STARKVILLE — Starkville High School’s Natrone Brooks hasn’t taken any classes in leadership.
However, the senior defensive back has seen what works and what doesn’t.
“Two years ago, we had (current Ole Miss player) A.J. Brown,” Brooks said. “Last year, we really didn’t have anybody. There was adversity, in-fighting, a lot of players didn’t get along. It was a difficult season. We now know all about leadership. We know how important it is, and we know we got to find it.”
In 2015, Brown helped lead Starkville High to the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A state championship. Last season, Starkville finished 7-4 and fifth in Class 6A, Region 2 and missed the playoffs.
“Once the losing started, we didn’t have a way to stop it,” Brooks said. “Every day was not fun. It was like your heart got ripped out. We are Starkville, and we are supposed to be better than that. But once the losing started, we couldn’t get it stopped. We didn’t have the leaders to step up and say, ‘the losing is over’ and ‘it’s time to work harder.’ ”
From 2011 to 2015, Starkville won 34 of 35 region games played.
This team’s confidence stems from a new attitude, a new head coach (Chris Jones), and a small but close-knit group of seniors.
“The seniors talk about leadership every day,” Brooks said. “As soon as last season ended and we got our new coach, everybody started talking about building this thing back up. We knew it was going to start in the weight room. You can’t just start winning again. The seniors knew we had to do everything right during the offseason to get to this point.”
Jones takes over after a successful run at Kemper County. Jones was 45-12 in four seasons at Kemper County High. He led the Wildcats to the 2016 MHSAA Class 3A State championship.
When Jones arrived at Starkville High, the leadership of his senior class stood out.
“Natrone has worked hard during the offseason,” Jones said. “When you become a senior, it just means a little more. We have several seniors that are that way. They are out here working hard every day to make sure last season is just a memory.”
Brooks gave a verbal commitment to Memphis earlier in the spring. Recruitment can now go the back burner as Starkville prepares for a rigorous non-region schedule that starts with a game against Noxubee County at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, in Macon.
“I fell in love with Memphis when I went on my visit there,” Brooks said. “They are one big family. It’s just like Starkville. I saw a lot of similarities between how we treat people and how they treat people. The coaches were great. It was a positive experience. That is why I gave them my commitment.”
The Memphis coaches aren’t the only ones to impress Brooks. He has also become a big fan of Jones.
“He is just so energetic,” Brooks said. “He is always running around the practice field, taking part in some drills. He is just full of energy. When you see your coach running around with that kind of energy, it rubs off on the players.”
Brooks’ work was slowed this summer due to a minor surgery in early June. This prevented some individual showcase camp work. However, Brooks was back to join his teammates for camps at Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
“The main thing has been my off-man defense,” Brooks said. “That has been my focus during the offseason. A lot of people I am pretty good at being a lock-down defender, so I have really focused and put some extra time and effort into playing my man off the ball.
“It’s really important as you get ready for your senior season that you keep learning about your position.”
Brooks had two interceptions, 10 pass deflections and 25 tackles in nine games last season. 247Sports, a national website that tracks recruiting and college sports, ranks Brooks as the state’s 25th best prospect.
This season, Brooks hopes to build on those statistics as Starkville sets a new course.
“We feel like we have the type of team that can win a state championship,” Brooks said. “We have a lot of young guys. We will be counting on them to step in and play right away. However, the chemistry is good. The coaches are real optimistic. The seniors are, too.
“A lot of people are going to underestimate us based on last season. We need to take advantage of that.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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