When West Point senior Jason Brownlee is asked whether he prefers playing offense or playing defense, he takes a long pause before answering.
“There is so much to like about both,” Brownlee said. “I just want to be out there making plays. If you play more plays, you can have a bigger impact on the game. I just want to help my teammates out. Whatever it takes to see the field and contribute, that is what I want to do.”
West Point (13-0) will play host to Olive Branch (12-1) at 7 p.m. Friday for the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) North State championship.
The reigning Class 5A State champions have won 26-straight games dating back to 2016.
“You could sense at the start of the season this team was really hungry,” Brownlee said. “Last season’s championship was sweet because it had not been done in a while (first since 2010). A championship this season would be even better because it is so hard to win back to back. After you win the first one, everybody is aiming for you. The second one is supposed to be more difficult.”
West Point has made the run to another title look easy. On Friday, West Point’s 32-13 victory against Grenada in the second round of the playoffs was its smallest margin of victory this season. The previous mark was a 27-7 victory against Louisville in the second week of the season. Between that win and the second victory against Grenada (48-0 in the regular season), the Green Wave have dominated.
West Point is averaging 46.6 points per game and allowing 6.3 ppg. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Brownlee has had a big hand in both numbers.
“He is everywhere on the field making plays,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “You have to only tell him things once because he loves the game. He is always out there listening, working, striving to be better than he was the day before. You feel good when you go into battle with those types of players.”
In Class 5A ball, two-ways players are rare. Larger schools have more depth, so players aren’t asked to go both ways nearly as often. Brownlee has accepted the challenge of playing wide receiver and defensive back because a potential position in college is still undecided.
“The coaches have really worked with me to make sure I get enough touches,” Brownlee said. “My size makes me a threat on offense. My physical nature makes me a threat on defense. The coaches who have been recruiting me have been talking about my speed. Right now, the focus has been on winning another state championship.
“However, looking ahead, everybody wants to play college ball. To be able to have that chance is humbling.”
A Mississippi State commitment, Marcus Murphy has played quarterback and running back this season. Murphy saw a handful of snaps on defense last season. He is expected to play safety at Mississippi State.
“Jason has such great height, size,” Murphy said. “You can throw it in his general direction, he is going to make the play. Being able to make big plays through the passing games makes us a much better team.”
Brownlee has 34 receptions for 767 yards and nine touchdowns. He also has 16 tackles and four interceptions.
“It’s just about making plays,” Brownlee said. “The confidence level is sky high for everybody on this team. We have stayed humble through the whole process. We don’t do a lot of talking. We just go about our work. Everything has been working, so there is no need to change a thing.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
