Denym Mitchell, Rickey Banks, Jaiden Johnson, Marquis Williams, Micah Jones, Tyrone Richardson, Ryan McCall, Myles Miller, Jameson Mosley, Marvaiyan Jackson, Ryan Delaney, Shane Gillam, Zay Hart, Glen Singleton, RJ Brown, Warren Hutchinson, Weston Rogers, Ben Picarella, Tripp Higgins, Demarian Kidd, Reese Moseley, Abraham Hall, Jamison Kelly, Thabani Maposa, Mason James, Javon Blackmon, Titus Amos, Coleman Hall, Jamarcus Minor, Mykel Hogue, Coleman Andy, Rob Bradley, Korey Robinson, Will Shoemake, John Samuel, Demarion Coleman, Mack Ward, Connor Green, Kevon Johnson, Ashton Fuquay, Asher Williams, Cal Lloyd, Rhett Russell, Avery Jackson, Zavian Bush, Dillan Laugand, Caydon Jones, Tucker Bryans, Micah Searcy, Greg Brown, Marcus Johnson, Damorian Smith, Ronderius King, Carter Dean, Benny David, Tyler Smith, Wilson Caudell, Carson Joiner, Heed Burnham, Eli Bowen, KJ Martin, Tanner Moore, Deandre Johnson, Hayden Seal, Gideon Braddy, Joseph Cyrus, Walt Copeland, Parker Montgomery, Deantae Johnson, Yerger Simpson, Carter Moody, Reeve Myrick, Breckon Gibson, Terry Harden, Keevon Jacobs, John Griffin, Kyce Merritt, Jordan McCullough, Josiah Keyes, Trashun Brown, Mayes Johnson, Carter Ashley, Myles Payne, Dylan Tat, Andrew Pate, Tyler Price, Zach Magro, Conner Wade, Brandon Huerkamp, Stevie Derusso, Cullen Thomas, Jack Richardson, Jackson George, Bryant White, Dillon Marshall, Christian Johnson.
If the season opener last Friday night was an indicator of how the season will go, Jaguar Nation won’t have any fingernails left by the end. It sure wasn’t pretty but Madison Central got out of the gates with an unlikely win. The Jaguars simply found a way to beat Ocean Springs 15-14 with a last second field goal in “The Jungle.”
“That was just bizarre. I’m in my 24th year of coaching and I’ve never been a part of an ending like that, a kid kicking three times to win it,” said Jaguars Head Coach Toby Collums. “We line-up, make the kick, they were offsides, we line up again hit the upright but thankfully they rough the kicker. We get a third chance and Jack Richardson nails the 20 yarder from a tough angle.”
Madison Central led the game 10-7 with 3:00 to play in the 4th quarter when Sophomore QB Ben Picarella
couldn’t handle a snap on his own 14 and the Greyhounds recovered. They scored a few plays later to take a 14-10 lead. Picarella led the team down the field but was intercepted at the 18-yard line with just 1:34 to play. The defense stood strong and Collums burned all three time outs to preserve time. Ocean Springs took a safety rather than punting the ball from its own end zone which made it 14-12. Picarella then found junior wide receiver Ryan Delaney, who made a remarkable leaping catch, at the nine-yard line with 15 seconds left. That led to the three field goal attempts.
“For us to even have a chance to win the game was just remarkable. Credit to our defense for keeping us in the game as our offense struggled,” said Collums. “This win goes a long way for building our confidence going forward.”
Odds are that the Jaguars will have to be much sharper this week as they play host to Brandon. The Bulldogs come in licking their wounds after a 28-21 loss last week at home to Picayune, which won the 5A State Championship last year and have since moved up to 6A. Maroon Tide running back Chris Davis gashed the Bulldogs for 227 yards on 44 carries. Brandon only managed 41 yards rushing, 37 of which came on a touchdown by senior Nate Blount. Senior quarterback Landon Varnes was held in check most of the night throwing for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns, the last coming in the final moments of the game.
“They (Picayune) did a great job of putting pressure on him (Varnes) and made him uncomfortable. It looked like Brandon got away from the running game early, partly because they were playing catch-up,” said Collums. “I expect us to get a big dose of Blount this week.”
Madison’s defense is not overly big, weight wise, but they sure make up for that in quickness. Junior defensive linemen Myles Miller, Korey Robinson and Damorian Smith will need to have a big game this week. The linebacking corps is the Jaguars strength. Senior Ryan McCall leads the group as a three-year starter and is coming off a 20 tackle performance against Ocean Springs. Collums says senior Jameson Mosely had a tremendous offseason by putting on some weight, getting bigger, stronger and faster. Collums says they are leaning on having a ton of experience as they return seven starters and while not very big, he’s got 11 guys who swarm to the football quickly. Brandon brings in a tough test for the defense as the Dogs run a high tempo offense.
“They always have a good game plan for us,” said Collums. “Landon Varnes is clearly one of the best quarterbacks I’ve seen. He’s got a big arm, runs the tempo offense well and I’ve never seen him throw a bad ball. We have got to get pressure on him.”
Offensively the Jaguars are a work in progress. Junior quarterback Jaiden Johnson earned the start last week but suffered a bruised shoulder in the early going, which put everything in the hands of Picarella. Collums says it’s still an open competition for quarterback. Johnson is the more mobile of the two, while Picarella is a headsy pocket passer with a strong arm. The non-conference schedule will serve as the auditions for the eventual starter who the Jags hope to settle on by the time region play starts. Whoever the signal caller is, they have a great target in the junior receiver Ryan Delaney. Delaney not only has great hands and runs great routes, he is also a very good blocker. The running backs operate in a rotation with junior Glen Singleton and senior Marvaiyan Jackson. Singleton is the tough hard-nosed runner that will bull you over, while Singleton is the speedster that just needs a crease to get loose.
“Our offense has got to clean things up this week. We turned the ball over four times and left our defense on the field most of the game,” said Collums. “We’ve got to grow up quick, it’s truly trial by fire.”
This will be the second powerhouse in a row on the non-conference schedule and Collums loves having this rivalry game with Brandon. He says it’s big for the fans and creates a playoff type atmosphere. He knows playing this tough schedule early will make them better when region play starts and for the playoffs. It’s not for the faint of heart, and Jaguar Nation may consider investing in a good pair of gloves, if they’d like to have any fingernails left by the end of the season.
Keys to Victory:
For Madison Central:
On offense, don’t turn the ball over. It remains to be seen if Jaiden Johnson will be available this week. Either way Ben Picarella is going to have to be smart with the football by not forcing it in tight windows and handling the snaps. The running game is will have to be effective as well to not only keep the Bulldog offense off the field, but give the defense some rest.
Defensively, expect Brandon to give the ball early and often to running back Nate Blount. It will be up to the strength of the Jags defense, the linebackers, to keep him from breaking through the second level. Quarterback Landon Varnes will undoubtedly test the secondary with some shots down the field, so the defensive backs will have to be on the top of their game.
The Series: Madison Central leads 8-6.
Last Match-Up: Brandon won 28-7 in 2022 regular season.
AT A GLANCE:
Madison Central
Class/Division: 7A Region 2 (MHSAA)
Record: 1-0 overall, 0-0 in Region
Head Coach: Toby Collums
Assistant Coaches: Jonathan Brooks, Dusty Finley, Jay Livingston, Mike Hendershot, Terrance Robinson, Tate Rogers, Britt Rowell, Ben Shelton, Cody Upton, Brady Hoda.
Brandon
Class/Division: 7A Region 2
Record: 0-1 overall, 0-0 in Region
Head Coach: Sam Williams
Assistant Coaches: Randy West, Greg Robinson, Wyatt Rogers, Skyler Parker, Nathan McLaurin, Tyler Stanley, Eugene Clinton, Clark Pullen, Bryce Middleton
