Oxford November 17, 2016

Pick up your Sunday Oxford Citizen at locations throughout Lafayette County Volume 3 | Issue 61

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THURSDAY, November 17, 2016

Inside 5 News

City holds ribbon cutting for WoodlawnDavis

6 News

CHANING GREEN

Deborah Bone and other community volunteers pose for a photo right before they open The Pantry to patrons Wednesday morning. There is a high number of volunteers present to help serve the large influx of low-income community members in time for Thanksgiving.

The Pantry seeks donations for Thanksgiving

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

For more than a decade, The Pantry has helped low-income families in the Oxford and Lafayette community have a happy and plentiful Thanksgiving. Throughout the past couple weeks, The Pantry has been working to secure donations and ensure they are able to continue to do so.

The Pantry is operated entirely off of the work of volunteers. Each month, a different local church sends a manager and a couple volunteers to keep the nonprofit food bank running smoothly. This month, Oxford Church of Christ is working with the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) to keep The Pantry operational.

Leading the charge for Oxford Church of Christ is Deborah Bone. She has been

Wizarding Walk promotes literacy at Avent Park

10 Sports

working with The Pantry for the past 10 years. She is also the treasurer of the board that oversees the nonprofit and has worked as manager for the month of November for the past three years.

“I grew up always volunteering and donating my time,” Bone said. “I just like helping others. I like the way it makes me TURN TO PANTRY PAGE 7

New Direction: Rebels have new momentum heading to play at Vanderbilt

OXFORD CITIZEN

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

COURTESY

Residents can donate money or toys to the Operation Christmas Child project through Monday. There are several drop off points in the community and everything gathered is distributed to children in 110 different countries.

Locals can donate to Operation Christmas Child

BY KATHRYN WINTER STAFF WRITER

National collection week for Operation Christmas Child is this week through Monday. First Baptist Church and Wesley Foundation are two drop off places

located in Oxford, but many churches throughout the community are participating and will help direct the shoeboxes to the appropriate center. Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes for children stuffed with different toys and school supplies each year to

distribute to children in need throughout multiple countries.

Sarah McCullen, an Ole Miss student, is a volunteer for Operation Christmas Child and has been involved from a young age.

“I’ve been packing shoeboxes since I was a little girl, and when I

went to college I kind of forgot about it, but around Thanksgiving of my freshman year I felt a tug at my heart to find something,” McCullen said. “Two weeks later my grandparents were getting ready to go to a processing center where all the shoeboxes get distributed

and told me about all the opportunities with OCC. Ole Miss has really great potential if only people knew about it. One of the biggest components of my life is that I’m a Christian, and I want my life to be TURN TO OPERATION PAGE 7

OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

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City Board table parking garage vote 'Sweet' recipes wanted for Holiday Treats

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Tuesday night after hearing from the packed out crowd in the courtroom on the second floor of City Hall, the City Board of Oxford chose to table their vote on the parking garage for two more weeks.

Mayor Pat Patterson began the meeting by reminding the public that the city and county, as well as the majority of North Mississippi, is still under a total burn ban. He asked that the public please keep that in mind as the region continues to battle the drought.

The Board of Alderman had originally agreed to vote whether or not to accept the Downtown Parking Commission’s recommendation to construct a parking garage during Tuesday’s meeting.

The first official reading of the commission’s recommendation took place on Nov. 1 during the board's regularly scheduled meeting, though the parking commission has been researching the issue for more than four years.

The Downtown Parking Commission’s recommendation for the garage is that it be constructed in what is now the free lot behind the Oxford University Club.The struc-

ture would consist of four levels, which would add a total of 500 additional parking spaces to the area.

Early estimates for the project have it costing approximately $9 million.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the board heard comments from concerned citizens regarding the construction of the garage. The first to speak was UM Journalism Instructor Vanessa Gregory. Her primary concerns centered on three things: need, congestion and priority. She made several points about her concerns for the garages logistical practicality, adding that she did not know everything she would like to about the project because full details were not accessible to the public through the city’s website.

After a few people had voiced their concerns, Chair of the Downtown Parking Commission Tom Sharpe addressed the board and those gathered to respond to the concerns of the public. Ward III Alderman Janice Antonow also submitted letters from concerned citizens to the record, which are available to read at City Hall.

Upon hearing from the public, the board decided to take an additional two weeks to think about whether or not to accept the rec-

ommendation of the commission.

The issue will be voted on at that time.

Also at the meeting was attorney Walter Zinn. Zinn was hired earlier this year on behalf of concerned parents within the Oxford School District as a response to comments made by Superintendent Brian Harvey in an interview with the OHS student newspaper The Charger. Zinn thanked the board for being receptive to him and being willing to have an open dialogue. He also spoke about the lack of diversity on the Oxford School Board, saying the board did not reflect the makeup of the student population. Mayor Patterson thanked Zinn for coming to the board meeting and speaking on behalf of the parents and invited him to return in early spring to comment on how the school district is progressing in its inclusive initiatives.

The board also took time to recognize the Oxford High School volleyball team for their recent state championship win. This is the first time since 1998 that the team has claimed a championship title. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: @chaningthegreen

BY JOHN DAVIS OXFORD CITIZEN

Sweet treats are a part of the holidays. A lot of us have grown up eating assorted Christmas cookies dripping with icing. Pumpkin pies with a dollop of whipped cream, coconut cakes and cinnamon rolls always seem to be around this time of year. Gingerbread people baking in the oven produces that familiar smell, the one that only comes around for Christmas. Even in this gluten free world that many have become obsessed over, baked goods at the holidays have fortunately missed the cut.

Diets and workout routines can be amended for a piece of pie.

Sweet potato, apple and cherry are some of the favorites. Mince meat still has a soft place in a lot of our hearts this time of year. It's hard for Santa Claus to stay slim with all the cookies about to be baked and placed out on Christmas Eve. Spiced breads can be just as sweet and just as gooey rich as any pie or cake. Rum cake sprinkled with powder sugar always made its way to the desert table growing up.

Nostalgic moments in our lives are brought on by a lot of things, but food is right at the top. Sweet treats have a profound affect on how we view Christmas. There is more joy to be had around a cup of coffee and a sugar cookie than not.

This Christmas, the Oxford Citizen wants to help supplement your enjoyment through its Holiday Treats guide. Any an all recipes that encapsulate the feeling of the holidays are welcomed. The supplement will be inserted into the Citizen on Dec. 8. Readers and members of the community who like to bake or who have a can'tmiss recipe are encouraged to submit it for others to share.

Any reader who submits a recipe that is picked to publish in the section will receive a free game of bowling at Premier Lanes and a Premier Access card worth $20.

That would make a perfect stocking stuffer. There will be at least six winners chosen. Email recipes to sarahbrooke.bishop@journalinc.c om Prizes will be mailed no later than Dec. 12.

Enjoy the holidays, and the sweet treats, with your loved ones.

OXFORD CITIZEN

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OBITUARIES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Local high school student dies unexpectedly

CAITLIN WILLIAMS Caitlin Rose Williams, 17, passed away Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital in Bartlett, Tennessee. The funeral service was held Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, at Yellow Leaf Baptist Church with Rev. Ben East and Rev. Shane McGivney officiating.

Burial followed in Yellow Leaf Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Caitlin’s memory may be made to The William Winter Institute, The University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS or by visiting www.umfoundation.com and selecting “Make a gift”.

BETTY STAUB Betty Povall Staub, 100, passed away Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, in Oxford.

Sitty Bell’s family is grateful for the care provided by Dr. Ernest Williams and the staff of Baptist Memorial Hospital North Mississippi Inpatient Hospice Unit, Dr. Milton Hobbs, Camellia Hospice, Providence Companion Care, Brookdale and The Blake.

There was a service of committal of Sitty Bell’s cremains at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Lexington on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. The family will host a reception in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016, from 4 until 6 p.m. in celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be sent to Palmer Home for Children, P. O. Box 746, Columbus, Mississippi 39703 or French Camp Academy, 1 Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745.

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Lafayette County High School junior Caitlin Williams, 17, died Saturday evening. At the time of her passing, Williams was on an outing with her church youth group visiting the Memphis Incredible Pizza Company.

Those close to the incident say that Williams was on a ride with a friend. At some point during the ride, the friend looked over and Williams was unconscious and not breathing. As of yet there is no word on an official cause of death.

LHS Principal Glenn Kitchens addressed the students this morning during a special announcement. During the announcement, Kitchens acknowledged how difficult the weekend has been for the LHS community after Williams passing. He described her as always willing to be there for other people when they needed it.

“Caitlin was a delightful person to know and to visit with,” Kitchen said in his announcement Monday morning. “She was a champion of all people, demonstrating great empathy

and support to anyone or any worthy cause. She was always a cheerleader for others. She held strong convictions and passionately defended the things that were dear to her, always showing respect in her discourse and yielding to others for their perspective.”

Kitchens went on to say that Williams always wore an infectious smile and carried with her a happy outlook that charmed everyone who had the pleasure of making her acquaintance.

Superintendent Adam Pugh said that he would be keeping the Williams family in his prayers throughout the many hard days to come and asks that the community do the same. He said Lafayette has had a hard year so far, and that he hopes everyone will be there for each other during this difficult time.

“My heart is breaking for the Williams family right now, and is still broken for the Atkinson family,” Pugh said, referring to Walker Atkinson, a middle school student who was killed in a car accident in late August.

“My heart is breaking for the kids that were friends with these students. It’s been a difficult year.”

COURTESY

Caitlin Wiilliams Shane McGivney has been the head pastor at Yellow Leaf Baptist Church, of which Williams was a member, for little over half a year now. He was not on the youth trip to Memphis. He was notified of what happened by a chaperone immediately after the incident. He called deacons from the church and they made a trip to Memphis as a group to go and support the rest of the

people on the trip.

McGivney said that he had just had a conversation with Williams last Thursday during an appreciation dinner the church threw for local law enforcement. He said that he could see why the teenager was so well liked among her peers.

“She was so inquisitive and so ready to have a conversation about the Lord,” McGivney said.

“She was an outgoing and caring person.”

Williams attended Yellow Leaf with her parents and had been a member of the church for quite some time. McGivney said that her loss has and will continue to deeply affect her church family.

“She was such a people person and very much a caring person,” the pastor said. “She put other people first and was just really easy to talk to. She was very open about what was going on in her life and she talked to me several times. She was very encouraging to me. She loved people and she loved the Lord.

She always sought to put others before herself.” chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: @chaningthegreen

OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

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City holds ribbon cutting for Woodlawn-Davis

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

This past Saturday, Katrina Hour with the city of Oxford’s Planning Department used a giant pair of scissors to cut a big red ribbon at the future site of the Woodlawn-Davis Nature Reserve.

Over 100 community members and city officials gathered to witness and be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony was held under a tent at the end of West Oxford Loop on the site of the future park.

The event featured a bird watching tour and wonder walk that gave participants an opportunity to walk the half-mile trail where the park will sit. The walks introduced the community to the many different kinds of flora and fauna that populate the area and were both well attended.

Jody Burnett of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church performed the blessing of the park. His prayer was not tailored specifically toward any

particular religious inclination, but was performed in such a way that it could be applicable to the religious leanings of nearly anyone who enters the park. The reserve is intended to be a community space open and available to people of a variety of different backgrounds and Burnett said that he wanted to be sure his prayer reflected that.

Ward VI Alderman Jason Bailey also spoke at the ceremony. The park will be located in the ward of the city which he represents. He thanked everyone for coming out to be a part of the historic day. He thanked everyone for all their hard work they had poured into the project over the past few years. Representatives of Strawberry Plains Nature Center were there on behalf of the Audubon Society.

Conservation Education Manger with Strawberry Plains Mitch Robinson spoke to the gathered crowd. Robinson said he was looking forward to the many educational opportu-

CHANING GREEN

Katrina Hourin with the City Planning Department of Oxford cuts the ribbon on the future site of the Woodlawn-Davis Nature Reserve at a ceremony held Saturday afternoon. nities that this nature reserve will offer the community.

Quoting an old adage of the Audubon Society, Robinson told the crowd, “where birds flourish, people thrive.” He said that this park is not only a victory for

birds and bird lovers, but all people and other animal species of the community.

Hourin later mentioned that the park is only about $240,000 into the estimated $1.7 million project.

Fundraising efforts and different donation initiatives

will be key over the couple years in making sure that this project becomes a reality as soon as possible. Different initiatives intended to garner more donations include bidding opportunities on who the large pavilion in the park will be

named after, groups sponsoring individual areas of the park and more.

Mayor Pat Patterson was one of the first speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony. He thanked everyone for coming out and helping to organize the ceremony. He acknowledged the hard work of all the city workers and their partners on the project and said he looked forward to seeing the wonderful things this new park would bring to the community.

“I think this is government at its best,” said the mayor after the ceremony. “ We were able to get the neighborhood together and work to provide everyone with something to enjoy like that, I just think that is government at its best. I think it was a great turnout and I would like to thank Katrina Hourin for organizing it and really bringing this project along. She did a great job.” chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: @chaningthegreen

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OXFORD CITIZEN

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Wizarding Walk promotes literacy at Avent Park

BY CHANING GREEN NEWS WRITER

Last Monday, Avent Park was filled with witches, wizards and even a few house elves during the first ever Wizarding Walk. The event was designed to promote literacy in a fun way that paid homage to the internationally beloved book series by J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter.”

Meghan Gallagher was at the forefront of organizing the event and worked with over a dozen different organizations in Oxford to pull it off.

Gallagher got the idea for the event when she was walking around the park with her 6-year-old son. He led her through the play castle that sits on the property. He pretended to be a prefect and she a first-year Hogwarts student. The boy then proceeded to give her a tour of the castle as if it were Hogwarts.

“I was later discussing it with my older daughter who wasn’t there that day, she’s 8,” Gallegher said.

“She was able to say ‘Oh yeah, this place is this place’ and so on until she had mapped out the park in such a way that it mirrored the school and grounds from the book. It just kind of came to life from there.”

She them began working with the LOU Reads Coalition to get the project off the ground. Using coalition’s connections with local nonprofits, as well as her own contacts through the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, where she works,

CHANING GREEN A young wizard makes his way through an obstacle course at Two volunteers working the Forbidden Forest obstacle course pose for a photo. All of the Ac- the first ever Wizarding Walk organized by community organtivities at the Wizarding Walk were organized independently by community organizations and izations to promote literacy and other skills that will serve volunteers. young community members in academics and beyond.

Gallagher was able to involve other organizations around the community in the event.

The whole event was organized in about a month and a half. When Gallagher began approaching people with the idea, everyone was enthusiastic about contributing. Gallagher acknowledged the universal love for the “Harry Potter” series and said that everyone she talked to for the event was extremely familiar with the franchise, if not dedicated fans themselves.

“A lot of the people I’ve talked with for the event and in general grew up with Harry Potter and often read the books as they came out,” she said. “All the

groups came together and they seem to really enjoy doing it.”

In all, there were 14 organizations involved in pulling off the Wizarding Walk. A local non-profit organization or community volunteer organized each activity at the event independently. The OxfordLafayette Humane Society was there with several adoptable pets to teach kids Care of Magical Creature, the arts council was there to ask kids about their favorite subject in school and favorite art style so they could use the Sorting Hat to place them in the proper house, the Oxford Park Commission hosted a game of Quidditch and the

list goes on. Children attending the event were given a map which they used to locate the different activities the event had to offer, building literacy skills as well vital map reading and spatial reasoning skills.

The event was originally intended to create a fun event that gives children a chance to build and put into practice literacy skills, but as planning progressed, Gallagher realized that so many different aspects of education could be worked into the mix. The different organizations participating in the event taught children about science, nutrition, math, physical education, art and so much more.

Gallagher said that the event would have been completely impossible without the hard work of the community volunteers.

Each organization showed up completely prepared to do their part to pull off the afternoon. She said that the organizations all worked independently on an impossibly tight schedule and were able to make the event as great as it was without even having to meet once.

“People enjoyed themselves; they really responded to it and many of the families were there for more than two hours and nobody seemed bored,” she said. “Each organization or person helping out

just came up with their own activity and just ran with it. They took it to a whole ‘nother level for the kids’ enjoyment and everything just turned out amazingly.”

The event was completely free and open to the public and did not function as a fundraiser. Gallagher said that the entire point of organizing the Wizarding Walk was to promote literacy and other academic and life skills while giving the community a fun activity to do. She hopes to continue the event next year in some form, whatever that may be. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: chaningthegreen

OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Pantry FROM 1

feel. I choose to work with The Pantry because I got involved with them many years ago through my church, and I’ve just stuck with them ever since.”

Next Wednesday, The Pantry will be open for community members to come and collect their meal supplies. Right now, before next Wednesday, The Pantry is most in need of canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, Jiffy cornbread mix, canned fruit, canned meat and boxed macaroni and cheese.

November and December are the busiest months for the nonprofit. Bone estimates that The Pantry will serve over 200 clients by the end of this week.

Because of next Thursday being Thanksgiving, The Pantry will only be open next Wednesday morning and is expected to see more than 100 clients during the two hours they will be open that day.

The majority of canned items The Pantry receives during this time of the year come from food drives conducted by different organizations throughout the community.

Churches, schools, biker clubs,

local businesses, Boy Scout troops and many other groups come together to donate to the nonprofit. College students seeking more volunteer hours make up the majority of the manpower that comes in to help stock the shelves and distribute the goods to clients.

Other food supplies are donated through a monthly shipment through the USDA or purchased through the MidSouth Food Bank. Milk, oil, cornmeal and flour are purchased around town. If The Pantry runs out of a particular item that they usually obtain exclusively through donations, they will go out and buy more.

Bone said that she really enjoys working to make sure families in the community have a successful holiday.

“I have a heart for volunteer work,” she said. “I like the way it feels. I’ve lost both of my parents, so during the holidays, I volunteer. It gets my mind off of things and gives me the opportunity to give back to others.”

The Pantry is open for donations every Tuesday from 8 to about 10:30 a.m. and open for clients on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 11. chaning.green@journalinc.com Twitter: @chaningthegreen

Operation FROM 2

a picture of glorifying Christ. I feel like OCC is a way to do this.”

McCullen traveled to the Philippines and got to see the effects first hand of the shoeboxes, giving hope to kids who have nothing.

“We saw people living in garbage, busted out tombs and homeless kids. As Americans we don’t understand what it means to have absolutely nothing, until you see something like this you really don’t understand,” she said. “These kids have no resources to go to school, can’t get a job, and face homelessness and prostitution.

The shoeboxes are a tangible expression of God’s love for them, proof that someone across the ocean loves them and cares for them. We present the gospel with every shoebox and it gives kids hope that what they’re facing is not what all there is.”

Packing a shoebox, donating money and prayer are all ways to get involved with Operation Christmas Child, according to McCullen.

Social media is also tremendous in helping to spread the word, and sharing posts online really helps the shoebox project.

“Without praying, shoeboxes are just a humanitarian project, praying for these kids while packing

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them is essential,” she said.

Examples of things to pack in an OCC shoebox are: a deflated soccer ball with a pump, a stuffed animal, a doll, soap, notebooks with pens or pencils and a sharpener.

“If you pack something make sure you pack things to go with it, for example if you pack a flashlight be sure to pack batteries with it,” McCullen said. “There was this one little boy who did not smile all day, was not interested in his box, just didn’t really care. I helped him open his box and inside was a stuffed teddy bear. That was the first time all day I had seen him smile. He smiled from that point on all day. Stuffed animals are a go to item for the kids. They are really, really great.”

It costs $7 to ship a shoebox, and OCC asks box stuffers to include it within in the box. However, sometimes people leave it out or forget, so monetary donations are always accepted. OCC is an international project and collects shoeboxes from seven different countries and distribute to over 110 countries around the world. The organization ships the gifts donated to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine and disease. They also help children living on Native American reservations in the U.S. “Worldwide OCC collected 11 million shoeboxes last year, which

might seem like a lot, but there’s 35 million kids in just the Philippines so the need is tremendous,” she said. “I encourage everyone that if you can pack one, try to pack two or three. We also host a program called The Greatest Journey, which is a 12-week disciple program. It costs $6 a kid to go through, so shoeboxes get our foot in the door, but The Greatest Journey is really where we’re seeing growth and change in our communities.

“Christmas has taken on a new meaning since I’ve gotten involved with Operation Christmas Child, and going to the Philippines gave me a new life perspective. We’re so blessed in the U.S. when Christmas comes around I would rather buy OCC supplies than get anything.

OCC is without a doubt my favorite part of the holiday season.”

To get involved locally, visit Ole Miss shoebox project on Facebook and Instagram. Operation Christmas Child also has their own Facebook and Instagram pages, or visit at their website Samaritanspurse.org.

“I’ve never seen a mission’s organization that is so blessed,” McCullen said. “God has blessed this ministry beyond anything I could have ever imagined, when you see the way these shoeboxes are changing lives, maybe not every single life, but a life will be changed every single time.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Author Jim Dees highlights tonight's Thacker Mountain at The Lyric FROM OXFORD CITIZEN REPORTS

Local author, Jim Dees, will be one signing his new book: THE STATUE AND THE FURY: A Year of Art, Race, Music and Cocktails, on Thursday at 6 p.m. at The Lyric on Thacker Mountain Radio.

In 1997, Oxford, Mississippi sought to build a statue to honor the 100th birthday of native Nobel laureate, William Faulkner.

In this funny and heartfelt memoir, Dees, the Thacker Mountain Radio host, chronicles the year-long civic contretemps that erupted over a magnolia tree that was cut down to make room for the sculpture. The same year, Oxford became embroiled in a “trees versus development” dispute that saw citizens arrested for blocking bulldozers. Meanwhile, the University of

Mississippi pursued plans to discourage use of the Confederate flag, the song “Dixie” and the Col. Rebel mascot setting off protests and death threats. Dees brings his signature wit and insight to these pivotal events and includes interviews with James Meredith, Shelby Foote, Willie Morris, Myrlie Evers and... Willie Nelson.

Also on Thursday, Geoff Dyer, the writer of “WHITE

SANDS,” will be at The Lyric on Thacker Mountain Radio.

From “one of our most original writers” (Kathryn Schulz, New York magazine) comes an expansive and exacting book — firmly grounded but elegant, often hilarious, and always inquisitive — about travel, unexpected awareness, and the questions we ask when we step outside ourselves.

Dyer’s restless search — for what? is unclear, even to him — continues in this series of fascinating adventures and pilgrimages: with a tour guide who may not be a tour guide in the Forbidden City in Beijing; with friends in New Mexico, where D. H. Lawrence famously claimed to have had his “greatest experience from the outside world”; with a hitchhiker picked

up on the way from White Sands; with Don Cherry (or a photo of him, at any rate) at the Watts Towers in Los Angeles.

“If Chekhov himself were to read this book, when he got to the chapter ‘White Sands’ even he would surely feel some fraternal tremor of envy...

Perhaps the most brilliantly original practitioner of his generation.”

Jan Morris, The Spectator

BRIEFING Non-stop Christmas songs coming to Q105.1 FM Black Friday shopping should feel more soothing this year thanks to Q105.1 and 105.5 FM. For the first time in Oxford, Batesville and Water Valley, it will be 24-hour Christmas on the radio, which is the first for this area.

Beginning Nov. 25, Black Friday, Q105 will broadcast back-to-back holiday fa-

vorites during regular programming through Christmas day. While there has been a national trend for various stations to change to Christmas music during the holiday period this is a first for local radio.

“Listeners will hear the classics from Johnny Mathis, The Drifters, Carpenters, Manheim Steamroller, Burl Ives, Bing Crosby and even the Chipmunks to name a few,” said Q105’s general manager Rick Mize.

“Plus various contemporary artists from different genres

are featured including Michael Buble, Clay Aiken, Mariah Carey, Pentatonix, Train, Lee Ann Rimes and many others singing your yuletide favorites.”

Q105 is a contemporary radio station that primarily serves Lafayette, Yalobusha and Panola counties. The transformation to a Christmas station during the holiday season is because research shows that women from 18 to 64 love to hear their favorite Christmas songs while they shop and prepare for the holiday.

Environmental Services Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule • Thursday Garbage, *Rubbish & Recycling Route will be collected on Wednesday, November 23rd • Friday Regular Garbage & Recycling Route will be collected Friday, November 25th (No Rubbish Collection Friday-Please have Rubbish to the curb by 6am Wednesday)

THE CITY OF OXFORD GARBAGE ROUTE

THE CITY OF OXFORD RECYCLING & RUBBISH ROUTE

Recycling should be separated in 2 bins Mixed Paper/Newspaper/Cardboard & Aluminum Cans, Steel Cans & Plastic PET #1 (Water, Drink Bottles, etc.) & Plastic HDPE #2 (Milk Jugs, etc.)

*Rubbish = Yard Waste Lafayette County will observe the same garbage schedule.

Recycling Bins can be ordered online-www.oxfordms.net and delivered to your home.

Rubbish collection of leaves, grass, sticks, furniture, bulky items and natural debris. Leaf piles should not contain any sticks. A vacuum machine collects leaves (no bagging required); sticks are collected by a different truck.

This is heavy leaf season, getting the area completely collected in one day is our goal. Weather and machine failure is always a possibility. Wednesdays will help catch up from delays, backed up areas and holidays.

Check www.oxfordms.net for Holiday schedules Email questions to clean@oxfordms.net or call 662-232-2359

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

John Davis Sports Editor

Commodores, Chargers have given us a lot to be proud of f things go according to plan, then the Lafayette Commodores and Oxford Chargers will be playing for a state title in football on the same day in Starkville.

It's happened before, back in 2013 when the Commodores and Chargers played back-to-back in Jackson for the Class 4A and 5A state championships.

The Chargers need to defeat West Point Friday night to move on in 5A, while the Commodores need to defeat Amory in 4A. This is the last season to compete in both classes for our two local teams so going out in a blaze of glory would be fantastic.

For those that didn't travel to Jackson to take part in the 2013 games, they were a lot of fun even if both teams failed to win. The entire town seemed to be following, even if they weren't in attendance. Oxford has found a way to defeat West Point routinely over the past four seasons. The Chargers lost to the Green Wave earlier this year but getting Friday's game at home is huge. If they had won at Lake Cormorant to end the regular season, then the Chargers would have had to travel to West Point for the north half title contest. If they are able to take down the Green Wave, then the Chargers will play another team from the division, Clarksdale or Lake Cormorant, to make it to Mississippi State. This year's division turned out to be much better than

I

TURN TO CHARGERS PAGE 18

JOSH MCCOY/OLE MISS ATHLETICS

Ole Miss is now one win away from making a fifth straight bowl game under Hugh Freeze thanks to the spectacular debut of freshman quarterback Shea Patterson at Texas A&M.

New Direction Rebels have new momentum heading to play at Vanderbilt

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

A senior class at Ole Miss that has grown accustomed to winning games and playing in bowl games is now just a victory away from keeping the streak going. A lot of it is thanks to freshman sensation Shea Patterson, who quarterbacked the Rebels to a 29-28 win over then No. 10 Texas A&M last Saturday in his first start.

To say Patterson was sensational in his first career start would be an understate-

ment. He was the clear-cut winner of the Freshman of the Week honor awarded by the SEC after throwing for 338 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Hugh Freeze had some reservations taking off Patterson's redshirt but his decision is a lot easier to justify after Patterson's performance, and the result produced.

The Rebels are now 5-5 overall, and with a win over Vanderbilt this Saturday, able to qualify for a bowl for the fifth straight season.

at Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Radio: WQLJ-FM 93.7 TV: SEC

TURN TO REBELS PAGE 11

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OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

PAGE 11

Oxford Citizen Pick ’Em BEN GARRETT

JOHN DAVIS

PARRISH ALFORD

GREG PEVEY

BEN MIKELL

Ole Miss Spirit Record: 65-43

Oxford Citizen Sports Editor Record: 68-40

Daily Journal OM Beat Reporter Record: 71-37

Rebel Nation Magazine Publisher Record: 61-47

Oxford Citizen Sports Writer Record: 64-44

jectory of this program and say to them, ‘I am not going to give you the best chance to win your last three games,' I can’t do that,” Freeze said. “If it hurts us four years from now or whenever his time is done here so be it, but I did right by these young men that are here and that’s really what the decision is and I really felt like we had a chance to win every game left, and I’m going to give those kids the best chance. They de-

serve to go to a bowl game. We need extra practice to continue to build our program and Shea (Patterson), in my opinion, gave us the best chance to do that. Again, how do you look at an Evan Engram and a D.J. Jones and those kids that have spent a lot of time here changing the program and say to them, ‘Hey you did a good job, but we are not going to give you the best chance to win.’ I am not saying we

couldn’t have with Jason (Pellerin), we love Jason, but this is big boy football and you’ve got to go compete and Shea gave us the best chance to win.”

As good as Patterson was in the win, he had to get some help. The defense played as well as it had all season, especially in the second half. The Aggies were limited to just one touchdown the final 30 minutes, and Freeze spoke highly of the effort the defense turned in.

“Our defense deserves a lot of credit, they certainly have taken a lot of the beatings this year from me and from (the media) and everybody else and deservedly so, but with the exception of five plays that accounted for 180 yards, our defense played a really good game and it was really fun to see it,” Freeze said. “I will tell you, about three weeks ago I kind of came to a spot in my own life where I just had a peace about the way

we do things, why we do things and how we are going to go about it. I can’t control results and I have kind of just decided that I am going to handle the wins and losses about the same, but it was overwhelmingly joyous for me to see the young men have so much fun in the locker room, particularly on the defensive side, after the game, and our coaches.”

GAME 1 Ole Miss at Vanderbilt

GAME 2 Arkansas at Miss. State

GAME 3 Louisville at Houston

GAME 4 Washington State at Colorado

GAME 5 Florida at LSU

GAME 6 Oklahoma at West Virginia

GAME 7 USC at UCLA

GAME 8 Virginia Tech at Notre Dame

GAME 9 Stanford at Cal

GAME 10 Oklahoma State at TCU

Rebels FROM 10

Freeze said playing Patterson gave the Rebels their best chance to win games with Chad Kelly out for the remainder of the season.

“So I did what I knew in my heart was right for the program and for the team.

As long as Shea and his parents were ok with it, I cannot look at those seniors, who changed the tra-

john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 12

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

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THE HIGHLANDS LOT- Where is “Heaven on Earth?” It’s the Highlands of Oxford, MS! Beautiful LAKEFRONT Lot. Amenities include access to the private Trophy Lake where Bass are legendary; the Marina for boat launch or fishing off the floating docks, taking brisk walks on the ~1 mile paved walking path within Braemar Park which includes Gazebo with BBQ Pit, Basketball, Soccer/Baseball Field, Jungle Gym, and more. Oxford City Schools. MLS# 136113.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 13

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 14

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

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Building and approx. 2.3 acres make up this prime business location. This commercial location is approx. 13,000 sq. ft., with 10,000 being in the main open area of the shop and an additional 3,000 sq. ft. divided between 2 floors house offices, break rooms and possible living space. The current business, and equipment are not for sale just the building and land. MLS# 136920. Call Danny Flowers – 662-816-7294.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 15

OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 16

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Friday Night Previews: Week 14 Lafayette-Amory set to battle in 4A semifinals

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

And then there were four. Lafayette's Commodores are one of just four teams from the north left playing in the MHSAA Class 4A playoffs this week. They are two wins away from playing a team from the south in the state championship game on Dec. 3 in Starkville.

In order for that to happen, they have to defeat the Amory Panthers at William L. Buford Stadium Friday night. Before the season started, the Panthers were projected to be one of the teams that could contend for a title. The Panthers, like the Commodores, won their division title and have 11 wins under their belt.

“You go back and look from the summer and projections and predictions, they were thought to have a really good year,” LHS coach Michael Fair said. “They're a good, solid football team. (LHS defensive coordinator) Coach (Ben) Ashley told us when he got here, and we picked his brain about Amory, that he had nothing but good things to say about the kids over there.

He said they would be a really tough team to put out this year. It's kind of strange how things work out.”

Lafayette has consistently taken things from a week-to-week basis. The Commodores have won 10 straight games now and Fair has taken a little pause to reflect on the season, especially with only a few possible games left.

“You enjoy the process and when you have coached as long as I have and been on both sides of it as long as many times as I have, and been around some great football teams that won a lot of games and been around some teams that

Amory vs. Lafayette Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Radio: FM 105.1 didn't win a lot of games, it makes you appreciate the good times,” Fair said.

“This group that we have here is really special because they enjoy the process as much as the coaches do. You don't see a lot of kids like that. I could see the look in their eye after the Louisville win. I made reference to it in my post game talk.

They were all happy and excited on the field, but you could tell they were ready to get to practice Monday. They realized that was all a part of the process.”

Fair added that this year's team for Lafayette has a feel like some of the championship teams that Fair was around when he was at South Panola.

“It's just a testament to the coaches that have been here previously and the players that have been here in previous years. I don't know if you can say a deep run in the playoffs is expected, but it's something that's not new to these young men,” Fair said. “It's very special. When you look back at where we were at the beginning of the season, and seen where we are now, we really have come on as a football team. Our coaches do a really, really good job with these guys.”

The Panthers defeated New Albany in the first round of the playoffs and then defeated Cleveland last week. They lost the season opener against DeSoto Central and the third week against Aberdeen before reeling off

JOEY BRENT

Lafayette wide receiver Tyler Williams has caught a touchdown pass in both of the MHSAA Class 4A playoff games this season. Up next is a meeting with Amory on Friday night.

10 straight wins. Fair said there was no glaring when he weakness looked at film of Amory.

“They're solid in all 22 players they start and on offense, they're multiple spread. They run the ball well and have two really good running backs and a

quarterback that can keep a play alive,” Fair said. “They're fairly balanced. They do run a little bit more than they pass. When they throw it, big things happen. They have some slot receivers that can run as fast as anybody. And a quarter-

back who just keeps plays and drives alive.”

Zatorious Gates is the senior quarterback who makes the Panthers go on offense. He has thrown for just over 2,000 yards and has 17 touchdowns on the year in the air. He also has 402 yards and

four touchdowns on the ground. Fair said they don't use the zone read stuff as much as other teams but they do have some run-pass option in the playbook. Jartavis Jernighan is the Panthers' top rusher with just over 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns.

On defense, Fair is expecting the senior-laden Panthers to try and slow down the Commodores' running attack first.

“I think that's what most people are doing and that's a question they're going to have to ask themselves because we have been fairly balanced as far as our efficiency on offense,” Fair said. “I feel good about our passing game. Will (Ard) has done a tremendous job. They run an odd-man front. We expect that. They've mixed up their coverages at times and at this time of the year, you have to be ready for it all. Louisville hadn't run a four-man front all year and the third series of the game, they were in a four-man front. At this time of the year, you have to practice all of it for the just-incase factor of it.”

When it comes to facing talent, it's going to be hard to top the level the Commodores just played in Louisville.

“We thought our second round draw was a tough one to say the least.

We thought Louisville was going to come in with a lot of intensity and they did,” Fair said. “They got after us from the beginning and they were a different team. I was proud of our guys for matching the intensity they brought out there. That's a hard thing to do, beating a team twice, but I was proud of our guys for at least matching that intensity and then executing at a very high level.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

PAGE 17

Markle excited about playing for Harrelson, NECC Tigers liked me on the mound and that they wanted me to come throw so I guess I will figure out my role more when I get there,” Markle said. “As soon as I got there, I loved the campus. I know a couple of guys there already and I know a couple of more guys going. It's pretty close to home, which is a plus. It was a pretty easy decision. I wanted to go to Northeast as soon as I stepped on campus.”

There is less stress on Markle now that he has signed. He was put into some tough situations in 2016, but he didn't show a lot of emotion, or that the stress may be getting to him, when he was on the mound.

“I learned that from both Jason (Barber) and Houston (Roth) that when you get on the mound, you can't show any emotion,” Markle said.

“I've always wanted to play college baseball and now I don't have to get on the mound thinking if I'm going to get an offer or not.

Knowing that I have some-

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

A breaking ball that dances across the plate, and makes batters feel uncomfortable in the box, is just one of the many things Reid Markle offers Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball coach Richy Harrelson. The Oxford senior is excited about playing for the Tigers in the future. He will be playing in Booneville with his current teammate, Chase Kessinger, who also signed with NECC on Nov. 9.

“Me and Chase are good buddies and I'm glad we're going together,” Markle said. “I've heard nothing but great things about Coach Harrelson. When I went there to visit the school, he came up and introduced himself and he was an extremely nice guy.”

A pitching role in the future hasn't been defined just yet for Markle, who was 3-1 with a 1.75 ERA this past season for the Chargers.

“They said they really

where to go, it's going to be easier to get up there and throw.”

Harrelson raved about Markle and what he can bring to the table. He loves that Markle was on a team that won back-to-back state championships as well.

“They're going to know

those things, there is always room for growth.”

Oxford coach Chris Baughman has known Harrelson for years and he is excited for Markle to be playing for him in the future.

“I think it's a really good fit for both of them. I'm excited for both of them. I feel

what it takes to win at a high level. That was one thing that really intrigued us about both of those guys,” Harrelson said.

“They've been around some good players. Reid has a really quick arm. He really knows how to spin a breaking ball, it's really tight. When pitchers can do

like those guys that are able to commit, and sign, before their senior years, they're able to relax and play through the course of the year a little bit,” Baughman said. “I think both of them will fit in really well there.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

We want to hear from you Let us know how we’re doing. Call us at (662) 8019607, write to us at P.O. Box 1176, Oxford, MS 38655, email us at mail@oxfordcitizen.com or visit us online at oxfordcitizen.com.

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PAGE 18

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Friday Night Previews: Week 14 Chargers-Green Wave square off in 5A semifinals

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Two of the most successful high school football programs in the state the past five years will square off Friday night at Bobby Holcomb Field in the semifinals of the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs.

There will be no love lost between the West Point Green Wave and the Oxford Chargers. The two schools are rivals, and very familiar with each other.

A week after facing a physical team in Grenada, the Chargers will be facing a team that is even more physical in West Point.

“We obviously know each other very well. We have to be physical.

We know that playing West Point,” Oxford coach Chris Cutcliffe said. “We have to avoid turnovers and defensively, we have to create turnovers. Outside of that, I think it's going to come down to big plays on both sides of the ball. Which offense can make big, explosive plays and which defense can prevent them? That goes hand in hand. I think that's what this game will come down to.”

Cutcliffe was pleased with how his Chargers played against Grenada. After rushing for just 4 yards against Lake Cormorant, Oxford piled up the yards on the ground.

“I thought we played really hard on both sides of the ball.

And in the kicking game. I thought we executed across the board. I thought we had a good week of practice last week and luckily that translated into playing well on Friday night,” Cutcliffe said. “We ran the football so much better than we did the week before. Being balanced on offense makes is much, much easier to move the football. When

Chargers FROM 10

the group of teams in 2-5A. Oxford played all three of the remaining teams left in 1-5A on the road, so that was a tough deal considering that all four remain this late in the season. There are some familiar faces on the other side of things in the south, but if the Chargers can nip the Green Wave, things are really going to

PETRE THOMAS

Oxford quarterback John Reece McClure and running back Hiram Wadlington will host West Point in the semifinals of the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs Friday night. you're one dimensional, you are much easier to stop. I think that was a big, big key, being able to run the football as well as we did.”

Being at home for Friday's game is a big deal, Cutcliffe said.

If the Chargers had finished second in the division, they would have traveled to play at West Point for the Class 5A north state title game.

“Getting to play at home is great. At the end of the day, we both know each other so well. It's just going to come down to who

can execute at a higher level,” he said. “Who can play with more physicality and I think turnovers will be a big part of it.”

West Point defeated Holmes County Central 41-7 in the first round of the playoffs, and Cutcliffe felt like they were better than in the first meeting.

“I think they've gotten better every week but I think we're a much better football team than we were as well,” Cutcliffe said. “I think both of us have improved and both of us are playing well

right now when it counts the most.”

There are some nicks and bruises that the Chargers have but from an overall health standpoint, Cutcliffe likes where his team is heading into the game.

“This time of year you're always going to have bumps and bruises but for the most part, we're pretty healthy,” Cutcliffe said.

open up the way most people see things.

Oxford has all the ability to win a championship. They are capable of being balanced on offense and they have played consistent on defense. Outside of the loss to Lafayette, the Chargers have been in every game they've played. A big turnout from a crowd standpoint on Friday could help swing things in their favor.

Lafayette has been on a tear since losing at Grenada in Week 3.

The Commodores are built for the playoffs. They have a strong running game led by Jamarcus Quarles, while quarterback Will Ard has been solid. Last week, Ard beat Louisville with his arm. And now that Randy Anderson has emerged from the Wildcat position, the Commodores are even more potent on offense. Amory will have its hands full trying to stop everything Lafayette does.

Defensively, the Commodores have been rock solid all season

long. In the two playoff wins, they have only allowed one touchdown. And they have recorded a safety and interception to aid the offense. Lafayette is very capable of running the table in the north if they continue to play well. And with St. Stanislaus out of the playoffs in the south, the belief is that anyone can win 4A now.

If both teams are at MSU on Dec. 3, it should be a very exciting day. Both teams are moving up a class in 2017. This is the last time

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

West Point vs. Oxford Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Radio: FM 95.5

that both can win the titles in 5A and 4A. In other words, it could be a historic day. Win or lose Friday night, both programs have accomplished a lot. It's been another successful season on the gridiron. Football means a lot to us here, and both teams have given us a lot to be proud of. It will be awesome for them to give us a few more great weeks.

John.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

OXFORD CITIZEN

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

PAGE 19

Gurner has enjoyed doing her part each Friday night

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Competitive dance is still relatively new for Oxford senior Anne Catherine Gurner. That hasn't stopped her from doing her part on a team that has continued to gain notoriety around campus.

She joined the Chargerettes when she was a sophomore, after seeing how fun the team looked when she was in ninth grade.

“I just decided to join because I heard of the team the year before and I saw them perform once and I thought it would be a cool experience,” Gurner said. “I started dance in middle school and developed my technique through there.”

Jazz and contemporary are the two dance genres that Gurner enjoys the most. She feels just as confident doing one as the other because they are both so similar.

And both are so much closer than hip hop, which is demanding for Gurner.

“Some girls can do hip hop a lot easier than a lot of girls can do jazz.

It's all on your personal level and

what you like better,” she said.

Gurner said she feels close with the entire team, but she did say that the seniors are very close.

“I really enjoy being on the sidelines during football, being out there Friday nights,” she said. “It's gone by fast. It's been fun, but everything goes by fast senior year.”

Sally Hardy, a junior, is a member of the team that Gurner is also close with. The Chargerettes are still with the football team as the playoffs continue. When they conclude, the Chargerettes will pick things up with the basketball programs and perform during home games.

With so many different personality types on the team, the experience of working together has been good for Gurner.

“You get to know more people and get to handle more situations with dancing and performing,” Gurner said. “You become more confident. I feel like I've made strides as a person. I'm a better student as well.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

MEET YOUR Chargerette Anne Catherine Gurner

PETRE THOMAS

Anne Catherine Gurner has enjoyed her senior season as a member of the Oxford Chargerettes.

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OXFORD CITIZEN

PAGE 20

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016

Langley plays an important role for the LHS Commodores

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Not long after Michael Fair officially took over as the head coach of the Lafayette Commodores back in the spring, he asked assistant Jay Jones if the team had a kicker. Jones response was yes, the Commodores had a kicker that could be relied on in Robbie Langley.

“He's huge and if you don't think a kicker is important to a team, coach a year without one. I have had to do that before and it's frustrating,” Fair said before talking about Langley's success as a junior. “He's a talent. He's got a strong leg. He handles his job very seriously. And he is mature enough to handle the mental and physical side because kicking is completely different than everything we do. As a football team, for everything we prepare for, being a kicker is different. He understands that and he embraces that role and he just does a really, really good job for us.”

Fair added that Langley was coachable but at the

same time, he doesn't let the other coaches talk with him.

“Coach Jones is a former kicker and I'll let him to talk with him, but I don't let anyone else talk with Robbie,” Fair said. “I'm joking, but at the same time, you really you don't want 10 different guys going up to a guy and telling him how to kick a football. If he gets out there and starts thinking about it, he may lose part of his fundamentals. Coach Jones handles our kickers and he is in charge of Robbie and making sure that he is ready to go. They have a really good relationship with each other.

The thing about Robbie is when you call on him to make a play, he's such a even keeled young man. He's not an emotional guy and he handles his success and his misses well. If you're a good kicker, you got to have a short memory.”

Langley definitely had to practice that advice after the second game of the season when he missed two field goals in a 14-7 loss to Grenada. Langley hit everything but one attempt after

JOEY BRENT

Lafayette junior kicker Robbie Langley has been a big key to the success of the Commodores in football this season. that, and the only extra point that was off the mark came at Byhalia when his foot landed in a sand pit.

“I think he's had a very good season. He started out a little rough with the two misses in the Grenada game,

but after that, he's come on strong been extremely accurate for us,” Jones said. “The 47-yarder he made, he had plenty of leg behind it. He has shown that he can put the ball in the end zone on kickoffs. He needs to be a lit-

tle more consistent there, but he's done a good job.”

Jones felt like a year of maturity has helped Langley as much as anything in 2016.

“That's a big weapon.

When you have a good kicker you can rely on, you don't have to worry about going for 2 points like a lot of teams do,” Jones said. “Or having to go for it on 4th and 8 from the 10 rather than just taking three points. It's nice to have that. He's a very valuable weapon and we're happy that he's out there working as hard as he does.

He's getting better each and every day.”

Anytime that Langley has a question about his technique, Jones is there to work with him. Part of Jones' role when he was at Ole Miss was working with the kickers and the punters and the snappers.

Langley adjusted the way the ball tilted or sat on the tee when he kicked off last week, and it provided greater length on the flight of the ball.

“If he's got one thing kind of off, I can be there for him

and help him work through it,” Jones said. “He's got great form. That's why he is so consistent. It's just like golf.

If you have a consistent swing in golf, it's the same thing out there. You just have to be consistent over and over and over and make sure you're non stop, perfect on you steps, on your leg swing and your follow through.”

This past spring, Langley was coming off a back injury and not able to kick. He thought that the 2016 wouldn't be a good one for him, so to have the results he has heading into the Amory game pleases Langley.

It took up to four months for doctors to figure out what was wrong with Langley, who was injured during the 2015 football season. The stress fracture in his spine was finally diagnosed, which allowed Langley to get the right recovery going in time for football.

“I was in a back brace until June the 17th and I didn't kick at all until the end of July,” Langley said. “I feel reTURN TO LANGLEY PAGE 21

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Kessinger excited about opportunity of playing for Harrelson, NECC Tigers

BY JOHN DAVIS SPORTS EDITOR

Richy Harrelson can't wait to have Oxford's Chase Kessinger join his baseball team at Northeast Mississippi Community College. Even though Kessinger has signed with the Tigers, Harrelson would love to have him on campus right now, working on his pitching skills.

“His potential, his body is far from maturing, and I love that he's long and lean. He's got some quick twitch to him,” Harrelson said. “He threw a bullpen in our showcase and he was really, really good. I've known his dad and his uncle and grandfather for so long. The baseball is in there and it's going to come out. We're excited about seeing him grow.”

Oxford coach Chris Baughman was excited for Kessinger, who will be joined at NECC by current OHS teammate Reid Markle.

“I got to know Richy from his time here and I think it's a really good fit for both of them. I'm excited for both of them,” Baughman said. “I think those guys that are able to commit and sign before their senior years,

they're able to relax and play throughout the course of the year a little bit. I think both will fit in really well there.”

Kessinger said he picked NECC because of Harrelson as much as anything.

“Everyone says he is such an awesome dude and so fun to play for. He is the first team that looked at me and gave me a chance because I didn't play much in high school. I don't have much high school stats because we've been so stacked,” Kessinger said. “He gave me a shot. This past summer was a huge one for me. I was 85, 86 on some guns that I had never gotten seen before.”

When Kessinger traveled to NECC, he was pleasantly surprised about the campus and the facilities overall.

“It was so nice. They're building a new stadium and he is getting some bigger recruits,” Kessinger said before talking about playing with Markle. “It's awesome knowing somebody you know is going. I can't wait to play with him.”

Kessinger's father Keith helped his son during the recruiting process.

Chase said he knew that if he was

going to play college baseball, it would be at the junior college level.

“He was straight forward with that.

Having former major league players and my grandfather who was a major league baseball manager in your house is awesome because it teaches you so much,” Chase Kessinger said.

“It's awesome. I love it.”

The past few weeks of fall baseball has been more of a recovery time for Chase Kessinger, who is rehabbing a back injury currently. He has still be around the team, and he likes what he's seen from the Chargers.

“We can really, really hit. What has shocked me, and I think I'm one of them, is the arms have just jumped out from nowhere,” he said. “I wasn't supposed to pitch this year and Parker Stinnett is a guy who just started slinging the ball. He's going to help us out a lot. We already knew we had Carson (Stinnett) and Reid. I think we have a good shot again. One big thing to me is that there is no pressure. We're just going to be able to play.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

PAGE 21

Langley FROM 20

ally, really good. I still have a lot of stretching to catch up to do.”

This past game, Langley hit a field goal and almost garnered an attempt over 50 yards. He makes those long ones in practice, but when he kicks a long one hard, he sometimes pulls the ball to the left.

“I really tried to make it but I didn't put as much power. I figured if I let my leg swing and follow through with it, maybe it would have enough distance anyway,” Langley said. “I know I have the accuracy and I didn't want to give it too much and it have no hope whatsoever.”

Langley was excited to be playing in the third round of the playoffs. This time last year, the Commodores were at home watching from the sidelines after losing to Noxubee County.

Langley was expecting a good game from Amory because the stats of both teams were very comparable.

“It's going to be a really

good game,” said Langley, who felt like he could make a game-winning kick if needed. “I would prefer not to have to kick one, but I feel confident.”

When he's not playing football, Langley is helping the Commodores on the soccer field. He was recruited to play football by the former coaching staff when they saw Langley punting the ball for fun when he was in eighth grade. Langley started kicking for the Commodores when he was a freshman, and he has started the past two seasons.

“I love it. There is nothing else like it,” Langley said about football. “I knew about the fifth game this year, I felt good. I missed two against Grenada and I knew I could do better.

When we started to play and win and I started to make the field goals and extra points, practice was going great and touchbacks were coming, I just knew it was my decision or not and I chose not to have a bad season.” john.davis@journalinc.com Twitter: @oxfordcitizenjd

Citizen

PAGE 22

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