Editor’s Note: The Dispatch continues its annual look at some of the area’s top players. These features will run daily through the start of the prep football regular season Aug. 17 and 18.
After watching the largest senior class in program history leave the locker room, one might be worried about the Columbus football team.
Senior wide receiver Kenneth Martin does not share the concern.
“Every year people have been doubting us, so it is something that we are used to around here,” Martin said. “There is even more doubt this season, because we lost our big back, Kylin Hill. People aren’t sure what to expect from our football team this year.
“We are planning on proving those doubters wrong. We have high expectations and we look forward to showing people what we have got.”
A year ago, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Martin was fifth on the team in receiving. Senior quarterback C.J. Gholar had multiple options in the air. Gholar also had the best running back tandem in Class 6A with Hill and Kendre Conner.
Columbus finished 6-6 and advanced to the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A playoffs for a second straight season.
“Our identity is something we are going to have work on in practice,” Martin said. “As seniors, our job is to get the new guys into a rhythm. We have a lot of starters who will be in their first season of varsity ball. We are counting on these guys, so we have to make sure they are ready to play. We have to make sure they are in the right position and that we are becoming a team.”
Columbus coach Randal Montgomery has been very high on his junior high program the last couple of seasons. As the young Falcons transition into varsity players, the going might be rough. However, the fourth-year coach knows the direction of the program.
“The seniors leading will be more important than it ever has been,” Montgomery said. “We are just going to be new in a lot of spots. When you see players like Kenneth Martin working during the off-season to get better, that helps set a standard. Our players know the expectations. They know how hard we will have to work. Being in the underdog role for so long has really made us accustom to having to work hard for everything.”
While the Falcons lost around one-fourth of their roster to graduation, this year’s losses will not be nearly as dramatic. Montgomery said running back Patrick Jackson and Martin will be the only pair of senior starters on offense.
“I can already tell a big difference because I am getting ready for my senior seasons,” Martin said. “You go a little harder every day in everything you do because you know this is your final opportunity to put on that uniform. I can already feel the atmosphere is different. It’s special when it’s your final season like this.
“We don’t have a lot of seniors but we still want to win a championship. The main thing is sticking together. The seniors are really close and we just have to stick together in one accord.”
In preparing for his senior season, Martin attended camps hosted by Memphis, Mississippi State and UL Lafayette this summer.
“Just tried to get all of the coaching that I could,” Martin said. “I worked on my speed and agility. At the camp, coaches worked with me on my ball-catching technique and also on changing directions. I grew a lot this summer and learned a lot.”
Now Columbus looks for similar growth as a team.
“We need effort, a whole bunch of effort,” Martin said. “Competition in practice is going to be important. The main thing is effort though. A lot of people do not respect us a program.
“We are Columbus so that means we have to fight for everything. That’s a not a bad thing. We just have to get the young guys to understand that mentality.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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