RAMS HUNGRY FOR TITLE

WILKINSON COUNTY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

RAMS HUNGRY FOR TITLE, LOOK TO NEW OFFENSIVE WEAPONS

BY HUNTER CLOUD | THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

WOODVILLE — Wilkinson County Christian Academy came so close to a state title game appearance in 8-man football but fell short by two games. They lost 44-38 to DeSoto in West Helena, Arkansas in the semi-finals of MAIS 8-Man football. WCCA finished the 2021 season at 9-3 and 3-1 in MAIS 1A District 3 play. Their only loss in district play came against Riverdale Academy. Quarterback Andrew Sessions won The Natchez Democrat All-Metro Player of the Year and head coach Randy Holloway won The Natchez Democrat All-Metro Coach of the Year.

The Rams will have to replace graduates Sessions and Roderick Slim Bailey this upcoming football season but they have a few guys they can depend on. Jacob Sessions, Jack Orgeron and Nathan Mudd are the next leaders for the rams.

Jacob will be a sophomore and will replace his brother at quarterback. Orgeron is a veteran lineman and is related to Ed Orgeron. Mudd was a defensive standout and a strong target out of the tight end spot in the Ram’s passing game. The Rams are ready to reload this season, Holloway said.

“We lost a couple of studs from last year but the kids are working hard. We are going to run our system and do what we do best,” Holloway said. “You don’t replace those seniors but you coach up their replacements. Jacob Sessions has done a fine job stepping in at quarterback. He will be a good one and he is a sophomore.”

Last season, Jacob was the Ram’s freshman quarterback and got a lot of snaps in when games got out of hand. He

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has learned the system and they will package the offense around him, Holloway said.

Mudd is a senior who was a solid tackler for the Rams. Holloway said Mudd reminds him of Ted Hendricks who played outside linebacker in the NFL for 15 seasons at six foot seven inches.

“We call him the Mad Stork,” he said. “He will lead the defense for sure and play some tight end and wide receiver too.”

WCCA will have options in the passing game with Cole Partidge, Hunter Jentson and Brayden Ready. The Rams will depend on Ryan Fisher to carry the rock in the rushing attack. He will also play a role at linebacker and is a senior the Rams can depend on.

“He will be one of the fastest players on the field and he is really skilled. He has next level potential,” Holloway said. “This summer, he did a good job conditioning and working on his strength by pulling sleds. He is doing the extra things great players do.”

Sharing the rushing duties with Fisher will be Napelon Howard. WCCA’s strongest point of attack will be the offensive line. Holloway said the boys up front average 270 pounds and are anchored by guard Gary Veals, he has been a four year starter, Beau DeVillie and center David Smith.

“David will anchor the line and he has taken on a leadership role,” Holloway said. He is a little bit of leading by example and being a vocal leader. They have experience on the line and it will be our strong point.”

With two weeks left to go in the pre-season, Holloway said the team is ahead of where he wanted them to be. They have progressed this summer and bought into the workout regime. He said the team could be described as hungry.

The Rams are hungry to get to a state title game and avenge the last two seasons of only reaching the semi-finals and finishing third in the state. On August 19, they will begin the journey by taking the season game by game.

“We have to stay injury free and continue to get better each week,” Holloway said. “From now until November, there is a lot of room for improvement. The kids have put in the work and they will be motivated to do that.”

WCCA should continue to win this year and may be able to bridge the gap to a state championship in MAIS 8-man football.