WEST POINT — In 2009, West Point High School quarterback Justin Cox didn”t have to worry about carrying the team.
Cox had teammates Michael Carr, Jeremy Cannon and Curtis Virges to lead, both by example and vocally.
Cox focused on playing mistake-free football and letting his natural ability help the team to the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A state title.
Cox, a Mississippi State commit, accounted for 1,869 total yards and 21 touchdowns.
With players like Carr, Cannon and Virges gone, the Green Wave were forced to replace top-level talent. Then, the offensive line needed rebuilding after four seniors graduated.
All eyes were on Cox and teammates Lakenderic Thomas and Jacoby Lee — the three leading rushers from last season — heading into this year.
How would the running game perform with four new starters on the offensive line? Could Cox be the dynamic player he was in ”09 without Carr out wide?
Through all the question marks, Cox hasn”t missed a beat, especially in the playoffs.
Cox turned in a dynamite performance against Oxford last Friday, finishing with 169 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 27-12 win.
The victory propelled the Green Wave (12-1) to the 5A North Half title game, where they”ll host undefeated Ridgeland at 7 p.m. Friday.
Cox”s performance against the Chargers has earned him Dispatch Prep Player of the Week.
“When you”re the quarterback, you know you have to be the leader,” Cox said Monday. “You know you have to step up. I mean, I can”t lose my last game of my senior year.”
Cox wasn”t alone in the Green Wave”s dominating rushing attack against Oxford as Lee finished the night with 158 yards and a score.
Cox admits the uncertainty at key positions heading into the season concerned him, but he never doubted his fellow skill players.
“I just have fun with it,” Cox said. “I have players around me that motivate me. We all grew together as a team.”
West Point head coach Chris Chambless said Cox has adjusted nicely to being “the guy.”
“He”s a lot more poised,” Chambless said. “Last year, he didn”t have to be the guy. But this year he knows everything is on him. He”s putting it on his shoulders, and so is Lakenderic and all of the other seniors we have on offense.
“They”re determined to get the job done and they work well and get along together. Justin”s become a good leader for us.”
Despite”s Cox”s stellar senior season, Chambless admits his quarterback has yet to have his best performance — not because of effort but because it hasn”t been required.
“We really haven”t had to turn him loose in games this year,” Chambless said. “We”ve had other guys step up and make plays. Against Hernando, we relied on Lakenderick Thomas at running back, and he got the job done with 262 yards. Next week against Provine, both Justin and Lakenderick did a wonderful job for us.
“It”s nice to have multiple guys you can depend on.”
Cox said last year”s senior class tutored him in becoming a leader. He took cues from the group, watching how each player handled themselves against adversity during the state title run.
He credits his relationship with current MSU wideout Carr for helping him transition to a more prominent leadership role.
“Me and Michael Carr are really close,” Cox said. “He was a big-time player, so naturally you pay attention to how he does. He told me to be humble and stay focused. He told me we”d go back, and we”re on that journey. I just listened to those words.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.