Cards win spring contest

Despite a shaky start, the Potts Camp Cardinals soared back to defeat an extremely fast and athletic Okolona Chieftains team 7-6 in spring football action on Thursday, May 12, in Okolona.

The Chieftains received the opening kickoff and wasted no time marching 70 yards for the touchdown.

Richard Russo, new head coach of the Cardinals, had this to say of the early miscues.

“Let me start off by saying hats off to our kids, coaches and parents,” he said. “This was a tumultuous spring in that we completely revamped our program and installed a new offense, defense, special teams and culture. Our coaches were in four different places. We did not use any of that as an excuse though and found a way to control our response and get a quality spring completed.

“The lone disappointment was the way we came out of the gate and completely forgot our responsibilities and rules that first drive ­ defensively and offensively.”

The Chieftains missed the point after touchdown, which would come back to haunt them.

The Potts Camp offense would not fair any better as the Chieftains forced a three and out.

But from that point on, it was all Cardinals, as the selfproclaimed “wrecking crew” defense would live in the Chieftains’ backfield for the remainder of the game. The strong effort was paced by junior-to-be defensive tackle Kendric Isom and junior-tobe defensive back Drew Hogan, who paced the Cardinals with three stops each.

The self-proclaimed “fast and furious offense” would get going as well led by the offensive line of Isom, Dayton Marion, Ethan Bridges, Hunter Holbrook, Nathan Hernandez and Shaun Wilbanks. Senior-to-be tailback Treyion Rooks would get the ground game going, churning out 34 yards, and senior-to-be quarterback Peyton Aldridge connected with senior-to-be wideout Peyton Baldwin for a 41-yard corner route touchdown.

New offensive coordinator Drew Dance said, “I think our players came out and competed well and got the victory. Obviously with it being spring and a brand new offense, we have a lot of things we need to work on and clean up before we are ready to go in the fall. I think our guys have figured out our standard on offense and how we want to play and practice.

“I’m really proud of the win and for our kids and this program. Now we just have to keep getting better and come ready to work for summer workouts.”

Senior-to-be Jesus Ramirez added the extra point out of the snap of Ian Clifton and hold of Hogan that would prove to be the game winner.

Russo continued, “This team and program’s potential is through the roof. We need to finish strong in final exams and then close the gap between us and East Union, Baldwyn, Walnut, and the rest in the weight room in summer workouts.”

At the conclusion of spring, the coaches voted on the first annual Payne Spring Football Award named for Deundra Payne, who is considered one of the top players to come through the program since its inception in 2010. Bridges won the Line Division and Baldwin won the Skill Division after a coaches’ vote.

The winners had to be present at all 14 MHSAA allowed practices, the spring game, and have exceptional attitude, work ethic, and leadership.