2020 JCN Football Preview
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GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON! Jasper County News PUBLISHER Ronnie Buckley
By Heath Walley JCN Editor “Winning is not everything, but making the effort to win is.” - Vince Lombardi. The legendary NFL coach said it well when he relayed that sentence, and it seems quite appropriate for this upcoming football season. Effort means a great deal. People all over the country and state are hungering for a slight glimpse of normal. Over the past months, COVID-19 has all but taken normal away. However; the chance of having a healthy, successful school year for area students and a sports season, especially with football looming right around the corner, is upon us. It’s very near, and “effort” by many has been the catalyst. Hopefully a return to some kind of normalcy is in the near future. Three schools in the county - Bay Springs, Sylva-Bay, and Stringer - are set to take on a regular football season. Sadly, the other school in the county - Heidelberg - has opted out of fall sports due to COVID-19 concerns, and they certainly will be missed on the gridiron. For the schools trudging forward with sports, we at the Jasper County News, hope and pray for safety, good health, and successful seasons. Jasper County is blessed to have great students, athletes, and sports. I’ve rarely been disappointed at games since I’ve been in this position for the past 8 years. There are several hundred high school kids in the county that have dedicated a lot, mentally and physically, to the game of football and what revolves around it. That number grows more with bands and cheerleaders who work just as hard during football season. So, as these teams and schools move forward, keep a special thought of them in your mind. I certainly will. Thanks to all our sponsors for helping make this magazine possible for all of our area student athletes. 04
GENERAL MANAGER Zach Buckley
JCN EDITOR Heath Walley WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Zach Buckley James Pugh Heath Walley
Jennifer Clark Karon McGee Carolyn Buckley Betty Busby
GRAPHIC DESIGN Candice Pittman Stephanie White SALES Lyndsy Temple Heath Walley Kim Wilbanks
Jasper County News Magazine is a production of Buckley Newspapers, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part, without written permission, is prohibited. For advertising inquiries about BNI products, call 601.764.3104. Visit our website at: www.Impact601.com.
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2020 JCNFootball FootballPreview Preview 2020 JCN
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Head Coach: DAN BRADY
KEY GAMES LUMBERTON 9/4 TAYLORSVILLE 10/1 ENTERPRISE 10/23
KEY PLAYERS Lamarcus Stubbs, Chase Wilson, Nick Agee, Ty Jones, Anthony Newell, Eddie Payton
Bay Springs has become a reputable 2A power in Mississippi ever since head coach Dan Brady took over the Bulldogs’ program in 2014. Brady and his teams since then have put under their belts 61 wins to only 24 losses, including two region championships, three trips to the South State Championship game, and an appearance in the State Championship game in 2016. Last season, the Bulldogs were very young and still put together a 9-3 season amidst a rigorous schedule. Things will certainly be different on the football field this year with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but Brady is looking for his team to have grown and is expecting another good year. The Bulldogs began summer workouts as soon as they were allowed, and the growth of the team and their anticipation to get back to the gridiron was noticed. “We started working out on June 1 again, but we couldn’t get back in the weight room until around June 22. We had probably the best summer we’ve ever had. We’ve always had good attendance; this summer was really good, but it was a different type of summer,” he explained. “We tweaked it (the situation), and I think the kids are just ready. That’s the big thing; they are just tired of not being able to do sports.” Both offensively and defensively, Brady believes his team will be stronger this season, especially bringing back key weapons on both sides of the ball and others who first got a good taste of the varsity level last year. “I expect us to be a lot better this year. We were really young at running back last year and had a lot of inexperience. We did lose some good linemen (from last year’s team), and we will be young this year at quarterback. Whoever the starter is will be a first-year guy, but I expect us to be more polished in the backfield. They have the potential, and we are returning every skill guy from last year, except for the quarterback. I’m really excited,” he said. Expect Bay Springs to predominately continue to push the ball downfield on the ground this season and run the clock, which has in the past been extremely effective and has driven opposing coaches crazy. “That’s what we do, and that’s how I want it to be,” Brady emphasized. Defensively, the Bulldogs, as they always have been, should be fast, athletic, and have the ability to pursue. However, Bay Springs did lose some key elements from last year, and the growing curve from the younger players Brady hopes will take off quickly. “We returned all of our linebackers, and lost some of our secondary and defensive line. But, I think we will be good on defense. The kids have grown a lot, size-wise, and they always run to the football. I may be premature in saying this, but I think this may even could be one of the better defenses we’ve had in the last four or five years,” he mentioned. “We will see.” In all, Brady said his kids just want to play ball, and he emphasized how important the sport is to them and many people, especially during these uncertain times. “I think it’s extremely important. We are abiding by all the rules, and our school district is doing a great job handling things with the virus. When it gets down to it, kids like structure. They like to be in safe environments and environments they are used to, and to have football in some form or fashion is important. We need to play, because at the end of the day not being in school and not being able to play sports is hard for kids,” stressed Brady. “There are a lot of people who don’t even have kids in football, and it means a great deal to them all across the state. Football is not the most important thing, but a lot of people don’t value what sports can do for a child as much as they need to.” The Bulldogs will kick off the regular season on the road against Lumberton on September 4.
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2020 BAY SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGS - Jamare Holliday (1), Anthony Newell (2), Cartize Booth (3), Eddie Payton (4), Drequan Myers (5), Jacoby Johnson (6), Nick Agee (7), Ty Jones (8), Charles Carr (9), Jaylen Boyd (10), Jarail Washington (11), DeMarian Jones (12), Demetrius Roberts (13), Destin Nelson (14), Lamarcus Stubbs (17), AJ Ross (20), Kevin Keyes (21), Kerrion Keyes (22), Caleb Plummer (24), Chase Wilson (25), James Ross (27), Jordan Jones (29), Jamarcus Smith (30), Kavaji Bolton (32), Rodderick Satcher (33), Tony Johnson (35), Zyon Ross (42), Denim Holder (44), Landon Jones (50), Asa Satcher (51), Rondarius Henry (52), Jayvon Williamson (53), Demarion Campbell (54), Jaydon Quince (55), King Cole (56), Julius Holliday (58), Shemar Roberts (60), James Wilson (62), Tavarious Keyes (65), Kamron Beavers (66), Jashawn Huddleston (70), John Andrews (75), Brandon Clayton (77), Ladarren Gammage (78), Jeremiah Gavin (83), Omarion Shaw (85). Coaches are head coach Dan Brady, Ben Justice, Regrick Young, Frankie Beamon, Destin Ellis, Roger Satcher, and Corey Mackey.
2020 JCNFootball FootballPreview Preview 2020 JCN
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Head Coach: MORRIS CASCIO
KEY GAMES LUMBERTON 9/11 RES. CATHOLIC 10/2 RICHTON 11/6
KEY PLAYERS Omarion Bridges, Jaylen Ulmer, Jorian Sampson, Jackson Parker, Landon Duckworth, Waylon Tullos
Head coach Morris Cascio and his Stringer Red Devils have been preparing for the 2020 football season, hoping that it will begin. If things remain the same, the regular season will fire off for the Devils on the first Friday in September. The year will surely hold many changes due to COVID-19, but Cascio says his team is raring to get out of the gate and compete. “It’s been a unique off-season and a unique summer. All the things that we’ve gone through with the protocols that have been put in place on us and the limitations that have been placed on us, I truly believe if we do what we are supposed to do, we are going to have us a football season,” explained Cascio. “We’ve been very blessed at Stringer. We haven’t had a (COVID) case throughout the school year, and I know there are other schools that have. I’m going to knock on some wood and keep praying that we don’t - that that bug just not bite us so we have to start forfeiting games.” He went on to explain that he expects good things out of his team this season, which returns seven starters on defense and seven starters on offense. Last year the Devils finished at .500 with a 6-6 campaign, and Cascio hopes to improve on that this season with several experienced players returning, but there are some holes that will have to be filled from last year. “I’ve got a good group of guys coming back. There are a couple of key positions that are going to be hard to fill on defense because we had two senior linebackers graduate last year. But, the defensive line and the secondary is looking good for us right now,” he mentioned. “My motto has always been ‘next man up,’ and that’s where we are right now.” Cascio expects his offense that will provide a number of different looks to opposing defenses to help carry the Red Devils this year. He described a young but “big” offensive line and experienced, key playmakers that started for the Devils last year and helped tote the load for Stringer last season. “I’ve been really excited about how the offensive line has been working the past few days, and we have Jackson Parker coming back at quarterback. We’ve got everybody returning in the backfield (other than one),” he said. “We’ve got people stepping up and filling roles, and we are throwing the ball well. We’ve got some more experienced receivers this year, and I’m looking forward to it.” Of course, every coach and team wants championships on the wall, but Cascio feels that simple daily, week-to-week, and annual progression is a key element in football. “I want to progress every day. I want to be better than we were the year before,” he explained. “At practice, I want them to get better. Then, they will get that mindset, and they will want to get better.” As for all the negatives COVID-19 has brought about in the past months and heading into the season, Cascio looks at football as a positive opportunity. “We have a great opportunity to set the tone and set the pace. We need to do what they are asking us to do (keeping fieldhouses clean and properly distancing). It doesn’t matter what you have to do to take those kids out there on Friday nights. Mine, if they are not on the field, are going to have a mask on standing six feet apart on little white dots so we can continue to play football. It’s a special game, and only special people can play it. I’ve got kids that will text me when they get home, and say, ‘coach, we just want to play football.’ I tell them I do too, and we are going to pray about it, and we are going to play football. Until the governor tells us we can’t or if something happens, we are going to do our part. I’m going to make sure my kids are taken care of, and I’m going to make sure I tell the opposing coaches. That’s what worries me. I’m not going to have a sick kid on my team and try to play you. We all need to be on the same page, and do the right things for the kids.” Stringer will open the regular season on the road against Enterprise on September 4.
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2020 STRINGER HIGH SCHOOL RED DEVILS - Jackson Parker (1), Ty Stringer (2), Jorian Sampson (3), Jake Pippen (4), Jeremiah Williams (5), Omarion Bridges (6), Christian Myers (7), Evan Holifield (10), Andrew Barden (11), Landon Duckworth (13), Caden Hicks (14), Kane Welborn (16), Nic Arender (17), Isiaih Morgan (17), Keyshawn Johnson (19), Jared Hosey (20), Heath Burkeen (23), Will Grice (24), Skylar Taylor (25), Bryce Parker (32), Braden Gray (40), Jamaure Bunch (44), Carter Bales (51), Colton Graham (52), Turner McNeil (53), Malcolm Campbell (54), Waylon Tullos (55), Nic Newell (56), Dylan Taylor (58), Luke Brady (60), Haiden Nicholson (62), Kolton Henderson (65), Logan Parker (66), Timothy Buckley (68), Jaylen Ulmer (76), Bubba Hill (80), and Hunter Hill (88). Coaches are head coach Morris Cascio, Charlie Fall, Wade Weathers, Bryce Randall, and Miles Cotten.
2020 JCN Football Preview
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Head Coach: TERRY UNDERWOOD
KEY GAMES CENTREVILLE 10/2 NEWTON C. A. 10/9 AMITE S.C. 10/23
KEY PLAYERS holden brown, jacob sumlin, cornelius keyes, jake valentine, denver westbrook, eli blackwell
Football will definitely be different this season due to COVID-19, social distancing, and health guideline restrictions. However, the thought of it kicking off seems to bring a sense of normalcy to mind, and the Sylva-Bay Academy Saints are ahead of the curve. Head coach Terrry Underwood and the Saints have already held two successful preseason jamboree events, and the team opened the regular MAIS season last Friday night at home against Brookhaven Academy. Taking on a number of larger schools last season, Sylva-Bay played a tortuous schedule, just seemed to run out of gas late in close games with lower player numbers, and ended the season with a 4-7 record. But, the Saints went undefeated in district play and landed the District 3-AAA Championship, its second district championship in consecutive seasons. This will be a rebuilding year for the young Saints that return only five starters from last season, but Underwood recently explained that his team is excited to play, and he is looking forward to the season. At this early point, Underwood says the strength of the Saints is its defense. “Right now, I think we are way ahead on defense. We’ve got some good people on defense, and they fly around pretty good,” he explained. “We are still making a lot of basic mistakes, and we are young in the secondary without a senior in the secondary, but I think they are getting better. They’ll be tested. Our front four have been pretty salty; they are playing well, and they are active.” Offensively, the Saints are trying to work out some early kinks with different offensive looks and a young sophomore quarterback adjusting to the varsity playing field. Underwood said he believes the offense will come around, but for the entire offense to be able to gel correctly, he feels his team must do more in the rushing game. “We are working under the center, we are working out of the shotgun. We are going to do a little bit of both, but we have got to get to where we can run the ball more. We’ve got to have a strong run game to back up a potentially strong defense that we have,” he said. “If we can be able to develop a strong run game to complement our defense, and then be able to throw the ball effectively when needed, then we have a chance to have a good year. “We are young. We have only five seniors, and I think those five seniors are great guys. They are really good players for us, and I think they are doing a great job. But, we still have to improve.” Sylva-Bay’s schedule this season doesn’t get any easier from last year and includes another gauntlet of larger schools. That is why Underwood is stressing the importance of improvement to his team. “Our schedule is very tough. We play all 4-A schools except for in our district. We’ve got to get better,” he explained. “Last year we were 0-4 before we ever won a game, and I don’t want to go through that again. But, we are potentially facing that kind of team each and every week. We’ve just got to get better.” Considering the thought that some public schools and school districts have already canceled the season due to COVID-19, Underwood shared his opinion of football and its importance with the upcoming season. “Football is the ultimate team game. I think we should hold it on a pedestal. I try to teach our players that,” he mentioned. “It’s important to the young men that play; it’s important to the coaches that coach it; and it’s important to the parents and the fan base. I’m so proud to be in a league that has taken a forward step saying we are going to make it happen, if at all possible.”
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2020 SYLVA-BAY ACADEMY VARSITY SAINTS - Hayden Bowen (1), Denver Westbrook (2), Tyler Green (3), Paxton Brewer (6), Kristopher Moss (7), Jacob Bowen (8), August Jones (9), Campbell Bensley (11), Jake Valentine (12), Malaki Page (14), Rhys Holder (19), Raymond Morales (20), Eli Blackwell (21), Jaden Henderson (22), Zach Buckley (24), Nathan Myers (28), John Cayden Hosey (30), Jacob Hancock (33), Gabe Jackson (40), Cord Blakeney (44), Matthew Harralson (52), Chris Hillman (53), Holden Brown (54), Ryan Simms (55), Jacob Sumlin (56), Cornelius Keyes (60), Timothy Moss (65), Rex Brown (70), Cayden Hillman (71), Case Thurston (73), Blain Northrup (77), Eli Blakeney (81, and Aaron Schauer. Coaches are head coach Terry Underwood, Jarrod Jordan, and Dylan Rhodes.
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2020 BAY SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS JoAshley Moncrief, Lajada Johnson, Nagarian Moore, Akeelah McCullum, Nyla Keller, Amauria Dease, Janiya Body, Jakhia Milsap, Shania Gavin, Amiya Watts, Makayla Halton and Rondayshia Thigpen.
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2020 SYLVA-BAY ACADEMY CHEERLEADERS Ivey Bruntlett, Carly Hendry,Olivia Holder, Kathryn Moss, Blakey Pickel, Carson Ward, Isabella Boyd, Heather Cotten, Emma Rogers, Kailyn Smith, Sadie Jones, Natalyn Odom, Brantlee Phillips, and Madalyn Stringer.
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2020 JCN Football Preview