Columbus High School senior linebacker Damonta Kidd never has had a laugh he wouldn’t share with a friend.
With a mischievous smile commonplace, Kidd always knows how to have a good time. It is a large part of the reason why he fits in so well on the Falcons’ defense.
“We are all jokers, the whole defense,” Kidd said. “I think it says a lot about team chemistry, maybe. Christopher Deloach is serious some of the time. Mario Bradford is serious all the time. They keep us grounded. When we get out of hand, they reel us back in. The rest of us are just out there carrying on. It’s good for us. It is what makes us go.”
When it is time to turn serious, Columbus’ defense is one of the best in Class 6A.
The new-look defense will be on display again at 7 tonight when Columbus (2-2) plays host to DeSoto Central (4-1) in the Class 6A, Region 1 opener for both teams at Falcon Field.
“DeSoto Central has an outstanding offense,” Kidd said. “They have the most balance we have faced all year. They run it and pass it the same and are really good at both. (Previous opponents) West Point and Kemper County liked to run it. New Hope and Noxubee County liked to pass it, so this is a big challenge.
“Everybody has paid a little more attention in film this week because it is the start of region play and we want to do good.”
DeSoto Central is averaging more than 400 yards per game. Senior running back Alan Lamar has rushed for 1,020 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“We know they have one of the best running backs in the state,” Kidd said. “We have been really good at stopping the run. That is why we are taking this challenge real seriously.”
Columbus shifted to a 4-2-5 defensive alignment in the offseason. After some growing pains in a season-opening victory against Kemper County, the Columbus defense really took flight.
Noxubee County scored 25 points but 19 came in the second half against a tiring unit. New Hope scored six points after a blocked field goal set up a short field. West Point scored 13 points by breaking off two long running plays.
Looking beyond the numbers, the Columbus defensive line, led by Deloach, has become one that puts the fear in all opponents.
“Our front seven is really good,” Kidd said. “We have done a great job of stopping the run. We have more speed on defense this year, so we have been able to pressure the quarterback more. When we shut down the run, we know the other team is going to pass more. That is why it is our job as linebackers to get back that and apply pressure and hopefully get the sack.”
Last season, coach Randal Montgomery was working his way through his first season as the team’s head coach. The Falcons struggled to find an identity but finished strong, winning three of the last four games, to finish 4-7.
The 5-foot-11, 225-pound Kidd said the players who remained with the program are beginning to reap the rewards. Tahj Sykes, Cameron Williams, and Deloach anchor the defensive line. Isaiah Karriem and Hezekiah Manigo join Kidd and Bradford at linebacker. Derrick Beckom and Tyran Smith are safeties, while Devon King and Kiren Sharp are corners.
“We really work well together as a team,” Kidd said. “We do a great job of picking each other up. The front seven motivates the (defensive backs) to get better every day in practice. There is no fighting. Really, everybody is out there playing for one another. That is the biggest difference. Even though we have a new scheme and some new personnel, the biggest thing is we are doing it all as a team this year. I think that shows on Friday nights.
“The big thing is communication. At linebacker, (Bradford) and I have to know everything going on on the field. We are always talking to our d-line about staying onside because they are an anxious bunch. You can tell they are hungry every time the ball is snapped.”
The ability to eliminate the big play has been the biggest difference in this year’s unit. With Columbus still trying to take the next step on offense, playing a high level of defense will be vital.
“Our motivation is the team, we try to play hard for each other,” Kidd said. “Our goal each week is to keep the other team’s total yards down, as low as we can. We go against our offense every day in practice, so we are trying to make them better, too. We are going to get there. In the past, when we lost a game, we couldn’t recover. Now, we come out more determined the next week in practice.”
Being able to contain some of the area’s better offenses in non-region play has given this team the confidence to make big plans for region play.
“We have played some good offenses,” Kidd said. “We are trying to go into region play with the same mind-set. Everybody has to have the same mind-set if we are going to make the playoffs.”
Columbus is looking for its first playoff berth since 2012. The Falcons last won a playoff game in 2005. Montgomery and his staff have worked tirelessly to change the culture.
The players still understand their position in the region pecking order. Only winning can change that.
“I like being the underdog,” Kidd said. “The other team always comes in thinking they are supposed to beat us. We go in every week trying to show that our defense is no joke. No. 2 (Lamar) may be the best running back in the state. My job is go to out and show that No. 1 (Kidd) is one of the best linebackers in the state, too.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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