Its incomplete! Its incomplete! The joy could be heard in Glen Beard and Chris Threadgills voices on WFCA as Noxubee Countys quarterback Kamario Taylor threw a third incomplete pass. It was the moment that Beard, Threadgill and anyone listening, watching or viewing the game in person realized that an athletic dream that has been top priority since the combining of Weir High School and Ackerman High School was so close to being achieved. And when Noxubee County didnt field the punt that Jack Hood pinned deep, that dream became a reality in The Rock on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi. Wheres Glen? Glens ran on the field! As commentators fought their own tears, you could hear the absolute glee. A dream that has been in the hearts of many Choctaw County residents has been fulfilled. In its short period, Choctaw County has seen three different coaches before Head Coach Dillon Mitchell. Each with the same goal bring back a gold ball. Only one of the three Jeff Roberts has almost seen this goal fulfilled, but Mitchell was the man for the job to bring it into fruition. All the chips fell into place for Choctaw County, as the team fought through its own physical pain and for some players like Jeramiah Miller, who played with emotional preservance for his dad who couldnt make it. All the stars lined up together in Hattiesburg and the stage was set, the Chargers just had to play it out. A Decade Long Drought Two Decades. The last time a gold ball has ever graced Choctaw County was in 2003 when the former Weir High School defeated Scott Central. A barn burner that has been in the making for quite some time. A rematch that has been six years in the making, finally came to head in M. M. Roberts Stadium, when the County Boys came face to face with Da County the Noxubee County Tigers. No one chose the Chargers to win, everyone predicted it to be a tough one but a battle that Noxubee pulled out. Score for score, a defensive battle to the very end. A battle of Kamario Taylor v. Ben Shumaker, KJ Co r k / Ca l e b Cunningham v. Jaiden Taylor and it was one that will be remembered for years to come. All Glory to God! Head Coach Dillon Mitchell told Chris Coleman as he interviewed him for WFCA. This community has been starved for a win, Mitchell said as he fought back tears. The Chargers finally etched their name in the history books of Choctaw County, a county rich in football tradition. A County that has been waiting to see if the Chargers could really pull it off since August 2013, when Choctaw County High School opened its doors. Mitchell had one goal to get the gold ball. And he accomplished it in his second year. Mitchell sets his own place in history as the youngest coach in Choctaw County High School history to achieve this. Under Mitchell, Choctaw County has now won its first North Half State Championship, its first championship and the county won its first 3A championship. There are seven 1A championships in the county and two 2A championships. A Run for Two As the dust settles from Thursday, emotions still ran high. Monday night, to cap off the 2024 Choctaw County/Town of Ackerman Parade, a firework display was shot off in honor of the Chargers win. A special night for a special group of young men, who faced all odds and conquered what some people felt was unconquerable. While others settle into basketball season and Mitchell puts on his athletic director hat, the 2025 season isnt far from his mind or anyone elses for that matter. The County Boys will lose two district foes one a longtime rival and another a newly formed one and will gain the 2023 3A State Champions, the Winona Tigers and Noxubee County. Along with Aberdeen and Nettleton, the 2025 season is settling in to be an interesting one. But, have to get through the Spring first. No worries, for the Chargers there are no days off as its back to the lab. And we, cant wait to see what the County Boys do. But, for now, well relish in this. Congratulations Chargers!
