Things are much easier the second time around for Starkville High School football coach Chris Jones.
A year ago, Jones’ first work as the Yellow Jackets’ football coach came during three weeks of spring practice sessions.
“It was so hard. It was just a matter of learning players,” Jones said. “When you deal with a (Class) 6A roster, there are lot of players. … I am not sure how much teaching went on.
“This year, we have a mission. The players know what the program is all about. The work ethic is great. We know who we are, and every day is a matter of trying to get better.”
Starkville will play host to eight games this weekend as part of the Starkville High School Spring Jamboree. It will face Whitehaven (Memphis, Tennessee) at 7 p.m. Friday.
From a local standpoint, Columbus will make its debut under new coach Eric Rice at 5 p.m. Saturday against Murrah. At 7 p.m. Saturday, reigning Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State champion Noxubee County will take on Canton.
At Hamblin Stadium in West Point, the two-time reigning MHSAA Class 5A State champion West Point will play host to a tripleheader Friday night. It will have a varsity scrimmage against South Panola at 7:30 p.m. and Meridian at 8:30 p.m.
“We have had a great spring practice,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “Now it’s time to play an opponent and get some good film we can put to use on every player. It will all be all about getting better during the summer.”
This weekend’s scrimmages will end three weeks of spring practice for most schools. The MHSAA allows 15 practice dates, with a jamboree game counting as one. It will be the last live contact until fall practice begins the last week of July.
Starkville fell to Pearl 21-17 in the Class 6A State championship game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in December in Oxford.
Jones will return as many as seven starters on both sides of the ball. He said the work ethic has been good.
“It’s just been three great weeks of work,” Jones said. “The kids have a hunger from last year, and that is the biggest motivation you can have going into the next season. We know what it takes to be a state championship team because we were close to being one. Do you do that one extra thing in a spring practice that gets you over the hump? That’s the question we are trying to answer every day.
“Everything has been business-like. The players have shown up and put the work in. They know this is a small part of the big picture There is a familiarity with the coaches so there are no surprises.”
Jones plans to use the scrimmages as a chance to look at younger players and to try some veterans in different positions.
“You are looking at every aspect of your personnel,” Jones said. “White Haven won a (Tennessee Class 6A State) championship two years ago, and they are always in the mix, so this will be an excellent test. It’s a tradition-rich program, so they will be out there giving maximum effort, like we are.”
Chambless faces a bigger challenge at West Point. While a bulk of the defense returns, the Green Wave will look at several new faces on offense. Leading rushers Marcus Murphy and Chris Calvert are gone, as well as top receiver Jason Brownlee.
“This program has always been about getting better,” Chambless said. “Even though last year’s team had a lot of veterans, it was all about getting better every day. These guys have been part of a championship program, so they are excited about having their chance to be a part of it. When you are young in some spots, you can’t take a day off. It’s pushing forward and getting better.”
Jones said the only negative to spring workouts has been losing a par of key contributors to anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The Yellow Jackets have worked hard and not cut any corners.
“Things have been intense,” Jones said. “I really hate that the spring practice period is over. It’s been fun being on the field and working on putting together this year’s team. I wish we could keep going to opening day. That being said, we have an incredible senior class, and they are going to make sure everything is in place the way we need it to be come August.”
SCHEDULES
West Point Spring Jamboree
At Hamblin Stadium, West Point
Admission: $5
Friday’s Games
South Panola vs. West Point (JV), 5 p.m.
Meridian vs. West Point (JV), 5:30 p.m.
Meridian vs. South Panola (JV), 6 p.m.
Meridian vs. South Panola (varsity),
6:30 p.m.
South Panola vs. West Point (varsity), 7:30 p.m.
Meridian vs. West Point (varsity),
8:30 p.m.
Starkville High
Spring Jamboree
At Yellow Jacket Stadium, Starkville
Admission: $7 per day
Varsity Session/Junior Varsity Session
Friday’s Games
Memphis Woodale vs. Greenwood, 3 p.m.
Raymond vs. Neshoba Central, 5 p.m.
Memphis Whitehaven vs. Starkville,
7 p.m.
Saturday’s Games
Greenville vs. Louisville, 11 a.m.
Lanier vs. Leake Central, 1 p.m.
Velma Jackson vs. Yazoo City, 3 p.m.
Murrah vs. Columbus, 5 p.m.
Canton vs. Noxubee County, 7 p.m.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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