MACON — A fast start doesn’t guarantee success in the playoffs.
That’s one of the messages Noxubee County High School football coach Tyrone Shorter has tried to impress to his players this week following a 35-0 victory against Senatobia in the opening round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A North State playoffs. The Tigers opened the game with a long touchdown drive on their opening possession and then appeared to let up, according to Shorter. That loss of focus coupled with four turnovers can spell disaster in the postseason, which is why Shorter and his assistant coaches have worked hard this week to get the players to re-focus.
“We drove down the field and we came out fast and were clicking on all cylinders,” Shorter said. “What I didn’t like was we let the air out of it a little. We got sloppy. The first drive was so easy that it was up there ready to go and then it was like they were at ease. The second quarter was really sloppy.”
Noxubee County (10-2) will try to take the next step on its playoff journey at 7 p.m. Friday when it plays at Yazoo County (9-3). The Panthers are coached by former Noxubee County High assistant coach Quentin Euell. Shorter said he and Euell are good friends, but that friendship will be put on hold for a “business” trip.
“Coach Euell has been away from here for years,” Shorter said. “He was the best man in my wedding. I am his son’s godfather, so we have some history there and we have some ties and stuff, but it is about business. No matter what happens, we will remain friends. It is about business now. We are going to take care of business.”
Shorter said he is concerned about traveling more than two hours for the game because it gets the players out of their routine. On Friday, Shorter said Noxubee County will eat at a restaurant and then stop at Jackson State for a few hours to get taped and to relax before busing the final 45 minutes to an hour to Yazoo County. Shorter said the team will take plenty of time so it isn’t rushed and the players are fresh and ready to go.
Noxubee County allowed only 129 yards last week in earning its third shutout of the season. The Tigers also received a solid effort from running back Shannessy Sherrod, who rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Noxubee County had 39 carries for 238 yards, which fell a little short of its goal of 300 yards, but Shorter said he likes how the offensive line and Sherrod have progressed. Shorter said Sherrod hasn’t made any drastic changes to move into a position where he possibly could get even more touches.
“I just think he is practicing a whole lot harder,” Shorter said. “He is finishing his runs in practice. All of our backs are. They are doing a great job. I think the way they approach practice is making them better backs. Sherrod is starting to see the game and see the field a lot more. His vision has gotten a whole lot better.”
Still, he and offensive coordinator James Patterson want to see more consistency.
“We made it look so easy on the first drive and on the next two drives we punt. Why can’t we do it again?” Shorter said. “Small things killed the drives for us, like false starts or jumping offsides or holding. Those things kill drives. That is our word this week: Consistent. We have to be more consistent with what we do and not turn the ball over. I think if we don’t turn the ball over we are going to be in great shape.”
On defense, junior Jeffery Simmons led a group that delivered a stop on its first series after Senatobia returned its opening kickoff to Noxubee County’s 17-yard line. He said there were plenty of “small things” on film for the team to correct despite an otherwise solid effort.
In addition to the sluggish response after the slow start and the turnovers, Shorter said he remains concerned about the team’s special teams play. He said the coaches moved to solidify that unit by placing eight defensive starters on the kickoff team. Unfortunately, he said the players have had the bad habit of getting out of their lanes in an attempt to make plays. He said that can’t continue to happen if the Tigers want to go all the way to Starkville to play for a state title.
“It is kind of frustrating because you work so hard for the last two weeks preparing for the things that hurt you in the regular season and we get into the first playoff game and we do the exact same thing,” Shorter said. “Special teams beat us last year in the playoffs. I am just trying to pour into our kids’ heads that it is very important.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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