By Zac Chamblee
Sumrall was a freshmen-heavy team in 2015, and their record (3-8) backed that up. A year older in 2016, the Bobcats pushed their win total to 5-6, barely missing out on the playoffs. The program is ready to take another step forward and see where that leads them in 2017.
“The core of our team is juniors,” Sumrall head coach Shannon White said. “Those guys have played a lot of games, and many started as freshmen and sophomores. We’ve got a good senior group, too. It’s a small group, but they are outstanding and providing us with good leadership.”
“They’re not new to the Friday night experience,” White added. “Quite naturally, they’re a little bigger, stronger and faster because they’re a year older. So we have high expectations, for sure.”
Offense:
Dannis Jackson will quarterback the Bobcats after spending the previous two seasons at wide receiver. Jackson, a junior dual-threat option, is one of the state’s most coveted 2019 recruits. LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Southern Miss highlight his offer sheet to this point.
“Our best chance to win games on Friday night is for him to be the quarterback. Not receiver,” White said. “He’s embraced that and understands that. I think he’s going to do an outstanding job for us.”
Up to six players could see action in the backfield at running back next to Jackson. Ty’Rek Preston, the team’s second-leading rusher in 2016, returns for his junior season. Gabe Cocroft, Nijewel Coleman, Billy Garrity, Derrick Lemieux and TJ Varnado will also see significant action there.
“In our Wing-T set, we’ll play six guys back there,” White said. “We’ll rotate them in and out, and all of those guys will play some defense. It’s good to be able to have some depth where you can rest some people. I feel good about our two-deep, three running back positions.”
“We’ve got running backs that will do some things, and I like our offensive line,” White added. “We can’t be one-dimensional. That’s for sure.”
Look for Garrity, along with Zane Berry and Matthew Cronin to make big contributions at wide receiver for the Bobcats. Behind Dannis Jackson, Garrity and Berry were the Bobcats’ second and third-leading receivers, respectively, in 2016. Tight end Graham Crawford, Solomon Landrum and Tommy Lott are expected to contribute in both the passing and running game.
Terry Davis, a 6-foot-1 senior, will anchor the Bobcats’ offensive line from his center position. Mark Brady, John Faler, Kobe Gerald and Justice Hanberry are expected to fill out the rest of the line.
Defense:
Most contributors on the Bobcat offense will also be tasked with playing defense.
Terry Davis, Kobe Gerald, Hunter Hanberry and Solomon Landrum will be factors on the defensive line. Graham Crawford and Ty’Rek Preston will see a lot of time at linebacker. At defensive back, Nijewel Coleman, a junior, returns after leading the team in total tackles (101) in 2016. Zane Berry, Billy Garrity and Dannis Jackson will also play a lot of defensive back for the Bobcats.
Special Teams:
Hunter Hanberry returns for his senior season and will handle extra points, field goals and kickoffs. Payne Phillips and Grant Ready will compete for the starting punting job.
