Choctaw County will attempt to duplicate, or even surpass, the success of the 2019 season, but the Chargers will have to do so without its entire offensive line and leading ball carrier. Choctaw County finished 11-4 in Jeff Roberts' first year as coach, including 4-0 in Region 4-3A, and won 10 straight before a loss to Noxubee County in the North State final. Much of the success was due to a ground game that rolled up 3,929 yards, averaging 7.2 per carry. The five starters on the offensive line graduated and Dicenzo Miller transferred after running for 1,456 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore because his father is a coach at Kemper County. “You can't blame a kid for wanting to be coached by his father,” Roberts said. Antonio Kennedy carried 87 times for 760 yards (8.7 average) and six TDs. “Antonio will be the work horse, but there are guys behind him working for the second spot,” Roberts said. Dajuan Woods, a junior, and sophomores Tyreese Miller and Omar Scott are speedsters. Senior Justin Jenkins and sophomore Eli Dale are the H-backs. They will run behind a rebuilt offensive line, led by senior Brandon Merritt. “I considered him the sixth best offensive lineman last year, but he could easily have been a starter,” Roberts said. “He's going to be a leader on the offensive line and probably on the defensive line.” There is plenty of competition for the other starting spots, as is true at most positions. Seniors Justin Goodin and Caleb Burdine are leading candidates, each with good size. The roster lists Goodin at 6-1 and 230, Burdine 6-0 and 240. “There are some young guys who are hungry to take those spots. Everything is pretty much open,” Roberts said. Two-year starter Tylan Carter returns at quarterback after a strong junior season. He was 63 of 120 passing for 867 yards and 11 touchdowns and carried 142 times for 1,087 yards (7.7 average) and 12 TDs. “Tylan had a really good summer. We're working on some things to open up his playbook a little bit,” Roberts said. Junior Connor Jewell is a talented backup, who has also been working at receiver. “I'm happy with my one and two quarterbacks,” Roberts said. “Not too many teams would say with the one and two quarterbacks, you would be in good shape with either one in there.” Senior Ques McNeal leads the receiving corps. He averaged nearly 25 yards last year with 11 receptions for 269 yards and seven TDs. Senior Zay White and juniors Clark Crowley and Chase Turner will also see time as receivers. The defense is led by senior linebacker Brian Threadgill, who led the team in tackles last year with 130, 83 solos. He played on the outside a year ago, but has been working inside and outside in practices. There are several players fighting for playing time at linebacker, including sophomores Alex Telano and Wesley Vowell. “They're similar types of kids. They do what you tell them,” Roberts said. “They're quick and they are not afraid to hit you.” There's also competition on the defensive line. Zach Hoskins returns after an injury cut short his sophomore season short. He had 27 tackles before the injury in the sixth game of the season against Clarksdale. Sophomores Kash Stribling and Kaleb Robinson figure in the defensive line mix and Dale will see time as a hybrid linebacker/defensive end. There are three returning starters in the secondary, McNeal and junior Tyson Coleman at the corners and Woods at safety. McNeal had four interceptions a year ago, Coleman three. “There are a lot of kids getting reps for the other defensive back spot, especially young kids,” Roberts said. “You're not guaranteed a starting spot even if you took reps last year. Someone is going to try to take your spot.” Junior Trace Beard will again handle the kicking duties. He made 49 of 56 PATs, three of four field goal attempts and averaged 41 yards punting last year. He also might see time at H-back and linebacker. Choctaw County will defend its 4-3A championship against region rivals Noxubee County, Houston, Aberdeen and Hatley. The Chargers defeated Noxubee County in the regular season, but Noxubee won a rematch in the North State final. “I would make the argument that we are one of the top two districts in the state in 3A,” Roberts said. “Noxubee is going to bring it. Houston is going to bring it. Hatley has a new coach. Aberdeen is going to be improved.” Houston reached the third round of the playoffs before losing to Noxubee in triple overtime. Roberts said conditioning and depth will be key factors in a season that is unusual due to the pandemic. “I have a few buddies in the coaching profession. We have had a couple of conversations about what the key is for this year. It's going to be the team that has the most depth and it's going to be the team that's in really good shape. There's some rust that we are all trying to knock off.” 2020 Choctaw County Chargers Football Roster #2 AJ Shelton SO. WR/DB #44 Caden Yarbrough FR. RB/LB #3 Chase Turner JR. WR/DB #45 Brady Turnipseed SO. HB/DL #4 Alex Telano SO. WR/LB #46. Derrick Floyd FR RB/DL #5 Tylan Carter SR. QB/DB #48 Braden McGee SO. HB/LB #6 Dajuan Woods JR. RB/DB #50 Kaleb Robinson SO. OL/DL #7 Clark Crowley JR. WR/DB #51 JJ Miller FR. OL/DL #8 Quay Lane SO. WR/DB #52 Zach Hoskins JR. OL/DL #9 Terrance McNeal SO. WR/DB #53 Jase Medina SO. OL/DL #10 Trace Beard Jr. H/LB/P/K #54 Tamarion Fleming FR. OL/DL #11 Ques McNeal SR. WR/DB #55 Mooka Hardin SO. OL/DL #12 Connor Jewell JR. WR/DB #56 Cameron Lee FR. OL/DL #13 Zay White SR. WR/DB #57 Riley White FR. OL/LB #14 Wesley Vowell SO. WR/LB #59 Brandon Merritt SR. OL/DL #15 Trey Liggins FR. RB/DB #60 Dschiedrich (Dee) Paden SO. OL/DL #16. Jalon James FR. QB/DB #61 Justin Goodin SR. OL/DL #17 Justin Jenkins SR. HB/LB #65 Eli Cook SO. OL/DL #18 Tyson Coleman JR. WR/DB #66 Eli Fulce SO. OL/DL #19 Jaheim Woodard FR. WR/DB #67 Jacob Bramlett SO. OL/DL #20 Logan Hoskins SO. HB/LB #71 Samuel Dempsey SO. OL/DL #21 Zabaius Miller FR. RB/DB #72 Kash Stribling SO. OL/DL #22 Omar Scott FR. RB/LB #73 Cordarius Brown FR. OL/LB #23 Brian Threadgill SR. HB/LB #74 Caleb Burdine SR. OL/DL #24 Secatra Miller SO. WR/DB #75 Gavin Arnault SO. OL/DL #25 Robert Edwards JR. WR/DB #76 Riley Sheedy JR. OL/DL #26 JaQuan Lewis FR. WR/DB #80 Javontaye Robinson FR. TE/LB #27 Paxton Hammons JR. WR/DB #82 Hunter Smith JR. WR/DB #28 Jay Arterberry FR RB/DL #85 Tyler Boyd SO. TE/DL #30 Marquece Brown FR. RB/DB #87 Wade Williams SO. WR/DB #32 Landon Toombs JR. HB/LB #88 Luke Beard SO. HB/DL #34 Tyreese Miller JR. RB/DB #90 Calvin Roberts SO. TE/DL #35 Antonio Kennedy SO. RB/DB #98 Jae’din Thames FR. RB/LB #36 Eli Dale SO. HB/DL #99 Jaylin Shaw FR. TE/DL #40. Quan Pratt FR. WR/DB
