Falcons, Trojans learning to believe in change

A lot of the things Randal Montgomery says when he talks about football make sense.

Montgomery believes the best players — regardless of class — have to be on the football field. The former Hazlehurst football coach also wants his players to aspire to be the best, which is why he intends to set the bar as high as possible and push everyone to reach that goal.

Caledonia blanks West Lowndes in jamboree

The momentum continues for the Caledonia High School football team.

Heritage Academy’s Sykes to continue baseball career at Mississippi College

Hunter Sykes has wanted to play baseball in college since he was 8 years old.

Hairston leaves envy behind to compete in triathlon

Trip Hairston has turned his envy into action.

On Saturday, the Columbus resident will be one of more than 100 competitors expected to participate in the third-annual Possum Town Triathlon.

New energy on West Lowndes High football team

There is a different kind of energy at West Lowndes High School.

Maybe it has something to do with all of the hills that the Panthers have been running to get them in shape for the start of the 2014 football season.

Flippo replaces Cook as coach at Columbus

Dallas Flippo intends to continue the Columbus High School baseball tradition Jeff Cook started.

Flippo doesn’t have a secret plan for how he intends to accomplish that goal. He is going to do the only thing he knows how to do: Work hard.

Vote will benefit student-athletes, but lure of more money remains

The arms race that is college athletics achieved a degree of separation Thursday.

Heritage Academy’s Oswalt refining skills in circle

Strikeouts don’t define Kaitlyn Oswalt.

As impressive as the Heritage Academy junior right-hander has been through the first 12 games of the fast-pitch season, she doesn’t get too caught up in the fact she entered this week with 96 strikeouts and 13 walks in 58 1/3 innings. That is the kind of ratio coaches love.

Sanders plans to make most of final season in Oxford

OXFORD — Vincent Sanders has had plenty of experience dealing with highs and lows.

Ward wants to turn up motor on defense for Rebels

OXFORD — All of the back and forth hasn’t fazed Channing Ward.

Even after moving from defense to offense and back to defense, the former Aberdeen High School standout is focused on doing whatever he can to help the Ole Miss football team have a great season in 2014.

East Coast Baseball sees continued growth

Joe Caruso knows how much baseball talent there is in the state of Mississippi.

Talented senior class leads Heritage Academy volleyball

This beginning means a little more to Liz Fields.

Garrett looks to bring stability to Columbus Christian baseball

Bob Reeves recalls seeing the spark in Jared Garrett’s eyes.

Langford anticipates triathlon competition

Philip Langford has had people encourage him to do a triathlon for years.

Caledonia will try to have team-first mind-set

CALEDONIA — Kacy Lovett wants to focus on volleyball.

As she prepares for her final season at Caledonia High School, Lovett doesn’t want to hear the word drama. She doesn’t want to deal with anything that causes her or any of the Lady Confederates to lose their concentration on what it will take to make the team successful.

That’s why Lovett is doing everything she can as a one of Caledonia High’s six seniors this season to make sure the squad has a team-first mind-set.

New Hope’s Hern back in familiar spot at ICC

Reagan Hern is back in a familiar position in more ways than one.

Two years ago, Hern was the mother hen, or most experienced player on a New Hope High School girls soccer team stocked with underclassmen. After years of playing in the back, Hern moved to forward her senior year and was a driving force behind another playoff run for the Lady Trojans.

Howard, Hackler set for sophomore seasons at ICC

Dylan Howard and Ricky Hackler hope older means better this season.

A year ago, Howard and Hackler were newcomers looking to make an impact on the Itawamba Community College men’s soccer team. Howard, a former standout at Starkville High School, and Hackler, a former standout at Columbus High, were part of a talented freshman class coach Mike Sullivan hoped was going to help the Indians climb to the top of the pack in the Mississippi Association of Colleges and Junior Colleges (MACJC).

Fitness will be key for Gordon, MSU soccer

STARKVILLE — Aaron Gordon doesn’t want any of his Mississippi State women’s soccer players to underestimate the importance of fitness.

New Hope volleyball will try to apply lessons learned

The New Hope High School volleyball team’s lessons will have to continue this year without one of its best teachers.

Starkville volleyball will rely on experience

Khris Carr, Shelby Adair, and Vicky Vo can’t help but feel old.