Articles by Scott Walters
Chambless, West Point primed to get rolling again
West Point High School football coach Chris Chambless is aware of his community’s expectations for the program.
After all, Chambless, his staff, and his former teams are a big reason for the expectations.
“It really doesn’t matter who we line up against on a Friday night, folks expect us to win,” Chambless said. “Players want to be a part of this program because of the past success. There is an expectation. There is an excitement. We understand that. That is why it is a privilege to coach here and play here, to back that tradition.”
EMCC’s Law ready to put what he learned into action as sophomore
SCOOBA — East Mississippi Community College sophomore running back D.J. Law admits he was disappointed when Division I football wasn’t in his immediate post-high school future.
The hurt lingered for a while. After a couple of months, he decided it was best to make the most of his new football home.
EMCC reaped the immediate rewards of that decision.
Godfrey uses summer ball to get better as catcher
New Hope High School senior catcher Will Godfrey quickly recalls his favorite memory from the 2015 prep baseball season.
“The home run against Oxford was my No. 1 memory,” Godfrey said. “It was amazing I was the one that hit it. I was happy. However, I would have been happy had any other player on the team hit it as well. That was just the type of team we had. Everybody was in it together.”
Pair of kick returns by Hill helps spark Columbus
Kylin Hill admits his eyes light up when he sees a ball coming in his way on a kickoff.
Columbus defense sets tone in season-opening win
Columbus High School football coach Randal Montgomery slowly made changes to his new program last season.
Gallion, ICC hope for fast start to season
FULTON — Ladarius Gallion figured out quickly what it was going to take to excel in college.
“I had to get bigger, faster, and stronger,” said Gallion, a former standout at West Point High School who is now sophomore
defensive lineman on the Itawamba Community College football team. “In high school, you are the big guy. Here, you are simply one of the big guys. I slimmed down a lot and put the weight where it needed to be most. You learn so much when you play junior college ball. It’s an exciting time knowing your sophomore year is your last year here, so it’s a big year.”
Observations from New Hope High Jamboree
The New Hope Jamboree again proved a huge success Friday and Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium.
One can’t read too much into the results on the field. Only one half of varsity ball was played. A lot of coaches experimented with new players in new positions.
When the games count for real, you will see different mind-sets and philosophies from just about everyone.
However, with any type of physical activity, some observations can be made.
EMCC chasing perfection, history
SCOOBA — D.J. Law didn’t grasp the concept of perfection when he arrived at East Mississippi Community College.
Now he understands.
“It’s all about perfection,” said Law, a sophomore running back and a native of Haines City, Florida. “We may stop a drill at noon and come back at 9:30 that night and do the same thing. We do everything in this program the right way. We will do something over and over and over until we find perfection. Great is not good enough. It’s perfection.”
EMCC: Johnson will not play this season
De’Andre Johnson, the former Florida State University quarterback dismissed from that team after video surfaced showing him punching a woman, will not play for the East Mississippi Community College football team this fall.
New Hope uses late scores to beat Amory
STARKVILLE — The New Hope High School football team found its offensive rhythm late Friday night in the New Hope Jamboree.
New Hope scored two touchdowns in the final 2 minutes, 38 seconds to rally past Amory 14-10 in the opening game of the two-day, seven-game event at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium.
Each game included the varsity squads playing a regulation half and junior varsity squads playing a 20-minute half with a running clock.
West Point rallies past Kosciusko
STARKVILLE — West Point High School sophomore Marcus Murphy admitted he was a little nervous before making his first start at quarterback Saturday night.
The offensive line then did its job, Murphy found the end zone, and the nerves went away.
Murphy rushed for two touchdowns and finished with 160 rushing yards as West Point rallied past Kosciusko 21-14 at the New Hope Jamboree at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium.
First-year head coaches get season started at MSU
Eric Spann felt pretty good Saturday afternoon.
The Aberdeen High School first-year head football coach had just experienced a series of emotions in his debut with the Bulldogs.
Aberdeen played well offensively, even though a couple of turnovers stopped critical drives. On defense, Aberdeen excelled with a pair of goal-line stands in the final quarter with the game on the line.
In the end, it was still a tie.
Hard work pays off for determined Deloach on football field
Columbus High School second-year football coach Randal Montgomery has seen a transformation in one of his star players.
Walters column: Final set of prep football preseason questions get answered
When the lights go on Friday night at Davis Wade Stadium, the 2015 prep football season will be upon us.
Lashley leads by example on offensive line at West Point
WEST POINT — At 6-foot-7, 295-pounds Scott Lashley poses a very large shadow on the football field.
Numbers, enthusiasm up for New Hope
Numbers and morale are up for the New Hope High School football program.
After a controversial coaching change following the 2013 season, Kris Pickle accepted the challenge of restoring order in Trojan Country.
With New Hope on an unprecedented run of baseball success and basketball on the up tick, it would be natural for New Hope football to fade to the background.
Starkville Academy softball will look to seniors
STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy first-year softball coach Rob Barron has had to learn his new team quickly.
Fortunately for Barron, there aren’t many Lady Volunteers to get to know.
Starkville Academy is dressing 12 players this season. However, a strong senior class is expected to lead the way.
After dropping its home opener to Central Academy on Monday, Starkville Academy returns to action at 4 p.m. today at Kemper Academy.
Walters column: Time to answer some prep football questions
Area high school football teams began practice Monday.
New Hope jamboree expands to two days, seven games
New Hope High School second-year football coach Kris Pickle doesn’t downplay the amount of hard work that goes into his school hosting a preseason football jamboree at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium.
However, Pickle admits he doesn’t have a big hand in a lot of that hard work.
