Freshman linebacker A.J. Smith breaks out the normal football cliches when he says the Northwest Mississippi Community College football team is taking it one game at a time as it climbs the national rankings.
Then there is a footnote.
“The (East Mississippi C.C.) game is coming,” Smith said. “We know they are the defending champions. We want what they have. It is going to be a special game. It may be the best game played in the nation this season.”
The former Starkville High School standout has been part of the big resurgence at Northwest Mississippi. One of the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges tradition-rich programs, the Rangers won one game in 2013. Last season, the upward trend began with a 4-6 record and a berth in the MACJC state playoffs.
Now second-year coach Jack Wright has his team thinking even bigger. The Rangers are 5-0 and 2-0 in North Division play. Ranked seventh in the nation last week, that number should improve when the new rankings come out today.
Northwest beat No. 14 Hinds C.C. 38-37 in overtime last Thursday at home. Division play continues Saturday with a game against Holmes C.C. for Homecoming in Senatobia.
“This is a special team,” Smith said. “The biggest thing is we have playmakers. On offense, on defense and on special teams. We have some special teams players who can really light you up. I think that is the biggest thing. We are a complete team.
“The sophomores are doing a great job of leading. This program has not been where it used to be in the past, so everybody is kind of excited about where we are going.”
Smith was skeptical at first. On the second day in his new program, he was asked to switch to linebacker. After some thought, the challenge of a new position unleashed an even stronger work ethic.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Smith has pushed himself to be one of the state’s best freshman linebackers. Through five games, Smith has 15 tackles, which is eighth best on the team.
“Based on how much they have counted on me, I know I made the right decision,” Smith said. “I have other friends around the state who are either on the team but not playing or who are redshirting. It is really hard as freshman because you are learning everything on the fly. The sophomores really have been great.
“They don’t let you do wrong. They are there every step of the way. This is the best chemistry I have ever seen on a football field. You can tell we love each other and we play as one. Some people have said that is why the program wasn’t doing as well in the past. Those days are gone because we have it going in the right direction again.”
Like most freshmen, Smith has needed to adjust since the start of the season.
“Everybody can play. There are no weak players,” Smith said. “There is no game you can take off. There is no play you can take off during the game. The competition level in this league is amazing. You don’t really understand it until you see it on a weekly basis.
“You have players who could be playing in the Southeastern Conference playing all over the field. Even the weaker teams have some dynamic Division I-type players. That is what make the league fun. The competition is great. When you win a game, you feel like you have been through a battle.”
Smith credits coach Jamie Mitchell and his time at Starkville High as being critical for his success. The work ethic and desire built in the Yellow Jackets’ program helped several of the former players to play right away on the next level.
“The high school experience was rewarding,” Smith said. “We won a lot of games and had a lot of special memories. There is no doubt being from a successful program gives you an advantage on the junior college level. You really can step in right away and contribute.
“The ability to play so many important games in high school sets the tone.”
Having defeated North Division foes Northeast Mississippi C.C. and Holmes C.C., victories against Holmes and Mississippi Delta C.C. would set up the mammoth showdown against No. 6 EMCC on Oct. 15 in Scooba.
Smith is looking forward to seeing EMCC freshman running back Jacquez Horsley in person. The two are cousins and former teammates at Starkville High. EMCC has beaten Northwest by a combined score of 128-7 in the past two seasons.
“It’s going to be a special game and a lot of fun,” Smith said. “We are finally able to contend with them again.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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