HATTIESBURG – As Deonte Yarbrough stood on the field Saturday afternoon, the senior wore a smile so bright it could illuminate the 90-foot video screen in the north end zone of M.M. Roberts Stadium.
The quarterback maneuvered around his teammates and coaches, stopping for hugs and pictures, before finally settling on the sideline to receive his Most Valuable Player plaque from MHSAA officials for his part in Louisville's 25-20 MHSAA Class 4A State Championship win over Poplarville. Four months ago when an early season ankle injury left his status this year in doubt, even Yarbrough had a difficult time believing Saturday’s story would end this way.
“I got hurt the first play of the game (in) the first game of the season,” Yarbrough said. “I was just going through a lot. I was down a little bit. I wanted to quit because I was getting depressed and stuff but my coach talked to me. He said, ‘Stay with it. We have something special to do.’ And we came out here and did it.”
Special is one of many adjectives that could describe Yarbrough’s impact Saturday.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Yarbrough threw and ran his way to Louisville’s ninth state championship. He had four 20-plus runs with a long of 36 to finish with a game-high 160 yards rushing on 19 carries (8.4 yards per rush). He threw for 140 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, including a 28-yard, go-ahead touchdown pass to Niselbyion Kirk.
“He can run the ball, he can read defenses, and he can throw the ball pretty well,” Louisville coach M.C. Miller said.
Yarbrough missed seven games this year and watched as backup quarterback Drea Shumaker stabilized Louisville’s offense in his absence. As the Wildcats compiled the wins, Yarbrough took the steps through rehabilitation to return.
He got his chance against Forest on Oct. 11, as he went 3-for-9 for 44 yards passing with an interception and ran four times for four yards in Louisville’s 49-3 win against the Bearcats.
“I was a little nervous, but I got the jitters out,” said Yarbrough of his first game back.
As he became more confident in his ankle and acclimated himself to the game again, Yarbrough’s numbers improved. He threw 25 passes and had 11 rushes against Kosciusko, and by early November, Yarbrough finally appeared to have returned to form. He threw for 232 yards and one touchdown and ran for 71 yards and three touchdowns on Nov. 9 in a 59-0 shutout victory again Clarksdale.
Yarbrough’s impact this postseason can’t be understated.
In Louisville’s five playoff contests, Yarbrough passed for 674 yards and seven touchdowns against three interceptions, and he rushed for 460 yards and seven touchdowns.
Miller said his quarterback has also been a model teammate off the field.
“He’s a good kid,” Miller said. “He’ll do everything you ask him and he’s never a problem. You don’t have to worry about anything with Deonte – he does a good job.”
Saturday’s win capped a 43-15 prep record for Yarbrough. While he’s accumulated a lifetime of memories during his four years, winning the state championship game MVP award and the state crown on the same day won’t soon be topped.
“It’s a blessing,” Yarbrough said. “I didn’t expect it. I was just playing hard. This means a lot to me. I’m going to be able to tell my kids about this one day about what I did.”
