Football Preview • August 2016 – 3
4 – Football Preview • August 2016
New season comes with plenty of change
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ook around the local football scene. It’s hard not to notice. Sure, every season is different. With roster turnover being as frequent as it is with both players and coaches, it’s an inevitable part of the game. But the degree of difference for the look of teams in this area from last year to this one is staggering. Start at the top with the high school teams. Oxford and Lafayette are both ushering in new eras under Chris Cutcliffe and Michael Fair, respectively. Oxford is going from a veteran to a rookie in Cutcliffe, the former Oxford quarterback with the recognizable last name who’s taking over for the retired Johnny Hill, while Fair will be the Commodores’ third head coach in the last six years as Eric Robertson’s successor. Brad Embry is back for his ninth season as Water Valley’s head man, but his staff has a fresh look to it. The Blue Devils have four new assistants with defensive coordinator Jeff Roberts and defensive line coach Bryant Mix being the only holdovers from last season. Graduation has taken some of the area’s most established players off their rosters. It will be strange going through a high school season without seeing Jack Abraham, DK Metcalf, Zach Cousar and others from perhaps the most decorated senior
class in Oxford history not in a Charger uniform on Friday nights. Same goes for Tyrell Price, Quin Jones and Eli Johnson at Lafayette and Water Valley’s Kirkland Horton and Jarius Gooch, who have all taken their game to the collegiate level. Then there are those household names that have gone from college to the pros. Gone from Ole Miss’ roster are Laquon Treadwell, Robert Nkemdiche and Laremy Tunsil, who lived up to the hype as jewels of the Rebels’ 2013 recruiting class and made history DAVIS POTTER this spring by becoming the first Ole Miss trio to be selected in the first round of the same NFL Draft. Those three leave some big shoes for Ole Miss to try to fill this season, but they aren’t the only ones. It didn’t seem like Trae Elston was ever going to run out of eligibility, but the four-year starter finally did. So did the versatile Mike Hilton, bringing to an end a successful run by the established safety tag team. C.J. Johnson, a much-ballyhooed recruit himself at one time, isn’t around anymore either after five seasons on the Rebels’ defense. SEE POTTER, 37
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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CLASSIFICATIONS A look at Mississippi’s prep regional alignments
SCHEDULES Area prep teams draw same challenging slates
NEW ERA Cutcliffe, Fair embrace expectations that come with new gigs
11
OXFORD HIGH PREVIEW Veteran Colton Skidmore at center of leadership in Chargers’ new-look offense McClure out to make own name under center (Page 16)
19 25
LAFAYETTE HIGH PREVIEW Dillon Woods ready to become leader for ‘Dores defense Quarles, Owens, Shaw provide multiple threats in run game (Page 23)
WATER VALLEY HIGH PREVIEW Rob Mitchell is healthy, preparing for senior season to be one of “best years” on Blue Devils’ defensive line James expects career year in backfield this fall (Page 28)
33 39
NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI CC PREVIEW Rangers dealing with changes in attempt to defend NJCAA title
OLE MISS PREVIEW Now the face of the Rebels’ program, Chad Kelly wants final chapter of college career to include championships Competition at left tackle heating up (Page 40) Healthy Conner ready for final season (Page 43) Q&A with defensive lineman Breeland Speaks (Page 46) Q&A with defensive line coach Chris Kiffin (Page 47)
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OLE MISS RECRUITING Little, Hartsfield among early impact candidates
TAILGATING TIPS What to know in preparation for gamedays at Ole Miss
RECRUITING LOOKAHEAD NCAA cloud a factor with Ole Miss’ 2017 class
Football Preview • August 2016 – 5
6 – Football Preview • August 2016
2016 MHSAA Football Regions
CLASS 1A Region 1 Biggersville Coffeeville Coldwater Falkner Hamilton Smithville Thrasher Vardaman West Lowndes
Region 2 Broad Street J.F. Kennedy Ray Brooks Shaw Simmons
Region 1 Baldwyn East Union H.W. Byers Mantachie Potts Camp Walnut Region 5 Bay Springs Clarkdale Enterprise-Clarke Heidelberg Newton Union
Region 2 Coahoma AHS Coahoma Co. J.Z. George Strayhorn West Tallahatchie
Region 3 Durant Ethel French Camp Leake County McAdams Montgomery Co. Nanih Waiya Noxapater Sebastopol
Region 4 Bogue Chitto Dexter Lumberton Mount Olive Resurrection Sacred Heart Salem Stringer
CLASS 2A
Region 6 Lake Pelahatchie Pisgah Puckett Scott Central St. Joseph-Madison
Region 3 Leflore Co. Leland O’Bannon Riverside South Delta West Bolivar Region 7 Amite Co. Bassfield Enterprise-Lincoln Loyd Star Prentiss West Lincoln
Region 4 Bruce Calhoun City East Webster Eupora Okolona Winona Region 8 East Marion Mize North Forrest Richton Taylorsville
CLASS 3A Region 1 Alcorn Central Belmont Benton Co. Booneville Kossuth New Site Region 5 Choctaw Central Choctaw County Forest Kemper Co. Philadelphia SE Lauderdale
Region 2 Charleston Holly Springs Independence M.S. Palmer North Panola Water Valley Region 6 Crystal Springs Magee McLaurin Morton Raleigh St. Andrew’s
Region 3 Amanda Elzy East Side Humphreys Co. Ruleville Velma Jackson Yazoo Co. Region 7 Franklin Co. Hazlehurst Jefferson Co. Port Gibson Wesson Wilkinson County
Region 4 Aberdeen Hatley Mooreville MSMS Nettleton North Pontotoc South Pontotoc Region 8 Collins Perry Central Seminary St. Patrick Tylertown West Marion
CLASS 4A Region 1 Amory Corinth Itawamba AHS Pontotoc Shannon Tishomingo Co. Region 5 Mendenhall NE Jones NE Lauderdale Newton Co. Quitman West Lauderdale
Region 2 Byhalia Lafayette New Albany Ripley Rosa Fort Senatobia Region 6 Florence Lawrence Co. McComb North Pike Richland South Pike
Region 3 Cleveland Gentry Greenwood Raymond Yazoo City Region 7 Columbia Forrest Co. AHS Green Co. Poplarville Purvis Sumrall
Region 4 Caledonia Houston Kosciusko Leake Central Louisville Noxubee Co. Region 8 Bay East Central Moss Point Pass Christian St. Stanislaus Vancleave
CLASS 5A Region 1 Center Hill Clarksdale Lake Cormorant Lewisburg New Hope Oxford Saltillo West Point
Region 2 Canton Germantown Grenada Holmes Central Lanier Neshoba Central Ridgeland Vicksburg
Region 3 Brookhaven Laurel Natchez Provine South Jones Wayne Co. West Jones Wingfield
Region 4 Gautier Hattiesburg Long Beach Pascagoula Pearl River Central Picayune Stone West Harrison
CLASS 6A Region 1 Columbus DeSoto Central Hernando Horn Lake Olive Branch Southaven South Panola Tupelo
Region 2 Callaway Clinton Greenville Madison Central Murrah NW Rankin Starkville Warren Central
Region 3 Brandon Forest Hill Jim Hill Meridian Oak Grove Pearl Petal Terry
Region 4 Biloxi D’Iberville George Co. Gulfport Hancock Harrison Central Ocean Springs St. Martin
Football Preview • August 2016 – 7
BRUCE NEWMAN
The Crosstown Classic between Oxford and Lafayette is annually one of the highlights of the high school schedule before teams move on to the all-important region games.
Prep teams draw same challenging slates BY JAKE THOMPSON jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
Another football season is upon us and brings us to the annual analyzing of the area high school football schedules. There is not a lot of change in any of the three schools’ schedules, but there is some intrigue with offseason moves and coaching hires. There is not a primetime ESPNU game on the schedule this year for Oxford, which is looking to make its fourth consecutive MHSAA Class 5A championship game appearance this year, but the Chargers will host Starkville in the annual Little Egg Bowl matchup.
Newly hired Lafayette coach Michael Fair will face his former Senatobia team late in the year with division and potential playoff implications once again on the line as the Commodores and Warriors will tussle at William. L. Buford Stadium.
Oxford
Once again, the Chargers have a tough non-division slate to start the year off. Trips to Southaven and Madison Central are mixed with home games against Starkville and the annual Crosstown Classic with rival Lafayette, which will be played on Sept. 9 before a bye week. SEE SLATES, 57
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8 – Football Preview • August 2016
Oxford’s Cutcliffe, Lafayette’s Fair embrace expectations accompanying new gigs BY DAVIS POTTER davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
As if getting ready for a new season in a new role while working with some other new faces wasn’t enough to worry about, Oxford first-year coach Chris Cutcliffe got a parting phone call in the offseason from his predecessor, Johnny Hill. “He called me and said, ‘Hey by the way, you’re welcome for that schedule,’” Cutcliffe said with a smile. The one-liner may have been all in good fun, but Cutcliffe is aware of the expectations that come with taking over one of the more successful programs in the state as one of the area’s new head coaches. The same goes for Michael Fair, who’s taking over at Lafayette after Eric Robertson left in the spring after four seasons to be the defensive coordinator at Madison Central. Cutcliffe is inheriting an Oxford team that’s won 50 games over the last four years and has made three straight MHSAA Class 5A championship game appearances. Gone is perhaps the best senior class in program history and a handful of assistants while a slate that includes Class 6A powers Starkville and Madison Central as well as the crosstown Commodores in non-division play won’t make it easy, but Cutcliffe likes the notion that Oxford should continue to win big. “At the high school level, you’re going to have talent that fluctuates, but I think
BRUCE NEWMAN
First-time head coach Chris Cutcliffe takes over an Oxford team that’s won 50 games over the last four seasons and has won three straight MHSAA Class 5A North Half titles.
if your program is what it should be and you’re at a place like Oxford where we have those expectations, kids in second and third grade, when they start playing football, have expectations of winning,” Cutcliffe said. “That carries over, and I think that’s a good thing because they learn what it takes to do that. They push themselves to meet those expectations. “I feel like we probably put more pressure on ourselves than anybody on the outside
does.” Lafayette is used to winning, too. Fair takes over a Commodore program that’s won a pair of Class 4A championships in the last six years and played for another one in 2013. Lafayette won 10 games last season before being ousted from the playoffs by eventual 4A champ Noxubee County. Like Oxford, Lafayette is having to replace some key pieces on both sides of the ball, but Fair said the Commodores are
in a position to reload rather than rebuild. “The thing about it is nobody is giving us a buffer period here, and I don’t want one,” Fair said. “We came here to put a great product on the football field on Week 1, and that is what we’re going to try to do. There are challenges to being new, but that’s what summer is for and what spring was for. So hopefully we got that out of the way.” The real difference between the two comes in their experience running their own program. Lafayette is the latest head coaching job for Fair, who has also been the head man at Pillow Academy and, most recently, Senatobia. He’s had success at every stop, leading Pillow Academy to the MAIS AAA Division II title in 2010 and quickly reviving the program at Senatobia. The Warriors had three straight losing seasons before Fair arrived, including a 1-9 mark in 2013. Senatobia went 16-7 during Fair’s two years at the helm, made the Class 4A playoffs both seasons and nipped Lafayette for the Region 2-4A championship last season with a 20-19 win in the teams’ matchup. Fair said he’s learned not to try to fix something that’s not broken. “This place has been successful for a long time, so it’s not a rebuild type deal,” Fair said. “You’re always anxious when you meet a new team. I don’t know if nervous is the word, but you’re anxious
Football Preview • August 2016 – 9 about how is all this going to fit? And you just have to trust and have confidence in yourself and say, ‘Look, what we’ve done works. We’ve seen it work in the past so we know that it’ll work here.” That experience is something Cutcliffe will have to accumulate as a rookie head coach. Cutcliffe, the son of former Ole Miss coach and Duke coach David Cutcliffe and a former Oxford quarterback, was on Hill’s staff as the Chargers’ wide receivers coach before being promoted in January following Hill’s retirement. Cutcliffe said he still seeks advice at times from Hill and his father, who took the same path in starting his coaching career decades ago. “One of the cool things is, out of college, (my dad’s) first job was an assistant coach at the high school he graduated from. Then he became the head coach,” the younger Cutcliffe said. “He went through the same thing that I’m going through, the exact same scenario. He has a lot of advice and insight into that. Obviously his experience in football, he’s been going at it a long time and has seen just about everything you could see, so I
BRUCE NEWMAN
Michael Fair is running his third different program at Lafayette after successful stints at Pillow Academy and, most recently, Senatobia.
can always lean on him for advice in any situation.” Both coaches are ready to dive in as they try to keep the wins coming.
“I’d love for this to be a long-haul type deal for me,” Fair said. “Hopefully we can get it going in the way where we can truly build something here for the long haul.”
10 – Football Preview • August 2016
PHOTO BY BRUCE NEWMAN
Football Preview • August 2016 – 11
MIDDLE MAN
Quick Hits Nickname: Chargers Field: Bobby Holcomb Field Region: 1-5A 2015 Record: 12-3 Head coach: Chris Cutcliffe (1st season) Assistant coaches: Sam McCorkle, Matt McCrory, Stan Robertson, Chris Baughman, Logan Dodson, Bobby Sanders
2016 Roster # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 42 43 45 46 47 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 63 64 65 66 67 68 70 71 72 75 76 80 82 83 86 87 88 90 91 92 93 96 98 99
Name Hiram Wadlington Preston Perkins CJ Terrell DT Thompson Eric Jeffries Andre Pegues Drew Robinson Cameron Bailey Jaquan Webb Quentin Wilfawn John Reece McClure Barry Flowers Travien Sims Jay Frierson John Meagher Giles Lamar Dede Pegues DQ Thomas John Harvey Devin Rockette Quay Quarles Lance Stewart Jordan Carothers Jaquanzi Johnson DeChristian Cummings Quentin James Gregory Milliner Damarius Wilson Peyton Schiller Damarion Parham Adrian Davidson Kalin Brown Hunter Lyons Phil Chambers Corey Liggins Jaquavious Lloyd Jaleen Clayton David Torrent Ja’shone Wells Max Mobley Avani Jackson Whitman Rowland Jamar James Joel Adamson Gray Jenkins Keynin McEwan Kolbe Leary LaMarcus Faulkner Robert Traylor Anthony Boudreaux Jammie White Ashton Stewart Reed Cooper Xavier Lipsey Graham Davis Isaiah Jones Wes Burchfield Ryan Lipscomb JT Owens Will Hollingsworth Colton Skidmore Brian Vaughn Nick Sisk Jacob Heuer Jacob Ramage Reece Cousar Clark Stovall DeMarea Burt Peyton Moore Ryan Whitehead Joe O’Keefe Nicholas McGlown Jerry Quiller Jr. Kent Hickinbottom Luther Hayes Jerron Poindexter Jaquan Buford Nick Delbert Xavian Herod
Pos. RB WR DB LB LB RB WR LB WR LB QB WR LB LB QB LS WR DB DB DB DB RB LB DB DB DB DB LB DL DB LB RB DB WR DB TE LB RB LB K WR LS LB TE K DL OL DL LB OL LB OL OL OL OL DL OL OL DL OL OL OL DL OL DL DL TE WR WR TE TE WR DL DL DL DL DL DL DL
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Skidmore at center of leadership in Oxford’s new-look offense BY DAVIS POTTER davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
C
olton Skidmore has heard it all. The grizzled veteran of Oxford’s offensive line, Skidmore enters his senior season having started 45 straight games at center and 46 in all at the varsity level. His teammates rarely let an opportunity go by to have some fun with Skidmore by ribbing him about his seniority in the locker room. “They give me a hard time like, ‘Skid’s been here “A non-team for 10 years.’ All that sort of stuff,” Skidmore said expectation would be with a smile. “They give me a hard time about it. It just makes me laugh.” that we’re not going to be nearly But Skidmore is serious about using that wealth as good as we have been, but of experience to help the Chargers continue the success they’ve had recently heading into a year where from being with our team, I many are expecting a dropoff with the amount of think we’ll be just as good as we talent Oxford lost after its third straight appearance have been the last three years.” in the MHSAA Class 5A title game. “A non-team expectation would be that we’re Colton Skidmore not going to be nearly as good as we have been, Oxford senior center but from being with our team, I think we’ll be just as good as we have been the last three years,” Skidmore said. “Everybody bought in. People have quit skipping reps, we’re finishing when we run, we’re doing all this stuff, and people are just buying in. That’s what you need, especially losing seven seniors at every position really. The guys are buying in. That’s awesome. That’s going to help us so much.” Gone are quarterback Jack Abraham, receiver DK Metcalf, tight end Zach Cousar and defensive end Korbin Harmon along with three of Skidmore’s line mates from last season, SEE OXFORD, 12
2016 Schedule Date
Aug. 19 Aug. 26 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 * - Region 1-5A game ^ - homecoming game
Opponent
at Southaven Starkville at Madison Central Lafayette at West Point* Saltillo* at Lewisburg* New Hope*^ at Clarksdale* Center Hill* at Lake Cormorant*
Winning Ways 16 14
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12 – Football Preview • August 2016
OXFORD: Senior offensive lineman worried about more wins now, recruiting later FROM PAGE 11 leaving the 6-foot-1, 290-pound Skidmore as one of the Chargers’ undisputed leaders. Skidmore was promoted to the varsity team as an eighth-grader and broke into the starting lineup full-time as a freshman as the only underclassman up front. Four years later, Skidmore knows exactly what to expect on Friday nights and is doing what he can to help those who aren’t as seasoned get prepared. “Being able to (play) at an early point really helped me because now it’s just a regular old game. It’s not anything different,” Skidmore said. “It helped get the nerves out, too. You get to varsity football, all the people are watching and you get some nerves. It helped me get the nerves out and just get used to everything so I can lead now.” Skidmore has been making the calls for the offensive front since taking over fulltime at center, and coaches are so com-
fortable with what he sees on the field, Skidmore said, that he has the freedom to change the calls and protections at times based on how the defense lines up. And he takes it personally if anything ever goes wrong. “I wouldn’t say I miss very many calls, but obviously every once in a while,” he said. “I take pride in the fact that I don’t want to miss any calls. I’ll take the blame every time, but I love having that responsibility. Being able to make all the calls and stuff, I love it.” Skidmore’s focus this season is more physical than mental. He’s not worried about sealing off defenders for new quarterback John Reece McClure and running back Hiram Wadlington at the point of attack. It’s the ability to get downfield and continue throwing blocks in order to help spring big gainers that Skidmore is concentrated on, something a revamped body has helped him with. After getting up to 310 pounds as a
freshman, Skidmore said he “quit eating crap” and benefitted from team and personal workouts to add more muscle and drop 20 pounds. “I move a lot better,” Skidmore said. “My feet are a lot quicker. I’ve gotten stronger and my body has developed a little bit. I’m not getting my feet stuck in the ground.” He hopes colleges start noticing the strides made in his game, too. Skidmore has scholarship offers from a handful of junior colleges around the state but has yet to garner one from an FBS school. He camped at Southeast Missouri State, Tulane and LouisianaLafayette earlier this summer. Skidmore said he doesn’t have a problem going the junior college route if necessary, but he’ll wait things out in hopes of getting a chance to start his college career at a four-year school. For now, he just wants to enjoy the final chapter of a lengthy high school one.
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Football Preview • August 2016 – 13 “I try not to think about it too much. I’m just trying to play ball,” Skidmore said. “They’re going to want me if they want me, so I’m just trying to lead up, be with my teammates and just have a good senior season and see what happens from there.”
Offense McClure, a sophomore, steps in for the record-setting Abraham at quarterback after spending the last couple of seasons leading the offenses for the middle school and ninth-grade teams. McClure practiced with the high school team last fall but has yet to take a snap at the varsity level. Oxford coach Chris Cutcliffe liked what he saw from McClure during 7-on-7 passing camps this summer but is eager to see how it translates to actual games. “He’s played quarterback a long time, but he hasn’t done it on a Friday night,” Cutcliffe said. “We were fortunate to get him some work last year (in practice). That was great for him, but it’s a little different when you’re really the man and you’re playing Southaven in that first
BRUCE NEWMAN
Junior running back Hiram Wadlington (1) is a speedy threat from any spot on the field.
game against a 6A school and you’re on the road and it’s our first drive. It’s just a different feeling.” Freshman John Meagher will be
McClure’s primary backup while junior receiver Barry Flowers and junior defensive back C.J. Terrell could take snaps in certain situations. Hiram Wadlington will take over as the Chargers’ go-to running back. The 5-10, 180-pound junior came on strong at the end of last season, bringing speed and versatility to the position with nearly as many receiving yards (644) as he had rushing (896) last year. Senior Kalin Brown and sophomores Lance Stewart and David Torrent will also be a part of the rotation in the backfield. “His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield or even to go play slot receiver is outstanding,” Cutcliffe said of Wadlington. “In terms of the run game, he can be a power runner between the tackles, get behind his pads and finish runs. He can also get out on the perimeter and make guys miss. I think he does a lot of things well.” The receiver position was hit hard by graduation as the Chargers’ top three SEE CHARGERS, 14
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14 – Football Preview • August 2016
CHARGERS: Oxford switching to 3-4 defense under new coordinator Matt McCrory FROM PAGE 13 pass-catchers from last year — Metcalf, Ken Presley and Jimmy Greaser — are gone. Oxford is also replacing Cousar, who’s still teammates with Abraham at Louisiana Tech. But Oxford has options behind them. The lone senior of the group, Preston Perkins, is set to take over in the slot while Flowers and junior speedster Jaquan Webb will step in the outside. DeMarea Burt, Drew Robinson, DeDe Pegues and Nick McGlown are some others who are competing to be a part of the rotation. While Oxford doesn’t have one receiver with the all-around talent possessed by Metcalf, who set single-season
school records in receiving yards and touchdown catches last season before heading to Ole Miss, Cutcliffe said he likes the group’s ability to replace that production collectively. “We have Barry Flowers, who is not 6-foot-3 like D.K. was but is explosive in and out of his breaks, can create separation, catches the ball incredibly well away from his body and does a lot of things well,” Cutcliffe said. “Preston is just so consistent. He does everything right. Catches the ball well. He’s reliable. Jaquan Webb, with his speed, when we play, he’ll be the fastest guy on the field every Friday night. I think we have guys that bring different tools to the table.” Junior Joe O’Keefe is step-
ping in at tight end after backing up Cousar last season. The 6-3 O’Keefe will be the Chargers’ primary pass-catcher at the position while senior Jaquavious Lloyd will contribute as an in-line blocker. Skidmore is one of two returning starters on the offensive line along with senior Ashton Stewart, who’s moving from guard to left tackle. Fellow senior Kolbe Leary is slated to take over at right tackle, junior Will Hollingsworth is at left guard and Reed Cooper and Brian Vaughn are competing at right guard, but most of them are also getting reps at other positions to create options up front. “You’d like to have seven or eight guys that we can get in a rotation and play and
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have different combinations of guys,” Cutcliffe said. “One of our big things is when an offensive lineman gets hurt, we want to be able to bring in the next best player. We want them to know different positions, so we’ll work different combinations.”
Defense Oxford is switching to 3-4 base defense under new defensive coordinator Matt McCrory and will be led on the defensive front by a pair of returning seniors in noseguard Nick Sisk and end Kent Hickinbottom. Isaiah Jones, Jerry Quiller Jr., Xavian Herod, J.T. Owens and Jerron Poindexter are competing for the other end spot and will provide depth. “Defensive line is a position
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Football Preview • August 2016 – 15 where, yes, you have starters — and those (Sisk and Hickinbottom) are certainly returning starters — but we’re going to rotate guys,” Cutcliffe said. “That’s a place you’ve got to be fresh. We’re going to hopefully play six or maybe seven guys.” Senior DT Thompson is back at one of the inside linebacker positions with Quentin Wilfawn, Jay Frierson and Eric Jeffries vying for snaps at the other spot. Jamar James, Jordan Carothers and Cameron Bailey are working at weakside linebacker while senior DQ Thomas is transitioning to strongside outside linebacker after spending last season at safety, giving the Chargers a versatile option to defend the varying offenses they will face this fall. “His speed and quickness allows him to be a great cover guy,” Cutcliffe said. “He’s a very strong, explosive, powerful guy who can get in the box and be a great player against the run. We just want to be able to use all of his skills, and we felt like we could do that better moving him up to linebacker.” Oxford has both cornerbacks back in Terrell and Ole Miss commit Devin
“With a new kicker, you always worry a little bit because that wins and loses a lot of ball games, but I trust those guys.” Chris Cutcliffe Oxford head coach
Rockette. Junior Jaquanzi Johnson is in line to start at strong safety while junior Greg Milliner is the favorite to take over at free safety. Quay Quarles, DaDa Parham, Hunter Lyons, DeChristian Cummings and John Harvey could also get snaps in the secondary and could line up at any of the four spots if needed.
Special teams The graduation of Connell Yoste and Liam Cooper left Oxford looking for a new placekicker and punt. Junior Gray Jenkins and freshman Max Mobley are literally trying to put their best foot forward in competition for the jobs. Mobley handled all the kicking duties this spring as Jenkins sat out with a soccer injury, but Cutcliffe said both
were being evaluated during camp. Senior Giles Lamar is back for his third season as the long snapper. “Giles Lamar coming into his senior year has just been super consistent for us. Really has done an outstanding job,” Cutcliffe said. “With a new kicker, you always worry a little bit because that wins and loses a lot of ball games, but I trust those guys.” Perkins will be the Chargers’ primary punt returner for the second straight season after earning the coaches’ trust back there a season ago. Flowers, Wadlington or Terrell could spell Perkins from time to time. Cutcliffe said all four are also in the mix to return kickoffs along with Webb, Rockette, Thomas and Johnson. Those who don’t put the ball on the ground have the advantage. “The No. 1 thing that we look for is who can catch kicks consistently because we can’t have turnovers. That’s step 1,” Cutcliffe said. “If that means somebody that maybe is great with the ball in their hands but they don’t catch it consistently, we’re not going to put them back there.”
16 – Football Preview • August 2016
Oxford’s McClure out to make own name under center BY DAVIS POTTER davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
BRUCE NEWMAN
With Jack Abraham gone, sophomore John Reece McClure is next up at quarterback for Oxford.
Before last week, Chris Cutcliffe had yet to see John Reece McClure throw a pass in a varsity game, but Oxford’s first-year coach wanted to be proactive with his biggest piece of advice for his first-year quarterback. Should McClure start thinking about it too much once the games started, Cutcliffe wanted him to remember one thing above all else. “You’re not Jack,” Cutcliffe said. “You’re John Reece. You don’t have to be Jack.” McClure insisted that won’t be a problem. Cutcliffe’s reference was to Jack Abraham, the Chargers’ record-setting signal caller whose three years shredding high school defenses came to an end last
year when he graduated and started his college career early at Louisiana Tech, suddenly leaving the most important position on the field heavy on youth and light on experience. Now the job belongs to McClure, a 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore who was practicing with the varsity team last fall when he wasn’t taking snaps for the freshman team. McClure said he can’t remember the last time he wasn’t the starting quarterback for his team, but he’s stepping in for a 5,000-yard passer in Oxford’s wide-open offense having never taken a snap at the varsity level until last week’s season opener at Southaven. But McClure said he’s not about to try to be somebody he’s not. “I just go out there and compete man,” McClure said. “I take pride in it, taking over for a qood QB like that. I definitely take pride in it.”
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Football Preview • August 2016 – 17 While having a quarterback that green is a concern for any team, McClure has the kind of physical tools that could help offset some of that unfamiliarity with the varsity level. Cutcliffe praised McClure’s arm strength and accuracy during 7-on-7 passing camps this summer and could tell by the dialogue between the two that McClure is starting to get more acclimated to the mental side of the position. “Mentally I think it’s starting to slow down a little bit for him,” Cutcliffe said. “He’s starting to ask the right questions. A lot of it has been 7-on-7 so far, but he’s able to come back to the sideline and have a conversation with me about, ‘Well here’s what I saw. Here’s the coverage I got, so I was thinking I would do this.’ He’s able to articulate all that stuff now.”
Added dimension
If McClure doesn’t like what he sees when surveying the field, he has the ability to the tuck the ball and take off, an added dimension that most differentiates his game
from that of his predecessor. There could even be some designed runs called for McClure from time to time. “Last year, we always called zone reads, but Jack would never pull it. It was really funny,” McClure said. “They’d call it even though they knew he wouldn’t pull it. They know that when they call that for me, I’m reading it. I’m actually reading it. I just think we’ll use my legs a little more. It’ll just be another weapon we have I guess.” McClure doesn’t exactly have time to ease into his new role. The Chargers get defending 6A champ Starkville this week at home and Madison Central and Lafayette the next two weeks before opening region play at West Point on Sept. 23. The increased speed of the game that comes with a higher level of competition will take some time to get used to, but McClure knows his position makes him an immediate source of leadership his teammates will be turn to in good times and bad, something he observed up close last year watching Abraham.
“Just being able to watch somebody like that, he just held himself so well in the way he played quarterback,” McClure said. “It’s just awesome because it’s easier for me. I just came right into a role where I could be a leader, and he showed me how to do that.” Any pressure McClure feels has to do with the team more than himself. After watching arguably the most decorated senior class in program history come up short in three straight MHSAA Class 5A championship games, McClure said he constantly envisions helping get Oxford back there for a fourth straight season and winning it “for them that came through before us.” How McClure performs on the field will have a lot of say in how far the Chargers actually get this season, and he plans to say it in his own words. “I respect Jack, but I feel like him graduating just took on a new wave I guess,” McClure said. “I don’t know how to say it, but it’s different. There’s always going to be people comparing us, but I think people will figure out that we’re different.”
“There’s always going to be people comparing us, but I think people will figure out that we’re different.” John Reece McClure
Oxford sophomore QB on following Jack Abraham
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18 – Football Preview • August 2016
PHOTO BY BRUCE NEWMAN
Football Preview • August 2016 – 19
STEPPING UP Quick Hits
Woods ready to become leader for Commodores’ defense
Nickname: Commodores Field: William L. Buford Stadium Region: 2-4A 2015 Record: 10-3 Head coach: Michael Fair (1st) Assistant coaches: Jason Russell, Jay Jones, Carter Norris, Ben Ashley, Justin Lee, Shane Ard
2016 Roster # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 60 61 62 63 64 66 67 68 70 71 73 74 75 78 80 82 84 85 86 87 88
Name Tyler Carmichael-Williams Dillon Woods Tay Tay Owens Jamie Shaw Quincy Twilley Xavier Martin Brandon Turnage Jason Sawyer Andrew Moorhead Kobe Sims Foster Westbrook Will Ard Marlon Shaw Justin Blake Garrett Chance Samuel Woodall Jamarcus Quarles Ross Ingram Quinshun Twilley Drew Dabney Randy Anderson Brandon Curry DD Miller Cameron Adams Davarious Wilson Ladarius Brown Deontae Jones Zarian Cross Jacob Rudd Kylan Folson Kyler Campbell Evan Conrad Amani Johnson Xzavier Jones Sam Simmons Nick Onsby Zach Meagrow Tay Reed Doug Tanner Cory Williams Bob Owens Luke Higginbottom Luke Gossett Jerry Looney Martavious Bell Joseph Mangrum Kade Campbell Hunter Chance Keuntae Booker Matt Toles Drew Tapp Keegan Starks William Woodall Andrew Norwood Marcus Daniels Buri Boykin Rashod Sharp Blake Waldrup Kam Crockette Jay Crowder Dallas Boggs Trae Wells Corie Ales Steven Benefield Tyler Allen Jaylan Buford Josh Alba Zack Pritchard Michael Mathis Robbie Langley Luke Phillips Olton Kent Matthew Roberts Taylor Tutor
Pos. Grade DB/WR 12 OLB/WR 12 RB/DB 12 RB/LB 10 LB 12 DB/WR 12 WR/DB 10 RB/LB 10 QB 10 WR/DB 11 QB 10 QB 12 DB/WR 11 WR/DB 11 DB/WR 10 RB/OLB 10 RB 11 QB/TE 12 WR/DB 10 QB/WR/P 10 DB/WR 9 OLB/RB 11 DB/RB 10 WR/DB 11 DB/WR 12 DB/WR 11 RB/OLB 10 WR/DB 10 DB/WR 11 DB/WR 10 LB 12 WR/DB 11 DE 12 LB/WR 10 DE/TE 10 TE/DL 11 TE/DE 10 LB 12 DE/RB 12 DE 12 LB/K 10 LB 11 TE/LS 12 OLB/WR 10 LB 10 DE 11 DE/OL 11 DL/OL 12 OL 12 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 12 OL/DL 11 DL/TE 11 OL/DL 10 OL/DL 11 OL/DL 10 DL/OL 11 LB 10 OL/DL 11 DE/OL 10 LB 11 OL 12 OL/DL 10 OL/DL 10 OL 11 OL 12 OL 12 WR 12 WR/DB 10 K/P 11 WR/K 10 WR 11 WR 10 WR 12
BY JAKE THOMPSON jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
W
hen Michael Fair took over as the new head coach of the Lafayette High football team, he remembered some of the great players he faced while coaching at Senatobia. Some of those players are no longer there and some are still a part of the Commodores. Dillon Woods is one of those players. Woods has had playing time already and was a factor on the Commodores’ defense as a junior, but now a senior, it is his time to shine. “When these doors A returning starter on defense, the 5-foot-10, open, he’s here. He’s going 190-pound outside linebacker has impressed Fair during their short time together in the spring and to be here every day, and when during the summer. he talks, they listen. What he’s “Dillon Woods has just turned into a leader for us,” Fair said. “He does a tremendous job of helpdoing is echoing everything we ing lead our team. …When these doors open, he’s are saying. He’s like a coach on here. He’s going to be here every day, and when the field.” he talks, they listen. What he’s doing is echoing everything we are saying. He’s like a coach on the Lafayette coach Michael Fair field.” on senior linebacker Dillon Woods Having what is an equivalent of a coach on the field is invaluable, especially on the defensive side. It is fairly common for a linebacker to be the field general, calling the plays in the huddle and being the one to yell out an audible when the offense changes anything up and also makes sure the other 10 teammates are where they are supposed to be. SEE LAFAYETTE, 20
2016 Schedule Date
Aug. 19 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 * - Region 2-4A game ^ - homecoming game
Opponent
Horn Lake at Grenada at Oxford Louisville Charleston at Ripley* Rosa Fort*^ at New Albany* Senatobia* at Byhalia*
Winning Ways 16 12 8
10
10
10 8
4
2012
2013
2014
2015
20 – Football Preview • August 2016
LAFAYETTE: ‘Dores want to open up offense more with Ard back under center FROM PAGE 19
BRUCE NEWMAN
Lafayette has its quarterback in senior Will Ard (12), who’s entering his second season as the starter.
“With tempo offense the way it’s going now, somebody’s got to get them lined up,” Fair said. “With Tyler (CarmichaelWilliams) on the back end and Dillon and (Tay Tay Owens) at that second level and those returning defensive ends, we feel like that senior leadership is at all three levels.” The added burden, or honor depending on how one views it, is something Woods is not shy about embracing. Woods is one of the top three returning players on defense, recording 46 tackles a season ago to go with one pass deflection and two fumble recoveries. This fall, Woods wants to more than double last year’s
tackle total and finish with at least 120 once December rolls around. He said he would also like to have “five or six” interceptions. “Last year, we had a lot of leaders on the team, and I just felt like I need to take that role over once people left,” Woods said. “When everybody is getting around the ball, crowding around the ball and just getting there and making the plays. Getting it pumped up.” Woods may also see time on the other side of the ball as he lined up as a slot receiver a few times last year.
Not wasting time As for Lafayette as a whole, Fair had to jump right in during
Football Preview • August 2016 – 21 the spring once the head coaching job was his. He would teach at Senatobia then hop in his truck at noon and head down Interstate 55 to prepare for practice in the afternoon. That preparation carried over into the summer where Lafayette participated in a few 7-on-7 tournaments, including one at FNC Park, which helped get the offense and the secondary slightly ahead of schedule entering August. “It’s just one of those things and that was a little bit different,” Fair said of his spring schedule. “We made it through that and spring was a blur here. It was more of a get to know each other period. We did practice and we got something out of practice and we got film on guys and kind of know now where we want to put those guys in.” Some positions he’s not having to find players for include the most important offensive position — quarterback. Will Ard returns as the senior leader on that side of the ball and looks to improve on a junior campaign that saw him throw for over 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns. Ard was not able to participate in the spring due to baseball responsibilities but, after working with Fair in the summer, is ready to lead Lafayette deep into the postseason. “That’s one thing when you’re changing jobs. ‘Do they have a quarterback?’” Fair said. “That’s how important that position is to the success of any team. You can have a really good football team and not have a great quarterback. … There’s a lot on (Ard’s) shoulders and we’re changing a lot. Once that ball is snapped, I think he’s going to be very comfortable with what we’re doing.” SEE COMMODORES, 36
BRUCE NEWMAN
Mississippi State commit Tyler Carmichael-Williams (4) gives the Commodores a versatile option on offense and defense.
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22 – Football Preview • August 2016
BRUCE NEWMAN
Jamarcus Quarles (17), Jamie Shaw (4) and Tay Tay Owens (3) will try to use their complementary skill sets to keep Lafayette’s running game strong. Jason Sawyer, far left, could also get some carries this fall.
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Football Preview • August 2016 – 23
Lafayette trio provides multiple threats in run game BY JAKE THOMPSON jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
For the past four years, the running back position has not been a question mark for Lafayette heading into the new season. That would be due to Tyrell Price occupying the backfield and shattering records. During his final season with the Commodores, Price ran for 2,053 yards and 31 touchdowns. Price graduated and left a huge hole in the offensive production that must be filled, but the only question is who will be the one to do so. Turns out head coach Michael Fair has three options to choose from or use all together. Tay Tay Owens, Jamarcus Quarles and Jamie Shaw have the potential to provide a three-headed attack for the Commodores. “We’ve got some guys, and it’ll let us keep some guys fresh,” Fair said. “How you tackle Jamarcus Quarles is going to be different than how you have to tackle Tay Tay Owens and Jamie Shaw. They run different. It’s
“We got a lot of good running backs. Like a three-headed monster.” Lafayette RB Tay Tay Owens
on sharing carries with Jamarcus Quarles and Jamie Shaw
something I’ve done in the past where if a guy breaks off a 50-yard run, I think we’ve got somebody else out there that can give this guy a blow. I feel comfortable in that position.” Owens was Price’s primary backup last season, rushing for 231 yards and four touchdowns on 40 carries. Quarles started seeing the field more and more as the season went on, allowing him to overtake Owens and finish with 310 yards, four touchdowns and 62 carries. It could become Quarles’ backfield as Fair is moving Owens over to the defensive side of the ball for the majority of time. Shaw is a rising sophomore who did not rush the ball once during a varsity game last season, leaving the experience edge in Quarles’ hands. “We got a lot of good running backs.
Like a three-headed monster,” Owens said. “Quarles is like an all-around running back. He’s got speed and we’ve all got speed. Those two, Jamie Shaw and Quarles, they’re real strong, so they’re going to carry the load. I’m looked at like the shifty back.” It has not been a secret who opposing teams have had to stop to slow down the Commodores’ run game in recent years, but with three different players with different size and skill, it could prove to be a little more interesting when defenses game plan the week they have Lafayette on their schedule. Owens is 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds while Shaw is also 5-10 but has 30 extra pounds on him. Quarles comes in at 5-8 and 190 pounds. “I think it’s going to help,” Owens said. “The guys we’re playing against, they don’t know what we got. Like Quarles, he’s just as big and athletic as Tyrell Price. We know what we got. We see it Monday through Thursday. Plus, Jamie is a load himself. So we have two guys as big as Tyrell, so they’re going to be hard to tackle themselves.”
24 – Football Preview • August 2016
PHOTO BY BRUCE NEWMAN
Football Preview • August 2016 – 25
ALL THE WAY BACK Quick Hits Nickname: Blue Devils Field: Bobby Clark Field Region: 2-3A 2015 Record: 7-6 Head coach: Brad Embry (9th) Assistant coaches: Jeff Roberts, Bryant Mix, Vaughn Daniels, Tip Nutt, Avery Norris, Dexter Ross
2016 Roster # 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 32 33 34 37 40 42 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 62 64 65 66 67 68 70 71 72 73 76 77 78 79 80 84 89 99
Name Pos. Grade Blayne Clark QB/LB 9 Jacob Welch WR/DB 10 Cedric White WR/DB 10 Jalin Morgan WR/DB 12 Trenderrious Brock RB/DB 10 Martavius Rockett WR/DB 9 Hartley Camp HB/DB 12 Tyrek Justice WR/DB 10 Ty Varner QB/DB 11 Javarius Benson RB/LB 10 Taylor Dean WR/DB/K 9 Nate Murphy HB/DE 10 Taghee James RB/LB/QB 12 Kenterrious Rucker WR/DB 10 Grant Burress WR/DB 9 Ray Turner RB/LB 11 Jamie Owens WR/DB 11 Julian Williams RB/LB 12 Damicah Hervey RB/DB 9 Devontre Bailey HB/DE 10 Quaterrious Tolbert WR/DB 10 Keldrick McIntosh RB/DB 9 Ty Campbell HB/LB 12 Jayvon Morgan WR/DB 11 Darius Tolbert WR/DB 9 Emanuel Judson HB/LB 11 Jeremiah Ray TE/DE 11 Dalen McGee TE/DE 9 Perrion Rockette WR/DB 9 Edgar Guzman HB/LB/K 12 Joseph Washington WR/DB/K 11 Ty Morgan OL/DL 9 Edward Sims OL/DL 9 Sam Dunn OL/DL 12 Paris Adams O/DL 10 Rob Mitchell OL/DL 12 Payden Surrette OL/DL 12 Jake Rotenberry OL/DL 12 Marley Cook OL/DL 10 Marcus Burt OL/DL 11 Nick Faust OL/DL 10 Kyjuan Hervey OL/DL 9 Brandon Washington OL/DL 9 Matthew Childress OL/DL 9 Dakota Clements OL/DL 10 Austin Potts OL/DL 9 Landon Turner OL/DL 10 Joseph Witt OL/DL 10 Jeremy Jenkins OL/DL 11 Nate Griffin OL/DL 11 Dalton Higdon OL/DL 9 Chase King OL/DL 9 Jacorie Woodard OL/DL 9 Tony Person OL/DL 12 Kameron Sayles TE/DE 9 Patrick Hines TE/LB 10 Rayvon Wilks TE/DE 10 Isaiah White TE/DE 10
Healthy after ACL injury, Blue Devils’ Mitchell ready for one of ‘best years’ BY JAKE THOMPSON jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
T
wo years ago, Rob Mitchell’s sophomore season ended prematurely. After suffering an ACL injury, Water Valley’s defensive lineman sat out all but five games of the 2014 season. Mitchell did return to play all 12 games last year but was not at full strength, recording only 44 tackles, 12 of them solo. He also had two sacks totaling 17 yards. After a full offseason and a summer of workouts and training, “(Mitchell) was good Mitchell and his knee are back to 100 percent and for us last year, but I really ready for his senior season. “I feel like (this season) could be one of the think watching him work this best years I’ve ever had,” Mitchell said. “It gets summer that he’s going to be all me going more and more… (This year) means an overall standpoint of finishing strong and never the way back. He’s the ultimate giving up.” competitor. He’s a grinder. He’s It took about half of last season before Mitchell said he felt his knee was “more normal than anythere every day working.” thing else.” With an injury such as his and him WVHS coach Brad Embry being a lineman, sometimes the fear of reliving the on defensive end Rob Mitchell injury again by taking a bad tackle or not planting a foot correctly is tough to shake. That was not the case for Mitchell as there was only one thought going through his head when he lined up for that first game last August. “Just worried about following the ball and trying to get some tackles,” Mitchell said. “ Mitchell is a key part of the Blue Devil defensive front line, and getting a healthy Mitchell is music to Water Valley coach Brad Embry’s ears. SEE WATER VALLEY, 26
Winning Ways
2016 Schedule Date
Aug. 19 Aug. 26 Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 * - Region 2-3A game ^ - homecoming game
Opponent
at Eupora at Coffeeville Calhoun City at Pontotoc at Senatobia Winona^ Charleston* at Independence* at North Panola* Holly Springs* Marks Palmer*
16 12 8
10
11 7
7
2014
2015
4
2012
2013
26 – Football Preview • August 2016
WATER VALLEY: Mitchell combines smarts with skill as leader on defensive line FROM PAGE 25
BRUCE NEWMAN
Water Valley coach Brad Embry is looking to fill out his offensive and defensive lines as well as his special teams unit.
The leadership Mitchell provides for the Blue Devils is something Embry values almost even more than his performance on the field. “(Mitchell) was good for us last year, but I really think watching him work this summer that he’s going to be all the way back,” Embry said. “He’s the ultimate competitor. He’s a grinder. He’s there every day working. Him being the senior leader on that D-line and there’s some younger kids that are good athletes and are explosive. I’m excited about them in the trenches.” The football I.Q. is high for Mitchell, but he is also no stranger to success in the classroom as the senior is one of the top
students of his class and could be vying for the valedictorian come May. There is not a future plan when it comes to playing at the next level, but Mitchell is ready for a life where football could still be a part of it even if not as a player. He plans to pursue a profession in coaching so he can give back and still be around what he loved doing when he was a high school student. “It’s a little challenging when you’re getting back used to it,” Mitchell said of juggling academics with football at the start of a new school year. “You just got to strive like you would with football and not give up on it.”
Next step Last year’s quarterback situation was complicated and simple
Football Preview • August 2016 – 27 at the same time. Kirkland Horton and Ty Varner traded reps as the Blue Devils’ signal caller with Varner slowly becoming the primary quarterback. He finished with 1,340 passing yards and seven touchdowns but did throw 13 interceptions. Horton is now gone, having graduated in May, leaving Varner as the No. 1 guy. The rising junior is one year older on the football field and one year further in the Water Valley playbook. “Last year, (Varner) was a sophomore who was thrown into a situation that at times was a learning situation for him,” Embry said. “Now he’s a junior that had all that experience and he’s matured not only mentally from that experience but also physically. He looks more athletic. He runs well, which is something we need to add out of him.”
Filling the gaps Water Valley graduated 13 players last season, which is about average for a high school team to lose. What is out of the ordinary is that most of the departed players are from the trenches. There are six spots to fill as all six grad-
A kicking predicament
BRUCE NEWMAN
Junior defensive end Jeremiah Ray is back after collecting 18.5 tackles for loss and a team-high six sacks a season ago.
uated seniors were listed as both offensive linemen and defensive linemen. “I think our defensive line is going to be improved from last year,” Embry said. “I really like the guys that we have there. They’re young, but they’re explosive and athletic.”
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A big area of concern for Embry heading into the season is the special teams group. Rising senior Edgar Guzman and rising junior Joseph Washington split kicking duties last season but with mixed results. Guzman only attempted eight extra points, converting only five of them, and did not attempt one field goal. Washington became the primary placekicker, hitting 16-of-28 extra point attempts and went 1-for-1 in field goals (a 23-yard try). Embry is not totally sold on his kicking situation. “At kicker, I don’t really know anybody’s name,” Embry said when asked who a starter could be. “We really proved to ourselves last year that we don’t have a kicker. They’re all good boys and they’ve been working this summer. Anybody and everybody. I think it’s a 67-man tryout. The reason is you can go out there in the summer and kick, but on Friday nights, you’ve got to be able to execute.” Varner is slated to once again be the Blue Devils’ punter to add to his quarterback duties.
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28 – Football Preview • August 2016
James expects career year in final season with Blue Devils BY JAKE THOMPSON jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
BRUCE NEWMAN
Water Valley’s Taghee James is aiming for 1,000 rushing yards in his final season.
When asked what goals he has for himself this season, Taghee James does not hesitate to answer. The Water Valley running back knows exactly what he wants to do and if he achieves it, he would be having the best season he’s had during his time with the Blue Devils. “I want to get 1,000 yards rushing,” James said. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound senior is one of the primary running backs for the Blue Devils this season. Last year, James was a part of a
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Football Preview • August 2016 – 29 running game that included himself, Julian Williams and quarterback Kirkland Horton. All three rushed for over 500 yards each with James leading the group with 571 yards on 95 carries and tied Horton with 10 rushing touchdowns. Horton graduated in May, causing onethird of their production on the ground to be lost. Williams returns as another senior in the backfield to help provide experience, but it is James who is looking to himself to fill the void left by Horton.
“We’ll see what’s best for the football team. If they’re the best at their position on defense, then they have to start on defense. If that limits their carries on offense, then so be it. If they’re physically conditioned enough and can take care of their bodies, then they can do both and don’t ever come off the field.” WVHS coach Brad Embry
‘A bunch of experience’ “I’ve got a bunch of experience,” James said. “I know how to run the ball downhill. People already know we’re good at running the ball.” Since the end of Water Valley’s season last November, James has been working on getting more flexible and has incorporated more stretches into his workout routine, including more running during the hot summer months leading into preseason camp. James has a motto and a belief to go along with it. “Flexible equals more speed,” James
on Tahgee James playing offense and defense
said. Running out of the Blue Devils’ backfield every Friday night is not the only responsibility James will have this season. He is also listed as a defensive back on the roster and played on both sides of the football last year. He was the fourth-best player on the defensive side of the football, recording 73 tackles, and is the second-leading returning tackler on defense behind rising junior Jeremiah Ray, who had 75 tackles. James also had 3.5 sacks
and caused one fumble.
Defense first? The depth at Water Valley is such to where if James is producing well defensively, it could cause him to not join the offense as much if head coach Brad Embry feels he is needed more defensively. “We’ll see what’s best for the football team,” Embry said. “If they’re the best at their position on defense, then they have to start on defense. If that limits their carries on offense, then so be it. If they’re physically conditioned enough and can take care of their bodies, then they can do both and don’t ever come off the field.” If James can reach his personal goal of 1,000 yards or even eclipse it somehow, it will surely gain attention from college recruiters. James has already been in talks with Northwest Mississippi Community College and feels a junior college is the route he wants to take, whether it is in Senatobia or elsewhere. From there, if a four-year school takes interest in him, then he’d like to continue his football career.
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32 – Football Preview • August 2016
RANGE OF CHANGE
NW
BY JAKE THO jake.thompso
There i tum com After an national Northwe Commun high hea campaign Though changes Rangers. After t PHOTOS BY NWCCRANGERS.COM Jack Wrig Northwest Mississippi Community College will have some old and new faces in different roles as the Rangers attempt to defend their national t NJCAA championship this fall, including, clockwise from top, first-year head coach Benjy Parker, offensive coordinator Stan Hill and a coordin UNA transfer and former Oxford High linebacker Mike McGhee. of South
Football Preview • August 2016 – 33
NWCC looks to replace key pieces off title team BY JAKE THOMPSON jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
There is a wave of momentum coming from Senatobia. After an 11-1 season and a national championship, Northwest Mississippi Community College is riding high heading into its 2016 campaign. Though there are some changes once again for the Rangers. After three-year head coach Jack Wright led his team to a national title, he took a job at the University of Southern Mississippi and headed south to Hattiesburg. That left a void at the top, which NWCC quickly filled from within, promoting then-defensive coordinator Benjy Parker to head coach. Like Wright was three years ago, Parker will be a first-year head coach as he tries to lead the Rangers back to a national championship. “There’s a lot of uncertainty and rebuilding that we have to do but we had a good summer,” Parker said. “A lot of guys stepped up and we’ve gotten better everyday.” A lot of the uncertainty Parker alluded to comes on the offensive side of the football. The Rangers lost standout quarterback Gardner Minshew, who signed with East Carolina in May and left Senatobia after just one season at NWCC. The Brandon native threw for nearly 3,300 yards and had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 28-5. Minshew was primed to be the Rangers’ quarterback this fall before he left to join the Pirates of East Carolina. Parker’s options at quarterback now are rising sophomore Shea Chism out of Southaven, who is the only returning quarterback from the 2015 roster.
NWCCRANGERS.COM
Cornerback K.T. McCollin, a former Oxford High standout, is back for his sophomore season after recording 24 tackles, an interception and five pass breakups in his first year with the Rangers.
In six games last year, Chism threw for 200 yards and two touchdowns. “It’s a work in progress right now,” Parker said of his quarterback situation. “We’ve got two or three guys that are out there and all of them are doing good. (In the summer) we’re limited to what we can and can’t do. Until you get in a real football play, it’s always real tough for me to tell.” The signal caller is not the only piece the Rangers are having to replace on offense.
Park will be without last year’s National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Offensive Player of the Year in Justin Crawford. The former standout running back graduated and signed with West Virginia in January. Crawford was at or near the top of every NJCAA offensive category last season, rushing for a nation-leading 1,610 years on another national-best 268 carries. He was not only a backfield threat as Crawford had 29 receptions for 394 yards and
six touchdown receptions. Options to replace one of NWCC’s best running backs in program history include rising redshirt sophomore Tywun Walters and true sophomore Max Joseph. Walters and Joseph return as the most productive running backs behind Crawford from a season ago. Joseph rushed for 357 yards on 96 carries and six touchdowns. Walters piled up 139 yards on 24 carries. SEE NWCC, 34
34 – Football Preview • August 2016
NWCC: Rangers have to replace some of nation’s best at running back, quarterback FROM PAGE 33 Rising sophomore wideout Marquisian Chapman rushed for 275 yards on 40 carries. “We think we got some guys that can step up, but Justin was JUCO offensive player of the year and those guys don’t come around very often,” Parker said. “Losing him really hurt, but the guys we have are working hard, and I think they’re going to be good players for us.”
Charger flavor on defense
For fans of Oxford High School football, there will be a few reasons to keep an eye on the Rangers’ season. Two former Chargers will take the field for NWCC on defense this fall. Sophomore defensive back K.T. McCollin and sophomore transfer linebacker Mike McGhee will be teammates once again in Senatobia. McCollin is a returning player for Parker and had 24 tackles along with one interception a year ago. McCollin also had five pass breakups, six pass deflections and forced one fumble.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty and rebuilding that we have to do, but we had a good summer. A lot of guys stepped up and we’ve gotten better every day.” Benjy Parker
Northwest Mississippi Community College head coach
McGhee comes to Senatobia by way of Florence, Alabama, where he spent his freshman season at the University of North Alabama. McGhee played in 12 games for the Lions, racking up 25 total tackles, 10 of them solo, with one tackle for a loss, a pass breakup and a forced fumble. “What I like about Mike is that he’s accountable,” Parker said. “He’s a good teammate. He does all the things off the field right, and he wants to be a good football player. … (McCollin) is having a great summer, too. He’s the same as Mike. K.T. is doing a good job on the field and off. He wants to get a degree. Just like Mike, he’s accountable. He’s a good teammate”
Familiar coaching addition
Players on the field will not be the only recognizable face for Oxford fans as they will also find a former Charger coach roaming up and down the Rangers’ sideline. Former Oxford offensive coordinator Stan Hill took a job with NWCC for the same position as well as to be their quarterbacks coach in February and has been on Parker’s staff for their limited spring drills as well as their summer workouts. “This summer, we’ve been able to get a lot in offensively and (Hill) has done a good job,” Parker said. “All the coaches have. They’re all working hard. I’ve got a great staff with Stan Hill, (offensive line coach) Jim Jones and (wide receivers coach) Scott Oakley on offense. … They do a great job on the field and off the field, and I can’t say enough about them.” With the addition of Hill, Parker was able to keep all of the core coaching staff from last year after Wright’s departure. The Rangers kick their season off and begin their title defense Sept. 1 at Hinds Community College in Raymond.
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Football Preview • August 2016 – 35
2016 NWCC SCHEDULE Date
Opponent
Time
Sept. 8
Pearl River
6:30 p.m.
Sept. 15
ITAWAMBA
6:30 p.m.
Sept. 22
at MISSISSIPPI DELTA
7 p.m.
Sept. 29
HOLMES*
6:30 p.m.
Oct. 8
at COAHOMA
2:30 p.m.
Oct. 15
at EAST MISSISSIPPI
2 p.m.
Oct. 20
East Central
6:30 p.m.
Oct. 27
at NORTHEAST
6:30 p.m.
Sept. 1
at Hinds
6:30 p.m.
ALL CAPS denotes MACJC North Division game *-homecoming
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36 – Football Preview • August 2016
COMMODORES: Fair likes potential of receivers, secondary after summer work FROM PAGE 21 The faces Ard will be throwing to could look a little different as Lafayette will be without some key pieces. Rashuan Rockette and Juwan Kinds graduated and moved on to the next phase of their careers, leaving two big holes in Lafayette’s receiving corps. Rockette was the leading receiver, catching 36 passes for 532 yards and four touchdowns. Kinds was their third-leading receiver with 184 yards on 14 catches. Rising senior Tyler Carmichael-Williams will be the most experienced receiver returning on the Commodores’ roster with 209 yards and two touchdowns with only six catches a year ago. CarmichaelWilliams may not be available every play as he will be busy on the defensive side, occupying Lafayette’s secondary every Friday night as well. Rising senior Zack Pritchard could be
used more this year as well, coming off a junior campaign where he recorded one reception for 16 yards and one touchdown. “We’ve got some big bodies we can put out there,” Fair said. “Dillon Woods has good hands. Tay Tay Owens has good hands. Tyler Williams is a deep threat on anybody’s team. We’re a 4A football team. This is not the SEC or 6A. So I’d be crazy to think that Tyler Williams couldn’t play offense there as well.”
Shoring up the secondary Anybody that followed Lafayette’s season closely last year knows how its year came to a close. Two hail mary-esque throws from Noxubee County late helped them edge out a 20-13 win in the second round, sending the Commodores home and fueling Noxubee’s championship run. Lafayette had athletes on defense, but the long ball has been a bugaboo at times
for the Commodores. That is something Fair is aiming to remedy as he brought one of his coaches from Senatobia in to work with the defensive backs. Justin Lee will be overseeing the defensive backfield, who is also a former player under Fair at South Panola. Fair is also changing the defensive scheme from a one-high safety look to a two-high safety look as well as making the front a 4-3 look. “We feel very good about being sound,” Fair said of the back end of the defense. “We’ve got a new defensive coordinator and a new defensive backs coach, and those guys have been working hand-inhand all summer long to really shore up our defensive backfield.” Another new addition to the coaching staff was the hiring of long-time Oxford High offensive line coach Jason Russell. Russell will coach the offensive line as well as be the strength and conditioning coach for Lafayette.
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Football Preview • August 2016 – 37
POTTER: From players and coaches to facilities, football in the area has different look FROM PAGE 4 The four other linemen who started alongside Tunsil in the Sugar Bowl are gone, too, though the rotation up front last season didn’t leave behind an inexperienced group. The changes for Ole Miss don’t stop with the personnel. Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is starting to look like other stadiums around the Southeastern Conference with the facelifts it’s gotten. The two-year expansion of the facility is nearly complete with a bowled-in North end zone, and the stadium will now seat 64,038. The stadium also has a new jumbotron in the North end zone, new video boards in the South end zone, new lights and more concessions and restrooms. Ole Miss also
ROBERT JORDAN/OLE MISS COMMUNICATIONS
Ole Miss’ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will be completely bowled in and has a grass playing surface for the first time since 2002.
did away with the turf playing surface and installed natural grass for the first time since 2002. Things certainly look differ-
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ent around here, and change can be good. But will all these alterations be for the better? We’ll find out over the next four months.
DAVIS POTTER is the sports editor of the EAGLE. You can contact him at davis. potter@oxfordeagle.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DPotterOE.
38 – Football Preview • August 2016
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
PHOTO BY BRUCE NEWMAN
Football Preview • August 2016 – 39
‘Hungry’ Kelly wants to help deliver titles at Ole Miss in final chapter of college career and they won’t have to wait long to find out if the number beside their name is justified with a daunting September that includes conference tilts against defende took a guess, though Chad ing national champ and preseason No. Kelly has more pressing things 1 Alabama and No. 16 Georgia and the to worry about. season-opening Labor Day showdown “Chapter maybe like 13 or 14, somewith No. 4 Florida State. where around there,” Ole Miss’ senior “I think we’ve approached this offquarterback said. “There’s more work to season differently than we did in the be done.” past year or two,” Kelly said. “We know Kelly’s answer was in response to a Florida State’s going to be a great team. question about where he feels like he is They are always a really good team in in rewriting his story, a phrase he and the ACC. They’re well-coached and they Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze liked to have good players.” use when the Rebels gave the Said Freeze, “It’s not hard to motivate once trouble signal our kids. They understand what’s in caller a secfront of them, so that’s a positive.” ond “It’s Ole Miss will have a chance in all of a gre those games because of the 6-footat fe eling 2, 210-pound Kelly, who’s (to b made headlines e at O for how l BY DAVIS POTTER davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
H
chance at major college football. Kelly has run with it. A year and a half after signing with the Rebels, Kelly has morphed into the poster boy of the program. Talent was never the issue with Kelly, who took the SEC by storm in his first season in Oxford with a rocket arm and fierce competitiveness. After becoming just the third player in league history to throw for 4,000 yards in a season and setting or tying 14 single-season records at Ole Miss, he was the runaway choice as the preseason first-team All-SEC quarterback and enters his final year of college as one of the nation’s top prospects at the position for next year’s NFL Draft. It’s the main reason expectations are still high for the Rebels this fall despite losing five senior offensive linemen and a handful of other starters, including a trio of first-round draft picks in Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche. The Rebels are ranked 12th in the preseason Amway Coaches Poll,
of offense and 41 touchdowns a season ago, both school records. Yet he’s far from content. Kelly has made it no secret that he wants to help Ole Miss win an SEC championship and be in the playoff conversation after the Rebels came so close last season, finishing a game behind Alabama in the Western Division standings. Ole Miss got a nice consolation prize with a second straight New Year’s Six bowl berth and the program’s first Sugar Bowl win since 1970 to cap a 10-win season. It’s too much progress for anybody to stop now, including Kelly. “Obviously you’re going to take the first-team reps, but every day, you’re fighting every single rep to be the best,” Kelly said. “That’s how you get better is having that competition mindset every single day. I want to win every drill. So does every other quarterback, and so e Mis does everybody else on the team. You’ve s), but just got to keep on working hard there’s still mo and keep building more re work chemistry and get to be d ready for one
on and
he’s played on the field for the Rebels rather than what he’s doing off of it. Kelly, the nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly, hasn’t been in any trouble since arriving in Oxford after one season at East Mississippi Community College, and the incidents that once jeopardized his future in football — a verbal blow-up on the sidelines during a spring game that got him booted from Clemson and an arrest outside a nightclub shortly after signing with Ole Miss in December 2014 — seem like distant memories. “He’s hungry,” Freeze said. “He’s determined.” Kelly is confident, too, telling reporters at SEC Media Days that he feels like he’s the best quarterback in the nation after accounting for 4,542 yards
off the field. to get b Every day, I’m etter on ju and off st trying the field .” Ch Ole a enior q d Kelly uarter back
Miss s
the first game.” Kelly will have some help along the way. The Rebels’ recent recruiting success has created quality depth at running back, receiver and along the defensive line while five offensive linemen return who each played in at least six games last season. But much like the rest of Ole Miss’ team, writing the ending to his college career will go as Kelly goes. “It’s a great feeling (to be at Ole Miss), but there’s still more work to be done on and off the field,” Kelly said. “Every day, I’m just trying to get better on and off the field.”
40 – Football Preview • August 2016
BATTLING IT OUT
Givens, Taylor, Little in mix to replace Tunsil at left tackle
BY JAKE THOMPSON jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
BRUCE NEWMAN
Redshirt freshman Alex Givens has been running with the first-team offensive line in fall camp.
Fall camps are usually reserved for the clichéd quarterback-battle storylines. They are usually the only position competitions that matter. Do not tell Ole Miss that. Once Laremy Tunsil declared himself for the NFL Draft shortly after the Rebels claimed their first Sugar Bowl trophy in more than 45 years, there instantly became a battle on the offensive line that had everyone’s attention. Who would be
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the one to replace Laremy? The answer seemed all but certain when consensus five-star recruit Greg Little signed with Ole Miss in February on National Signing Day. Although a true freshman, Little was being penciled in as the eventual starting left tackle before the season was over — or before it began. Following in his predecessor’s footsteps and becoming a starting offensive lineman in the Southeastern Conference a year removed from battling in the trenches at the high school level seems plausible for a
Football Preview • August 2016 – 41 skill set such as Little’s, though history shows even Tunsil had to wait his turn three years ago. “Emmanuel McCray was the starter the first three games (in 2013). People forget that,” Ole Miss offensive line coach Matt Luke said. “They forget (Tunsil) didn’t start until after the Texas game. It took some time to bring him along and learn the offense, but Greg has been fine. Just learning the offense and getting in the flow of things. He’s in the competition at left tackle.” Others in that competition that may have a leg up on Little just due to experience at this level are redshirt freshman Alex Givens and junior Rod Taylor. Taylor has had the most experience and is listed as the No. 2 left tackle on the depth chart. He was moved over to the tackle position due to the added depth the Rebels now have at the guard position with Jordan Sims, Javon Patterson and Daronte Bouldin. SEE TACKLE, 44
BRUCE NEWMAN
After spending his first two seasons with the Rebels at guard, Rod Taylor has moved outside to give Ole Miss another option at left tackle.
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42 – Football Preview • August 2016
PHOTO BY BRUCE NEWMAN
Football Preview • August 2016 – 43
Healthy Conner ready for final year with Rebels BY JAKE THOMPSON jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
Tony Conner was expecting to be preparing for a football season this month. It is just a different fall camp he thought he would be attending. In May, Conner was hoping to hear his name called in the NFL Draft and join his three former teammates who went in the first round, a record for the Ole Miss football program. Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche all realized their dream of reaching the NFL and getting the opportunity of playing professional football. An injury is making Conner wait one more fall before he can try and do the same. The defensive back tore his meniscus during the Alabama
game last season. He tried to tough it out, but after a couple more games and an initial procedure on his right knee, head coach Hugh Freeze and the training staff made the tough decision to shut Conner down for the year and begin the rehab process after a second, more extensive surgery. That injury and decision dashed any hopes Conner had of reaching the NFL this season. But Conner is healthy and back for what will be his second final season with Ole Miss, returning to give the defense some much-needed veteran experience. “He’s one of our better football players,” Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said of Conner. After the first couple practices of fall camp, Freeze noted
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Conner was already looking normal during drills, and “that’s exciting for us.” It is an exciting feeling for the Ole Miss defense, which is getting a player back the coaching staff may not have felt they would around this time last year. In the five games Conner played last season, he recorded 17 tackles and had zero interceptions before being shut down. In 2014, Conner was the second-best defender on the field in terms of tackles, recording 69 tackles — two less than leader Mike Hilton had — along with one interception, two pass breakups and three passes defended. The Rebels would like the pre-injury Conner to return this fall. “(Conner) has played in some big time games,” defen-
sive backs coach Jason Jones said. “The games, he’s not afraid. He’s not shaken. You need that leader losing guys last year like Mike Hilton, Trae Elston. … He’s back. He’s been out there running around, making plays. He’s been helping the young guys and bringing the young guys along this year.” When Conner took the field earlier this month at the start of fall camp, it was a little bit of a mental hurdle for the Batesville native to not constantly think about his injury. The worry did not take long to subside, and Conner quickly got back to doing what he loves to do — playing football. “It’s a day-to-day thing,” Conner said. “(The first practice) I was out there thinking SEE CONNER, 44
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44 – Football Preview • August 2016
TACKLE: Tunsil’s departure leaves youth, inexperience at critical position up front FROM PAGE 41 No. 1 was former Lafayette High standout Jeremy Liggins, but a violation of team standards has caused him to be held out of fall camp. Losing the starter at left tackle on paper before fall camp or the season even begins caused some shuffling on the depth chart and sped up the progress of evolving younger players. “Greg and the young guys have to come on,” Luke said. “Just puts more pressure on Alex Givens.” Redshirted his first season, Givens did not see any action on the field last fall but does have a year’s worth of experience on the practice field. The four-star left tackle out of Nashville, Tennessee was listed as the No. 15 prospect coming out of Tennessee by Scout.com during his senior year of high school. He helped his Nashville Christian team average nearly 40 points and 300 yards per game his final season. If Little is going to be held out at least through the first month, the starting left tackle will either be a player who has not seen any collegiate action or a player who spent most of his time in a different position and on the other side of the line all together. The prospect of a fresh face guarding his back as he throws does not bother quarterback Chad Kelly in the slightest.
BRUCE NEWMAN
Offensive line coach Matt Luke likes the potential of the players competing to be the Rebels’ next left tackle even if they are battling youth and inexperience.
“It doesn’t change your clock,” Kelly said. “But I’ll tell you what, we’ve got some good players right now at that left tackle position. Alex Givens is doing a great job. He’s holding it down, and that’s what we need. We need
all those guys on the front five and so on and so on. Even the second line is doing really well. We’ve just got to keep on going, keep working hard and don’t take a day off.” The battle just highlights the offensive line as a ques-
tion mark once again for Luke and head coach Hugh Freeze. With five guys up front who did not start as a unit last season, left tackle is just another piece of the puzzle Ole Miss will be trying to figure out sooner rather than later.
CONNER: Rebels have ‘one of our better football players’ back in talented senior safety FROM PAGE 43 about it, and it was kind of bothering me some. Then (the next day), I didn’t really think about it as I did before and I could tell I had a great practice. It’s just going out there and doing it.” Conner joins Kendarius Webster as
two of the Rebels’ more experienced defensive backs this season. With Conner out most of last season, Webster finished with 41 tackles his sophomore year, nearly doubling his total from 2014. With both healthy and ready to roam the defensive backfield, Webster is happy to be able to see his teammate across the
field on Saturdays this fall. “It means a lot. He’s the oldest coming back,” Webster said. “I want to say me and him are probably equal when it comes to playing time, so it’s big getting him back. Communication with him is very different. He’ll talk on the field, and I like having him back there.”
Football Preview • August 2016 – 45
2016 OLE MISS SCHEDULE AND ROSTER Date
Sept. 5
Team
Florida St.*
Sept. 10
Wofford
Sept. 17
ALABAMA
Sept. 24
GEORGIA
Oct. 1
Memphis
Oct. 15
at ARKANSAS
Oct. 22
at LSU
Oct. 29
AUBURN
Nov. 5
Georgia Southern
Nov. 12
at TEXAS A&M
Nov. 19
at VANDERBILT
Nov. 26
MISSISSIPPI ST.
*Camping World Kickoff, Orlando, Fla. ALL CAPS denotes SEC game
# 1 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 17 19 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24
Name Pos. Tony Bridges DB A.J. Brown WR Deontay Anderson DB DeMarquis Gates LB Damore’ea Stringfellow WR C.J. Hampton DB Tre Nixon WR DaMarkus Lodge WR Ken Webster DB Fadol Brown DE Jalen Julius DB Jason Pellerin QB Quincy Adeboyejo WR Rommel Mageo LB Breeland Speaks Dt Marquis Haynes DE Chad Kelly QB Greg Eisworth DB Markell Pack WR Tony Conner DB Van Jefferson WR Eugene Brazley RB Kailo Moore DB Victor Evans DE D.K. Metcalf WR Octavious Cooley TE Myles Hartsfield DB Drew Davis QB Jacob Mathis TE Evan Engram TE Jarred Gray DB Jaylon Jones DB Derrick Jones WR Shea Patterson QB Terry Caldwell LB Akeem Judd RB Ray Ray Smith LB Jordan Wilkins RB Eugene Brazley RB Carlos Davis DB Tayler Polk LB
Year Sr. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. So. Jr. Sr. RS-Fr. RS-Fr. Sr. Sr. So. Jr. Sr. Fr. Jr. Sr. RS-Fr. So. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Jr.
# 24 25 25 26 26 26 27 28 28 29 30 32 33 33 34 35 35 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 43 44 45 48 50 52 52 53 54 54 55 57 58 61 62 63
Name Pos. Eric Swinney RB D.K. Buford RB Montrell Custis DB Martin Johnson RB C.J. Moore DB Jarrion Street RB Cale Luke WR Cam Ordway DB D’Vaugn Pennamon RB Armani Linton DB A.J. Moore DB Temario Strong LB John-Patrick Sherling LB Nathan Vanderburg RB DE Shawn Curtis Donta Evans LB Josh Johnson DB Zedrick Woods DB Luke Davis LB John Youngblood DE Willie Hibler LB Antwain Smith DB Garrald McDowell DE Detric Bing-Dukes LB Ty Quick TE Alex Ashlock LB Tyler Pittman DL Jack Raborn LB Sean Rawlings OL Michael Howard OL Austrian Robinson DL Will Few LS Jack DeFoor OL Sam Johnson OL Tyler Putman OL Chadwick Lamar LS Mike Taylor LS Eli Johnson OL Kamden Darney LS Jacob Feeley C
Year RS-Fr. So. RS-Fr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Jr. So. Fr. RS-Fr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Jr. RS-Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. Sr. RS-Fr. Jr. So. So. Jr. Jr. Jr. So. So. RS-Fr. RS-Fr. Sr. Fr. RS-Fr. So. So. So. Fr. RS-Fr. Sr.
# 67 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 80 81 82 83 84 85 85 86 87 88 89 89 90 91 91 92 93 93 94 94 95 95 96 97 98 98 99 99
Name Alex Givens Chandler Tuitt Jordan Sims Bryce Mathews Royce Newman Rod Taylor Greg Little Robert Conyers Daronte Bouldin Talbot Buys Jeremy Liggins Javon Patterson Willie Hibbler Elliot Markuson Trey Bledsoe Dylan Dyer Gabe Angel Hunter Thurley Dawson Knox Alex Weber Walker Rynd D.J. Forte Ty Reyes Korbin Harmon Taz Zettergren Jack Propst Ross Donelly Nathan Noble Luke Logan Tyler Jackson D.J. Jones Issac Gross Will Gleeson Benito Jones Isaac Way Jordan Herbert Gary Wunderlich Grant Warren Charles Wiley Justin Charette Herbert Moore
Pos. OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL TE LB WR TE TE DE TE WR WR DL DE DE TE LS DT K K K DT DT P DL K DT K P DE K DT
Year RS-Fr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Fr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. RS-Fr. RS-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. Sr. Fr. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Fr. Fr. So. So. Jr. Fr. Fr. Jr.
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Q&A with defensive tackle
Breeland Speaks DAVIS POTTER: What’s it like knowing you’re the guy sliding in to replace a first-round draft pick in Robert Nkemdiche? BREELAND SPEAKS: It’s fun. I get to replace one of the best players to come through Ole Miss. To do that and actually have success doing it, I think it speaks toward just me wanting to not let that level drop off when he leaves. That really was my main focus last year was when he got out, I don’t want people to think there’s a difference. There’s not a difference because 9 and 5 is the same thing. But stepping into the position has been fun. I’m in a position where I have to be the rabbit where the guy behind me has to try to come get me. It’s kind of different, but I love it because I want to make Benito Jones and Austrian Robinson better just as much as I wanted to make Rob better. DP: What are your strengths and where are you still trying to improve your game? BS: I know for a fact that I chase after the ball well. Things I want to improve on is moreso the technique, playing the base block while splitting the double team and things of that nature. And work on pass rush of course. DP: Are you expecting to have to take on more double teams and deal with more attention this season? BS: I would expect so being that I was Robert’s backup. That was one of the things that he did, so I feel like that will be the main thing. They want to stop that 3 (technique) because once that 3 gets going, there’s not stopping it. DP: How do you explain having more tackles than Robert last season despite
BRUCE NEWMAN
making just two starts? BS: I work hard, and I don’t let my situation define me. DP: Do you feel any pressure taking over for Robert as a full-time starter? BS: I don’t. I did outplay Robert last year, but if I did that last year and I was only his backup, then you would expect that again. That’s kind of my mindset with that. I’m just going to go out there and play my hardest like I always do. DP: What do you feel like the defensive line is capable of this season? BS: I love it. I feel like we’re capable of a lot of if we just stay working as much as we do. A lot of guys get extra work after practice or after workouts. It doesn’t matter. I
like to pride the d-line as being one of the tightest groups because we do look at each other as brothers and we will go to war for each other. I feel like we’ll be pretty good going in. DP: Do you have any personal goals for the season? BS: I want to do better than I did last year. Doing better is getting more sacks, getting more (tackles for loss), getting more tackles. Chasing the ball that much more and not being as tired. Just bettering myself in every area. Making sure my technique is tight because consistency is key. That’s always playing in my head. Consistency, consistency. Just doing things the right way and going about everything the right way.
Football Preview • August 2016 – 47
Q&A with defensive line coach
Chris Kiffin DAVIS POTTER: You still have depth among your group, but how do you replace a guy like Robert Nkemdiche? CHRIS KIFFIN: I think we showed in the Sugar Bowl how we replace him with D.J. Jones and Breeland Speaks. I think we fared just fine in that game. Any time you lose a first-round talent, you see a dropoff a little bit, but you hope that the guys that you’ve had to replace him already will step up to that challenge. I think the guys we have have game experience and are talented enough to do that. DP: How does Breeland’s skill set compare to what Robert had? CK: It’s hard to compare them because Rob is a special athlete, but Breeland is just a natural football player and a heck of a competitor. Just always has a knack for the football. If you look at the stat sheet, he probably finished around the same (number of) tackles if not more than Robert last year because he has a knack for getting to the ball. Rob was an exceptional athlete and made huge plays at big times for us, but Breeland really just has a knack for the position and a down-and-dirty mentality where he’s the kind of guy you want playing inside. DP: What do you think will be the strength of the line this season? CK: Probably just depth. Obviously the strength is you have an explosive pass rusher off the edge. Inside, I think you’re pretty stout with Breeland and D.J. Getting Issac Gross back and young Benito Jones to round our your four guys inside with Austrian Robinson and Ross Donelly. There’s a bunch of guys inside. But I just think the experience we have, if Fadol (Brown) is healthy and with John Youngblood and then the explosive pass
BRUCE NEWMAN
rusher on the outside in Marquis Haynes, I just think it’s a well-rounded group. DP: Do you think you will still be able to rotate nine or 10 guys this season? CK: You have to rotate eight for sure, and then whether or not you have a fifth tackle or a fifth end getting in there just kind of depends on who separates himself in the next couple weeks of camp and who shows they’re ready to be counted on and really who earns their spot on special teams as well. For sure, you have to play eight, so I always say about eight to 10 I
would expect playing against Florida State. DP: With the depth that you’ve built, what’s your pitch in recruiting now that there’s so much competition for playing time up front? CK: I think a lot of people sell that today in recruiting that you may not be a starter, but if you’re in the two-deep, you’re playing a significant amount of snaps. When we lose a couple players every year that are graduating seniors, we SEE KIFFIN, 49
48 – Football Preview • August 2016
OLE MISS RECRUITING
Little, Hartsfield among early impact candidates BY DAVIS POTTER davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
Ole Miss is bringing in the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history this season, and it’s not hard to figure out the positions where some of the newcomers will be able to make the quickest contributions. The Rebels signed 24 players in February with eight of them enrolling early to go through spring practice. The class, which was ranked as high as fourth nationally by ESPN and is the fourth straight top-15 haul inked in head coach Hugh Freeze’s tenure, is headlined by a trio of five-star prospects in offensive tackle Greg Little, quarterback Shea Patterson and defensive tackle Benito Jones with major defections along the offensive line and in the second and third levels of the defense being the spots where Ole Miss’ fresh faces could help out in a hurry. SEE IMPACT, 52
BRUCE NEWMAN
Five-star signee Greg Little, the nation’s top-ranked high school tackle prospect during this year’s recruiting cycle, is competing to be Ole Miss’ starting left tackle.
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Football Preview • August 2016 – 49
KIFFIN: Defensive line has mix of talent, depth to continue being strong point FROM PAGE 47 know we’ll look at how many snaps they had and we’ll show incoming freshmen or a juco player, ‘Look, somewhere we have to replace these 400 snaps this kid played last year. Who’s going to do that?’ I think people do like that. Everybody wants to start right away, but that’s necessarily (a dealbreaker). They know if they can play a significant amount at a young age if they’re ready, I think that’s intriguing to them. DP: Are players you’ve been developing in recent years such as Victor Evans, Garrald McDowell, Ross Donelly and Austrian Robinson in line to contribute more this season? CK: Everybody’s timetable is different. Everybody pro-
gresses at different rates. But a guy I’m very pleased with right now is Victor. He has solidified himself as the No. 2 end behind Marquis. I think he’s had the biggest growth since his time here among those. (McDowell) is fighting to be on the bus for the travel squad. Ross and Austrian are a year behind those guys and two guys that I’m pleased with. It just takes time. Austrian, he’s got a bunch of talent and is as strong as can be. He’s just got to learn to play the position. He’s a basketball player at heart. He’s just now picking this stuff up, but I couldn’t be happier with those guys at this point in just understanding that it’s going to be a process for them. DP: Where does Marquis
Haynes rank in terms of pass rushers that you’ve coached? CK: The best by far, but he can be better in terms of his toolbox. Almost all of his sacks have been off straight speed, and this last spring I really felt like was the first time he developed himself as a complete pass rusher. That’s why I’m so excited to see him this fall, to build off him and what he can do. DP: Can he be more of a complete defensive end? CK: Run stopping is all about want-to. C.J. Johnson did it for me for two or three years at defensive end at the same weight that Marquis is now, 225-230. It’s all about want-to. Even though they’re compact like that and don’t weigh as much, they’re so
explosive and strong that if they can play with great pad level and great want-to, they can get the job done. DP: Should your group stay healthy, what’s the potential of this year’s defensive line? CK: I think they can help us win any game on our schedule. I feel good about the depth, the combination of guys we have in there with an explosive pass rusher, quality depth, big guys inside and experience. I expect them to be the leaders of this team and the power of position that we talk about. I think we can really set the tone, especially for our defense, as well to be one of the top defenses in the country. That’s kind of our goal, and if we’re not shooting for that, something is wrong with us.
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The Grove is annually one of the nation’s top college football tailgating venues. Ole Miss’ home opener is Sept. 10 against Wofford.
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Football Preview • August 2016 – 51
TAILGATING TIPS Some information to know about Ole Miss’ campus and the Grove — Campus, the Grove and the Circle will open at 7:30 a.m. each Friday before a home football game and close three hours after the end of the game or at midnight, whichever comes first. All tailgating areas will be cleared from 6:30-7:30 on Friday.
— No extenstion cords will be allowed to be run or pass through open windows or through doors of campus buildings. Only electrical outlets on the exteriors of buildings may be used.
— All spaces are first come, first serve with the exception of approved university-sponsored tents.
— Electrical circuits are not to be overloaded by plugging in multiple extension cords by using splitters or power strips. Circuits that are tripped will not be reset.
— Tents measuring 12x20 or smaller are permitted while tents requiring stakes are not. If a tent is determined to be too large or is housing unacceptable activities, the owner or vendor will be asked to reduce the size of the tent or it will be removed. — Drinking is illegal for anyone under the age of 21. Individuals and tent groups that do not follow alcohol regulations will be subject to removal and/or arrest.
— No solicitation, including commercial or political advertisement or handouts, is allowed. — Open flame, propane tanks and propane bottles are strictly prohibited. — Amplified sound is prohitited.
— Portable generators with a decibal level of 60db or less are permitted.
— Do not leave valuables unattended. The university is not responsible for tents or items left alone.
— No extension cords will be allowed to run across streets or sidewalks.
— Help keep the Grove and the Circle litter-free by placing all recyclables in designated recycling bins and other trash in proper receptacles.
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52 – Football Preview • August 2016
BRUCE NEWMAN
Safety Myles Hartsfield is more physically and mentally advanced than most freshmen after spending a year in prep school.
IMPACT: Linebackers Mageo, Bing-Dukes add college experience to crop of newcomers FROM PAGE 48 Little has been viewed as the answer for the loss of Laremy Tunsil since committing to the Rebels last fall, and the nation’s consensus top-ranked offensive tackle in this year’s recruiting cycle could very well follow the same collegiate path as Tunsil, who broke into the starting lineup early in his freshman season and became a first-round draft pick this year after just three seasons. Little, who chose Ole Miss over virtually every other major program in the country, will have competition from junior Rod Taylor, redshirt freshman
Alex Givens and possibly senior Jeremy Liggins, who hasn’t been practicing this summer after committing an undisclosed violation of team standards, but the 6-foot-6, 330-pound Texan has eerily similar physical tools to Tunsil that could have him protecting Chad Kelly’s blind side sooner rather than later, said David Johnson, publisher and recruiting analyst for Rebels247, Ole Miss’ 247Sports affiliate. “I think it’s a combination of size and athleticism,” Johnson said of Little. “Also, I think he’s extremely intelligent. He’s a high-IQ football player. But in a lot of ways like Laremy, he’s got magic
feet. He can absolutely move and shadow anything that you throw at him out there on the edge, and he’s big and powerful.” Kelly is the undisputed starter under center as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks, but Patterson may be too talented to keep off the field completely, Johnson said. Freeze said Patterson is not “a normal freshman” and praised his accuracy and advanced leadership ability this spring, and Patterson, the consensus No. 1-ranked high school quarterback nationally this year, could be another three-and-out candidate. “After being at Ole Miss for three years, he would likely have the option of leaving
Football Preview • August 2016 – 53 for the NFL, so I don’t think you take one of those three years and put him on the shelf,” Johnson said. “If the unthinkable happened and someone would have to come in for Kelly and put in meaningful snaps and meaningful series, I think you have to have the option of having Shea Patterson being at least a choice in which to do that with. I don’t know if we see him against Florida State (in the season opener Sept. 5), but I bet you we see Shea Patterson throw the football all over the place when the Rebels open at home against Wofford.”
Physically ready
Defensively, Myles Hartsfield, another early enrollee, is in the mix to immediately step in at safety with Trae Elston and Mike Hilton gone. A year removed from high school, the 5-11, 199-pound Hartsfield, a four-star prospect, comes to Ole Miss from East Coast Prep and made enough of an impression in the spring that he began the fall as the starter at the rover position. “Looks kind of similar to a junior college guy in terms of his maturity,” Ole Miss safeties coach Corey Batoon said of
“Looks kind of similar to a junior college guy in terms of his maturity. He’s a physical kid. ... He has coverage skills you want where he could possibly go back to corner if we need. ” Ole Miss safeties coach Corey Batoon on freshman Myles Hartsfield
Hartsfield in the spring. “He’s a physical kid. … He has the coverage skills you want where he could possible go back to corner if we need.” A pair of transfers, Rommel Mageo and Detric Bing-Dukes, are expected to help a thin linebacking corps immediately. Mageo led Oregon State in tackles last season as the Beavers’ starting middle linebacker and has one season of eligibility left as a graduate transfer while Bing-Dukes, a former Georgia signee, has three years of eligibility left after transferring in from Iowa Western Community College. The two headed into fall camp competing to be the man in the middle with C.J.
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Johnson no longer around. “I know there’s a lot of excitement surrounding Rommel Mageo,” Johnson said. “Not a lot of people are talking about Detric Bing-Dukes, but I think they should be. I think it’s going to be a pretty good battle going on there for which one of those guys is the quote-unquote starter at middle linebacker.” Jones is in line to be a part of the rotation on a defensive line that lost three regular contributors, including first-round pick Robert Nkemdiche, while Manvel (Texas) product Deontay Anderson will likely join Hartsfield as an early contributor at safety. Ole Miss also signed a trio of four-star pass catchers in Tre Nixon, A.J. Brown and former Oxford standout DK Metcalf with Brown and Metcalf the most likely to crack a deep group of receivers for snaps. How many other newcomers get on the field this fall will depend on how the season plays out. “You just never know,” Johnson said. “You don’t know what injuries are going to dictate and who’s going to have to be forced into action early.”
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54 – Football Preview • August 2016
OLE MISS RECRUITING
DAVIS POTTER
Ole Miss has still been able to land its share of highly rated prospects, including Starkville linebacker Willie Gay, despite the NCAA investigation hanging over the program.
NCAA cloud a factor with Rebels’ 2017 class BY DAVIS POTTER davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
It could be worse, but Ole Miss’ start to putting together next year’s recruiting class could also be better. The Rebels have 15 verbal commitments in the fold for 2017. The group is ranked 22nd nationally but just ninth in the ultra competitive Southeastern Conference, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, with six
months left before national signing day in February. Which remaining top prospects Ole Miss will land before then — and exactly how many — remains to be seen with a final verdict in the NCAA’s investigation into rules violations within the program still yet to be delivered. The school has asked that its hearing with the Committee on Infractions be delayed beyond the summer as it continues to look into former offensive lineman
Laremy Tunsil’s draft night claim that he received money from an Ole Miss staffer while in school, meaning any finality to the case won’t come until during or perhaps even after this season. Ole Miss already has three less than the 25 scholarships each SEC team is allowed to fill in each recruiting cycle as a result of the scholarship reductions the school self-imposed in response to the findings of the NCAA’s four-year
probe, and it’s possible more penalties could be coming. David Johnson, publisher and recruiting analyst for Rebels247, Ole Miss’ 247Sports affiliate, said Ole Miss will likely sign approximately 18 players in next year’s class, but even that, he said, is a guess. “Is the cloud of the NCAA investigation affecting this class? Yes it is,” Johnson said. “I don’t think anybody could say with a straight face that
Football Preview • August 2016 – 55 it’s not playing a factor in a lot of these recruits’ decisions. But if you back away and look at this class, it’s still a top-25 class right now. “It’s just hard to put a number on (the class size) right now. They’re so foggy with everything.”
Top heavy
DE Bryan Jones
Still, Ole Miss has hit on some of its biggest targets. The Rebels have pledges from the state’s top-ranked wide receiver and linebacker in Morton’s D.D. Bowie and Starkville’s Willie Gay, respectively. Both four-star prospects, the 6-foot-1, 170pound Bowie flipped his commitment from Alabama back in October while the rangy 6-1, 215-pound Gay picked Ole Miss over hometown Mississippi State and nearly every other SEC school in June. Johnson called Gay’s pledge “probably the biggest commitment they’ve gotten in the last three or four years” considering the circumstances.
CB Jamar Richardson Aliceville, Ala.
SEE 2017, 56
2017 Commitments Pos. Name
Hometown
Ht. Wt.
WR D.D. Bowie
Morton
6-1 170
LB
Starkville
6-1 215
Willie Gay
Baton Rouge, La. 6-5 240 5-11 167
DE Rasool Clemons
South Aiken, S.C. 6-6 240
LB
Josh Clarke
New Orleans
6-3 225
S
A.J. Harris
Madison, Ala.
6-0 190
ATH Jay Johnson
Bruce
6-4 210
QB Alex Faniel
Glen Allen, Va.
6-5 225
DE Markel Winters
Tallahassee, Fla.
6-4 260
OT Ben Brown
Vicksburg
6-6 290
OG Lavante Epson
Greenville
6-3 315
CB Javien Hamilton
Bay Springs
5-10 170
CB Devin Rockette
Oxford
5-11 165
DE Tim Bonner
Demopolis, Ala.
6-4 220
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56 – Football Preview • August 2016
2017: Clinton RB Akers among five-star prospects Ole Miss continues to pursue FROM PAGE 55 “The Willie Gay commitment was huge,” Johnson added. “Not only because it was a critical need, but also it was a stick-your-finger-in-the-wind kind of deal, an indicator, of whether or not they were going to be able to still land highly regarded prospects with the NCAA cloud hovering the program.” Also on the commitment list is a pair of familiar names. East Mississippi Community College defensive end Rasool Clemons and EMCC athlete Jay Johnson were both committed to the Rebels in the 2015 class before grades forced them to go the juco route, but both recently pledged again to Ole Miss. The Rebels also have a commitment from another EMCC defensive end in Tim Bonner, a three-star prospect according to 247Sports. Rounding out the current list of commitments are Jones County JC defensive teammates Javien Hamilton and Markel Winters, EMCC Madison Prep Academy (Louisiana) defensive end Bryan Jones, Aliceville (Alabama) cornerback Jamar Richardson, Riverdale (New Orleans, Louisiana) linebacker Josh Clarke, Bob Jones (Madison, Alabama) safety A.J. Harris, Glen Allen (Virginia) quarterback Alex Faniel, St. Aloysius offensive lineman Ben Brown, Washington School offensive lineman Lavante Epson and Oxford cornerback Devin Rockette.
Biggest need After some whiffs at the position in recent classes, there may not be a bigger need for Ole Miss in 2017 than linebacker. The Rebels lost two there off last year’s team in Denzel Nkemdiche and C.J. Johnson and will say goodbye to Rommel Mageo, Terry Caldwell and Temario Strong after this season. Getting Gay and Clarke in the fold early is a start, but Ole Miss is likely looking to sign a couple more linebackers next year, Johnson said. A pair of four-star prospects — Livonia (Louisiana) standout Patrick Queen, an LSU commit who recently visited Ole Miss, and East Nashville Magnet School’s Jacob Phillips — are among the Rebels’ top remaining targets at the posi-
DAVIS POTTER
Oxford’s Devin Rockette is one of three cornerbacks already committed to Ole Miss for next season.
tion. “I think (Queen) is going to be back maybe for the Ole Miss-Alabama game for a visit again with his parents,” Johnson said. “I think something could happen there.” Ole Miss would also like to add another quarterback to build depth at the position. The Rebels only have three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster this fall and will lose Chad Kelly after the season. At the top of the Rebels’ wish list there is St. Stanislaus signal caller Myles Brennan, who’s also committed to LSU. But Johnson said there could be an opening for Ole Miss with the 6-3, 180-pound Brennan, who has family ties to the school. “His older brother, Bo, was once a walkon at Ole Miss,” Johnson said. “I think that’s who you’re going to see them hone in on. I think they’re really going to recruit Myles Brennan hard this fall and try to get him to flip to Ole Miss.” Ole Miss’ top remaining targets regardless of position include Grenada four-
star safety C.J. Avery, Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville Tennessee) four-star running back Ty Chandler, Episcopal (Bellaire, Texas) five-star offensive tackle Walker Little and Episcopal five-star defensive lineman Marvin Wilson. Chandler’s father, Chico, played running back at Ole Miss from 1998-2002. But the top priority for the Rebels is Clinton five-star running back Cam Akers, Mississippi’s top-ranked recruit. The 5-11, 213-pound Akers has offers from schools nationwide but recently cut the number of schools he’s still considering to 10, including Ole Miss. The Rebels are competing with the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Florida State, Michigan and LSU for Akers’ services, but Johnson said Ole Miss has as good a shot as anybody. “Everything we hear on Cam and people around Cam is Ole Miss is sitting in a very good position,” Johnson said. “It would take an NCAA nuclear strike to probably drive Cam away from Ole Miss.”
Football Preview • August 2016 – 57
SLATES: Teams to prepare in first half of season for important division tussles later FROM PAGE 7 “As tough a stretch as I would think is as tough as anybody has in their non-district schedule,” Oxford coach Chris Cutcliffe said of playing three 6A schools and Lafayette to start the year. “I learned this from (former Oxford) coach (Johnny) Hill, too, at the high school level. In college football, every game matters so much, especially if you’re going to try to compete for a championship. The first game of the season, it could knock you out. High school football is a little different.” Cutcliffe is continuing the philosophy of the first four games counting as a preseason of sorts before starting the regular season of divisional games with the playoffs being the third season. After its bye week, Oxford will travel to West Point to begin its Region 2-5A slate and continue the trend of homeaway-home-away from a season ago. The Chargers will end the year with a trip up to Lake Cormorant as they did two years ago and also travel to Lewisburg and
Clarksdale. Home games include Saltillo, New Hope and Center Hill. “West Point is supposed to be very talented,” Cutcliffe said. “They had a quarterback transfer in from Saltillo, who’s a good player. Our district has a bunch of good teams. … I think our district is good this year. I think there will be a lot of tests in there. I think we’ll know where we stand pretty early because we’re going to be tested.”
Lafayette
Oxford will not be the only one who might have an early feel of how its season will go as the Commodores start off with tough non-division schedule as well. Lafayette hosted Horn Lake to start the season last week and will travel to Grenada and across town to Oxford. They will host Louisville and Charleston before starting Region 2-4A action against Ripley on Sept. 30. There is a new wrinkle in Lafayette’s schedule this season as they have an open date this week. Last year, Clayton High School out of St. Louis scheduled
a game with the Commodores but it was a one-year deal, and Fair was unable to find a replacement for a game so early in the season. “We feel like if we can get through those non-divison games and continue to get better, hopefully we’re winning those games, but the main thing is we’re continuing to get our team better for district play,” Fair said. “We’re feeling real good about it. We’re going to know who we are after we play Lousiville, that’s for sure.” It will be the first taste of the Crosstown Classic for Fair, who watched the outcomes from afar up Interstate 55 in Senatobia. Starting this year, the results will mean a little bit more to him as he will be on one of the sidelines. It is also the first year Cutcliffe will take part in the rivalry game as a head coach on the Chargers’ side of the field. “They’re going to be motivated to play,” Fair said of his players, who have have been on the losing side of the rivalry in recent years. “I’m looking forward to it because I’ve heard so many great things about that rivalry.”
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58 – Football Preview • August 2016 Much like Oxford, it will be a rotating schedule for Lafayette as they will never be on the road or at home more than two weeks straight. The Commodores will travel to Ripley, New Albany and Byhalia — who they close the season out with on Oct. 28 — and host Rosa Fort and Fair’s former team, Senatobia (Oct. 21). In the current world of high school football, coaching changes are happening more and more frequently, but Fair stayed in the same division as his former school, which adds a little uniqueness to his situation when the two meet the second-to-last week of the regular season. “I know them and they know me and I know that they’ve got this game circled on the calendar,” Fair said of Senatobia. “I understand all that and that’s part of it. It should be a lot of fun that week because emotions will
be a part of it.”
Water Valley
It is more of the same for the Blue Devils of Water Valley when it comes to the schedule. Six non-division games kick off the season, including trips to Eupora, Coffeeville for their annual Railroad Rivalry game, Pontotoc and Senatobia. They will end the non-division slate against Winona at home on Sept. 23 for their homecoming. Then coach Brad Embry and his staff will turn their attention to their Region 2-3A opponents and start with the kings of that division, Charleston. Water Valley gets to host the Tigers at Bobby Clark Field and once again it could decide the region championship as it has in recent years. “Charleston, I think until somebody proves different, I wouldn’t say anything else,”
Embry said when predicting the Region 2-3A champion. “It’s our job to change that mindset of the people in the state. …We always get good competition.” The rest of Water Valley’s division slate includes trips to Independence and North Panola while finishing up the year at home against Holly Springs and Marks Palmer.
“(Our players) are going to be motivated to play. I’m looking forward to it because I’ve heard so many great things about that rivalry. ” Lafayette coach Michael Fair
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