Photos by Ronnie Day
Bringing down a Vardaman ball-carrier are Potts Camp players Alex Hawkins (22), Kalif Alford (55) and Marterrian Donnell (1).
Quarterback Ben Shaw throws to a receiver during the jamboree.
Photos by Ronnie Day
Javion Walton carries for Potts Camp. Blocking, at right, is Hunter Skelton. In back is Ben Shaw.
Kylan Conners (7) reels in a pass at the goal-line.
Cards going to pass-heavy offense
Change is happening with Potts Camp High School football.
“We’re going to get off the bus throwing the ball,” head coach Markeith Washington said. “We will be pass-heavy offense – no huddle. It’s a new day at Potts Camp.”
Washington, assistant principal, stepped in as interim head coach last season. The Cardinals finished 3-7 in Class 2A. This year they go to 1A with Washington in charge.
“We’re not here to just play the game; we’re here to win,” he said. “These guys at Potts Camp are special. When you go up against Potts Camp, we want you to know you are in for a dogfight.”
He said he is excited about the move to 1A. The district slate includes Falkner, Smithville, Tupelo Christian, Biggersville, Thrasher, Ashland, Byers and Okolona.
“We will measure ourselves quickly (in the district),” Washington said. “We will have to be ready to play every night.
“We want to build a playoff team here at Potts Camp and win championships.”
He got a preview of his Cardinals during a muddy spring jamboree May 12 at H.W. Byers. Running 10 plays on offense and 10 on defense versus each opponent, Potts Camp beat the Lions, lost to Vardaman and Byhalia and tied both Holly Springs and Coffeeville.
“We liked what we saw in the jamboree,” Washington said. “We’ve implemented a lot of new things, and we have more guys participating (going from 16 to almost 40).
“We were very effective in the mud and the rain. And I like our depth. We are bigger and stronger.
“We want to build off the hard work this spring and come together as a group in the fall and win football games.”
He said he has key players and leaders returning, like Ben Shaw, Marterrian Donnell, Alex Hawkins and Kalif Alford. Shaw is making the move to quarterback, with Jacob Harrill going to receiver, plus he will be the back-up QB.
Defensively, he said his Cardinals will “be man-to-man and send the house.”
“We are not going to stay back in a zone. We will bring the pressure.”
Washington said this summer his Potts Camp squad will compete in seven-on-seven versus some bigger schools like Southaven, Lafayette, Oxford, Horn Lake, Tupelo and Olive Branch.
“If you want to be the best, you have to see the best,” he said. “We want to mimick these teams. We have to learn to play against the best teams and be confident.
“To be a good team, we have to challenge our kids.”
Washington urges Potts Camp fans to pack the stands this football season.
“Get ready for excitement,” he said. “We plan to give our fans a show. If you want to see exciting football, come on out to Potts Camp and get yourself a ticket.
“It’s time for a change, and I believe this group is ready to make that change.”
The Cardinals will begin the 2017 season Friday night, Aug. 18, at home versus Lee Academy (Ark.). The next two games will be August 25 at Hickory Flat and September 1 at home versus Tunica Academy.
They begin their district slate September 8 by visiting Falkner, and then host district foe Smithville September 15 and visit district opponent Tupelo Christian September 22.
They will host non-district foe West Memphis Christian (Ark.) September 29 (homecoming).
Five district games will conclude the regular season – October 6, Biggersville, home; October 13, Thrasher, away; October 20, Ashland, home; October 27, Byers, home; and November 3, Okolona, away.