Mississippi
Six state championships display thrill of victory, agony of defeat
HATTIESBURG — The Mississippi Excessive College Actions Affiliation State Soccer Championships hardly ever disappoint in relation to drama – the joys of victory and the agony of defeat, as “Large World of Sports activities” Corridor of Fame broadcaster Jim McKay famously put it.
The 2022 championship video games, performed Friday and Saturday at The Rock at Southern Miss, had been no exception. The weekend produced shootouts – similar to Raleigh’s 55-52 overcome Noxubee County within the Class 3A recreation – and defensive struggles, similar to Lousville’s 17-14 conquest of Mendenhall within the Class 4 A championship.
We noticed a number of the state’s most extremely recruited faculty prospects, streamlined bodily athletes similar to Raleigh’s Suntarine Perkins and Picayune’s Dante Dowdell. We noticed magnificent highschool gamers similar to Scott Central’s bowling ball of a quarterback, Quez Goss (5-feet, 9 inches, perhaps, and 220 kilos). Get this: In again to again state championships, Goss has produced a complete of 14 touchdowns, whereas his Scott Central group has scored 112 factors.
Picayune, successful its second straight 5A championship, emerged because the state’s solely undefeated group. With seemingly your entire citizenry of Picayune filling the decrease deck on the east facet at The Rock, the Maroon Tide completed an ideal 15-0 with just one victory coming by fewer than 10 factors.
Louisville received its eleventh state championship, tying it with West Level for many soccer state championships amongst Mississippi public faculties.
Starkville’s championship season deserves particular recognition. The Yellowjackets, beset by a brutal schedule and key accidents, misplaced three straight video games in September and October earlier than regrouping to win its final eight, together with 4 straight within the playoffs. Requested who made up that brutal schedule, Jones responded, “I did. You don’t get any higher taking part in cupcakes.”
So, let’s recap the video games within the order they had been performed.
Class 3A: Raleigh 55, Noxubee County 52
What a strategy to begin the weekend: In Raleigh’s 55-52 Class 3A championship victory over Noxubee County, the 2 groups mixed for a MHSAA playoffs report 107 factors – to not point out 14 touchdowns, 45 first downs and almost 1,000 yards of offense. There have been solely two punts, each by Noxubee.
Not often, if ever, has an MVP trophy belonged to a extra apparent winner. Suntarine Perkins, Raleigh’s do-it-all famous person, supplied 331 yards and 4 touchdowns speeding. He caught three passes for 56 yards. He kicked off. He led his group in tackles and he made a vital fourth quarter interception to protect the victory.
Perkins, a closely muscled, 6-foot-3, 205-pound participant, confirmed why nearly each faculty coach within the nation would like to have him and why Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding watched the sport from area stage, simply behind the north finish zone. Afterward, Perkins confirmed that Ole Miss, to whom he has verbally dedicated, and Alabama, are the final two suitors he’s contemplating. One or the opposite goes to get a outstanding athlete – and take an enormous NIL hit – when Perkins indicators on the dotted line. He mentioned that may occur “someday in December.”
It took all of Perkins’ heroics to get the victory. Noxubee County, a perennial Mississippi highschool powerhouse, fought all the best way to the ultimate gun. Hold this identify in thoughts for future reference: Kamario Taylor. Only a tenth grader, the long-limbed, 6-4, 180-pounder saved Noxubee in it, throwing for 5 touchdowns.
Taylor was marvelous, however Perkins was even higher. He sprinted 74 yards for a landing, out-running a lot smaller individuals, the primary time he touched it. He was simply getting began.
Requested how he felt afterward, Perkins smiled. “Actual good,” he mentioned, “however my legs I gotta admit are somewhat drained.”
Class 1A: Bay Springs 22, McEvans 0
Mississippi State commit Tyrick Jones rambled for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries but it surely was the Bay Springs protection, which a lot included Jones, that sparked the Bulldogs to the varsity’s second straight state championship. After Friday’s first recreation produced 107 factors, Bay Springs allowed none, serving to strengthen the age-old adage: Protection wins championships.
Bay Springs didn’t full a single go, however ran for 270 yards and allowed McEvans solely 149 yards of whole offense. Why throw it if you happen to don’t must?
It was Bay Springs’ sixth shutout of the season and the eleventh time the Bulldogs have held an opponent to 1 rating or fewer scores. McEvans had averaged 42 factors per recreation in three earlier playoffs victory however couldn’t crack the Bay Springs protection, which didn’t surrender a rating in 4 playoffs video games.
Stated Jones, a 225-pounder who seemingly will play on the defensive facet of the ball at State, “Our plan was to run the ball down their throat, and that’s what we did. We had been going to pound and pound it till they give up.”
Class 5A: Picayune 31, West Level 21
Defending State 5A Champ Picayune fell behind perennial powerhouse West Level 14-3 Friday evening however there was no panic alongside the Maroon Tide sidelines. When you’ve got a secure of working backs, led by 4 star recruit Dante Dowdell, why panic?
After working for 190 yards and three touchdowns, Dowdell, the MVP, defined, “We’ve received lots of guys which have coronary heart. After we get a head of steam and begin going downhill, we’re onerous to cease.”
Chris Smith additionally ran for 104 yards for the Maroon Tide, which was taking part in West Level within the state championship recreation for the second consecutive 12 months. Dowdell, who stands 6 toes, 1 inch and weighs 215 kilos, displayed a outstanding mix of velocity and energy in opposition to a usually salty West Level protection.
“He’s an awesome participant,” Picayune coach Cody Stogner mentioned of Dowdell. “Typically you simply gotta let an awesome participant play. We’ve had him for 4 years, and he’s simply gotten higher and higher yearly. We lean on him closely, and we did once more tonight. Like all the time, he delivered.”
Class 4A: Louisville 17, Mendenhall 14
Make that 11 for 11 for the Lousville Wildcats. After defeating Mendenhall 17-14 for the 4A State Championship Saturday, the Wildcats have superior to a state championship recreation 11 occasions. They’ve received all 11. None might have been any tougher than the three-point victory over the Mendenhall Tigers.
Junior Ceidrick Hunt booted a 27-yard area purpose as time expired to present Louisville the successful margin in a recreation largely dominated by the 2 defenses.
You suppose there isn’t stress to win in a tradition-rich program similar to Louisville? “I didn’t need to be the primary coach (at Louisville) to return down right here and lose within the finals,” mentioned Louisville head coach Tyrone Shorter.
It appeared like which may occur. Mendenhall was driving late within the fourth quarter when the Wildcats compelled the sport’s solely turnover. Senior Gabe Moore compelled a fumble, which was recovered by sophomore Ja’cari Owens on the Mendenhall 43-yard-line with 32 seconds remaining in regulation. Senior quarterback Keyarrion Jackson led a brief drive to provide the game-winning area purpose.
Louisville is now tied with West Level for many state championships amongst Mississippi public faculties groups. Each have received 11. Stated Jackson, “Now we’re a part of the legacy.”
Class 2A: Scott Central 42, Charleston 12
Subsequent season, the Class 2A State Championship could be another person’s playground. Scott Central quarterback Quez Goss received’t be round to point out off once more. Goss, who accounted for eight touchdowns in Scott Central’s 70-26 romp over Leflore County final December, was liable for six extra within the Rebels’ 42-12 pasting of Charleston Saturday.
Goss performs so much taller than his 5 toes, 9 inches. He throws the deep ball with uncanny accuracy. And he throws primarily to 2 senior large receivers who can go up and get it. Southern Miss commit Javieon Butler hauled in 5 catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns, whereas Antreyvious Edwards had three catches for 133 yards and three touchdowns.
“Once you’ve received guys like these, it makes my job a lot simpler,” Goss mentioned. “I simply launch it downfield and allow them to go get it.”
Goss was being overly modest. He completed 9-of-14 passing for 281 yards with 5 touchdowns and in addition added a speeding landing. He was a transparent minimize for alternative for MVP for a second consecutive season.
Since 1999, Scott Central has received 4 state championships and been the runner-up twice.
Class 6A: Starkville 48, Brandon 32
Oddsmakers don’t make level spreads for highschool soccer video games, however powerhouse Brandon, which entered at 12-1, would have been favored over a Starkville group that began 0-3 in its personal area this season. However Starkville took management firstly and coasted to the championship victory.
Junior quarterback Trey Petty led the best way, throwing for 2 landing and working for 3 extra. He was named the MVP however Starkville coach Chris Jones had one other identify for him. “He’s a canine,” Jones mentioned. “I’m joyful he’s on my group. He does job, and has been doing job all 12 months. He had a tough patch early within the 12 months when he was struggling and taking part in by means of accidents, however he bounced again. That’s what champions do.”
Starkville scored on seven of its 10 possessions and 4 of its first six. The Yellowjackets led 21-3 at halftime after which 28-3 early within the third quarter. Brandon lastly received its offense in gear within the second half, however by then it was too late. Quarterback Landon Varnes handed for 297 yards and halfback Nate Blount powered for 184 yards on 24 carries, but it surely was not almost sufficient.
The championship was the seventh in Starkville historical past however the first since 2015. Chris Jones has now received state championships at each Kemper County and Starkville.
Republish our articles totally free, on-line or in print, underneath a Inventive Commons license.
Shut window
For digital publications:
For print publications:
When you’ve got every other questions, contact Viewers Growth Director Lauchlin Fields. 1 Republish this text
Waiting for my suitcase in the arrivals hall at Jackson airport the other evening, it occurred to me that the luggage carrousel was a pretty good metaphor for Mississippi politics.
Like suitcases on a carrousel, many leaders simply sit on the conveyor belt of state politics, waiting their turn to get moved along to the next role.
Too often leaders are carried along by time and process, rarely offering any vision as to what our state should do differently. That explains why Mississippi conservatives have achieved less in 12 years than Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama have accomplished in the past 12 months. Louisiana did not even have a Republican governor this time last year, yet they’ve already passed universal school choice.
Things could be about to change if House Speaker Jason White has his way. This week, White announced that he will be hosting a Tax Policy Summit on Sept. 24 to take a deep dive into the prospects for tax reform.
My friend, Grover Norquist, will be speaking, as will Gov Reeves, as well as leading conservative figures from the state Legislature.
Having a conversation in public matters because in the past the leadership in our state Senate has done what it can to head off tax cuts. Bringing the facts of what can and cannot be done into the open makes it far harder for anyone to keep finding new excuses to oppose actual conservative policy.
Sunshine is the best disinfectant against the putrid politics of backroom deals. We have seen far too many backroom maneuvers used to kill off good conservative policy in this state. Back in 2022, Mississippi passed a law to cut the state income tax to a flat 4 percent. This $525 million tax cut, driven forward by Speaker Philip Gunn and Gov Reeves, benefited 1.2 million taxpayers and their families. But we must not forget how some in the Senate fought against it — not in the open, of course.
Weak Senate leadership has a history of opposing conservative proposals in our state. Seldom do they have the courage to come out and explicitly kill off conservative measures. Instead, they do it on the sly. The Senate leadership maneuvered to stop anti-DEI legislation in 2024. I don’t recall anyone coming out and explaining why they opposed anti-DEI law. They just killed it in committee with a nudge and wink.
For three years in a row, the Senate leadership has killed off attempts to restore the ballot initiative. Again, those against resorting the ballot lack the courage to say they are against it. They killed that, too, on the sly.
Rep Rob Roberson’s excellent school funding reform bill, perhaps the only big strategic achievement of this year’s session, passed despite attempts to scupper it by some in the Senate. (Part of the backroom deal to get the bill passed was to change its name. It really was that petty.) When the Senate leadership wants to oppose an authentically conservative policy, they follow a now familiar pattern.
A reason is cited as to why what is being proposed can’t be done. School choice, we were once told, would be unconstitutional. An anti-DEI law, it was implied, was unnecessary because there was no DEI on campus.
Once that excuse is shown to be nonsense (there is no constitutional bar to school choice, DEI is rampant on campus), another excuse is promptly conjured up. And on it goes.
Each time the Senate leadership opposes conservative policy this way, I wonder what their alternatives are. The answer is that most of the time there are none. It is pretty low grade to oppose ideas simply because they are not your own. Eventually, of course, a suitcase that sits on the carousel for too long ends up in lost luggage.
As a direct consequence of the 2022 Reeves-Gunn tax cuts, Mississippi is now starting to see a flood of inward investment into the state.
Every time you hear about a new factory opening up in our state, remember who and what helped make it happen. I am very optimistic that this tax summit could see further progress to make our state more competitive.
— Douglas Carswell is the president and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy.
Mississippi
Ex-official in Mississippi is treated for gambling addiction amid embezzlement charge, lawyer says
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A former tax assessor and collector in north Mississippi checked into a residential treatment center for a gambling addiction after he called the state auditor’s office and confessed to misusing more than $300,000 in public money, his attorney said Tuesday.
Shannon Wilburn, 49, resigned in April from the elected office he had held in Benton County since 2016, and he began the 12-week addiction treatment in late July, his attorney Tony Farese told The Associated Press.
“I’ve known Shannon all of his life,” Farese said. “We are shocked that he finds himself in this situation.”
Mississippi Auditor Shad White announced Tuesday that Wilburn has been charged with one count of embezzlement. The announcement came days after Wilburn was indicted. Farese said Wilburn turned himself in to the sheriff’s office Friday, then posted bond and returned to the treatment program.
Wilburn is accused of taking $327,055 paid to the Benton County Tax Collector’s office and using the money for personal expenses, Farese said. He said Wilburn confessed to the auditor’s office before hiring legal representation and has continued to cooperate with investigators.
“He apologizes for disappointing the citizens of Benton County and the state of Mississippi,” Farese said.
If convicted, Wilburn would face up to $5,000 in fines and 20 years in prison.
White said Wilburn’s employment as a Benton County elected official was covered by $200,000 in surety bonds to protect taxpayers from losses from corruption. The county also has an insurance policy that covers theft.
“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office will continue to work closely with prosecutors to get record results, one case at a time,” White said in a statement.
Mississippi
Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame – The Vicksburg Post
Vicksburg’s Raymond Elledge set to enter Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame
Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, September 3, 2024
1 of 2
Vicksburg resident Raymond Elledge has been elected to the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame. (Ernest Bowker/The Vicksburg Post)
During two decades of playing disc golf, Raymond Elledge has only won one big tournament.
“I don’t even remember what year it was,” he said.
Nonetheless, Elledge is a legend in the sport in Mississippi. He’s worked tirelessly to maintain courses, been a member of several local and state players associations, and taught people young and old the joys of it. That level of dedication led to Elledge’s recent election to the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame. He’ll officially be inducted Oct. 12 in Starkville.
“When he first told me last year I was nominated, I told him, ‘Man, you’re making my heart hurt.’ You don’t realize the emotions you can get. Stuff can just tear you up, and it did because I was just so excited,” the 62-year-old Vicksburg resident said. “You go years and years, and you’re out here busting your butt trying to maintain the course and showing everybody what you can.”
Disc golf is played the same as traditional golf, except with plastic discs that resemble frisbees. Players take aim at a steel basket several hundred yards away, with the goal of getting it in there in as few throws as possible.
Elledge first played disc golf in 2002, on a private course built in the backyard of Vicksburg resident Herman Cochran. One of the people playing with Elledge made a hole-in-one, and the excitement over the feat hooked him instantly.
“I seen this little old fella, he was 21 or 22 but he looked like he was 12, and he made an ace. I was hooked. I’ve got to do it,” Elledge said. “I don’t go anywhere on vacation without taking my disc golf bag. I just love the game.”
Elledge added that the simplicity of the sport is something he enjoys. A starter kit of three discs — a driver, mid-range disc and putter, all of which have different densities and flight characteristics — can be purchased for about $25.
The courses are easily found at many parks in Mississippi. There is an 18-hole course at Halls Ferry Park. Players of all ages and shapes can play it as long as they can walk the course. Elledge had quadruple bypass heart surgery eight years ago and playing disc golf helps him stay in shape.
“It’s something anybody can do,” he said. “I’ve trained kids from 5 to 50, and the oldest one I’ve helped train to play this game is 71 years old now. He still comes out and plays. This is a sport that any age can play.“
With his passion for disc golf comes a sense of responsibility. He’s helped clear brush around parts of the Halls Ferry Park course to keep it playable, and done the same while working with associations like the Vicksburg Disc Golf Association and Jackson Union of Disc Golf Enthusiasts.
He’s also eager to teach the game to newcomers.
“I’ve never quit teaching how to play the game,” he said. “They used to have something called the World’s Biggest Disc Golf Weekend and I won it three years in a row. What it is, is whoever takes the most players out to a certain disc golf course gets the T-shirt and a disc.”
His service to the sport led to a nomination for the Mississippi Disc Golf Hall of Fame in 2023, but he didn’t make the final cut. This year he did, and he said it was better than winning any tournament.
“You play a lot of tournaments. You do a whole lot for the sport itself, such as numerous work days working on the course to maintain it. Teaching the kids and when we have tournaments helping move baskets around to new spots,” Elledge said. “Then somebody will nominate you and there’s a lot of votes from the clubs. If you get enough votes from everybody you’re in. You find out how much you’re appreciated by everybody for all that you’ve done.”
About Ernest Bowker
Ernest Bowker is The Vicksburg Post’s sports editor. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post’s sports staff since 1998, making him one of the longest-tenured reporters in the paper’s 140-year history. The New Jersey native is a graduate of LSU. In his career, he has won more than 50 awards from the Mississippi Press Association and Associated Press for his coverage of local sports in Vicksburg.
More by Ernest
Georgia school shooting live updates: Casualties reported at Apalachee High School, suspect in custody
Illegal immigrant arrested after stabbing of teen girl at Indiana baseball game: police
North Carolina hiker dies at Grand Canyon National Park during solo trek, believed to be 6th fatality in weeks
Flagstock: UNC Chapel Hill fraternity brothers who defended American flag finally getting their 'rager'
Masked anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University demonstrate as students check in for first day of classes
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Georgia school shooting live updates: Casualties reported at Apalachee High School, suspect in custody
Trump, Kamala aiming for the middle with varying degrees of success
Israeli forces using ‘war-like’ tactics in occupied West Bank: OCHA
In a rural small town, a group of locals steps up to support senior health
Videographer becomes GOP nominee for Massachusetts' 8th congressional district
-
Politics1 week agoWhy won't Pennsylvania voters have results on Election Night?
-
Politics1 week agoTrump sets intense pace with campaign events as questions swirl about Harris' policy positions
-
World1 week agoPortugal coast hit by 5.3 magnitude earthquake
-
News1 week agoFormer national security adviser McMaster says he won’t work for Trump again
-
World1 week agoWho is Telegram CEO Pavel Durov? What to know about his arrest in France
-
Science1 week agoHow much more water and power does AI computing demand? Tech firms don't want you to know
-
World1 week agoRussia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 915
-
World1 week agoCommission mandarin flags convergence of digital with industry