CLARKSDALE- Coahoma Community College Football is ready to take off for a steady flight during the 2019 season. The Tigers had a tough 2018 season, facing a lot of obstacles and opposition. Severe injuries and heartbreaking moments resulted in a 0-9 season. During this off-season, Head Coach Steven Miller has been focused on pushing Coahoma Football forward as a winning program.
Coahoma has a very young, experienced and talented team. The Tiger team returns eight (five defense, three offense) starters this season. Several transfers and freshmen on this year's squad are capable of making a significant impact.
"We're coming in with a chip on our shoulder. We had some games last season that came down to the wire, and we didn't finish it," said Miller. "Our expectations this year are to compete for 48 minutes, to have a deep roster, and if we're behind, we have enough gas to come back and win the game."
The Tigers Defense is looking to continue making improvements this season.
The defensive line will feature returning Second Team All-State defensive tackle Kyle Jones (Starkville, MS), transfers Guy Thomas (University of Nebraska) and Montavius Thomas (Cleveland Central High School, MS).
The linebacker core will include upperclassmen Bo Curtis (Charleston, MS), Jamon O'Neal (Vicksburg, MS), and D'Angelo Scales (Starkville, MS). Freshman Stephen Tisdale (Tylertown, MS) and Jawonta Woodruff (Cleveland Central) are looking to step up and make plays.
The secondary has Caleb McQueen (Collierville, TN), Dequan Street (Charleston, MS), Jordan Montgomery (Biloxi, MS) and Dewayne Betts (Memphis, TN) will also see action on the back end.
The Coahoma Offense will have many new faces for the 2019 season with only a handful of returning players.
Holding the Quarterback position, Joe Johnson (Vicksburg, MS) returns after redshirting last season because of an injury. He is in a tight battle with transfer Tajh Tolbert from Atlanta, Georgia.
The running back group will include returner, Jordan Willis (Mendenhall, MS) who saw limited action last fall. Tyler Grim (Horn Lake, MS) and Keandre McCullough (Humphreys County, MS) will be joining Willis in the rotation.
Peyton McDonald (Pearl, MS) returns at tight end after starting all nine games last year and will be one of 3 returning starters on offense. Jared Loper (Waynesboro, MS) will also see action. Eric Trask (Woodville, MS) and Nike Davis (Forrest) will be returning at guard. Transfers Rueben Unije (University of Illinois) and Willa Pierre (Florida International University) will add depth to the offensive line. Freshman Thomas Simmons (Canton, MS) will also push for playing time.
The wide receiver core will be a very young yet talented group. Sammy Carter (Rickers, FL), Rorecoss Willis (Yazoo City), Brandon Smith (Harrison Central, MS), Josh Stevenson (Olive Branch, MS), and Dez Amos have positioned themselves to compete for significant roles on the offense.
The young players' progress will affect the success of the Tiger offense tremendously.
A group of newcomers playing key positions is ready to make phenomenal work on special teams this fall.
Jarod Wetzel (Ocean Springs, Mississippi) is stepping in as the placekicker. He will be handling all extra point and field goal opportunities. Jarod had seven touchbacks and went 7/7 on extra points in his senior season at St. Martin High School.
Tanner Taylor (Holly Springs, MS) will be the Punter. He was a two-year letterman at Marshall Academy. He has a unique style and ability that will give the Tigers flexibility in the kicking game.
Coahoma has a unique set of veterans coming back to use their flexibility in the return game. Sammy Carter can squeeze into very tight spaces and make players miss. Deldrionn Amos has accumulated 837 kicked yards. Amos is returning for his senior season with 342 yard punts on his record. A strong trio of athletes in the mix includes Keaundre McCullogh, Cameron Loveberry, and Elijah Pugh.
The Tigers are slated to open the season at home against defending MACJC South Division champs Jones College on Thursday, August 29, 2019 (White Out-attire in the stands), at James E. Miller Stadium. The kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will broadcast live at www.coahomasports.com/watch and on Coahoma's radio station WCQC 91.3 FM. Pregame will begin at 6:30 p.m.
"Jones will be very prepared, and we're going to give them our best shot," said Miller. "We'll be facing a Top 10 contender. We have no room for error. It's going to be a good game with high expectations on both sides."
Coahoma has a tough road trip scheduled for Week 2. The squad will travel south of the state to Perkinston, Mississippi, to take on Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College on Thursday, September 5, 2019.
The Tigers will have four home games this season. Northeast Mississippi (Maroon Out, Sept. 12), Mississippi Delta (Homecoming, Sept. 28), and East Mississippi (Sophomore Night, Oct. 17) will be making their way to Clarksdale.
The Tigers will also have five intense road games, including matchups with Itawamba (Sept. 19), Hinds (Oct. 3), Northwest Mississippi (Oct. 10), and Holmes (Oct. 24).
"We're playing in the toughest conference in America. We have five teams in the Top 20 in every poll," said Miller. "This is going to be a challenge each week. It can be a ranked team or a great program, but we need to give our best shot against them."
Coahoma Football has a chance at redemption this season, and the Tigers are hoping to rise to champion status.
By: Vashon Jones
Coahoma Athletics