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.
MACON — This season, everything is different for Noxubee County quarterback Maliek Stallings.
A year ago at this time, Stallings was getting set for his first extensive time playing varsity football.
This next step was complicated by fighting to win the starting job while playing the valuable position of quarterback.
“This year is different in so many ways,” Stallings said. “I have a lot of confidence. I have confidence in my ability to play quarterback and in my ability to be a leader. It’s a much better feeling. Last year, I was trying to learn everything. This year I feel pretty good about my team and what we are going to try to accomplish.”
Reminders of state championships are everywhere in the Noxubee County locker room. Timorrius Conner led Noxubee County to Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A state titles in 2013 and 2014.
Conner and Stallings are cousins. Conner, who plays now at East Mississippi Community College, also learned the ropes as a sophomore and later blossomed in his final two seasons.
“We are really close,” Conner said. “We talk all of the time about his game. He could be the best quarterback to come through there. He lives right up the road. We talk about certain plays, certain opponents. We also talk about leadership. What it takes to be a quarterback. It’s important because every player on the team looks up to you.”
A year ago, Stallings and Armoni Clark both saw lots of reps at quarterback. The 6-foot, 170-pound Stallings threw for 2,442 yards and 22 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.
In addition to the counseling from Conner, Stallings attended camps at Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi this summer.
“Decision making,” Stallings said. “That was the main thing I worked on this summer. I tried to get as much guidance as I could. The key is making better decisions with the ball. Overall, I have way more confidence than I had a year ago at this time because I feel like I have gotten a lot smarter. I have more faith in my receivers, too.
“We work well together. If a receiver drops a ball or if I miss a throw, we have to be there to pick each other up. That part is going a lot better this season. I feel like I am working with the best receivers in the state. My job is to make sure they are in a position to make plays.”
Last season, Noxubee County finished 9-5. The season ended with a third-round Class 4A playoff loss to Pontotoc.
“We are a lot more motivated after last season,” Stallings said. “You can tell everybody has been putting in that extra time and effort you need to win championships. Last season was not up to our standards. When we play to our full potential, we feel like there isn’t anybody that can beat us.”
Noxubee County has again arranged one of the most difficult schedules in the state. In the non-region, the Tigers face Class 6A favorite Starkville, Class 6A powers Columbus and Meridian, as well as reigning Class 5A state champion West Point. The other non-region games are at Shannon and West Monroe, Louisiana.
“The biggest thing is some of your guys on the offensive line will have to step it up,” Stallings said. “We just have to play with more maturity this season. We can’t get discouraged when things do not go our way.”
Now entering his junior season, Stallings know the recruiting process is fixing to begin in earnest.
“Very excited about the possibilities,” Stallings said. “The main thing is to stay humble and stay focused. Every day, the job is to get better, both in school and in football. If you work hard enough at it and believe in your ability, everything will work out in the end.”
Meanwhile, Conner is ready to go along for the ride.
“You can tell when I am at a game, his eyes light up a little more,” Conner said. “It is reassuring when you know somebody is at the game that has your back, regardless of how good or how bad the game is going. It’s just more reassuring. This team has talent. They have a chance to be better than the other state championship teams and that is saying something,”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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