The Choctaw County Chargers are entering a new era. A new athletic director, a new head football coach, two new coaches, a new stadium underway, and a new classification – well sort of new. It also closes the end of a chapter as the 2023-2024 Chargers will be the last team to step foot on Dale Davidson field.
Dillon Mitchell takes the helm of the Choctaw County Chargers. Mitchell, not a stranger to football or the area, comes from a line of coaches. His dad, Jamie Mitchell, coached at Starkville, Itawamba, and is now coaching in Tuscaloosa at Hillcrest High School.
He was an assistant coach at Louisville High School and several other schools and served as head coach at Northeast Lauderdale High School.
Mitchell comes to a team that has all the pieces there, that has proved they can get North Half, compete in playoffs, and go the distance – but Choctaw County has to do the one thing it’s battled to do – finish the job they started. In the past few years, The County has proven that you must go through Choctaw to get to state, no matter the sport.
But the monkey on the Chargers’ back is getting out of their own heads and removing the cloud of the unspoken “Choctaw County checkout.” It just takes someone to take the time to shine the diamonds in the rough – and Mitchell’s the man for the job.
To do this, he enlisted two coaches that he’s coached with for quite a while to join an already knowledgeable staff. Mustaffa Ibrahim and Steve Miller join Hayden Hulett, Shaine Talley, Trey Gant, and Bobby Joe Woodard to complete the Chargers football staff.
“I brought two coaches with me. Mustaffa Ibrahim is my offensive coordinator. Mustaffa has been with me for three to four years. Mitchell said that Ibrahim excels in the position and will also serve as the powerlifting coach.
“I’m glad to have him on board. He has an idea of where we want to be offensively.” Mitchell said.
He also brought along Steve Miller. Miller’s been in the junior college sector for a while for coming back to high school. He did a head coaching stint at Coahoma Community College and was the defensive coordinator for Mississippi Delta Community College before taking the position with Mitchell.
“He’s the defensive coordinator and will work with the linebackers. He has a knack for reaching young men,” Mitchell said.
Ibrahim and Miller join Hayden Hullett, Shaine Talley, Trey Gant, and Bobby Woodard. Hullett works with the secondary, Talley works with the defensive line, Gant is the running back and special teams coach, and Woodard works with the receivers.
“Hayden’s a true student of the game. Always thinking of ways to get better and bouncing ideas off of me and Coach Miller. The kids know what he demands, and they love playing for him. Shane’s a local guy. He went to Weir, and he’s been here since the school started. He’s well thought of and a hard worker. He’s a great guy,” he said. “Bobby’s on the offensive side. He works with the receivers. He’s knowledgeable about the offensive side. The kids know him. They know when he says something, he expects it to happen. Trey works with the running backs and has a really good group. He also works with our special teams. He’s very hands on,” he said.
After spending a couple of seasons in 2A, Choctaw County is returning to 3A football. The County will face old foes like Nettleton, Aberdeen, and Mooreville. While seeing new opponents like Clarkdale, New Hope, Ripley, and Yazoo County.
At quarterback, Chargers will be led by Sophomore Kenyauta “KJ” Cork. During the 2022-2023 season, Cork had a completion rate of 78 of 140 and threw for 1,056 yards for nine touchdowns and seven interceptions.
“KJ’s gonna be our number one, Jalon [James] will be our number two and Jack [Hood] will be the quarterback of the JV. Jalon’s also going to be on the defensive side as a safety. That combination seems to work well and we can offer different packages,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said he’s seen the strides and improvements that Cork has made, and within the next couple of years, as he settles into the position, he believes he will be someone to watch.
“KJ’s getting better by the day. We film our practices, and as soon as it is uploaded, he watches practice. He’s like a sponge,” Mitchell said. Last season, as a Freshman, Cork led the Chargers to a 6-6 season, 3-1 overall in the district. The Chargers made it to the third round of playoffs but had their season cut by the Charleston Tigers, who won North Half and went on to Hattiesburg.
“In the next three years, he’s really going to put a mark. I’m excited to see what’s ahead,” Mitchell said.
The Chargers are stacked with talent, but there are some diamonds in the rough that, with enough elbow grease, can be key players. Everyone knows about Caleb, the Junior is a 5-star that has garnered offers from many teams. But, with a little work the Chargers have a few more, just like him, laying in wait.
This year’s team has 16 seniors: Tayshawn King, Jahiem Woodard, Cameron Lee, Jalon James, Jaquan Lewis, Ja’Quan Pratt, Braxton Shumaker, Zabaius Miller, Javeryn Arterberry, Trenaevius Liggins, Kameron Pratt, Marqeace Brown, Jae’Din Thames, Jerious Miller, Johnathon Richardo, and Harvey Jobe, and even with a big senior class, the Chargers still have alot of up and coming talent.
He said there are a few players that have the potential to turn this season into their pivotal moment. “It’s their moment. It’s their time to shine now,” Mitchell said.
The goal for Mitchell this year is simple, one team at a time, one opponent at a time. First things first, conquering the regular season.
The Chargers faced Kemper County in the Louisville Jamboree last Friday night and tonight open playing their last “first” home game at the Dale against Clarkdale, last year the 2A Region 5 Bulldogs went 8-3, losing to Hazelhurst in the playoffs, the most points the Bulldog defensive game up that year, losing 26-6.
After facing the Bulldogs, which is sure to be a battle of the defenses. The Chargers travel to Lowndes County to take on the New Hope Trojans, another newcomer.
Then, the Chargers stay on the road and travel to Tippah County to take on the Ripley Tigers. The Tigers finished 10-2 last season, falling to Louisville to end the season.
The Chargers remain on the road and travel to Winona to take on the Tigers in the Battle of the Big Black.
In the now long-standing series, between the two, Winona has dominated the Chargers.
After traveling up 413 and 407 to Winona, they return home to face another newcomer the Yazoo County Panthers. The Panthers will travel to Ackerman on Sept. 22 for homecoming.
“We’re going to be tested early on. Our top three teams have a combined 30 wins. We want to tested early before you get to division play. We’re going to have to attack every day,” he said.
But, what’s a Charger football schedule without the Highway 15 and the Highway 9 Bowls against East Webster and Eupora?
Just wouldn’t be right.
With no days off, the Chargers roll right into division play and open the division with the Highway 15 Bowl in Cumberland.
The two battled each other in 2A Region 5 and both moved to 3A Region 4.
It’s a first for the Wolverines but a welcome back for the Chargers. After meeting their longtime foe, Aberdeen gives the Chargers it’s first welcome back to division and 3A at the Dale. The Chargers are then on the road to Mooreville and finish out the division at home against Nettleton.
Then, the Chargers end the season with Senior Night and a final goodbye to Dale Davidson field to Eupora. As the Highway 9 Bowl will take place for the very last time on Highway 15 at the Dale.
And the Dale lights will be shut off for the very last time for the Chargers regular season.
Saddle up Chargers fans! Friday Night Lights are back, and the County boys are back in town.
