One of Detrick Munford’s fondest memories comes from the football field.
It’s from a game the standout Amanda Elzy High School defensive lineman played last Sept. 24 against J.Z. George High School. The Panthers went into North Carrollton and beat the Jaguars 42-6, and Munford posted five tackles, three sacks and three blocked punts.
“That’s probably one of my best games,” said Munford, who is a junior.
All of Munford’s family was there in support, including his uncle, Danny Munford; his aunt, Helen Munford; and his cousin, JaDarrion Munford, a J.Z. George eighth-grader.
As he recalled that night, you could still see the pain in his eyes as they seemed to well up with tears — but he fought them off.
He spoke less than two weeks after a swarm of dangerous tornadoes carved their way across parts of Mississippi, leveling small communities including Rolling Fork and Silver City.
On that tragic day of March 24, a tornado struck Summerfield where his uncle, aunt and cousin lived. That night, 21 Mississippians perished in the storms, including those three close members of Munford’s family.
“My uncle, he was a workaholic. He used to provide for his family, him and his wife. His kid was the same way,” Munford recalled. “My cousin, I remember going up there on Saturdays and riding four-wheelers with him and stuff. He was a good kid. I treated him like he was my brother.”
Munford, a 6-foot-3 terror to opposing quarterbacks, has been a bright light for Elzy’s defensive front. Last season, he had 51 tackles, five tackles for loss, 11 sacks and four pass deflections, earning a spot on the All-Commonwealth team. He also plays on the offensive line as well.
March 25 was the day when he had planned to visit Mississippi State University, which he said is his “dream school.”
After the terrible events of the day before, most would have skipped the visit, but he said his dad, Detrick Munford Sr., made sure that he didn’t pass up the opportunity.
Detrick Munford
“At first, I didn’t want to go,” he said. “I was going to tell coach (Rod Gibson) that I wanted to reschedule, but my dad told me, ‘You are going to have to go through adversity in life.’ My dad lost both his parents at a young age. In life you are going to go through storms; you either fold or keep going.”
He and his dad traveled to Starkville for his visit the following day, and he said he had an incredible experience.
“It felt like I was a part of the team already,” he said while cracking a slight smile. “The coaches knew what happened already; they gave me sympathy. The players came and talked to me and stuff. The position coach (David Turner) and the defensive coordinator (Matt Brock) said they like my film and that they want me back up there in June for camp. They want to see me in person. (Turner) said he is going to look out for me this season.”
During the visit, Munford toured the campus, weight room and meeting rooms, watched the football team practice and had a photo shoot.
“Seeing them practice — man, that was another level,” he said. “That transition from high school to college — folks are faster, stronger and bigger.”
It was a dream come true for Munford, who has been a State fan all his life.
“I watched ‘Dolla Bill’ (Kwatrivous Johnson) and other players like Marquiss Spencer, Jeffery Simmons and Chris Jones,” Munford said. “I modeled my game after them.
“Mississippi State is a pipeline to the NFL.”
He even got to chat with defensive end Jordan Davis, who gave him a lot of encouragement.
“I had showed him my film,” Munford said “He said, ‘Your film is good; there is just some stuff you need to work on. Like your stance and your get-off,’” Munford said. “When I go back up there, he said he is going to work out with me. I’m looking forward to that.”
Mississippi State isn’t the only spot he plans to visit. He was scheduled to go to Jackson State on Friday and will go to Mobile, Alabama, for a visit to South Alabama on April 15.
Whether he gets an opportunity to go to State or any other school, Munford isn’t taking the looks he’s getting for granted.
“Hard work pays off,” he said. “I know last year I had nobody looking at me, so I put the work in the summer. Now, I can see the hard work coming through.”
Every day, he works out in the morning and then does a team workout. After that, he stays and does a solo workout before getting one more in at night.
“I’ve just been grinding,” he said. “I’ve got to get stronger.”
His work ethic is seemingly propelled even further by the recent tragedies, and Elzy coach Morris Bush said Munford has exhibited unbelievable character.
Morris Bush
“That has to be one of the strongest kids I know,” said Bush, who has been the coach of Elzy football for three years. “When competing, he can get sort of emotional, but he doesn’t normally wear his emotions on his sleeve. He’s gotten a lot of condolences, and he’s taken it and moved on.
“He hasn’t missed a single day of school. It happened on a Friday, but I wasn’t expecting to see him on Monday, but he was here. I don’t think he’s missed a day of school yet — in the whole school year. I don’t think I could’ve come to work if it was me.”
Though Munford is faced with a terrible situation, Bush said visiting these schools offers a way to a better future for him.
“I’m glad that he’s getting a chance to see the process, especially early in his junior year,” the coach said. “He can see that this is serious. He already stays late and does extra work; now he knows for real that he has to stay on the grind. He’s already had that work ethic from his upbringing, so I think the sky is the limit for him.”
Munford’s senior year is months away, but with the work he has been putting in, Bush predicted Munford will take a big step in his play.
“I’m expecting him to take it to another level,” Bush said. “He has a knack for getting to the quarterback. He’s raw right now. With a little more training that works on his fundamentals, it’s going to be tough to deal with him. A little tweaking on his footwork and getting his hands in the right positions, nobody will be able to stop him.”
Munford normally plays baseball during the early months of the year, but this year he decided not to play. He’s taken that extra free time to focus on his passion.
He’s all in on football.
With potential Division I opportunities down the road, the deaths of close loved ones have sharpened his focus even more as he pursues his dreams.
“I feel like God does everything for a reason,” he said. “Cherish every moment with your family, because you never know what is going to happen. But, it’s helping me get my name out there and stuff. My name is ringing. I’m trying to win the state championship. I want to make first-team all-state defense. I want to make one of those all-star games, too. If I put the work in, I feel like I can do it.”
He said making his family proud drives him.
“That’s my 'why,'” he said.
-Contact Jared Conerly at 662-581-7237 or jconerly@gwcommonwealth.com.
