Oxford Citizen 11.8

No. 1 NWCC Rangers win MACJC title

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Sunday

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EDITION

oxfordcitizen.com

Volume 2 | Issue 58

nday news s s Su o rd’

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Inside 3 News

Former Ole Miss football player Richie Contartesi has a new book about his life in football and his career since then.

LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Ole Miss running back Jaylen Walton wrestles his way past Arkansas defenders into the end zone for a touchdown during Saturday’s game in Oxford.

6 Lifestyle

Rebels fall to Razorbacks 53-52 in overtime

BY JEFF ROBERSON OXFORD CITIZEN

Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen kept the football in overtime and scored from the 1-yard line on a two-point conversion try and Arkansas beat Ole Miss 53-52 Saturday.

But the miracle play of the night was a fourth and 25 play that Allen completed in OT on a pass well short of the first down to Hunter Henry. Henry, as he was being tackled, threw the ball backward and it was rolling on the ground when Arkansas running back Alex Collins picked it up and ran to the 11 for a first down. That set things up for the Hogs' victory when Allen connected with Henry for a touchdown.

“Extremely difficult to look those young men in the eyes in

there (in the locker room),” Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said afterward. “A very difficult way to end the game. I hurt for our kids, our coaches, our fans and our administration. There’s no way around it. It’s very difficult and gut-wrenching and will test everything about you.”

Ole Miss, 7-3 overall and 4-2 in Southeastern Conference play, now has an open date with a home game against LSU and a road game against Mississippi State remaining.

In a game that had little defense, the Rebels and Razorbacks went back and forth all day and night before the Arkansas coaching staff decided on a two-point conversion try in overtime – when they didn’t have to yet.

Ole Miss stopped it once, but a face mask call on the Rebels

gave the Hogs another chance, and they cashed in for the victory.

Arkansas had a field goal of 49 yards blocked by Breeland Speakes at the end of regulation. That sent the game into overtime.

Statistically Ole Miss had 590 yards of offense, but the Razorbacks had 605 yards.

Allen was 33-for-45 for 442 yards with six touchdowns.

Chad Kelly was 24-for-34 for 368 yards and three touchdowns.

From this point on, how about a chronological order of things? It’s a lot to keep up with.

The game was tied 17-17 at halftime. Arkansas scored first in the game and the Rebels were playing catchup the entire first half.

On its second possession of

the game, the Razorbacks got points. A six-play, 73-yard scoring drive was capped by a Brandon Allen to Drew Morgan pass of 3 yards. The extra point attempt by placekicker Cole Hedlund was good, and it was 7-0 visitors with 7:58 to go in the first period.Ole Miss scored on the next possession, going 77 yards in nine plays to tie the contest. There were some big plays with Chad Kelly keeping the football for 19 yards to the Arkansas 24, followed by a Kelly to Evan Engram 21-yard completion to the Razorback 3-yard line.

On the very next play it was Jaylen Walton into the end zone for a 3-yard gain and the Rebels’ first touchdown of the game.

Gary Wunderlich was good on TURN TO OLE MISS PAGE 13

The L.Q.C. Lamar House in Oxford has a very important story to tell.

14 Sports

Lafayette blows away first round of 4A playoffs

Gentry

in

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 2

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

UM PoliSci to honor Barbour with endowed chair

BY TINA HAHN UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI FOUNDATION

An initiative is underway to honor two-term Mississippi governor and national political leader Haley Barbour at the University of Mississippi, with a goal of attracting $1.5 million for a faculty chair in the Department of Political Science.

Initial gifts, already totaling more than $300,000, are an indication of the interest in building a study reflecting on Barbour’s role in shaping American politics over 50 years.

“Gov. Barbour has enjoyed a long and distinguished career and obviously has many more contributions to make” said John Bruce, UM chair of political science. ”From his start working in the 1968 presidential election up through his two terms as governor of Mississippi, Gov. Barbour has been an example of what people can do in the political arena. His jobs have ranged from explicitly political to apolitical, and from appointed to elected.

“There is much in his career that we can point to when talking with students about ways to be engaged. Whether a student leans to the left or leans to the right, there are lessons to be learned by considering the arc of Gov. Barbour’s career.”

Plans call for the holder of the Barbour faculty position to study political institutions and

processes that characterized Barbour’s far-reaching career.

Among the leader’s achievements are building a state party organization during an historic shift in party allegiances, working in four successful presidential campaigns, serving as the political director in the Reagan White House, chairing the Republican National Committee during an epic off-year election, leading Mississippi as governor during Hurricane Katrina and building a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. The named faculty position would allow the department to recruit a preeminent scholar with expertise in American politics, offering enhanced opportunities for students to learn about the development of our nation’s politics from a gifted teacher and researcher, said Lanny Griffith, CEO of the BGR Group in Washington, D.C., and chair of the Ole Miss Political Science Alumni Advisory Board.

“This time in American politics looks remarkably dysfunctional, reflecting the importance of pursuing this work,” Griffith said.

“We want this study to look at our political system not from partisanship but from scholarship, identifying what factors or dynamics will shape our political system going forward.

“The University of Mississippi is the perfect place for this study, considering the array of Missis-

sippians who have played pivotal roles on the national stage.”

Bruce echoed that sentiment by pointing to the leadership roles of Barbour.

“His work in the White House, the governor’s office, the national party – these are all areas where political science has a great deal to say,” he said. “Gov. Barbour’s work has increased the visibility of our state, and his work after Hurricane Katrina brought substantial help to those in need. The Governor Haley Barbour Chair for the Study of American Politics will be a lasting legacy to an impressive body of work by one of our own native sons.”

Griffith added that building the Barbour Chair would impact young people’s lives. “I would hope that this study would help Ole Miss students understand the opportunities we have to be involved – the critical need to be involved – and help chart the course of our nation.”

Top Republican and Democratic political leaders participated in the launch of this significant campaign on the Oxford campus, including U.S. Sens. Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker and Texas Gov. Ricky Perry. Chairing the event were Austin Barbour and Paul Hurst of Jackson and Wilson Golden of Gainesville, Georgia, while Griffith is spearheading the overall fundraising for the chair.

While visiting campus for the

reception in his honor, Barbour said he was “flattered and honored” to consider the prospects of a faculty chair bearing his name.

“It is special that the University of Mississippi has decided to establish this position, which will have more of a focus on politics and elections and less on government, as well as give attention to the development of a two-party political system,” he said. “I think most college students – whether they grow up in Mississippi or not – don’t realize the long history and importance of Mississippi’s elected officials in American politics. From L.Q.C. Lamar, who negotiated the end of Reconstruction, to an impressive array of leaders through history and to the present, Mississippians have been incredibly influential across the nation.

“We’ve had many Mississippians in politics who mattered, and not just in the state. And look at the development of the two-party political system in our state. Its development in the last 50 years has been rather remarkable. The first time I ever saw a political poll in Mississippi was in 1968, when only 6 percent of Mississippians identified themselves as Republican. You had to be an optimist to be a Republican in 1968.”

The fundraising campaign is nearing its first goal: building an endowment of $400,000 to fund initial work. Annual income from the permanent endowment will

cover salary, research expenses and student learning opportunities.

The long-term goal is to attract funds to increase this endowment to the chair level at $1.5 million, when it will become known formally as the Governor Haley Barbour Chair for the Study of American Politics.

Ultimately, the endowed chair will attract a prominent scholar in the study of American politics, as the university remains focused on building faculty support as its student enrollment continues to soar. With the largest enrollment in the state, UM needs to add 215 new faculty members over the next three years.

Endowed faculty chairs honor the person for whom the position is named, ensure that young people are taught by gifted professors and strengthen the academic reputation of the university, from which Barbour himself earned a juris doctor degree in 1974.

To make a gift online, visit www.umfoundation.com/haleybarbour or mail checks payable to the University of Mississippi Foundation – with the fund’s name noted in the check’s memo line – to 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655.

For questions and information on supporting the campaign, contact John Bruce at (662) 9157401 or jbruce@olemiss.edu; or Lanny Griffith at LGriffith@BGRdc.com.

Oxford trees: Bad news, good news

BY ERROL CASTENS OXFORD CITIZEN

The bad news regarding Oxford’s trees is both macro and micro.

Even though North and South Lamar Boulevard and a few older neighborhoods seem to be practically as well wooded as ever, Oxford’s tree canopy continues to yield to construction. Over the past three years, the loss has averaged 234 acres per year, according to a canopy survey done early this year, which is still being analyzed.

“When you fly into Oxford, all you see is roofs,” Billy Lamb, superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, told the Oxford Tree Board.

Though he is not responsible for trees on private property, Lamb oversees maintenance of trees at city parks and rights-ofway.

“It would take a good part-time person on staff to keep up with

the loss of canopy in Oxford, and Lord, in Lafayette County … ,” he said, shaking his head.

Just within the past couple of years, roughly 200 acres of woods was cleared for the new hospital, several nearby tracts were bulldozed for residential and commercial development, and development of the Shaw property on East Jackson Avenue removed one of the last multi-acre tracts of woods near downtown.

“When we moved to Oxford in 2012, all that on South Lamar (near the hospital) wasn’t cleared,” said Richard Muller, who relocated from Bay St. Louis and New Orleans and who attended the Tree Board meeting out of concern for the city’s shade canopy.

Lafayette County’s status as the fastest-growing county in Mississippi – and the 38th fastest-growing in the nation – has increased development pressure. It’s usually far cheaper for land to be cleared and flattened than to

work around established trees and build on hillsides. Oxford has a landscape ordinance aimed at preserving the traditional feel of the North Mississippi Hill Country, but most of its teeth are in requirements to replant, which leaves most new development without canopy trees for decades, or in mitigation, which helps fund tree planting elsewhere in the city.

On the microlevel, a few specimen trees northeast of the Square are likely soon to become part of history. A once-large maple on the corner of Bramlett Boulevard and Jackson Avenue has been so severely pruned to accommodate nearby overhead wires that it needs to be removed.

“A canopy tree just doesn’t have room to survive there,” Lamb said. Noting that the developer of the property has offered room for another tree away from the wires, Lamb suggested replanting a sugar maple.

“Yes, it would be nice to have

something there that looks more like a tree than a bush,” said Tree Board Co-Chair Hume Bryant.

On Jefferson Avenue near the cemetery is a large willow oak that is in danger of dropping limbs.

“It’s a hazard tree now. It’s between the street and the sidewalk,” Bryant said, noting that two neighboring trees were killed during construction in recent years.

Another current casualty is an ancient dogwood at a home on North Lamar. One of its twin footthick trunks snapped off a few days ago, and Lamb said both trunks are hollow and should be cut.

“I would say that’s probably a pre-Civil War tree,” he said. “It’s the biggest dogwood I’ve ever seen.”

On the brighter side, the city has a number of saplings at its tree nursery ready to plant on public property within the city.

Oxford Commons Boulevard – the new frontage road between

Highway 30 and Sisk Avenue – will be planted in trees during this year’s dormant season.

“That’s going to be quite a bit of trees,” said Mark Levy, a landscape in the city’s Public Works Department. “We have to do every 50 feet for the shade trees and 35 feet for the smaller trees, so I was probably going to do a run of 10 shade trees, then 10 or 11 smaller trees. It’s a long tree run. Obviously we want to alternate types – maybe five varieties in different sizes.”

Bryant emphasized the need for shade trees.

“We’d like some canopy trees – maples, nut trees,” he said. “One of the things we deal with on all these clearings … is that we lose the native nut trees – hickories, pecans, walnuts – and very few people plant them. They’re slowgrowing, but they’re really important to the area.” errol.castens@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenec

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

PAGE 3

Former UM football player's book should speak to many

BY JEFF ROBERSON OXFORD CITIZEN

Richie Contartesi had a story to tell, and he felt that way for a long time. Now it’s a book.

“It’s my story of walking on at Ole Miss and eventually earning a scholarship,” said Contartesi, a native of Lake Worth, Fla., and Palm Beach Central High School.

But there is much more to the story than just that.

The book, “In Spite of the Odds,” is about a smalltown kid who was small in stature but had big dreams and goals. He has seen those come to fruition.

“I’m 5-7, 155 pounds,” said Contartesi, who moved to New York after graduating from Ole Miss.

“I always dreamt of playing bigtime college football. It was a huge goal of mine. I actually wrote it down when I was a little kid.”

So it started that far back, and it moved on from there.

“I had a decent amount of talent,” said Contartesi, who was at Ole Miss from 2007 through 2011. “One of the core pieces of the book was how I got into Ole Miss. Basically when I was 12 I broke my arm really bad.”

That bad break eventually turned into a college football scholarship.

“I met a guy named Kyle Strongin. He was a personal trainer and he helped me rehabilitate my arm. He had been a walkon at Oklahoma. We built a relationship, he saw my work ethic, things like that.”

The rest wasn’t exactly history at that point, but things again moved on from there.

“My senior year, Kyle Strongin became the quarterbacks coach at my high school,” said Contartesi, who played receiver and quarterback. “My senior year I ended up winning most valuable player. But I broke my leg midway through the season. Again I was overcoming adversity with Kyle as a coach, and I was being a part of the team as much as possible after that.

“Because I broke my leg, any D-I school I was talking to fell off the map, of

course. That was the end of that.”

Contartesi signed with a I-AA school in Jacksonville, Fla. He was at Jacksonville University, not happily, for a year.

“Then I found out from a friend that Kyle was interning at Ole Miss. So I called him.”

And Contartesi’s life changed.

“I asked him if he thought I could get into Ole Miss,” Contartesi said.

“Kyle said, ‘Absolutely.’ I had the grades and I got in.

There were only a couple of weeks until school started, but Kyle was able to get me a tryout. I basically had a week-long tryout. I had one year under (Coach Ed) Orgeron and had a good relationship with him. And then he was gone. So I was back at the bottom of the totem pole again.”

Then along comes Houston Nutt as head coach.

“I basically had to build myself up with (that staff), and the first couple of years were pretty brutal,” Contartesti said.

Then things again changed.

“That third year I started making some headway,” he said. “I got some playing time. I proved to the coaches that I could contribute and play.”

At his position, slot receiver, he had a current NFL player ahead of him.

So there was that factor as well.

Dexter McCluster was there for him to compete against.

“I found a spot on special teams, holding for field goals,” he said. “That guaranteed me a travel spot.

That made it easier for Coach (Ron) Dickerson, who was the receivers coach at the time, to play me. My senior year I played in all 12 games.

“Right before the season Coach Nutt awarded me a scholarship. I got the scholar-athlete award two years in a row.”

Talk about perseverance.

That apparently has always been Richie Contartesi.

“My goal during college was to move to New York City. I spent a lot of time at the Career Center at Ole Miss, and I got a job in New York City, basically moving

straight from Ole Miss up here,” he said. “Now I have my own web design business and do motivational speaking all over the country.”

Contartesi has had some book signings, including in Oxford already during the Vanderbilt football weekend this season, and he wants to come back again.

He makes a trip or two back to Oxford each year.

“I actually launched the book that week (September 26), and because of the launch I was able to hit the No. 1 best seller for hot new releases on Amazon. That really boosted sales early. It was No. 1 for two weeks and it’s still up there.”

Contartesi hopes Ole Miss fans will enjoy the book as well as others who get a copy.

“An inspirational story of hope, determination, and success that will fuel your inner desire to be the best you can be and defy the naysayers and odds to reach your dreams.”

That’s what the website and press release say about Contartesi and his new book.

“The message that I speak about is that I always heard I wasn’t big enough or tall enough. And that drove me,” he said. “With kids today, and I’ve been speaking a lot at high schools, kids don’t think they are talented enough or smart enough. So they have these dreams and goals, but they won’t go after them. I like to let them know they are good enough, and if you build those relationships and overcome those fears, then you can accomplish many things.”

So how did the book come about?

“I always wanted to write a book. But I didn’t think I would,” he said. “I had trouble reading, and as bad as it is to say, I failed fifth grade. I basically couldn’t read or write. I was a terrible student. In my mind I didn’t think I could ever write a book.”

But nothing had stopped Contartesi before, and he pressed on, developing those relationships with people who encouraged him.

“A year and a half ago I met an author, and I was

COURTESY

Former Ole Miss football player, Richie Contartesi, wrote a book about his career in football and the impact Ole Miss had in his life. His book reached number 1 on the best seller for hot new releases on Amazon for two weeks. afraid of failing with a book. But I just started writing. One thing led to another. I met Rudy Ruettiger (of the movie “Rudy” and Notre Dame fame), and we have a website called the walk-on association (walkonassociation .com). I found an editor.

My dad helped me. I met a book launch team. I got a good cover designer. And things just kept moving in the right direction for me.”

Contartesi said Ole Miss, “is huge to me. It’s where I was able to fulfill a really big dream I had, and I have a lot of great realationships

with people there.”

And with his story since those Ole Miss years?

“All of a sudden as I kept going, things began to fall into place,” he said. “Almost the same story as it had happened to me at Ole Miss.”

And now it’s a book.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 4

OBITUARIES JEWELL RHEA OLIVER Jewell Rhea Oliver, 92, passed away Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, at Oxford Health and Rehab. The funeral service will be Sunday, Nov 8, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Warren Black officiating. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service beginning at 12:30 at the funeral home.?Memorial contributions in Mrs. Oliver’s memory may be made to South Lamar United Methodist Church, 2920 South Lamar, Oxford, MS 38655 or Oxford-University United Methodist Church, 424 South 10th Street, Oxford, MS 38655.

SUSIE MOORE REAGAN

Susie Moore Reagan, 98, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at Hermitage Gardens. The funeral service was held Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 at Oxford-University United Methodist Church with Rev. Eddie Rester and Rev. Warren Black officiating. Burial followed in Oxford Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Mrs. Reagan’s memory may be made to OxfordUniversity United Methodist Church, 424 South 10th Street, Oxford, MS 38655 or The Pantry, P.O. Box 588, Oxford, MS 38655.

JODY YOUNG

HICKORY FLAT – Jody Young, 48, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Services will be Sunday, Nov. 8, at Serenity-Autry Funeral Home of Holly Springs at 2 p.m. Burial will be in Temperance Hill Church Cemetery.

BILL RACKLEY

PONTOTOC – Billy Wayne “Bill” Rackley, 72, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, at NMMC in Tupelo.

Services will be Monday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. at Tutor Memorial Funeral Home. Dr. Ken Hester will officiate. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of arrangements.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

Tebow to speak at two Orchard services this morning

BY JEFF ROBERSON OXFORD CITIZEN

Tim Tebow was in town Friday and Saturday to talk football. Today he will stay over to add faith to that conversation.

The former Florida and NFL quarterback arrived in Oxford as part of SEC Nation and the broadcast from the Grove prior to Saturday’s Ole Miss-Arkansas football game.

Today he will speak at both services of the Orchard in Oxford.

Pat Ward, lead pastor of the Orchard, will interview Tebow during 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services at the church, located at 295 Highway 7

North, just half a mile north of the Highway 30, Molly Barr overpass.

“We are really excited about Tim coming to share with us,” Ward said. “We are in the middle of a series of sermons on Generosity from 1 Timothy 6 and thought he would be a great voice to add to the conversation.”

In addition to being a football star and commentator, Tebow is also a philanthropist. He will also address his work with the Tim Tebow Foundation.

Here is the mission statement in Tim’s own words from the Foundation’s website: “From a very early age,

my parents instilled in me the importance of God’s word, the salvation we have in His Son Tebow Jesus and the responsibility we have to give back to others.

That’s why in 2010, I was so excited to create the Tim Tebow Foundation with a mission to bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.

This foundation, and all of our outreach initiatives, were primarily created to show God’s love to children around the world. I encour-

age you to explore this site and see how we have been able to accomplish our mission through God’s blessings and the support of our generous donors and partners.

We hope that you will consider joining our team through prayer and financial support. Together we WILL make a difference!”

On occasion, the Orchard hosts special guests to speak at its services.

Among those who have spoken at the church are Oxford Mayor Pat Patterson, former Ole Miss Chancellor Dan Jones, and Oxford author/publisher Neil White.

“We are looking forward

to hosting anyone who wants to come and hear Tim speak,” Ward said.

“Space will be limited so plan on arriving early, especially if you are checking your children into our kids ministry.”

Tebow played against Ole Miss two times when he was the quarterback at Florida. In 2007, the Gators defeated the Rebels 30-24 in Oxford. Tebow won the Heisman Trophy following that season.

In 2008, Ole Miss won 3130 in Gainesville. The loss was the only one of the season for Florida, which claimed a national championship at the end of that year.

Spotlight: Lafayette Middle School

BY ERROL CASTENS OXFORD CITIZEN

Lafayette Middle School Principal Chad Chism touted a number of his school’s advances before the Lafayette County School Board last week, highlighting programs from multi-state student awards to in-school tutoring.

LMS, which serves approximately 650 students in grades 6 through 8, walked away with big honors at the recent Southern Association of Student Councils leadership summit in New Orleans.

“Our Middle School won the Project of the Year for this 15-state region with ‘Cakeworthy Moments,’ which was a money-raising venture that went to those less fortunate,” Chism said.

The group also came back with two individual awards.

“The middle-school level Member of the Year for the 15 states, out of thousands of children, is right over there at Lafayette Middle School – Mason Childers. The middleschool level oratory winner for 15 states is right over there in that building – Levi Lott,” he said. “That’s phenomenal.

That speaks volumes about what’s going on in Lafayette County.”

Recent LMS Student Council efforts have included an Internet Café set up so students without sufficient internet connection at home could have face-to-face online conversations with parents who are deployed

overseas with the U.S. military.

“It was just through happenstance that I mentioned that to our Student Council advisor, Ms. Allen,” Chism said. “You could just see the lights go off in her eyes, and I knew she was going to take that and run with it, and she did. We ended up raising … $1,000 to help those people have that opportunity so the kids didn’t have to wait to come to school to talk to Dad, to see Dad’s face. That’s more important than so many things.”

LMS Student Council leaders also made a presentation before the University of Mississippi Principal Corps, a program aimed at grooming successful teachers into capable administrators.

“Again, I think that speaks volumes for those students,” Chism said.

COUNSELING, TUTORING Lafayette Middle School students have the advantage of two full-time guidance counselors this year.

“Children in our building … have challenges that you and I didn’t face at that age, and they need someone they can talk to,” said Chism, who is in his first year as LMS principal, having come from a similar position in Tupelo.

“Both the ladies we have – Ms. (Macy) Worthem and Ms. (Amanda) Martin – are doing a phenomenal job.”

Earlier this month, the

guidance counselors set up an experience called “Mix It Up at Lunch” Day, which is part of a national movement.

“How many of you, when you go to church, sit down in the same seat each time?”

Chism asked School Board members. “It’s the same thing with kids in the cafeteria; they fall into that routine.”

On Mix It Up at Lunch Day, students were given random table assignments.

“Once they got there, they were not only eating lunch, but they were required to learn two things about the person they were sitting beside. More than likely it was going to be someone they had not met before,” Chism said. “We had some really positive results. One of the first things was, strangely enough, that the teachers said, ‘It’s quiet in here today.’

They weren’t sitting next to their buddies, so they weren’t talking as much – that’s a good thing, too.”

This year’s middle school students also have the advantage of in-school, smallgroup tutoring for kids who need extra help with math and language, according to objective data.

Chism said the program has the twin advantages of sparing parents the expense and inconvenience of hiring private tutors and reaching students who might feel cheated if their academic day were extended by afterschool tutoring.

“We’re able to individualize instruction more than anybody else around,” Chism said. “We all know how important it is to be a strong reader and how that impacts all of your educational experience. I’m a math guy, and

even math has been impacted (by Common Core standards), because there’s a lot more reading problems, not just two plus two.” errol.castens@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenec

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CONTACT US Advertising: Sarah Brooke Bishop 662.801.9607 sarahbrooke.bishop@journalinc.com News: Jeff Roberson 662.816.6745 jeff.roberson@journalinc.com Errol Castens 662.816.1282 errol.castens@journalinc.com Sports : John Davis 662.801.2362 john.davis@journalinc.com CORRECTIONS The Oxford Citizen will correct any error found in the newspaper.

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OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

PAGE 5

Diabetes Walk set for today SPECIAL TO THE OXFORD CITIZEN

Kristen Shinault had just turned 3. She loved the color orange. She loved surprises, making up songs, dancing and playing with her sisters, the family’s chickens, and her puppy. She loved to help her mother cook.

“Her favorite food was bacon,” recalled her mother, Lauren, who moved to Batesville from Jonesboro, Arkansas, in March 2014, with her husband, Wayne, and three other daughters.

But around the time of Kristen’s birthday in September, Lauren Shinault began to notice changes.

“She was very cranky and cried about everything,” she said. “She wanted to watch cartoons all the time. She never wanted to play outside or with her toys. She was extremely thirsty and had to use the bathroom all the time. It was so excessive that we were losing sleep at night.”

A local diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes sent them to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, where Kristen was admitted with ketoacidosis, a life-threatening breakdown of fatty acids in the body brought on by untreated high blood sugar, which can lead to coma and worse.

Over two days at the hospital, Kristen’s family learned how to give her insulin injections, to test her blood sugar and to otherwise cope with the realities of the disease.

“We are still learning,” said Lauren Shinault, who will be walking today with her family in Mississippi’s Walk for Diabetes in Oxford.

Registration is in front of the Lyceum at 1 p.m., and the walk begins at 2 p.m. Donations raised will provide support to those living with diabetes for diabetes alert dogs, medical supplies and Camp Kandu for families of children with diabetes.

“Kristen’s having diabetes has been lifechanging, but our family has pulled together and learned how to care for her,”

Shinault said.

Just as the family was settling into a daily diabetes regimen, Kristen’s blood sugar bottomed out, and she awoke with a seizure.

Lauren gave Kristen an emergency glucose injection, called 911 and took her to Le Bonheur.

The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi stepped forward and helped get a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor, which sends continuous blood sugar information to a receiver smaller than a cellphone.

“It has taken my anxiety level down so much,” Lauren Shinault said. “The Dexcom alarms me and I can take care of it before it becomes a big problem.”

Operating the Dexcom is not cheap.

“Kristen has Mississippi Medicaid, and they did not cover her sensors,” Lauren Shinault said, noting that family and friends helped pay for them until Mississippi Medicaid, prompted by the Diabetes Foundation, began approving coverage.

“The foundation is here to help families transition from diagnosis to living out their new normal,” said Mary Fortune, executive vice president, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than 45 years.

Lauren Shinault said, “The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi has been like a great big hug when you really need it the most. They reached out to us when Kristen was first diagnosed and sent her a ‘We Care’ backpack full of books, resources, and all sorts of goodies.”

Fortune said, “We have been a force for fixing Mississippians’ lives broken by this disease. When they confront life-threatening crises, we are here to teach them how to respond.”

Lauren Shinault said The Walk for Diabetes represents hope.

“Whether you are walking in memory of someone or alongside someone it gives you a breath of fresh air to know you are not alone,” she said.

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Ruth Hill celebrates her 100th birthday recently with a cake and a gathering of friends at Brookdale. She and her sister, Margaret Ferguson, 98 - both longtime members of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church - live at Brookdale. Escorting Ruth Hill is Jim McCauley.

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OXFORD CITIZEN

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

PHOTOS BY JEFF ROBERSON

The L.Q.C. Lamar House was almost lost to neglect before the Oxford-Lafayette County Her- The Lamar House exhibits tell the story of Mississippi's greatest statesman - one of only two itage Society was able to buy the building and secure funds to restore it. people ever to serve in both houses of Congress, the Cabinet and the Supreme Court.

Historic Lamar House has an important story to tell

BY JEFF ROBERSON OXFORD CITIZEN

Located at 616 North 14th Street in Oxford, on a property not all that different from others on that particular street, stands a house of prominence that once upon a time was almost lost for eternity.

A video production for visitors to the house and property tells us this: “In 1869 the prosperous law practice of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar enabled him to build a modest Greek revival house in his adopted hometown of Oxford, Mississippi. He and his wife,Virginia, loved the foursquare house. But after just three years there, they were back in Washington for Lamar to resume his Congressional career. The home then became their retreat from the heated politics of the capital. It was Lamar’s statesmanship during these changing times that helped designate the house a National Historic Landmark in 1975.”

The house, which faces south, and its grounds, with ample parking on its east side off of North 16th Street, have a story to tell, now that it has been restored.

By the end of the 20th century, the home was in bad shape. According to the video production visitors can view and hear at the house now, the roof was in

Taylor sculptor Bill Beckwith used both pictures of L.Q.C. Lamar and one of Lamar's modern-day descendants, Jack Lamar Mayfield, in creating this bronze statue that sits in the Lamar House's front yard. great need of repair, and the structure’s foundation was collapsing.

“Mold and mildew covered the walls . . . paint had peeled, floors had rotted, and chimneys had crumbled,” the video says.

In January, 2004, the video said, “after years of negotiation, the Oxford-Lafayette County Heritage Foundation obtained the property, determined to rescue the house and Lamar from oblivion.”

Restoration of the house and lot took place in 200708, and since then the landmark house and property have been a showplace in Oxford and one that visitors near and far have enjoyed seeing.

“The L.Q.C. Lamar house

museum stands today as a tribute to a daring volunteer group of Oxonians determined not to lose anymore of their town’s history to development,” the video continues. “The museum’s mission is to interpret the life and career of the distinguished 19th century statesman within the context of his times and to encourage the ideal of statesmanship in the 21st century.”

Docent Rick Feingold was on hand for tours of the house and grounds recently.

“Lamar is from Georgia, and he comes here because his father-in-law is the second president of the University of Mississippi,” he told visitors. “Lamar teaches there for a short time. He also

L.Q.C. Lamar was a secessionist, but his efforts to heal the division between the North and South after the Civil War ended - part of the history conveyed now in his Oxford home - earned him a spot in John F. Kennedy's book, "Profiles in Courage." has a plantation in Holly Springs, and he is a lawyer.”

As visitors move throughout the house, Feingold explains each room as well as other aspects of the house and property.

“There is a chapter on Lamar in John F. Kennedy’s ‘Profiles in Courage.’ That focuses on the courage it takes to talk about ideas that are contrary to popular ideas,” he said, pointing out a copy of the book in the hallway of the house. “It’s that aspect of Lamar that we’re trying to celebrate here. This house is the venue to do so.”

When Caroline Kennedy, the late President’s daughter,

visited Oxford a few years ago, she spent time at the L.Q.C. Lamar house, absorbing all that it has to offer historically and educationally.

And, for her, likely emotionally. “(The late) Bill Russell was the champion of the Lamar House,” said Darlene Copp, project manager of the Lamar House and a member of the Oxford Historic Sites Commission. “When he was growing up, he lived around the corner from the Lamar House. He had a career that took him far away, and he moved back. In his retirement, as a member of the Oxford-Lafayette County

Heritage Foundation, this was going to be his cause. He worked very hard to restore the house.”

Copp said Lamar and his legacy offer quite a story.

“Lamar had a remarkable career, having served in all three branches of government and both houses of Congress. Only two Americans have done that,” she said. “He’s a very interesting person to learn about. If people spend an hour in that house and learn about him, there are some powerful lessons there.”

The L.Q.C. Lamar house is open Friday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

OXFORD CITIZEN

UM High School sees rapid growth

BY PAM STARLING AND MITCHELL DIGGS OLE MISS PUBLIC RELATIONS

The University of Mississippi has enjoyed tremendous growth in recent years, with the overall student body expanding a remarkable 22 percent, to nearly 24,000 students, since 2010. The university’s schools of Engineering and Journalism and New Media have recorded even more impressive gains over that span, growing by 61 percent and 152 percent, respectively.

But no academic unit on campus has grown as rapidly as the University of Mississippi High School, where enrollment has surged 594 percent over the past five years, growing from 47 students in fall 2010 to 326 students this fall.

The school, which recently successfully renewed its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Council on Accreditation and School Improvement, or SACS CASI-AdvancED, also has seen its course enrollments increase by a staggering 935 percent over the same span.

“Schools and parents like working with us,” said Ellen Shelton, UMHS director. ”They know we are a rigorous school, and the students will receive a quality education. Sadly, there are several online programs that do not challenge students.

Schools like that our teachers are all certified in their content areas and that the teachers interact with the students.”

The school’s faculty includes 23 certified teachers, many of whom teach in a Mississippi school district. These faculty members include four new teachers who are working to expand the UMHS curriculum to include physical education, psychology and a social studies course entitled “Problems in Democracy.”

Students also like the flexibility and convenience that the school offers.

“The best thing about completing my degree with UMHS was the fact that I could work independently from home and at my own pace,” said Jimmie Ann Hall of Nettleton, who graduated from UMHS in May as the valedictorian of the Class of 2015. “I believe the quality of education with the program is superior and my teachers were great.”

Working at her own pace also attracted Andrea Hightower, who served as Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2015, to the school.

Hightower attended Oxford High School until last fall, when her travel schedule made it difficult for her to maintain a regular classroom schedule.

“I love it,” Hightower said. “For me, this is a lot easier. It can be hard for students who aren’t self-motivated, but it really works well for me, with my travel schedule and everything else I have going on.”

A senior, Hightower has completed three courses through UMHS and is taking Computer Science and English III this fall.

“The classes are not as tightly structured,” she said. “I can spend 30 minutes on a class one day and two hours on it the next. That works so much better for me.”

Being able to obtain high school course credits through an accredited online program makes it possible for some students – including many older students who are returning to school – to complete their diploma, Shelton said.

“We are continually striving to foster and implement strategies that will provide the best education possible for our students,” she said.

Those efforts were acknowledged recently when Shelton received confirmation that SACS CASI had renewed the school’s accreditation. The rigorous fiveyear review provides a nationally recognized accreditation process that is used to continue school improvement focused on increasing student performance each year.

To earn accreditation, schools must meet SACS CASI-AdvancED’s high standards, which include an on-site evaluation by a team of professionals from outside the school as well as implementation of continuous school improvement goals.

“SACS CASI accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school on the primary goal of creating lifelong learners,” said Mark Elgart, president and CEO of AdvancED, the parent organization of SACS CASI. “The University of Mississippi High School is to be commended for engaging in this process and demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.”

The reaccreditation process serves as an in-depth look into factors such as course content, student data, and impact to families, students and the community, as well as measurements for student success.

“The review team was pleased with our course content and the focus we put on communication with parents and students,” Shelton said. “We will be continually assessing our program so that we keep pursuing excellence and implementing strategies that will benefit students in the program.”

The benefit of accreditation to UMHS students and families is not only knowing that the program is exceeding national standards and providing outstanding learning opportunities, but also that the credits earned will be easily accepted by accredited public and private high schools for graduation. For UMHS diploma-route students, the SACS accreditation ensures that their degree is accepted for admission to any accredited college or university.

“We are attractive to students because we offer an alternative education and academic opportunities beyond what a traditional school can offer,” Shelton said.

“We are not competitors with the local schools; instead, we can enhance what a school can offer to its students.”

PAGE 7

Water tower, City Hall lots rarely full

BY ERROL CASTENS OXFORD CITIZEN

Want free parking downtown? Look for the water tower.

People working downtown and Ole Miss students taking OUT buses from the Square to campus help fill up much of the free, offstreet parking in Oxford’s central business district, but the lot at the Oxford Park Commission headquarters – the site of the big blue water tower – almost always has open spaces.

“It’s consistently unused,” said Matt Davis, Oxford’s downtown parking manager. “City Hall (lot) usually has some vacant spaces, but all the others are at or near capacity a good bit of the day.”

Surveys of paid and free weekday parking usage last month showed lunchtime occupancy of metered spaces ranging from 55 percent on Mondays to 72 percent on Fridays. Average lunchtime usage of the free

lots – behind City Grocery, west of the High Cotton building, behind City Hall, behind the Oxford-University Club and behind Something Southern – ranged from 87 percent on Mondays to 97 percent on Fridays. Even on Fridays, the OPC/water tower lot never had more than 48 (37 percent) of its 131 spaces in use.

Of course, the water tower lot is a little more of a hike than the other lots.

While three of the six cityowned lots are roughly on a level with the Square, the OPC/water tower lot is down one hill and up another from the Square, while the City Hall and High Cotton lots present short but steep climbs to the Square.

At 6 p.m. on weekdays, the same trends held mostly true. Metered spaces ranged from 65 percent occupancy on Mondays to 83 percent on Fridays, but while the City Grocery, High Cotton and

O-U Club lots are near capacity, the City Hall and Something Southern lots averaged less than half full at suppertime.

The OPC/water tower lot occupancy was up only marginally over lunchtime, averaging 36 percent over all five days.

Saturday statistics are not available because of personnel limitations, but two Square merchants on the commission – Amanda Hyneman of Neilson’s and Jeff Johnson of Nella – agreed that non-football Saturdays are not drastically different.

“I’d say that it may be slightly easier to park up here on Saturdays,” Hyneman said.

Mayor Pat Patterson attributed the difference to less non-retail traffic than during the week.“The banks are closed, City Hall is closed, and the courthouse is closed,” he said. errol.castens@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenec

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 8

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

BRIEFING Veterans Day

Several entities will observe Veterans Day on Wednesday: The Lafayette County High School Air Force Junior ROTC, along with the LCHS Band and Choir, will host the 13th Annual Veterans Day program in the Lafayette High gym at 9 a.m. Any veteran is invited to attend, and the event is open to the public.

Oxford-University School will host the public at Oxford Church of Christ, beginning with a light breakfast at 9:15 a.m. and a Veterans Day program at 10 a.m. For more information, contact Sarah Hopkins at (662) 234-2200.

The Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford will host its Veterans Day program at 10 a.m., followed by a brunch. The public is welcome.

A community-wide observance will be held at the National Guard Armory next to the Oxford Conference Center at 10:30 a.m.

The program will include an honor guard, patriotic

songs and a guest speaker.

the Powerhouse featuring artwork and handcrafted gifts for the holidays. For more information, visit www.oxfordarts.com

to take precautions to avoid vehicle-deer collisions.

King to speak on Deer movement inelection process creases during the fall and Dr. Marvin King, Associwinter months, meaning ate Professor of Political the importance of driving Peace Corps Science at Ole Miss, will defensively and staying Community Lunch alert, especially at dawn discuss the U.S. presidenMembers and friends of and dusk, also increases. tial election process for the the Oxford area Peace next Newcomers and Re“Over the past five years, Corps community are intiree Attraction Program Mississippi has averaged vited to attend a lunch educational session at 2 3,058 deer-related crashes p.m. Tuesday at the Oxford gathering at Lusa Cafe at per year,” said MDOT Exnoon on Nov. 16 with a Chamber of Commerce. ecutive Director Melinda representative of the NaKing will describe the McGrath. “The increase in tional Peace Corps Associ- vehicle-deer crashes in the component steps of the ation and the Mississippi process and some of the fall and winter months is Returned Volunteers. The factors that impact the partially a result of higher group will discuss revitaliz- traffic volumes, higher veprocess and outcomes.

Seating is limited, so to re- ing a Mississippi chapter. hicle speed and shorter For more details, contact serve a seat please email daylight hours.” jonathan@peacecorpscontalleyj1946@gmail.com as MDOT advises motorists nect.org. soon as possible. to use these safe driving tips to help avoid collisions with deer: Holiday Arts Deer danger Watch for deer and drive Market for drivers with extreme caution, especially in posted areas.

The Yoknapatawpha Arts With cooler weather If you see one deer near Council’s annual Holiday spreading across the state, the road, slow down and Arts Market will be held at deer are more active and the Powerhouse on Nov. more visible on Mississippi expect that other deer will follow.

12-15. The Holiday Arts highways and roadways.

Watch for deer, espeMarket is co-sponsored by The Mississippi Departcially at dawn and after Oxford Artists Guild and ment of Transportation sunset. About 20 percent will feature booths inside (MDOT) warns motorists

of these crashes occur in early morning, while more than half occur between 5 p.m. and midnight.

Always buckle up for safety and drive at a safe, sensible speed.

At night, use your high beam lights when no traffic is approaching. The high beams will illuminate the eyes of the deer on or near the highway.

MDOT urges motorists to watch out for deer, avoid distracted driving and buckle up for safety when traveling Mississippi’s highways and roadways.

St. Jude eyes $7 billion expansion St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a Memphis-based nonprofit serving children from across the nation and beyond, is planning a $7 billion attack on cancer, sickle-cell anemia and other childhood diseases.

The new plan for success extends to the clinic, the laboratory and around

the world. Among its goals are these: Increasing the number of patients treated on St. Jude-led clinical trials Advancing clinical care programs for children with non-malignant blood diseases Strengthening basic lab and clinical research programs Determining the optimal use of proton therapy for brain tumor, solid tumor and Hodgkin lymphoma Developing a worldclass program to harness the immune system to treat childhood cancers Expanding the International Outreach Program Developing a St. Judefunded global Clinical Research Consortium Organizing global teams of scientists to collaboratively address high-priority scientific questions The program, which will include a $1 billion expansion on its Memphis campus, is expected to be implemented over six years.

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PAGE 9

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 10

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

Heather Richardson

Andrew Richardson

Email: heather@tmhomes.com

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Oxford Cell: 662.801.2718 Office: 662.234.6264

Eileen Saunders Oxford Cell: 662.404.0816 Office: 662.234.5344 1100 Tyler Ave, Unit 305 MLS#134050

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Oxford - Luxury living with private garage and views of the square. Walk with ease to dinner, concerts or book signings, the Grove! The farmers market and HWY 6 Access all within a mile.

This condo features heart pine floors, 10' ceilings, granite throughout and stainless Viking appliances. Freshly painted and move in ready! $430,000. Call Heather Richardson - 662-5887312 or Andrew Richardson – 662-801-2718

342 Winners Circle MLS#133852 Oxford – Is this your dream home? Beautiful house on a hill with stunning views. 3BR/3.5BA, library/office upstairs media room, 3 car garage, large kitchen and lots of storage.

Covered patio and outside log burning fireplace. Call today for an appointment. $429,900.

Call Eileen Saunders – 662-404-0816.

Thaddeus Hooper

Weesie Biedenharn

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Oxford Cell: 601.934.0572 Office: 662.234.5344

Oxford Cell: 662.638.5332 Office: 662.234.5344

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

PAGE 11

Caroline Felker

Blake Thompson

Oxford Cell: 662.801.0878 Office: 662.234.5344

Oxford Cell: 662.801.7014 Office: 662.234.5344

Email: caroline@tmhomes.com www.youroxfordhome.com

Email: blake@tmhomes.com

Paula Crum

Oxford Cell: 662.701.7789 Office: 662.234.5344

Email: paula@tmhomes.com CR 331

MLS#134132

Oxford - Additional Parcels: 226-14-004.00 @50 Acres and 226.14-003.00 @50 Acres (as recorded) Three parcels for a combined 200 wooded Acres available as a future home site or future harvesting of wood product. $ 560,000. Call Paula Crum – 662.701.7789.

311 River Run

MLS#134357

Oxford - Fantastic Ranch home with brick exterior located in Yocona Ridge. Home was a fenced in level back yard.

The Family room features a vaulted ceiling and gas logs in the fireplace. The kitchen features wooden cabinets, black appliances and ceramic tile floors. You enter the large patio through the French Doors. Double attached garage adds to making this a great home just outside the of Oxford in the Lafayette School District. Call 662.234.5344.

Brant & Jodi Garner

Sadie Smith

Email: brant@tmhomes.com jodi@tmhomes.com

Email: sadie@tmhomes.com

Tupelo/Oxford Brant: 662.297.6168 Jodi: 662.419.3420

Tupelo/Oxford Cell: 662.678.3033 Office: 662.842.3844

Whitney George Tupelo/Oxford Cell: 662.567.2573 Office: 662.842.3844

Email: whitney@tmhomes.com

Hwy 6 E Lot 2

MLS#133937

Oxford - Great Commercial location on Hwy 6 east of Oxford. Well suited for convenience store or retail. Owner is licensed MS Real Estate Broker. $250,000 Call Brant Garner – 662-297-6168

97 CR 427

MLS#134200

Vardaman - Country living! 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bath home situated on 1.8 acres. Covered patio, double carport, storage shed, & circle drive! Quiet, peaceful setting. $61,500 Call Whitney George-662-567-2573.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 12

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

Danny Flowers

Cole Hoover

Email: danny@tmhomes.com

Email: cole@tmhomes.com

Oxford Cell: 662.816.7294 Office: 662.234.5344

Oxford Cell: 901.387.9910 Office: 662.234.5344

James R. Hunter, Sr. Hwy 278

Tupelo/Oxford Cell: 662.871.8658 Office: 662.842.3844

Email: jrhunter@tmcommercialgroup.com

MLS#133457

Oxford - Over 22 acres of Prime Development Property on south side of Hwy 6, where University Ave ends. Ideal for commercial development of hotel/resort, retail, or office complex. Does not include the 3.8 acre homesite tract on North side of Hwy 6 that is part of this tax parcel. $3,200,000. Call Mark Prince-662-871-1971.

Magnolia Way

Sherman - The acreage is located at the intersection of Magnolia Way (entrance to Toyota Mississippi), Highway 9, and old Highway 9. The land is gently rolling/hilly in areas and flat in some areas. Owner will subdivide. Will consider subdividing. $2,243,100.

Call James Hunter-662-871-8658.

Nicole Cain Wright

Polina Wheeler

Email: nicolec@tmhomes.com

Email: polina@tmhomes.com

Oxford Cell: 662.401.4632 Office: 662.234.5344

Oxford Cell: 662.617.5744 Office: 662.234.5344

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OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

PAGE 13

Ole Miss FROM PAGE 1

the extra point kick, and with 1:32 to go in the opening period, things stood 7-7.

In the second quarter the Razorbacks again went out in front, this time with a 10play, 59-yard drive that culminated with an Allen pass to Dominique Reed of 15 yards for the score. The extra point was good by Hedlund, and the Hogs led 14-7 with 7:28 to go in the second quarter.The Rebels tied it on their next possession with a Kelly run of 11 yards for the touchdown, capping anineplay, 78-yard drive that left 5:05 to go before halftime on the clock.

But each team would add more points before intermission by way of a field goal.

After Arkansas’ drive stalled, Hedlund was good on a 45-yard field goal with 43 seconds left for a 17-14 advantage.

On its last possession of the half, Kelly to Laquon Treadwell for 30 yards put Ole Miss at the Razorback 20. There was one second to go. Wunderlich connected on a 37-yarder and that tied

LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during Saturday’s game against Arkansas.

LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

In less than two minutes gone in the third quarter, Ole Miss had points. Kelly hit Damore’ea Stringfellow for a 23-yard scoring strike that had Stringfollow making a magnificent run for the end zone. Wunderlich’s kick made it 24-17 Ole Miss.

In a game of big plays, Arkansas tied it next on a 30yard pass from Allen to Jared Cornelius. Hedlune was good and things were tied again 24-24.

the score at halftime.

Statistics were also fairly even at halftime. Rkansas had 14 first downs, and Ole Miss 13. The Hogs had 236 yards of offense, and Ole Miss 223.

The third quarter had four touchdowns – two by each team – as this rock ‘em sock ‘em game moved on, delighting a sold-out VaughtHemingway Stadium and a national television audience on CBS.

Ole Miss defensive end Channing Ward sacks Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen during Saturday’s game in Oxford.

Ole Miss moved out in front 31-24 when Kelly scored from three yards out, and Wunderlich’s kick was good.

Arkansas scored on its next two possessions to take a 38-31 lead early in the fourth quarter – a 3-yard rush by Kody Walker and a PAT by Hedlund, and a Allen to Drew Morgan pass of 10 yards (Hedlund kick).

Kelly hit Treadwell on a 17-yard touchdown pass top

tied things 38-38, along with Wunderlich’s kick, with 10:30 to go.

Ole Miss finally got the Raxorback offense off the field with a third and four that was not successful.

There was 7:29 to go in a tie game.

The Rebels then moved in for the go-ahead score. A big run of 24 yards by Kelly set

up the Rebels at the Hog 18yard line. Kelly then hit Quincy Adeboyejo on an 18yard touchdown pass. Wunderlich’s point after made it 45-38 Rebels with 4:55 to go.

Arkansas scored on an Allen to Reed pas for a touchdown with 53 seconds to go. Hedlund was good, and that’s the way regulation ended.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

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AROUND SQUARE BEYOND JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN

Metcalf, Chargers have made Friday nights very special

D

K Metcalf wasn’t trying to make it on ESPN’s Sports Center or be the talk of Twitter Thursday night. His fantastic one-handed grabs of two Jack Abraham passes, that reminded many of Ole Miss’ Laquon Treadwell or Odell Beckham of the New York Giants, just happened.

The first one, in the first half, happened by accident to hear Metcalf tell it. Before he could race into the end zone to complete the 48-yard pass play, Metcalf threw up his hand.

“I actually thought Jack over threw me on the first one, so I jumped,” said Metcalf who hurdles during the spring for the track team.

For those that may not know Metcalf well, he’s quiet. He’s humble. He says yes sir and no sir after questions. And anybody who read the Elite 8 story from a few weeks ago know that he’s a tremendous student. Metcalf finished the night with two more receiving touchdowns giving him 14 on the year. Metcalf did it all in front of his next quarterback, Shea Patterson, who stood on the Oxford sideline, down by the end zone. Patterson and Metcalf are close. They have been for over a year. Metcalf is one of the highest ranked players in the nation for the 2016 class. Patterson, who just got through with his prep playing career last week, is the top-rated signal caller in the nation.

There are still a lot more games for the Chargers to play, at least that’s the plan.

The regular season may have come to an end Thursday, but there are still four playoff games left to play, if every round goes right. Four wins is all that separates the Chargers from their first state title in football. Metcalf is the best receiver that has ever played at Oxford. And that’s saying a lot considering 1) how well Oxford has thrown the ball under Johnny Hill and 2) the amount of good athletes that have played the position.

TURN TO CHARGERS, 16

PHOTO BY JOEY BRENT

Running back Tyrell Price tries to break away from an Indianola-Gentry defender during Friday night's game at William L. Buford Stadium. Price finished with four touchdowns in the 48-7 win.

Lafayette blows away Gentry in first round of 4A playoffs

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Four quarters down. Four more to go for the Lafayette Commodores. That was the message of coach Eric Robertson as he talked with his team following Friday night’s 48-7 win over IndianolaGentry at William L. Buford Stadium.

Instead of focusing on several weeks, or even an entire game, Robertson wants his Commodores to take it quarter by quarter.

Lafayette opened the MHSAA Class 4A playoffs with an outstanding allaround effort. Tyrell Price ran for four touchdowns in the victory, while the defense held the Rams in check.

Lafayette’s special teams also played well, blocking two punts that helped set up two touchdowns.

“I think our kids came out ready to play with the right mindset and I think that makes a difference in high school football,” Robertson said after his Commodores improved to 10-2 on the year.

“We came out and played hard on offense, and well on defense. I was impressed with our special teams. Robbie (Langley) kicked the ball deep and we got two blocked punts. All around, it was a good game, a good game in the first round for us.”

About the only thing that didn’t go according to script for the Commodores

was Price ended up 5 yards short of 2,000 yards on the ground. His four touchdowns gave him 31 on the season with at least four more quarters to add to that total.

“He was typical Tyrell. He ran hard and he had good blocking in front of him,” Robertson said. “He made plays when he was supposed to. He did have the one fumble, but it’s a wet ball. It shouldn’t happen, but it did we responded. He kept his head up and he came back and played well the rest of the game.”

LOOKING AHEAD Up next for the Commodores is a meeting with Noxubee County in the second round. The Tigers won the 4A title last season, and they are the opponent many felt the Commodores would see in this year’s 4A north state game.

“We have tried so hard not think about it leading up to the end of the season and playoffs,” linebacker Quin Jones said. “Now, we can put all of our focus on Noxubee. I know a lot of people had us and Noxubee going for north half, but it’s happening a little sooner.”

Vincent Lewis, who has created pressure from his defensive end spot all season long, said he knew the Commodores were going to have to meet Noxubee sometime if they wanted to advance to the state title

game.

“It’s just coming a little sooner. We’re going to have to win every quarter agains them. They’re good and we’re good, too,” Lewis said. “We’re going to have to play our hardest.”

Both Lewis and Jones said the defense was more locked in following a loss to Senatobia. Based on the stats from Friday, the Commodores were rock solid, holding the Rams to just 84 yards.

“We only have one time. This is our last opportunity to make it to state,” Lewis said. “We’re going to try and take advantage of it.”

Jones felt like the past week of practice was much more intense than it had been. And there is no more overconfidence.

“Each week through the season we’re getting more and more intense. We’re getting a locked in mindset, that we have to focus each and every day,” Jones said. “We don’t want to see what happened to us against Senatobia happen to us again. It’s playoff time. When we played Senatobia, we thought nobody could beat us. The Senatobia game knocked us back to even keel mode. We know that each and every single week we’re going to have to go hard.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

PAGE 15

State Champs: No. 1 Rangers win MACJC title

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

completion percentage, but it didn't stop him. He completed nine of his 17 passes in the first half for 139 yards. His touchdown to Marquisian Chapman covered 13 yards and it got the Rangers on the scoreboard first. Minshew finished the game with 204 yards and two touchdowns.

Justin Crawford, the state's leading rusher, was limited with a Grade 1 MCL sprain and not able to garner the number of carries he usually does. He did have a 50-yard touchdown in the first half, breaking a 7-7 tie. Crawford ended the first half with 61 yards on six carries. He finished the game with 71 yards on 13 carries overall.

The Rangers' season is not likely complete as they will more than likely be invited to play in the annual Mississippi Bowl on on Dec. 6. Last season East Mississippi won the bowl game to capture the NJCAA title.

SENATOBIA — Bobby Franklin Field looked more like a mud hole at the end of Saturday's MACJC state championship game. It looked like heaven to Northwest Mississippi Community College coach Jack Wright and his No. 1 Rangers, who defeated Gulf Coast 34-24. The victory culminated a magical season for the Rangers, who were just 1-8 in 2013. It was their first win in a state championship game since the legendary Franklin won the 1999 title.

“It's just a huge sense of relief, really, when you get to this point. When you get into the playoffs, you know what is at stake with each win,” Wright said. “You look at tape, you get ready and you don't know if you're going to win or not. You don't know what mistake you're going to make or if you're going to execute.

The thing I want to emphasize is this doesn't happen John.davis@journalinc.com PHOTOS BY JOHN DAVIS with the coaching staff that Ranger running back Justin Crawford (3) finished with 71 yards on 13 carries.

Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd I have. I have a group of unbelievable coaches.”

NWCC's MarFor the second straight quisian Chapmeeting this year, Northman breaks free west (10-1 overall) bullied for a long gain Gulf Coast (8-3) up front during the first and on defense. The half. He had 85 Rangers scored two of their yards on 14 carthree touchdowns in the ries, and three second half via fumble recatches for 52 turns. yards In the first meeting with the Bulldogs, the Rangers sacked quarterback A.J. Erdely eight times. He hit the turf two times in the first half, and went down six times overall Saturday.

The Bulldogs lost four fumbles overall.

“It's so cliché to say that you win championships with defense, but look how true it is,” Wright said. “We had a couple of bad snaps offensively and not in rhythm the first half, and really not in the second half either. Our defensive line was great, and that's where you win championships.

That's where you build long term and hopefully it carries over. Hopefully we get to play in the national championship game.”

A wet field and ball may have slowed NWCC quarterback Gardner Minshew Northwest Mississippi Community College quarterback Gardner Minshew passed for 204 The Rangers hold up the MACJC state championship trophy following their win over the Bulldogs. and skewed his normal yards in the Rangers' 34-24 win over Gulf Coast in the MACJC state title game Saturday.

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 16

SPORTS IN DEPTH WEEK 12 RESULTS Lafayette 48, Gentry 7 Indianola-Gentry 0 0 0 7 – 7 Lafayette 14 28 0 6 – 48 FIRST QUARTER • LAF – Tyrell Price 1 run (Robbie Langley kick), 11:16 • LAF – Price 16 run (Langley kick), 1:50.

SECOND QUARTER • LAF – Price 1 run (Langley kick), 11:44.

• LAF – Tay Tay Owens 7 run (Langley kick), 8:35 • LAF – Price 4 run (Langley kick), 6:44.

• LAF – Owens 8 run (Langley kick), 3:32.

FOURTH QUARTER • GEN – Marquivus Kirkham 25 run (Phabian Woodall kick).

• LAF – Ross Ingram 11 run (conversion failed).

Records: Lafayette 10-2; Gentry 6-5.

Oxford 56, Lake Cormorant 26 Lake Cormorant 12 14 0 0 – 26 Oxford 22 21 13 0 – 56 FIRST QUARTER • LC – Brandon Smith 35 pass from Will Guest (kick failed), 11:45 • OXF – Martin Guzman 1 run (Liam Cooper kick), 8:23 • LC – Carlos Hicks 4 pass from Guest (conversion failed), 5:05 • OXF – Ken Presley 22 pass from Jack Abraham (Jimmy Greaser to Korbin Harmon 2point), 3:00.

• OXF – Zach Cousar 2 pass from Abraham (Connell Yoste kick), 2:10.

SECOND QUARTER • LC – Hicks 26 pass from Guest (Houston Coyle kick), 11:53.

• OXF – DK Metcalf 48 pass from Abraham (Cooper kick), 10:56 • LC – Hicks 15 pass from Guest (Coyle kick), 10:31 • OXF – Presley 14 pass from Abraham (kick failed), 7:24 • XF – Hiram Wadlington 1 run (Greaser to Dee Fair 2-point), 2:46.

THIRD QUARTER • OXF – Wadlington 15 run (kick failed), 7:16 • OXF – Metcalf 51 pass from Abraham (Yoste), 0:34.

Records: Oxford 9-2, 7-0; Lake Cormortant 7-5, 4-3.

DIVISION 1-5A

STANDINGS Overall W L Oxford 9 2 9 2 West Point Clarksdale 7 5 Lake Cormorant 7 5 Center Hill 6 5 New Hope 3 8 Lewisburg 3 9 0 12 Saltillo

W 7 7 4 4 4 2 1 0

Region L 0*^ 1* 3 3 3 5 6 7

Week 12 Results Oxford 56, Lake Cormorant 26 West Point 34, Lewisburg 0 Center Hill 16, Clarksdale 13 New Hope 23 Saltillo 6 Week 11 Results Oxford 54, Center Hill 30 Clarksdale 21, Lake Cormorant 19 West Point 44, New Hope 0 Lewisburg 51, Saltillo 20 *-Denotes earned playoff spot ^ - Denotes 1-5A champion

PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS Friday Class 4A Greenwood 19, Ripley 14 Houston 31, Corinth 14 Kosciusko 35, Shannon 7 Lafayette 48, Gentry 7 Class 2A Baldwyn 31, Eupora 8 Calhoun City 55, East Union 6 Winona 21, Mantachie 0

MAIS Class AAA Simpson Academy 29, Starkville Academy 14 Regular Season Falkner 36, Biggersville 0 Starkville 45, Clinton 7 Vardaman 55, Hamilton 0 Thursday Playoffs Class 4A Louisville 36, Itawamba AHS 9 Noxubee County 41, Amory 10 Class 3A Aberdeen 52, Belmont 6 Booneville 48, Nettleton 26 Kossuth 36, Mooreville 26 North Pontotoc 28, Benton County 20 Class 2A East Webster 42, Walnut 8 Regular Season New Hope 23, Saltillo 6 Smithville 40, Coffeeville 6 Tupelo 35, Olive Branch 28 West Lowndes 52, Thrasher 20 West Point 34, Lewisburg 0

STATE RESULTS Friday Playoffs Class 4A First Round East Central 32, Northeast Jones 30 Moss Point 20, West Lauderdale 14 Poplarville 21, McComb 20 Purvis 14, Florence 13 Rosa Fort 34, Cleveland 15 Senatobia 46, Raymond 7 St. Stanislaus 47, Quitman 20 Vancleave 15, Mendenhall 0 Class 3A First Round Collins 66, Philadelphia 36 Forest 24, Seminary 13 Class 2A First Round Bassfield 59, Pelahatchie 13 O’Bannon 22, West Tallahatchie 20 Strayhorn 16, West Bolivar 6 Taylorsville 50, Enterprise Clarke 44 MAIS AAAA Div I First Round Copiah Aca. 7, Parklane Aca. 0 Presbyterian Christian 45, Jackson Aca. 28 MAIS AAAA Div II First Round East Rankin Aca. 14, Pillow Aca. 13 Lamar School 41, Hillcrest Christian 7 MAIS Class AAA Second Round Indianola Aca. 27, Cathedral 7 Leake Aca. 27, Adams Christian 19 Silliman, La. 28, St. Aloysius 7 MAIS Class A-AA Second Round Benton Academy 38, Winona Christian 0 Tri-County Aca. 33, Prairie View, La. 12 Wilkinson County Christian Academy 16, Prentiss Christian 0 Regular Season Brandon 14, Pearl 0 Brookhaven 31, Natchez 20 Center Hill 16, Clarksdale 13 Columbus 44, Hernando 24 D’Iberville 34, St. Martin 33 George County 56, Hancock 7 Gulfport 27, Biloxi 0 Harrison Central 28, Ocean Springs 24 Hattiesburg 28, Stone County 7 Laurel 19, Wayne County 13 Long Beach 28, West Harrison County 12 Nanih Waiya 49, Ethel 8 Oak Grove 56, Jackson Jim Hill 26 Pascagoula 17, Gautier 9 Pearl River Central 41, Picayune 14 Resurrection Catholic 21, Salem 0 Southaven 14, Horn Lake 0 Warren Central 14, Callaway 8 Thursday Grenada 6, Neshoba Central 3 Provine 18, South Jones 14 South Panola 41, DeSoto Central 14 Springfield, La. 49, Bogue Chitto 16 West Jones 21, Wingfield 8

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Chargers FROM PAGE 14

After the 30-point win over the Lake Cormorant Gators was in the books, Stan Hill, Oxford’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, agreed that the first one hander by Metcalf was as good as he’s seen. Of course the mentioned a catch made by Brent Brownlee, a diving, stretch job, was pretty fantastic as well. Brownlee went on to play center field at Mississippi State. And he was really, really good. He was also a three-sport standout like Metcalf is.

Metcalf should be really, really good at Ole Miss when he gets there next fall. Does he play as a freshman? I say yes, for sure. Does he make the impact that Treadwell did in 2013? He has the tools to. Metcalf has incredible drive. He’s disciplined, and while I’m not sure which wideouts will complement him in the 2016 class, it’s going to be very hard for another to outwork him. And be more dedicated to getting better than him. It’s going to be less of a surprise to me that Metcalf is an All-SEC performer than not. Again, it’s tough to be considered one of the top two or three receivers in this league, but Metcalf can be. It won’t be easy, but Metcalf likes challenges. He likes to compete. He’s also so humble, accolades won’t change him. Grant Heard telling him he’s done a good job won’t do anything for Metcalf’s personality. He will smile, and say yes sir. I’ve seen him do it over and over again. Any time someone tells him he’s done a good job, he accepts it, gives thanks and keeps grinding.

The intangibles, the

PETRE THOMAS | BUY AT PHOTO.DJOURNAL.COM

Senior wide receiver DK Metcalf made two incredible catches during Thursday night's win over Lake Cormorant at Bobby Holcomb Field. character, is what will separate Metcalf from the others at Ole Miss. Again, if there is another wideout that does more than him, then Ole Miss is going to be that much better.

Character counts and when you mix it with great talent, good things usually happen. Metcalf is far from the only reason why the Chargers are 9-2 and have been one of the best teams in the state the past three seasons.

“He’s obviously one of our major playmakers, but he takes on the role of being a team player,” Abraham said. “Whenever he gets the glory, he always gives the team the glory.”

He is the most recognizable reason the Chargers are where they are in the eyes of the recruiting gurus, and the media that cover across the state. Of course, Metcalf always says “team”

Citizen

when people ask him about himself. He always makes sure to talk about Abraham. What good wide receiver doesn’t make sure to talk about their quarterback? Jerry Rice always said the nicest things about Joe Montana. Both of them headed into the NFL Hall of Fame together.

Abraham said that Metcalf is a “freak of nature” and he’s consistently told anyone who has asked.

“He has steadily shown everybody that on Friday night,” Abraham said. “At practice, he is always catching it with one hand, left or right. Of course we want him to catch with two hands, but as long as he’s catching them. He’s a great guy, a humble guy. He’s just one of a kind.”

Metcalf is the most high profile Charger on a team filled with a lot of really good players. He never lets himself feel

like he’s the most important even when so many of his buddies know it’s true. That’s why this fantastic journey has worked out so, so well, and why the Chargers have won so many games. Metcalf is all about his brothers.

And they are all about Metcalf. They love to see him “Moss” on some poor cornerback. They love to tweet about how much of a beast he is.

Metcalf has made Friday nights very, very fun. So have the Chargers, who are saddling up for another run at the title.

Hopefully this is the year that the most talented player can help the most talented group of seniors give the school’s best head coach the thing that will complete the circle, and bronze them like the champions they have all made us feel like watching them.

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

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OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015

PAGE 17

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Oxford Charger seniors a bonded, special group

Martin's interception, overall effort stands out for 'Dores

BY JOHN DAVIS

BY JOHN DAVIS

SPORTS EDITOR

Even though the Oxford Chargers will host Vicksburg’s Gators in the first round of the MSHAA Class 5A playoffs this coming week, the matchup with Lake Cormorant’s Gators Thursday was the end at home. For the past three seasons, the 2016 senior class have been driving the Chargers to wins.

Quarterback Jack Abraham and DK Metcalf and a bevy of linemen have led the offense.

Dee Fair, Korbin Harmon and others up front have paced the defense.

It’s a special group of seniors, a large group to be even more exact, and everything culminated with a final set of team pictures, hugs and smiles. There were even some tears shed.

For Oxford coach Johnny Hill, picking a player over another is a hard one, especially on Senior Night. In his estimation, each one is very important in their own way.

“I would say that they rank right up there at the top and they might be as talented of a group as I’ve had,” Hill said.

“You think back to the team the year that we played Wayne County (2003) for the state title. You think about those guys, and we were the four seed, and how we battled through the things that we did. That class will always be special to me.”

The 2016 class never lost a game in Division 1-5A play.

That equals out to 21 wins.

SPORTS EDITOR

PHOTO BY JOHN DAVIS

Oxford's senior class is a special group.They won all 21 Division 1-5A games, and have played for the last two state titles. The goal is to play for a third in a month.

And the past two seasons, the Chargers have represented the north in the 5A title game.

“They are special group and the good thing about it is they are good kids. They really are,” Hill said. “They’re fun to be around. They’re almost like your sons out there.

I end up treating them like my sons because we spend so much time together.

They’re a good group and they still haven’t reached their potential. I think they know that, and I’m hoping they will. It’s hard to win every game and if you win every game and not play hard, then you really haven’t done anything. The whole purpose of coaching is to get kids to play as hard as they can play and come together as a team.”

Hill said when that happens, then special things happen. And it’s been a coaching dream the past three years to have players like Abraham lead the way.

“This is a really great

bunch of guys that are very team oriented,” Hill said. “It’s hard to have done what they have in this 5A league that we’re in. They’re a lot of great teams, but we have a great group of guys. They’re going to play hard.” Abraham said that the seniors have been together so long that it’s more like a brotherhood.

“We have all taken a leadership role. Probably the best play of the game was when Martin Guzman got into the end zone,” Abraham said.

“He’s a guy that doesn’t get into the game that much, but he is always on the sideline, cheering us on. He’s just one of the team guys that you can always count on. The senior class as a whole, we’ve done so much. We haven’t been able to finish it off in the state championship the past two years, but it’s our time to shine and lead our team back to state.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

Xavier Martin was certain Indianola-Gentry’s quarterback didn’t see him when he dropped back to try and complete a pass on third and long.

Lafayette’s safety stepped in, and made a clean interception late in the first quarter. It set up Tyrell Price’s second touchdown of the contest. And while the Commodores were never seriously threatened in the 48-7 win, Martin’s interception came as the Rams seemed to be gaining some momentum after a few successful plays on offense.

“I saw it coming straight to me. I guess he didn’t see me,” Martin said with a laugh talking about the pick.

On a wet night, the Commodores defense buckled down on the Rams, squeezing them with everything they had.

“We came out and did what we were supposed to do,” Martin said. “It didn’t matter about the weather. We talked about finishing all week. We did what the coaches asked us to do.”

What head coach Eric Robertson asked his Commodores to do was clamp down and hold the athletic Rams in

PHOTO BY JOEY BRENT

Lafayette safety Xavier Martin (22) had an interception and a couple of other passes defended during Friday night's win over Indianola-Gentry. check. At the half, Gentry had only garnered 84 yards.

“We focused on the post wheel, the tight end.

We were already ready for it,” he said. “I think right now, we’re on the top of our game. We’re playing real well. This is probably the best we’ve played.”

Up next for the Commodores is a meeting with Noxubee County.

The Tigers are the de-

High School football players of the week are sponsored by:

fending state champions in Class 4A, and Martin said the key was to take it quarter by quarter.

“We have to go give it all we got,” Martin added. “It’s going to be a big game. We were going to meet up sooner or later. We just have to do what we’ve got to do. We have to handle our business.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

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Ready to Shine Hughes, Mitchell give needed depth to Lady Chargers

“It’s more about the team than it is the individual runners,” Hughes said.

“If we try our best, then the people around us will, too.

It helps the whole team.”

Mitchell said the thing she has heard about Choctaw Trails is how pretty the course is, and how difficult it is. And both know that there is a big hill at the end.

“But it all sounds really nice,” Mitchell said.

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Patricia Hughes and Lilli-Grace Mitchell have never run at Choctaw Trails in Clinton. The annual site of the MHSAA Class 5A state cross country meet will be where the Oxford High duo really get to showcase their talent Monday morning.

Hughes and Mitchell are in eighth grade. They have made tremendous improvement over the course of the fall, so much so that coach Chris Patton feels like both needed to run in the Division 1-5A meet, and then again at state.

“Last year, Patricia could have actually bumped up to varsity, but I wanted to let her get that extra year of middle school glory under her belt,” he said. “I wanted to keep it fun for her because varsity training is a little harder than middle school. They both came back and have had a great year and been phenomenal. They work hard at every practice. They compete to the best of their abilities at every meet.”

A week ago in Saltillo at the 1-5A meet, Mitchell and Hughes finished backto-back, 12th and 13th overall, helping the Lady Chargers finish second overall as a team. Patton said both learned how to race last week, and he wants to see them do it again Monday.

“It’s a lot different than just going out and running a 5K. The results showed on the final time,” Patton said, who felt like both could be individual state champions in time. “They

CHARGERS

PHOTO BY JOHN DAVIS

Oxford's Patricia Hughes, left and Lilli-Grace Mitchell may be in eighth grade, but their talent has helped make the varsity Lady Chargers a force in cross country this fall. have four more years to do this. I expect them to be in the top five. We’ve beaten Saltillo before without having a strong four and a five or a strong five and a six runner. They bring that extra gear to the rest of the team, just that little bit more of energy. There is no maybe we can do this, it’s we’ve got this with them.

As a team, the girls are very confident.”

Hughes and Mitchell have gained confidence from watching Margaret Pepper Adams, Ally Shinall, Katelyn Rock and Addie Thompson run past people all fall. This is the second straight season that Patton

has elevated middle school runners into this spot. Last year, Thompson and Rock were the duo. Now, Thompson is the 1-5A champion, while Rock finished sixth.

“I want to be them,” Mitchell said of her teammates. “They are doing what our goals are in running, and everything else.”

Hughes, who finished with a time of 21 minutes, 23 seconds in Saltillo, said that she has run “fairly well” during the season, and that she has done her best to help the Lady Chargers.

“I like how I ran last week. I did better than the

other times I had been running for JV,” she said.

A personal best is something Mitchell has set each race. She felt like that showed her growth as a runner.

“I tried my hardest, and I’m going to try even harder at state,” Mitchell said, who thought hard work had to match talent.

“Practice is important because it’s not all natural ability.”

Both girls have been running since they were both coming out of the sixth grade. Mitchell actually missed the tryouts and she saw that all of her friends were doing some

sort of a sport. She ended up being drawn to running.

“I have done gymnastics for nine years and I do cheer and after cross country, I got into track,” Mitchell said. “I’m also doing a little volleyball. I’m into a little of everything.”

Hughes wasn’t sure how she got into running other than it appealed enough to her to try.

“A lot of my mom’s side of the family ran and I thought it was just worth a shot,” she added.

Both knew that if everyone on the team tried their best, then winning a state title was very realistic.

Patton felt good about the other side of his team heading into Monday’s meet. Last year, the Chargers finished second to Saltillo in the 1-5A meet, and then won it all at state.

“Away from home, on a neutral site, I like our chances a lot better than theirs,” Patton said. “We have been training all year for this. And just like any other meet, this is the one we’ve been training for.”

And the way Patton sees things, times are out the window. It’s all about his runners, on both sides, is just beating the next runner.

“If JT beats their number one and our number two beats their number two, and so forth and so forth, then we will be victorious at the end of the day,” Patton said. “I do believe we can actually have two or three guys in between (Saltillo’s) two and three guys. We’re that talented.

We have to show it on the day, give a great effort, compete and leave nothing on the course.”

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

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OXFORD CITIZEN

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2015