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Sports
Page 15 • 09-07-12
Wilson deals with pressure Henderson gets coaching from NFL pro kicker
by Avery Cohen Sports Writer
The pressure was on Friday night as sophomore Caleb Wilson was replacing the regular starting quarterback Gabe
Caleb Wilson winds up for a pass at practice. Photo by Alicia Carter.
Myles because of an injury. “I was nervous at first, but after the first play I was alright,” Wilson said. “It was hard following a Dandy Dozen like that, but it was a good experience out there.” Even though Wilson’s first game as starting quarterback ended in an 24-8 loss against Madison Central, Wilson sees the game as learning experience. “It’s a lot faster than ninth grade ball, and I just got to keep working,” Wilson said. “It was raining pretty hard, but I can’t make any excuses, so I didn’t throw the ball very well.” The Madison Central game wasn’t just a learning experience for Wilson, the rest of the offense had to adapt to playing with a different quarterback. “Him and Gabe are very different, as far as Gabe’s a runner and Caleb is more of a thrower,” Offensive Coordinator Preston Leathers said. “[The players in the offensive line] have got to work like one. It takes weeks and weeks of just playing together and communication and knowing rules. They’ve got to
learn their rules first and then just play them together.They’ve got to play like a unit instead of just individual positions.” Wilson not only has to get used to playing with guys older than him, but leading them as well. “It’s different because I normally lead people my age, but it’s just something you’ve got to learn to do,” Wilson said. According to Leathers, this transfer is going smoothly. “Caleb’s a natural leader,” Leathers said. “He’s gotten in there, and you can tell when he’s in the huddle people are listening to him and going through things as business as usual.” Wilson’s offensive leadership might be hereditary. His father, Chris Wilson, is the defensive coordinator at Mississippi State University and was at his son’s first game last Friday. “His understanding of the game is awesome,” Leathers said. “Last year was actually his first year to play QB as a ninth grader. He didn’t play quarterback in seventh or eight grade so it was new for him last year.
He’s come so far. His accuracy passing-wise is very, very good. [His] decision-making is really, really good. All that really lacks is he’s just got to get better with his feet. Being so tall – and being young and tall – it just takes a lot of young players time to grow into their bodies or what not.” The team is still trying to improve to have a successful season. “Every year it takes getting used to,” Leathers said. “But I love our offensive line. We’ve got some good guys up there. We’re already so much better right now than we were [during the Madison Central game] it’s not even funny. I think our first game we started a sophomore at right guard and a sophomore at left guard, so you know [the team has] youth, but obviously but they’re very, very talented. They’re going to get better and better and better, there’s no doubt about it.” The Jackets might have gotten off to a rocky start, but they are looking onward and upward. “I plan on trying to win the game this Friday,” Wilson said.
First meet learning experience for underclassmen swimmers by Colin Damms Sports Writer
On Aug. 25, the SHS swim team went to their first meet of the year in Clinton, finishing second overall to Madison Central. It was a valuable experience for the newcomers to be in a competition and learn how swim meets work. Points are earned depending on which place the competing school finishes in for each event. At the end of the meet the points are totaled up, and whoever has the most points wins. “I think we performed as we were expected,” senior swimmer David McKell said. “We mostly just need to get back in form. Most of us don’t do any
competitive swimming with other teams after high school season, so a lot of swimmers haven’t competed since last season.” Senior swimmer Mark Anne Hobart, who had shoulder problems last year, is “feeling a lot better” this season. “I feel like an actual swim captain this year since I’m contributing so much more,” Hobart said, “and we had a great first performance.” Although eight seniors are beginning their final year, this was the first meet for several swimmers. “They’re improving and I expect them to keep improving over the course of the season,” McKell said. Hobart is also impressed
with the younger swimmers. “They’re putting in lots of hard work and have potential to become assets to the team this year and in the future”, Hobart said. “We’re all being very supportive of each other
by Colin Damms Sports Writer
Charlie Henderson, the junior kicker for the Starkville high school Yellow Jackets, attended a camp this past summer to improve his kicking. Retired kickers were counselors who taught drills on how to improve the kids’ abilities and give tips to punters and long snappers. Last season Henderson gradually became the starting field goal kicker while Senior Daniel Fumo did kickoffs. Henderson’s improving accuracy was key to reaching the championship game. However, there is bound to be more competition this year with four other kickers on the team. Charlie’s instructor was Ray Guy, a three time Super Bowl winning punter with the Oakland Raiders. At the start of his career,
guy was a first round draft pick from the University of Southern Mississippi. “I kicked a lot of balls,” Henderson said, “and we did a lot of drills. I’ve got potential for far ones.” Ray Guy was the last kicker/punter to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft and the only kicker to hit the video screen at the Super Dome in New Orleans. He was a seven time Pro-Bowler during his career from 1973-1986 with the Oakland Raiders and helped win the Super Bowl in 1977, 1982 and 1984. “You can tell by his presence he’s a legend,” Henderson said, “He’s very personable and patient.” Henderson is excited about this season, and he is perhaps a kicker for the future as well. When asked if he wanted to play in college, Henderson said, “Definitely, if the opportunity arises.”
and they’re doing very good.” The Yellow Jackets competed at the Jackon Yacht Club on Tuesday, and the Jackets are expected to compete in their next competion at Tupelo next week.
Senior capt. Mark Anne Hobart opens up her season at the Clinton Invitational. Photo by Avery Cohen.
Junior Charlie Henderson warms up at practice. Photo by Alicia Carter.