By Zac Chamblee
PCS had its best season in school history last year and is hoping to continue building off that success in 2017. Justin and Rush Stewart, Luke Hudson and Isaiah Woullard are just a few of the players they will have to do it without. Bobcat head coach Joey Hawkins knows those four, especially Woullard, an Ole Miss signee, will be near-impossible to replace. Still, the Bobcats will return a core that has Hawkins excited for more.
“We’re tremendously pleased and impressed with our whole team,” Hawkins said. “Everybody made the number of workouts they were supposed to. We’ve got some guys with a great work ethic and guys with a motor that have really been intense.”
As always with the Bobcats, keeping players healthy and on the field will be of the utmost importance.
“When you have 30-something players, the No. 1 thing is staying healthy,” Hawkins said. “We have to be able to keep our top 15 players in the ballgame.”
Offense:
Starting at the top, Brandon Thornton will replace Luke Hudson at quarterback. Last year as a sophomore, Thornton started at wide receiver for the Bobcats and led the team in every receiving category. His progress in this larger role has thoroughly impressed his head coach.
“We knew he would be the quarterback, and he’s taken a great leadership role,” Hawkins said. “He’s getting better every day. He has been off the charts.”
As previously mentioned, the biggest loss for the Bobcats was no doubt Isaiah Woullard, who finished his career as Mississippi’s all-time leading rusher. Hawkins always felt comfortable giving Woullard up to 30 or more carries per game. Hawkins expects that 30 to be split with the stable of players they have coming back.
“We think Sheldon James will have a terrific year,” Hawkins said. “He’s worked hard and has started for two years, carrying the ball 3-4 times a game. Now he’s going to have to carry it 10-12. Alden Rhian is another guy that’s been injured this summer but is really starting to make some moves. He’s going to do a great job. Eric Robinson, we’ll move him around the field because he’s a playmaker. We’ve got 4-5 more that are coming.”
As always, the success of their running game will start and end with the offensive line; a unit Hawkins is quick to call the strength of this year’s team. Jared Clinton, Eddie Fairchild, Matthew Morgan, Weston Rogers and DJ Shows highlight that group. Tight ends Thomas Holford and Tyson Keys also return and will help in both the running and passing game.
At wide receiver, the Bobcats are expecting big things from Taylor Bailey, Alden Rhian, Eric Robinson and Barrett Slonaker.
Defense:
With eight starters coming back, another strength of this year’s team will be the defense as a whole. That starts up front with a deep defensive line rotation. Jared Clinton, Thomas Holford, Tyson Keys, Matthew Morgan, Weston Rogers and DJ Shows will see a lot of playing time there.
Nathan Griffin and Harrison St. John will highlight their linebacking corps. Sheldon James, Cal Lee, Jack Patterson and Jake Sumrall are a few players Hawkins expects to play there, too.
Taylor Bailey, Brandon Ducksworth, Nick Fokakis, Nathaniel Hudson, Alden Rhian, Barrett Slonaker, Brandon Thornton and Camp Tice are some names to watch in the defensive backfield.
Special Teams:
The Bobcats return both of their kickers from last year in Jack Runnells and O’Neill Walters. Hawkins expects newcomer Garrett Lunceford will get a shot to play, as well.
