Looking back Williford
and Chandra Brandel are
amazed at how Harmond
has matured.
He has gone from a
quiet, withdraw child who
had maybe one or two close
friends to someone who has
become a very outgoing
young man who is very con-
fident and shown leader-
ships skills we werent see-
ing when he was in ninth
grade, Brandel said. I
couldnt be prouder of the
young man he has devel-
oped into and the guidance
he has had the past four
years.
Harmond wants his
teammates to follow his
example this season. In his
final year at the school,
Harmond isnt going to
allow any of his teammates
to cheat him out of a reward-
ing season. His hope is that
a unified front will help the
Rams have a year to remem-
ber. For Harmond, it already
has been a transformation
for the ages and one that will
leave a legacy of what some-
one can accomplish if they
put their mind to it.
There was never any
question about his academ-
ic ability, Williford said.
He is a great student and a
smart young man. I knew
he could do that. It was a
matter of changing and re-
directing his attitude and
sometimes managing his
anger and getting those
pointed in the right direc-
tion. It is so exciting to see
a young man to go from
that frustrated and having
some anger to being a foot-
ball player who works real,
real hard to excel in the
classroom and being elect-
ed to student council. His
was a tremendous turn-
around.

ABERDEEN BULLDOGS
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 Columbus
Aug. 24 Shannon
Aug. 31 AMORY
Sept. 7 NOXUBEE
COUNTY
Sept. 14 West Bolivar
Sept. 21 LOUISVILLE
Sept. 28 Mantachie
Oct. 5 NETTLETON
Oct. 12 Mooreville
Oct. 19 WATER
VALLEY
Oct. 27 South
Pontotoc
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
CLASS 3A
Aberdeen
Mantachie
Mooreville
Nettleton
South Pontotoc
Water Valley
NOTE: The top four teams make
the playoffs.
2011 Results
Aug. 19 L, 31-14
COLUMBUS
Aug. 26 W, 22-14
SHANNON
Sept. 2 W, 14-7
At Amory
Sept. 9 L, 16-6
At Noxubee Co.
Sept. 16 L, 28-22
W. BOLIVAR
Sept. 23 L, 14-6
At Louisville
Sept. 30 W, 40-0
MANTACHIE
Oct. 7 W, 43-7
At Nettleton
Oct. 14 W, 34-20
MOOREVILLE
Oct. 21 L, 20-14
At Water Valley
Oct. 28 W, 63-0
S. PONTOTOC
Nov. 4 W, 39-6
VELMA
JACKSON
Nov. 11 L, 20-0
At Charleston
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE BULLDOGS
Josh Williams (Soph.)
Williams started last
year as a freshman and
will head up a veteran
offensive unit this season.
Josh worked harder than
any player weve got dur-
ing the offseason,
Aberdeen coach Mark
Bray said. We expect big
things from him.
Justin Lucas (Sr.),
Chico Harrison (Jr.)
Lucas was a starter
last year and Harrison saw
action as a freshman but
was ineligible last season.
Both are big strong kids
who run well, Bray said.
Sammie Burroughs (Jr.),
Cap McMillian (Sr.),
Jeremy Brandon (Sr.),
Trey Mims (Sr.)
All four players started
Mims started at wide
receiver last season.
Burroughs also handled
the Wildcat chores.
They complement each
other and in addition to
being well disciplined, all
three run good routes and
can catch the ball.
Trey hit the weight room
and really bulked up this
season.
Brandon Hodges (Sr.),
Bobby Ward (Jr.),
Tavarus Eckford (Jr.),
James Randle (Jr.),
Jahrel Wilson (Sr.)
All but Wilson star ted
last season. Hodges and
Ward will be at tackle,
Eckford and Randle at
guard, and Wilson at
center.
The strength of our offen-
sive unit, Bray said.
Theyre not overly big,
but they have great quick-
ness. The key to our
offense.
Zavia Forshee (Sr.),
Theodore Boyd (Jr.),
Devontae Walker (Jr.)
Forshee is the only
returning starter among
the three down linemen.
Big, physical kids who
rely on their great quick-
ness more than anything
else, Bray said.
Rodarius Smith (Sr.),
Trey Mims (Sr.),
Justin Lucas (Sr.),
Tyree Carothers (Sr.)
Lucas is the only veter-
an returning, as Carothers
did not play last year.
All four are pretty good
sized kids who like to play
physical and all four run
well, Bray said.
Jeremy Brandon (Sr.),
Cap McMillian (Sr.),
Sammie Burroughs (Jr.),
Tamarkus Payne (Jr.)
Brandon and McMillian
double as wide receivers,
while Burroughs and
Payne started last year.
Bray said both run well
and could see action at
linebacker.
Jeremy and Cap are phys-
ical kids and good cover
guys, Bray said.
(Burroughs and Payne)
love to come up and hit
you.
Bray said senior Jeremy
Brandon will handle the
long snapping duties. He
is undecided about who
will be the teams punter
and kicker.
I Mark Bray was an assis-
tant on last years
Aberdeen High squad
under head coach Chris
Duncan, who once played
for Bray at Vardaman and
later served as an assis-
tant under Bray for three
years before coming to
Aberdeen.
I Despite a 7-6 finish,
Aberdeen outscored its
opponents by almost 10
points per game, 24.2-
14.3 (315-186).
I Four of Aberdeens six
losses were by 10 points
or less.
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Mark Bray
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
Alex Williams (offensive
coordinator), Sammie
Burroughs (defensive
coordinator), Cornelius
Gilleylen (running backs),
Thomas Clay (wide
receivers / defensive
backs), Drew Summerford
(offensive/defensive lines)
BY DON ROWE
ABERDEEN Coming
off an uncharacteristically
mediocre 7-6 season, the
biggest concerns for the
Aberdeen High School foot-
ball program in the offseason
should have centered around
replacing a successful head
coach and a well-respected
defensive coordinator, not to
mention the loss of 15 regu-
lars, including highly recruit-
ed defensive lineman
Channing Ward.
But those problems
turned out to be inconsequen-
tial after the State Department
of Education took the
Aberdeen school system over
earlier this year after it was
determined Aberdeen was in
violation of 31 of 37 state
accreditation standards.
In the wake of the takeover
of the school system, it was
rumored for months that the
schools athletic program
would receive the so-called
death penalty from the
Activities Association
(MHSAA), the governing
body for high school sports in
Mississippi. The Bulldogs
dodged the proverbial bullet,
however, when the DOE
placed Aberdeen on probation
rather than stripping the sys-
temof its accreditation.
That decision was huge,
said first-year Aberdeen head
coach Mark Bray. Had we
lost our accreditation, the
MHSAA would not have
allowed us to participate in
any sport against any other
school, and that would not
have been fair to the kids.
After all, the kids didnt do
anything wrong. It was the
adults who caused this prob-
lem, and it would have been
unfair to punish the kids for
something the adults did or
did not do.
Bray, who took over the
program following the depar-
ture of Chris Duncan, feels
the community reaction to the
takeover was one reason the
state opted for probation as
opposed to withdrawal.
Sports have always
played a big role here in
Aberdeen, and the communi-
ty at large was concerned the
school faced the possibility of
not playing this year, Bray
said. I have no doubt a large
majority of Aberdeens citi-
zens did not like the way
things were done, and they
knew that a change in leader-
ship would be the only way to
solve our problems. As a
result, the community came
together in a positive manner,
and I think their response was
one of the deciding factors in
the departments decision to
place us on probation.
But the months of uncer-
tainty took its toll on the mem-
Bray wants to focus on football after uncertainty
Veteran coach Mark Bray, who was an assistant coach to Chris Duncan last season, talks to his players Tuesday
at practice. Bray is focused on helping Aberdeen High School bounce back from a turbulent offseason.
bers of this years squad.
No doubt the kids were
all concerned whether we
were going to be able to play,
Bray said. The kids asked a
lot of questions because they
were hearing a lot of false
information, but nobody real-
ly knew for sure what the out-
come would be. The hardest
part for all of us was not real-
ly knowing what was going to
happen.
As a result, Aberdeens
spring workouts had more
distractions than a normal
spring would have had.
We didnt have what you
would call a regular spring,
said Bray, an assistant on last
years squad. Because we
didnt know for sure what
was going to happen, it was
more of a last-minute type of
thing. We didnt play in a jam-
boree, but we did have an
intra-squad game, and I really
think we got more out of that
than we would have a jam-
boree.
Now that the cloud of
uncertainty has been
removed, Bray can concen-
trate on the more mundane
problems that surface from
year to year, things like
choosing an offensive and
defensive coordinator; facing
the same non-conference
schedule as last season
(including Class 2A state
champion West Bolivar,
Louisville, Noxubee County,
Amory, Shannon, and
Columbus); and replacing 15
graduating seniors no
less than seven of whom
started on defense.
We lost 15 seniors who
played quite a bit, but the
biggest hit was defensively,
Bray said. We only have four
players who started on
defense coming back.
Normally, the defense is
always ahead of the offense,
but we are just the opposite.
Our offense is way ahead of
our defense.
Gone from last years
defense, which held oppo-
nents to 16 points or less in
eight games, are Channing
Ward (who signed at the
University of Miss), Braxton
Anderson, Demario Wilson,
Jalen Bell, Brandon Walker,
and Elliott Johnson, among
others, according to Bray.
Weve got a lot of holes to
fill defensively, Bray said.
Unlike last year when the
Bulldogs struggled on
offense in the first half of the
season, four returning
starters up front, three veter-
an wide receivers, a sopho-
more quarterback with a
years experience, and a vet-
eran running back should
give Aberdeen a solid attack.
Last year, we were
loaded with defensive veter-
ans who played a big role in
two straight state champi-
onship game appearances,
Bray said. Offensively,
though, we were young
everywhere, and with a fresh-
man quarterback we strug-
gled a lot, especially against
the bigger schools the first
half of the season. But when
you are a 3A school playing
up in classification, that is to
be expected.
Once the offense gained
experience, Aberdeen
rebounded from a 2-4 start to
win five of its next six by
outscoring opponents 231-56
before a 20-0 loss to eventual
state-champion Charleston
ended the season in the sec-
ond round of the Class 3A
In addition to re-tooling
his defense, Brays most
pressing concern is a lack of
depth. We probably got
about 22 players I can count
on, Bray said. A lot of our
offensive line will also see
action on the defensive line,
so its crucial we find some
folks who can give our
starters a rest.
Aberdeen High School coach Mark Bray is expecting big things from quarterback
Josh Williams. The sophomore started last season and has worked hard to
improve, Bray said.
Chico Harrison tries to tear away from the grasp of a teammate in practice
Tuesday. Harrison is expected to team with Justin Lucas to give Aberdeen High
School a one-two punch at running back.
FAST FACT
BY THE NUMBERS

also start on the offensive
line, while Coleman is also
a two-way starter.
This group is going to
have to play well and could
turn out to be as good as
last years bunch once
they gain some experi-
ence, Weeks said.
Silas Gill (Sr.),
Deion Howard (Sr.),
Michael Roberts (Soph.)
Middle linebacker Gill
and outside linebacker
Howard started last year.
All three are tough kids,
Weeks said. :Good overall
experience, and I feel good
about them as a group.
Cole Richardson (Sr.),
Quinshay Heard (Jr.),
Pallas Fair (Jr.)
Richardson and Heard
are two-way starters at cor-
nerback, while Fair, who
also played linebacker last
season, will play safety.
Cole and Quinshay can
play man-to-man defense,
Weeks said. Their experi-
ence as starters last year
is a big plus for us. Pallas
has great speed and he is
strong enough to come up
and help against the run.
Seth Dement,
Tanner Dement,
Deion Howard (Sr.)
Tanner Dement and
Deion Howard will handle
the kicking duties, while
Richardson will be the long
snapper. Weeks said his
kickers are relatively
untested and inexperi-
enced.
A key position (long snap-
per), and Im sure Cole will
do us a good job, Weeks
said.
I Starting quarterback
Quinshay Heard is the
brother of last years start-
ing quarterback Zarrat
Sims. Outside linebacker
Michael Roberts is the
brother of former Hamilton
High great and Mississippi
State running back Kenny
Ray Roberts.
I Hamilton scored 28
points or more in 10
games last season. In its
two losses, it scored 26
points.
Tanner Dement (Soph.)
Richardson started last
season, while Coleman
and Dement saw spot
duty.
All three run good routes
and have good hands,
Weeks said. Who fills the
second spot depends on
who develops as the best
blocker.
Jeremy Lindsey (Sr.),
Dominique Dobbs (Jr.),
Evan Phillips (Sr.),
Dusty Bryan (Sr.),
Cole Williams (Soph.)
Lindsey and Dobbs,
both guards, are the only
returning starters. Bryan
and Williams will man the
tackle spots, while Phillips
will start at center.
Dobbs could be our best
lineman, and Lindsey is a
great athlete, Weeks
said. Both will anchor the
offensive line are expected
to help bring the more
inexperienced players
along.
Jeremy Lindsey (Sr.),
Dominique Dobbs (Jr.),
Sequintis Coleman Sr.),
Cole Williams (Soph.),
Rudy Trimble (Jr.)
Lindsey and Dobbs are
the only returning starters
and, along with Williams,
HAMILTON LIONS
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 Smithville
Aug. 24 Houlka
Aug. 31 KOSSUTH
Sept. 7 HATLEY
Sept. 14 HOUSTON
Sept. 21 Walnut
Sept. 28 William
Sullivan
Oct. 5 Eupora
Oct. 12 JZ GEORGE
Oct. 19 EAST
WEBSTER
Oct. 26 Ackerman
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
CLASS 2A
Ackerman
East Webster
Eupora
Hamilton
J.Z. George
Williams-Sullivan
playoffs.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE LIONS
Quinshay Heard (Jr.)
Heard started at full-
back last year, but has
quarterback experience on
the junior varsity level and
in junior high.
Quinshay is a good ath-
lete with good speed and a
good arm, Hamilton coach
Ray Weeks said.
Silas Gill (Sr.),
Deion Howard (Sr.),
Pallas Fair (Jr.)
Howard has been a
starter since ninth grade,
while Fair will provide
depth at tailback. Gill, a
spot starter last year, will
line up at fullback.
Three solid running backs
with different skill sets,
Weeks said. Deion has
great field vision and
makes a lot of defenders
miss, while Pallas is the
fastest player on the team
and is a threat to go all the
way any time he touches
the ball. Silas is a good,
hard-nosed, punishing-type
runner.
Sequintis Coleman (Sr.),
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Ray Weeks
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
John David Hartley (quar-
terbacks / linebackers),
Emmanuel Buchanan (full-
backs / free safeties), Trey
Spencer (wide receivers /
cornerbacks), Victor
Cunningham (tailbacks /
linebackers)
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 42-0
SMITHVILLE
Aug. 26 W, 36-8
HOULKA
Sept. 2 L, 34-20
At Kossuth
Sept. 9 W, 31-18
At Hatley
Sept. 16 W, 28-26
At Houston
Sept. 23 W, 39-13
WALNUT
Sept. 30 W, 54-12
WILLIAMS-
SULLIVAN
Oct. 7 W, 32-6
EUPORA
Oct. 14 W, 43-0
At J.Z. George
Oct. 21 W, 52-7
At E. Webster
Oct. 28 L, 41-35 OT
ACKERMAN
Nov. 4 L, 8-6
SIMMONS
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
BY DON ROWE
HAMILTON Prior to
the start of the 2011 season,
there was quite a bit of talk
from seniors on the
Hamilton High School foot-
ball team concerning their
desire to match or to exceed
the exploits of the Jimmie
Moore-led Lions back in the
1970s and early 80s.
Moore, the schools most
successful football coach,
was at the helm during a
then state-record 51-game
winning streak (since broken
by Class 6A powerhouse
South Panola High).
Incredibly enough, one of his
teams in that period didnt
allow a point in the season
an almost unheard of feat
then or now, for that matter.
So it was a stretch to
believe the Lions had any
chance to return the glory
days to the Hamilton pro-
gram, especially since the
Lions last winning season
was in 2005.
But the senior class want-
ed to prove the critics wrong,
and thats what they did, bolt-
ing to a 9-1 record (4-0 divi-
sion mark) before two
straight setbacks at the end
of the year cost them a divi-
sion championship and
ended their season in the
first round of the Class 2A
Along the way, the Lions
outscored their opponents by
more than 300 points and
averaged nearly 40 points per
game. Defensively, Hamilton
gave up an average of a little
more than 14 points per
game, and held six of their 12
opponents to eight points or
less, two of which didnt
score.
I think when we got to 9-
1, a lot of people were
shocked, said Ray Weeks,
who is entering his ninth
year as the Lions coach.
Even though Hamilton had
not had that kind of success
for a number of years, we
(the coaches) knew we had a
chance to have a pretty good
football team.
Hamilton opened the sea-
son with lopsided wins
against Smithville (42-0) and
Houlka (36-8) before drop-
ping a heartbreaker to
Kossuth after being tied at
20-all with three minutes to
play.
Undaunted, Hamilton
reeled off seven consecutive
victories before Ackerman
squashed its division title
hopes with a 41-35 win. An 8-
6 loss to Hollandale
Simmons in Hamilton ruined
an evening in which it had
more than 300 yards of total
offense to just 110 for
Simmons.
Looking back on the
season in which we snuck
up on a lot of folks, the game
which I think made believ-
ers out of everyone was the
Houston game (a 28-26 vic-
tory in week five), Weeks
said. I dont think many
people gave us a chance
against a 4A school on the
road, especially since we got
behind by 10 points early in
the game.
But we blocked a field
goal with about three sec-
onds left and came away
with a win on the road. It
turned out to be a huge win,
and the kids fed off that
game and went on to win five
straight before losing those
two to end the season.
Those two losses serve
as a reminder to this years
squad just how quickly
things can take a turn for the
worse and, according to
Weeks, have been the driv-
ing force behind this years
offseason workouts.
For the most part,
things just fell into place for
us in nine of our first 10
games last year, Weeks
said. But we know we didnt
finish the year like we want-
ed, and that has provided
the motivation for our play-
ers to do what it takes to
become a better football
team.
For that to happen,
Weeks must replace 10
starters, five on each side of
the ball. Offensive losses
include running back
Cojuante McMillian, quar-
terback Zarrat Sims, wide
receiver Austin Welch, and
offensive lineman Kyle
Dahlem, along with tackle
Tyler Jones.
Defensively, McMillian,
Sims, Welch, and Dahlem all
started, as did Cedrick Bell,
so, in reality, Weeks lost just
six players.
We lost six quality play-
ers, but on a positive note we
return six starters on each
side of the ball, Weeks said.
Weeks biggest concerns
entering this season are
developing depth on the
offensive and defensive
lines, replacing three skilled
players (McMillian, Sims,
and Welch), finding capable
special teams personnel, and
breaking in a new coaching
staff that features three of
his four assistants in their
first year of coaching high
school football.
Its typical small-school
type stuff for us this year,
Weeks said. Weve got a lot
of guys going both ways for
us again, and that takes its
toll on the bigger players
who man the front lines.
Weve got some good line-
men in reserve, and theyre
good kids who are working
hard to get better, but
theyre not battle-tested.
The same goes for his
coaching staff, according to
Weeks.
I have four assistants
and they are all doing a good
job, Weeks said. Theyre
all hard workers, and as the
season progresses, so will
they in terms of experience.
As for the punters and
kickers, three inexperienced
Lions are in the hunt, but
Weeks hopes a foreign
exchange student will show
up.
Weve had some good
ones (exchange students
who could kick) in the past,
and were hopeful theres
another one in the pipeline
this year, Weeks said.
Weeks wants to keep momentum despite key losses
Hamilton High School ninth-year football coach Ray Weeks hopes his players gained confidence from a nine-
win season in 2011 that ended with back-to-back losses, including an 8-6 loss to Simmons in the playoffs.
Senior Deion Howard, who has started since the ninth grade, will look to have a
breakout year to help replace a number of key graduation losses.
Junior Dominique Dobbs will anchor the offensive and defensive lines for the
Hamilton High School football team this season.
FAST FACTS

BY ADAM MINICHINO
MACON Javancy
Jones has harbored champi-
onship dreams ever since
he was in middle school.
Back then, it was com-
mon for up-and-coming
players to tell their class-
mates what they were going
to do when they got to
Noxubee County High
School.
Now a senior, Jones has
one more shot. Perhaps he
realizes 2012 will be his final
chance as he looks at his
left hand and talks wistfully
about the missed opportuni-
ties in his first three sea-
sons.
I dont have a ring,
Jones said. That has been a
goal since ninth grade ...
and we still havent accom-
plished that yet. But this
year is our year.
With eight returning
starters on defense and 23
seniors on the roster, the
signs again point to
Noxubee County being a
contender to win the
Activities Association Class
4A state title. Last year, that
journey ended prematurely,
at least as far as the Tigers
are concerned, with a 21-20
loss at Amory. Led by
Jones, Dillon Bradley,
Jeremy Hunt, Javoris
Glenn, and the rest of a
hard-charging defense, the
Tigers are ready to claim
what they feel is theirs.
I dont have a ring on
my hands, Bradley said. I
have been closer and closer
every year. This year, I feel
it is time to make a change
and to bring another cham-
pionship to Noxubee
County, and I feel good
about an undefeated season
like in 08.
A banner honoring the
2008 team that went 14-0
and won the schools first
football state championship
hangs in the fieldhouse and
watches over the players as
they lift weights and dissect
film. The 2008 squad
recorded seven shutouts en
route to the crown.
The 2009 team fared
even better, recording 10
shutouts, including six in
row to end the regular sea-
son. But that season ended
with a loss to Itawamba
Agricultural High in the
third round of the Class 4A
In 2010, a loss to
Lafayette in the Class 4A
North State title game
ended Noxubee Countys
hopes. All that is left now is
for the Tigers to rally
around their dreams and to
swarm like the programs
best defenses.
A lot of these guys now
were in junior high and
remember (the state cham-
pionship team), Noxubee
County coach Tyrone
Shorter said. They are glad
they are being compared to
that team. They look at it
that they can win a state
championship. I have
stressed to them the reason
we won a state title was
defense. I let them know no
matter how bad we played
last year in the playoffs, if
we had come up with that
last stop, we still would have
won the ballgame.
This group is handling
it well. They are glad to be
compared to that team.
They want to get better.
Some of them have asked
me how many shutouts that
team had. They want to beat
that record. I told them they
have their work cut out for
them.
A return to health by
Bradley, a 6-foot-1 1/2, 235-
pound lineman, from shoulder
surgery, and Jones, a 6-2, 207-
pounder, from a hip pointer
should make the Tigers even
tougher. Both players
acknowledged the injuries
bothered them all season,
even though they had 13 and
17 sacks, respectively.
Hunt, who likely will play
multiple positions, and
Glenn, a lineman/line-
backer, also will create
havoc in a variety of spots in
a defense that will feature
plenty of speed and aggres-
siveness.
They believe they can
win a championship,
Shorter said. They felt like
we got out of the playoffs
too early last year. They
realize that anybody can get
beat on any given Friday.
Not taking anything from
Amory. They are a good
football team. But our kids
and us coaches thought we
were a better football team,
but we werent a better foot-
ball team that night. They
realize you have to come to
play every Friday night.
Shorter has been coach-
ing the seniors ever since
they were in the seventh
grade, which is why he
would love to see them win
a championship. As defen-
sive coordinator for M.C.
Miller on Noxubee
Countys 2008 title team,
Shorter is very familiar with
the recipe for defensive
domination. He feels
Bradley and Jones would fit
right in with that team.
But Bradley and Jones
would prefer to beat the
records set by the 2008
team, not go back in time
and play with that group. If
they can lead the 2012
Tigers defense to that level,
special things might await
in Jackson.
We were expecting to
go into Amory and blow
them out, Bradley said.
We also had to learn no
one is going to lay down for
you on the field. Looking at
2008, we see them in the
street and we see them
coming home from school,
they tell us, You have to get
out there. If you want it, you
have to be hungry for it.
Last year, we were hun-
gry, but we werent hungry
enough. With eight starters
coming back, this defense
should be one of the best in
the state, if not the best.
Deangelo Ballard (Sr.),
Jessie Bryant (Jr.)
Noxubee County High
School coach Tyrone
Shorter said Ballard, a
three-year starter, has
become more vocal and is
taking charge. He said he
showed Ballard tapes of
all the Mississippi High
School Activities
Association state title
games from 2011 and
pointed out the winning
teams quarterback was
the best player on the
field. He said that has to
happen for Noxubee
County to go deep into the
playoffs.
He is being the quarter-
back we always wanted
him to be, Shorter said.
He is taking command of
the offense, has a lot
more confidence than the
past couple of years, and
is being the leader we
need. We think he is the
key. We have to have bet-
ter quarterback play.
Darrell Robinson (Sr.),
Jarvis Taylor (Sr.),
Eric Hunt (Jr.),
Javancy Jones (Sr.)
Last season, Robinson
teamed with Ladarrell
Hunt to form one of the
areas most potent duos.
Unfortunately, both run-
ning backs were hurt for
stretches, which prevent-
ed them from being as
dangerous as they could
have been. With Hunt now
at Itawamba Community
College, Shorter said it is
Robinsons time to shine.
Taylor will play a variety of
roles to add a dimension
to the offense, while Hunt
and Jones will provide
added wrinkles.
We feel like he is one of
the best running backs in
the state, Shorter said of
Robinson. Were going to
ride him. Last year, he had
more than 1,000 yards
rushing and he shared it
with someone else. He has
a goal to rush for 2,000
yards, and I think he has
that capability.
Jessie Bryant (Jr.),
Charles Hughes (Sr.),
Fernando Phillips (Sr.)
The Tigers will miss the
speed and playmaking abil-
ity of Terrence Barron, but
Shorter feels his top three
receivers will provide a dif-
ferent dimension.
They have really big
shoes to fill, Shorter said,
but they are all over 6
feet tall and are 190
apiece. They are not as
fast as Terrence, but
theyre bigger, so were
going to use them in dif-
ferent ways. They will be
more possession
receivers. ... I dont think
we will be able to stretch
the field like we normally
do, but we will be able to
play the possession game
with them.
Martive Mitchell (Sr.),
Jonathan Orr (Sr.),
Jercoveie Stewart (Sr.),
Ivan Goodwin (Sr.),
Jared Farmer (Sr.),
Tamarcus Williams (Jr.),
Traon Young (Jr.)
All five starters return
from last season to pave
holes for Robinson and to
protect Ballard.
We feel really good about
our offensive line right
now, Shorter said. We
are rotating seven guys
there. I think that is the
key for us. If they play
well, were going to score
a lot of points. If they
dont play well, were not
going to score a lot of
points.
Dillon Bradley (Sr.),
Javancy Jones (Sr.),
Javoris Glenn (Sr.),
Jose Moran (Jr.),
Anthony Skinner (Sr.)
Bradley, Jones, and
Glenn make up one of the
states most dominating
lines. Bradley and Glenn
had 13 sacks apiece last
season, while Jones had
17.
We think we have a good
defensive front with every-
body returning from last
year, Shorter said. If we
can stay healthy, I think
we have a chance. We feel
this is one of the best
defensive lines that we
have had in a while.
Antonio Ryland (Sr.),
Jeremy Hunt (Sr.),
Eric Hunt (Jr.)
The back end of the 5-3
defense provides speed
and punch, two traits of
Shor ters defense in his
time at the school.
Jeremy and Eric are
brothers.
All three of these guys
can run and are physical,
and when they get there
they are going to hit
you, Shor ter said.
Sometimes our lineback-
ers say they get bored
because the defensive
line makes all of the
tackles. Our linebacker
group communicates with
each other and really
plays great together.
Antravion Jamison (Jr.,),
Mahlon Robinson (Soph.),
Wesley Bush (Soph.)
The Tigers lost three
star ters from this posi-
tion, making it the most
inexperience group by far
on a team with 23 sen-
iors.
Jamison was hur t in the
second game of the sea-
son, but he came back
and played good,
Shor ter said. He is the
only one with experience
coming back.
Deangelo Ballard (Sr.),
Eric Hunt (Jr.),
Antonio Ryland (Sr.)
Shor ter said Ballard
and Hunt will handle the
punting duties, while
Hunt, Ballard, an Ryland
will take care of the kick-
ing duties. Anthony
Skinner and Javancy
Jones are the long snap-
GO
TIGERS!
NOXUBEE
TIRE SERVICE
15842 Hwy. 45 Macon, MS 39341 662-726-4705

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NOXUBEE COUNTY TIGERS
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 Starkville
Aug. 25 CRAIGMONT
Aug. 31 NEW HOPE
Sept. 7 Aberdeen
Sept. 14 West Point
Sept. 21 KEMPER
COUNTY
Sept. 28 KOSCIUSKO
Oct. 5 Leake Central
Oct. 12 HOUSTON
Oct. 18 Louisville
Oct. 26 Caledonia
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
I Number of seniors on
this years team.
23
CLASS 4A
Caledonia
Houston
Kosciusko
Leake Central
Louisville
Noxubee County
playoffs.
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 33-20
STARKVILLE
Aug. 27 L, 24-20
At Spain Park
(Ala.)
Sept. 2 W, 45-29
At New Hope
Sept. 9 W, 16-6
ABERDEEN
Sept. 16 W, 22-17
WEST POINT
Sept. 23 W, 42-18
At Kemper Co.
Sept. 30 W, 33-0
At Kosciusko
Oct. 7 W, 52-13
LEAKE
CENTRAL
Oct. 14 W, 21-0
At Houston
Oct. 20 L, 14-12
LOUISVILLE
Oct. 28 W, 36-7
CALEDONIA
Oct. 28 W, 42-6
N. PONTOTOC
Nov. 11 L, 21-20
At Amory
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TIGERS
QUARTERBACK
RUNNING BACKS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
COACHING STAFF
I HEAD COACH:
Tyrone Shorter
I ASSISTANT
COACHES:
James Patterson, George
Richarson, Heyward
Ashford, Joey Sanders,
Gary Naylor, Montez Miller,
Michael Ashford, Ed
Square, Joe Badford
BY THE NUMBERS
Final shot at title plenty of motivation for seniors
From left: Noxubee County High School seniors Javoris Glenn, Javancy Jones, and Dillon Bradley have their
sights set on a state championship. The banner of the programs first state title reminds them every day of
the standard they need to live up to.

BY ADAM MINICHINO
MACON Its never
too late to try something
new.
Bobby Bowman has
worked in so many roles in
more than 30 years as a
coach and as a teacher.
From football to baseball to
basketball, Bowman had
coached numerous sports
and taught a variety of sub-
jects in schools in Georgia
and in Mississippi.
Up until 2012, Bowman
could say he had never
coached eight-man foot-
ball. Now, the former coach
at Vardaman, Durant,
Noxapater, and Nanih
Waiya can add another line
to his rsum. This year,
the 60-year-old coach is
learning about the world of
eight-man football as the
new coach at Central
Academy.
This right here is a chal-
lenge, Bowman said. I am
fired up. You kind of get in a
rut if you do the same thing
year after year after year. In
football, like other sports, it
changes, so you have to
change with it. ... This is a
big change, going from 11-
man to eight-man. The
numbers are small, so it is a
challenge juggling those
things. It is exciting to see
what things are going to be
like.
Bowman worked last
year as defensive coordina-
tor of the Vardaman High
School football team. He
also served as a substitute
teacher at the school. He
worked as a substitute
because he retired from
public schools the year
before last.
At Central Academy, he
takes over for Ronnie
Sciple, who led the Vikings
for the past four seasons. In
2010, Central Academy
advanced to the
Mississippi Association of
Independent Schools Eight
Man title game, where it
lost to Kemper Academy.
Last season, led by sen-
iors Drew Pearson and
Cole Newman, Central
Academy lost to Franklin
Academy in the first round
of the playoffs and finished
8-3. The Vikings lost nine
seniors from that squad,
but Bowman is familiar
with coaching at small
schools, so he isnt afraid of
turnover. He spent two sea-
sons as defensive coordina-
tor at Durant High, five
years as head football
coach at Noxapater High,
and 15 years as head base-
ball coach and defensive
coordinator at Nanih Waiya
High. He also worked at
Carthage High on two
occasions and worked for
eight years at a school in
Georgia.
Bowman said he was
interested in the Central
Academy job in 2011, but
he took the position at
Vardaman before Central
Academy decided what it
was going to do. Sciple
opted to stay on as coach
for one more season, even
though he had a job in
Alabama, so he could be
with the seniors.
Bowman said the fact
that Sciple helped mold
Central Academy into a
contender in each of his
seasons as head coach
makes his transition easier.
You go into a place, and
fortunately I havent had to
do that, that hasnt won,
then that is a new thing you
have to get into their
mind, Bowman said. I
have seen teams that have
had exceptional talent but
didnt know how to win.
When you go into a place
that the kids know how to
win and expect to win
that is a big thing.
I know the attitude
here is we expect to win.
Bowman acknowledges
it might take time, though.
With no seniors and less
than 20 players on the ros-
ter, Bowman said it could
take some time for the
younger players in the pro-
gram to mature.
There is some talent
here, Bowman said.
There are lot of young
kids who are unproven yet,
so I cant say (how well
do). You dont really know
how the kids are going to
be until you start to play.
We have some young
kids I can really see a lot of
talent in, but I heard a col-
lege coach I forget who
it was say, Potential gets
you fired and performance
keeps your job. Hopefully
all potential turns into per-
formance, but sometimes it
doesnt.
Juniors T.J. Coleman
and Russ Taylor saw play-
ing time last season and
will be two of the leaders
Bowman looks to in his
first season. Both players
said not much has changed
in the transition from
Sciple to Bowman.
All of the young kids
that we have are talented
and they will be good next
year, so this will give them
a lot of experience,
Coleman said. Just think-
ing back on all of the sea-
sons we have been suc-
cessful it gets us pumped
up, and I believe we can do
it again this year.
Said Taylor, Were
going to do the best with
hat we got and give it our
all, like every year.
Bowman said it is too
early to tell what to expect
from this team. The players
are confident the Vikings
will be able to surprise peo-
ple, in part because people
will look at their graduation
losses and take them for
granted.
Bowman, who will teach
sixth-grade History and sci-
ence, eighth-grade science,
high school health, and ele-
mentary physical education
at Central Academy, knows
the ups and downs pro-
grams suffer all too well.
Despite the ebbs and flows,
Bowman said he has mel-
lowed from his earlier days,
but dont think that he still
isnt passionate about what
he does.
I am very enthusiastic
about the game of football,
Bowman said. When I
scream and holler, I dont
mean anything personal, I
dont mean anything per-
sonal about you. I just get
excited.
I have a great love for
the game, and it is going to
show on the field.
Bowman said he will
remain in coaching and
teaching as long as it is fun.
If ever there was some-
thing that could be fun, it
has to be moving from 11-
man to eight-man football
for the first time. Bowman
has watched plenty of
videotape to get a better
understanding of the game.
Beside the fact there are
fewer players and a lot
more open space, teams
still have to block and tack-
le to be successful.
As long as teams contin-
ue to do those things,
Bowman said you likely
will find him on the side-
lines in the fall.
I am not ready to stop
yet, Bowman said. I feel I
have several more years. I
amnot going to do a Bobby
Bowden or a Joe Paterno
and stay in it forever, but I
still love the game, I still
love coaching, I still love
teaching.
People keep asking
me, When are you going to
retire completely? I say,
When it is not fun any-
more. It is still fun, and my
wife (Kathy) is still work-
ing, so I am going to work
at least until we both can
retire and we can spend
more time together.
SENTERS
SINCE 1913
ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR HOME
408 S. Jefferson St. Macon, MS
662-726-5327 Toll Free: 1-888-609-6196
Go Tigers! Go Vikings!
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Irrigation Sales and Service
Bill Nichols
662-242-3892
Proud Supporter of the
Central Academy Vikings
Macon Oil Company
15842 Hwy. 45 Macon, MS 662-726-5494

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CENTRAL ACADEMY VIKINGS
Mississippi Association of Independent Schools: Eight-Man North District 1; 2011 Record 8-3
2012 Schedule
Aug. 17 CALVARY
CHRISTIAN
Aug. 24 Calhoun
Aug. 31 DELTA
Sept. 7 Marvell
Sept. 14 KEMPER
Sept. 28 Russell
Christian
Oct. 5 NORTH
SUNFLOWER
Oct. 12 FRANKLIN
Oct. 19 Calvary
Christian
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
2011 Results
Aug. 19 W, 22-14
At Calvary
Christian
Aug. 26 W, 24-22
CALHOUN
Sept. 2 W, 34-26
At Delta
Academy
Sept. 9 W, 22-20
MARVELL
ACADEMY
Sept. 16 W, 28-26
At Kemper
Academy
Sept. 23 W, 44-0
VERITAS
Sept. 30 W, 16-14
RUSSELL
CHRISTIAN
Oct. 7 L, 42-6
At N. Sunflower
Oct. 14 L, 24-12
At Franklin
Academy
Oct. 21 W, 55-14
CALVARY
Oct. 21 L, 28-16
FRANKLIN
ACADEMY
HOME GAMES IN CAPS
MAIS
Eight-Man
North District 1
Calhoun Academy
Calvary Christian School
Central Academy
Delta Academy
Kemper Academy
North Sunflower Academy
Russell Christian
Veritas School
Bowman ready for new challenge of eight-man
New Central Academy coach Bobby Bowman talks with some of his players during the schools media day July
24 in Macon. Bowman takes over for coach Ronnie Sciple.

Cole Phelps (Sr.)
Trip Janssen (Jr.)
Rivers Robinson (Sr.)
Trey Richardson (Soph.)
Colin Atwell (Jr.)
Phelps and Janssen bring
experience, while the rest
of the line will be a work in
progress.
Our biggest struggle offen-
sively will be in the offen-
sive line," Terrill said. "We
will be trying to develop
three new faces. Trip and
Cole are two really good
high school football players.
Trip is from Ackerman and
Cole is a three-year starter.
That is where we start and
then we build off that with
some other talented players
who will have to step up
Hunter Bolin (Sr.)
Kirby Cox (Jr.)
Brandon Lane (Soph.)
Austin Frayser (Soph.)
Bolin and Cox are the
anchors of a group that will
be asked to make minor
contributions to a run-ori-
ented offensive unit.
Hunter and Kirby will
anchor our receiving corps,"
Terrill said. "You really like
the leadership that they
bring and the example they
set for our younger players.
We are excited about
Brandon and Austin, both
are sophomores. Austin has
been the biggest surprise of
camp. He is going to be a
tremendous football player.
Bailey Newell (Jr.)
Campbell Dodds (Sr.)
Cole Phelps (Sr.)
Trip Janssen (Jr.)
Lane McClendon (Sr.)
Phelps and Janssen will
anchor this line as well.
We are searching for an
additional defensive end,"
Terrill said. "We had two
ends last year and lost one
of those. The rest of the
line returns and played
quite well last year. If
would could find an addi-
tional end of two, it would
make us feel about our
depth over there.
Stephen Robertson (Sr.)
Drew Harrell (Soph.)
Mike Miller (Jr.)
Jake Griffen (Jr.)
This ball-hawking group
should enjoy the return of
Robertson, as its undisput-
ed leader.
Stephen Robertson is such
a great leader (at) line-
backer," Terrill said. "This is
a position where we have
some depth. We are excited
about some of the younger
guys who are going to step
into the mix.
Hunter Bolin (Sr.)
Kirby Cox (Jr.)
Colby Runnels (Sr.)
Zach Slaughter (Sr.)
Austin Miles (Sr.)
John McReynolds (Soph.)
Joel Ray (Soph.)
Hunter Peeples (Soph.)
Several newcomers will
be asked to bolster this
group.
We have good depth in the
secondary, so we should be
able to rotate some of our
two-way players and not
have them on the field as
much," Terrill said. "This is
another area where we are
counting on some sopho-
mores to step in and make
contributions.
Johnathon Burton (Jr.)
Mike Miller (Jr.)
Stephen Robertson (Sr.)
Burton, the kicker, and
Miller, the punter, return
from a very strong kicking
game of a year ago.
Robertson will handle kick-
offs.
Our specialists are all very
good. Johnathon handled
our extra points and field
goals last year and was
very solid," Terrill said.
"Mike Miller is a quality
punter. Drew Pellum has
punted in a game for us
before. Stephen Robertson
has really improved his
game as a kickoff man. We
are looking for a deep snap-
per. We should be strong in
special teams.
Darius Grayer is one of the
fastest players we have on
this roster, and we feel we
have several guys there we
can get the football to,
Mitchell said.
Kirk Kinard, Sr.
Jalen Henderson, Sr.
Josh Kitchens, Sr.
David Duck, Jr.
Bradley Roberson, Jr.
Brandon Lindsley, Jr.
Maurice Reed, Jr.
A.J. Smith, Soph.
Antonio Hinton, Soph.
Maleke Bell, Fr.
Kyle Kinard will protect
Myles backside as the
starting left tackle, but
the interesting element
could be the presence of
255-pound freshman
Maleke Bell as the start-
ing right guard. The Yellow
Jackets will be young, but
very big, at this spot.
(Bell) is such a talented
kid as a freshmen, and Ive
been here three years and
hes the first freshman
remotely close to playing
at the varsity level,
Mitchell said. He is that
guy, and we knew in
eighth grade he was big
enough, strong enough and
physical enough to handle
it.
Jawon Johnson, Sr.
Kyle Jones, Jr.
Terrell Dailey, Jr.
Travez Brewer, Jr.
Justin Ware, Jr.
Deonte Brooks, Jr.
A.J. Smith, Soph.
The key is whether
Starkville can afford to
have Johnson play on just
the defense If it can, hell
be fresh throughout the
game, which should help
the 295-pound nose tackle
build on his 18 tackles
last season.
Were committed to doing
just one side of the ball
with Jawon because we
think we can be really tal-
ented and athletic on the
defensive front, Mitchell
said.
David Fair, Sr.
Leeward Jefferson, Sr.
Marlow Rogers, Jr.
Taylor Johnston, Jr.
Chris Rogers, Soph.
After suffering through
an injury-plagued junior
season, Fair is determined
to have a stellar final sea-
son at Starkville High. Fair
is the son of former
Mississippi State
University running back
David Fair Sr. He likely will
be the Yellow Jackets
leading tackler.
Johnny Smith, Sr.
Jacoby Smith, Sr.
Devonte Davis, Jr.
Raphael McClain, Sr.
Jerry Johnson, Jr.
Taylor Johnston, Jr.
Smith and Davis will
lead the back four. Smith
led the team with three
interceptions and three
forced fumbles in 2011.
Just like on offense, we
feel like our skill position
guys on defense are going
to be very solid with really
good ball skills and are
smart about the way they
play both the run and the
pass, Mitchell said.
Charlie Henderson, Jr.
Taylor Wise, Soph.
Michael Godley, Soph.
Michael Sullivan, Soph.
After the Yellow Jackets
missed seven field goals
and seven extra points in
2011, Mitchell has
brought in three sopho-
mores to challenge for the
kicking and punter duties
this season.
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Looking for local players
in college
The Dispatch will feature a former local high
school athlete who has gone on to play a sport in
college every month.
If you would like to nominate a college for us to
feature, call us at 662-327-1297 or email us at
sports@cdispatch.com or
aminichino@cdispatch.com.
Be sure to give us a reason why you are nominat-
ing the player, and be sure to give us as many statis-
tics from the past weeks action.
We also are compiling a list of former local high
school athletes. If you know of any former local
high school athletes playing a sport in college, call
us at 662-327-1297 or e-mail us at sports@cdis-
patch.com.
Starkville
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
Mitchell said. He is
going to touch the ball and
be the focal point of what
we do on every play.
Mitchell is encouraged
by the number of the skill
position athletes Myles
should have available this
season. Starkville returns
four of its top five rushers
from last season, and three
players who had at least 12
catches last season.
I really think on both
sides of the ball were
going to be really impres-
sive on the outside with
our speed, Mitchell said.
Not a lot of teams are
going to be able to catch us
if our playmakers get the
ball in the open field.
If it wasnt for the tragic
shooting death of Devin
Mitchell on New Years Day
and the severe knee injury
to senior wide receiver
Jimmy Saulsberry,
Starkville would have nearly
100 percent of its offensive
production back from last
season.
The loss of Mitchell
wont be forgotten.
Starkville High intends to
honor Mitchells memory
with the help of his family
in the season opener Aug.
17 against Noxubee
County. Starkville High
coaches even are consider-
ing playing the first play of
the game with 10 players
in Mitchells honor.
Saulsberry, who suf-
fered the injury before
spring practices, is expect-
ed to return in September
to give Myles another
weapon.
The defense, which
loses its leading tackler
and its top two pass rush-
ers, could be just as formi-
dable with 295-pound
defensive lineman Jawon
Johnson playing just on
one side of the ball.
In the secondary,
Johnny Smith, one of
Starkvilles leading tack-
lers last season, returns
and will join junior
Devonte Davis. That duo
was a primary reason why
opponents completed only
37 percent of their passes
last season.
Mitchell has empha-
sized the importance of
special teams this season.
Last season, Starkville
missed 5 of 9 field goals
and eight extra-points.
The Yellow Jackets third-
year coach has brought in
five kickers to compete
for the punter and kicker
duties this season. He
said it will go down to the
final week of the presea-
son to see who earns the
job.
As Starkville and West
Point contend to be the
favorites in the North Half
of Class 5A football in the
state of Mississippi, the
Yellow Jackets are deter-
mined to have a better trip
to Jackson in December.
I found out I dont like
to go out like that, Myles
said. Were all determined
as a team to make sure that
wont happen again. I
learned what leadership is
all about from that experi-
ence, thats for sure.
A CLOSER LOOK
AT THE YELLOW JACKETS
RECEIVERS
OFFENSIVE LINE
DEFENSIVE LINE
LINEBACKERS
SECONDARY
SPECIAL TEAMS
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE VOLS
Volunteers
as one. A large group of
sophomores also will be
asked to contribute. For
Bolin, Slaughter, and the
other seniors, it is their job
to lead by example.
We have to help lead
and help teach, Bolin
said. The sophomores
were on a really good jun-
ior high team. Now, we
have to show them how to
be successful on the varsi-
ty level. We will have a lot
of depth this year, and we
are counting on several of
those guys to step in and
make contributions this
season.
Defensively, Terrill
said the squad should
have enough returnees
and talented newcomers
to build on last season. A
year ago, the Volunteers
gave up less than 12
points per game.
The most important
thing (on defense) is cre-
ating some depth, Terrill
said. We feel good about
most positions.
Offensively, we are look-
ing for some more consis-
tency. The biggest ques-
tions are the of fensive
line, where we will be
looking at as many as
three new faces.
Hopefully, that will come
along quickly.
Slaughter feels the
Volunteers should be able
to come along quickly.
The hard work is
there, Slaughter said.
The coaches have
pushed us harder than we
were pushed last year. I
didnt think that was pos-
sible. Everybody on the
team is excited. This is a
new year. We are teaching
the younger guys what is
expected on this level.
They see what were
able to do last year. The
challenge is to continue
that success. We dont
want people looking down
at us anymore. We are
going to work hard to
make sure we keep win-
ning.

High School Football Preview 2012

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