SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2012
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Wildcats ready for rugged 1-2A schedule BY GENE PHELPS DAILY JOURNAL
Meeks
WALNUT
WILDCATS FAST FACTS
Division: 1-2A 2011 record: 4-7, 1-4 division (no playoffs) Coach: John Meeks (1st year)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Dillon Barnes, Sr., K/P/QB The talented signal-caller returns for his senior year. Eric Reason, Sr., OL Started at right tackle last season. Devonte Bell, Sr., RB Heads to tailback after playing tight end in 2011.
First-year Walnut coach John Meeks knows how tough it’s going to be to make a living in Division 1-2A football, but he’s prepared for the challenge. “It’s going to be a battle looking at the other teams,” said Meeks, an assistant the last 10 seasons with the Wildcats under former head coach Timmy Moore. “It’s going to be a fight for everything we get.” SOUTHERN SENTINAL Walnut’s neighbors in the diviDillon Barnes threw for 619 yards sion are Baldwyn, Bruce, Caland seven TDs last season. houn City, Hatley and Okolona. The Wildcats were 4-7 last season and won only one division Moore on the sidelines.” game. Prior to last season, Walnut OFFENSE reached the playoffs four conDillon Barnes returns to lead at quarsecutive years. terback after completing 48 of 97 for “This program has had suc619 yards and 7 TDs last season. cess,” Meeks said. “I’m excited “He has a tremendous amount of about the opportunity to conability and we trust him,” Meeks said. tinue the success we’ve had The Wildcats have to replaced sophhere. omore star Monty Linton, who trans“It’s going to be different, an ferred to Baton Rogue this summer. adjustment, not having Coach Devonte Bell, a tight end last year, will
fill the role. Kylan Crum will be the fullback. Ty Huffman, Chandler Hopper and Jovan Norton are the wide receivers while Shawn Thornton is the new tight end. Eric Reason, a tackle, and Cross Caldwell, a guard, are the lone blockers back. Dillon Theil, Lee Bryant, Tanner Brooks and Mikey Hulbert will all bid for playing time.
DEFENSE
Jack Bennett and Reason are the ends while freshman Nick Duncan, Bell, Crum and Thornton will be the linebackers. Bell recorded 65 tackles last season. One ley loss will be middle linebacker Colton Shea, who has been sidelined with a torn ACL. Huffman, Norton and Harper, along with Will Quin and Jordan Gray will play in the secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Thornton will handle the kickoff and punting duties while Crum is expected to become the placekicker. Bell and Huffman will handle the return chores while Brooks will be the deep snapper.
Aug. 17 Aug. 23 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26
SCHEDULE
at Booneville 7:30 Falkner 7:30 Alcorn Central 7:30 at Middleton (Tenn.) 7:30 at East Webster 7:30 Hamilton 7:30 at Bruce* 7:30 Calhoun City* 7:30 Hatley* 7:30 at Baldwyn* 7:30 at Okolona* 7:30 *–Division 1-2A
SCOUTING REPORT
QB Dillon Barnes missed one game last season with a concussion suffered against Bruce. ... MLB Colton Shea had surgery in spring for a torn ACL, but has returned to running. Coaches believe he might be in the lineup before season ends. ... Fullback Kylan Crum is expected to get more carries this season in Wildcats’ balanced attack.
Wave charting return to championship form BY PAUL JONES
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL
Chambless
WEST POINT
GREEN WAVE FAST FACTS
Division: 1-5A 2011 record: 8-5, 6-1 division (Lost in second round of playoffs) Coach: Chris Chambless (7th year)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tez Lane, Sr., RB Rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2011. Aeris Williams, Jr., RB Had more than 1,300 yards of total offense a year ago. Freddie Reed, Sr., DE/LB Earned all-conference honors and had 74 tackles in 2011.
Finishing runner-up in the division and advancing to the second round of the playoffs is a successful season for some high school programs. But not at West Point High School. After winning back-to-back Class 5A state titles, the Green Wave failed to win their division for the first time in five years and finished 8-5 last season. But head coach Chris Chambless said his squad is turning that negative season into a positive heading into the 2012 campaign. “You don’t ever like losing that last game,” said Chambless. “When it happens, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. But it also pushes the guys harder in the offseason and motivates you more. “So we just have to get better and that is why we like playing tough teams in the spring, which we did this year against Meridian. I want us to face hardnosed teams cause it makes us better in the long run.”
senior offensive guard Riley Morton.
DEFENSE
The Green Wave will also look to rely on their stingy defense in 2012. Senior linebacker/defensive end Freddie Reed leads the charge along with senior defensive lineman Ed Brown, who posted a team-high seven sacks a year ago. Defensively, the Green Wave will be paced by a pair of seniors within the front seven. Senior LB/DE Freddie Reed THOMAS WELLS | DAILY JOURNAL posted 74 tackles and six sacks last West Point’s Tez Lane rushed for year while senior lineman Ed Brown more than 1,000 yards last year. had 62 tackles and a team-best seven sacks in 2011. OFFENSE Senior Trey Bennett and junior EdWest Point will again look to pound dious Webb also return at linebacker the football and use that familiar recipe while senior CBs R.J. Talley and on offense. The Green Wave have plenty Jonathan Patterson along with junior of candidates to do just that with senior safety Rashad Jones lead an experirunning backs Tez Lane and Mario enced secondary. Virges along with junior standout Aeris Williams. SPECIAL TEAMS West Point will have to replace last Senior veteran Eric Lemus will hanyear’s starter at quarterback in Dequin- dle all of the kicking duties for the ten Spraggins and a host of candidates Green Wave. In the return game, are vying for that role. Williams and Lane will be on kickoff reOther returning starters of note inturns while Lane doubles up with his clude senior tight end T.J. Minor and punt return duties.
Aug. 17 Aug. 24 Aug. 31 Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 5 Oct. 12 Oct. 19 Oct. 26 Nov. 2
SCHEDULE
at South Panola 7:30 Open at Columbus 7:30 at Starkville 7:30 Noxubee County 7:30 Lake Cormorant* 7:30 at Hernando* 7:30 Clarksdale* 7:00 at Saltillo* 7:00 Center Hill* 7:00 Oxford* 7:00 at New Hope* 7:00 *–Division 1-5A
SCOUTING REPORT
Senior Mario Virges broke a foot in the spring but is now recovered and may also see time at linebacker this year...Aeris Williams is considered one of the state’s top 2014 prospects and already drawing SEC attention...Last year the Green Wave suffered their first district loss since re-joining the Class 5A ranks over five years ago...Senior Eric Lemus has handled the Green Wave kicking duties the past three seasons
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FOOTBALL JOURNAL 2012
DAILY JOURNAL