FULTON — Itawamba Community College sophomore Montario Montgomery said the calls home are fewer this season.
A year ago, the former Starkville High School standout was learning to be independent. He admits it was a struggle.
“My head was spinning when I got here,” Montgomery said. “I didn’t know where to go. I didn’t know who to call. I called my mother (Cynthia Jones) every day. She said I can’t come up there and do everything for you. You have to do some things on your own.”
Montgomery adjusted to quarterback life as well and saw some time as a reserve quarterback behind Peyton Bender and Danterius Ellington.
This season, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Montgomery and the 6-2, 190-pound Ellington are expected to share the load when ICC kicks off the season at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C.
ICC will begin its fourth season under coach Sean
Cannon. The Indians went 5-4 a season ago and missed the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) playoffs.
The challenge to get there this year will be supreme with four of the North Division’s seven teams ranked in the Top 11 of the preseason National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) rankings.
“Everything is coming together quite well,” Montgomery said. “It’s hard getting used to the running. We have a good group on our hands. Hopefully, we can take things a long way.”
“Our offense is going to put up numbers. All we have to do is get the ball in the hands of our receivers. They are some playmakers. With the offensive line, almost everybody is back. We just have to fill in a few spots here and there.”
Ellington, the former Center Hill High School standout, was 58-for-87 for 765 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Montgomery appeared in six games and attempted two passes.
“We really like where we are at quarterback,” ICC first-year offensive coordinator Chad Cook said. “Both have been with us for the past season and you feel more comfortable when you have a second-year player calling the shots. They have seen what it takes to win games in this league. It’s a grind. It’s a challenge.
“You have the leadership qualities of that position established more quickly when it is a player that has been with you the whole time. Both quarterbacks bring something different to the table.”
Cannon calls the plays on defense. Cook has been brought in to call the plays on offense. Both quarterbacks are expected to get extensive playing time, with certain sets for short-yardage situations.
“It’s a lot different when you are in your second year in the program,” Montgomery said. “It’s like everyone is looking at you to be a leader. You are more comfortable with your surroundings. You know what the expectations of the program are. Football is much easier. You feel like you can contribute and be a major player.”
Former Southaven High standout Terry Williams is expected to anchor the receiving corps. Williams earned NJCAA All-America honors last season after making 66 catches for 910 yards and four touchdowns.
“We think we should be able to average 35 to 40 points per game,” Montgomery said. “Once we get the offensive line used to playing with one another, we can be a dangerous team. Our receivers are fast. They can all make plays. In the backfield (third-year former West Point High standout Kadarius Forside) has been back there forever.
“A lot of the guys learned from last year, and we hope to put that experience to good use.”
Montgomery learned a lot last season. As a senior at Starkville High, Montgomery threw for 2,777 yards and 28 touchdowns for a team that went 14-1 and won the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship in 2015. But Montgomery admits he had to adjust to the next level.
“Nothing is given to you,” Montgomery said. “I have either worked hard enough to get something or I haven’t gotten something because I haven’t worked hard enough for it yet. That is the biggest thing. This is a new level. It is full of challenge, but it is also full of opportunity.
“I feel like I know what I am doing. Now, it is time to help this team win games.”
Montgomery’s mother will be pleased with that.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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