For the last three seasons, the East Webster Wolverines have relied heavily on the work of defensive lineman Cameron Jennings, quarterback Steven Betts and offensive lineman Preston Hill.
All three have set the example for teammates on what an unselfish player looks like on a successful football team and all three were rewarded on Wednesday morning. That reward came in the form of a spot on the next level as Jennings signed his papers to play for Holmes Community College, Betts to Southwest Community College and Hill to Millsaps College.
It was the culmination of years of hard work on the field in the maroon and white.
“I’m thankful that they’re rewarded. A lot of times the offensive and defensive line goes unnoticed by the untrained eye, but colleges know what they’re looking for,” head coach Ron Price said. “Cam has been a huge cog for us being able to control the defensive line. Preston Hill has been a three-year starter for us on the offensive line and has been the leader there for the last two years.
“Steven has been a three-year starter for us and the kid has done everything we ask him to do. He’s been unbelievable for us on Friday nights and the kids on our team knew when the lights came on that he would give us everything he had.”
Jennings is headed to Goodman after being the heart of the Wolverines defense the last three season. The 5’11, 300-pounder was solid as a rock in the middle at defensive tackle and often took on double teams that would free up his linebackers and defensive ends to make plays.
The ridiculously-strong big man was also a powerlifting workhorse as he broke three north state records in Class 2A for squat, bench and overall weight lifted. Jennings reports his personal best last year was 440 pounds on the bench press, an astounding 800 pound squad and 555 pounds on the deadlift. There was a reason Holmes, Pearl River and Mississippi Delta were all hot on his trail trying to get him to sign.
“Every opportunity that I get, I try to take advantage of it. I look at it as a chance that may can change my life. I thank God for it,” Jennings said. “My job has been no guts, no glory. My coach always told me my job was to make the linebackers look good. It takes a lot of discipline and once you get the hang of it it’s a big role to fill.”
On the other side of the line was an equally unselfish blocker in Hill who was a wanted man by Millsaps because of his play on the field and his work in the classroom. Millsaps boasts one of the best academic institutions in the state of Mississippi and Hill will get the chance to play football along with build his career.
After being a key part of an offensive line that really made things click for the Wolverines’ offense the last couple of years, he learned the value of teamwork and how to get the job done. Millsaps felt like the right spot to take that to the next level.
“Everybody is so friendly there, but it was really the Pre-Med that brought me there. They have a 100% acceptance rate and I’m planning on going to medical school after a graduate. It sounded like a good deal to me,” Hill said. “They were thrilled to have me there and really want me to play something on the offensive line.”
Betts played in a position that offered a little more spotlight but he also was willing to do what was asked of him. Over the course of the last three years, the quarterback threw for 2,945 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for another 3,153 yards and 32 touchdowns.
He was a dynamic playmaker that made things click for the Wolverines, but his future appears to be on the other side of the ball. After making the Bernard Blackwell North/South All-Star game, Betts played linebacker and was named the North Defensive MVP. That brought attention from around the state in junior colleges and Southwest stood out the most as former EMCC Defensive Coordinator took over as head coach and immediately made a run at Betts to play LB.
“It’s a pretty special moment. Not many kids get to live this and you just have to take it one day at a time,” Betts said. “It was special to me that coaches had interest in me around the state. I love coach Collins and that’s one of the main reasons that I committed there. He’s just like another dad. He told me that he knew that I would be a great linebacker after watching my film.”
All three players went from Starkville Daily News All-Area members in 2020 to future stars on the next level and their time in Cumberland is drawing short. It’s a trio of players that Price said won’t be replaced.
EWHS has been better off with those three in their program, according to their coaches. They’re destined for great things but they left their mark on EWHS.
“The sad part is that they won’t be East Webster Wolverines anymore. Once they finish playing for us and they have the opportunity to go to the next level, as a coach that’s what you dream about,” Price said. “To have these three young men going to programs that best fit their needs, I’m excited for them and look forward to keeping up with them and hopefully they’ll make us proud.”
