WOLVERINES
ball squads have traditionally been really good too. Without doing any research, I’d comfortably say East Webster’s entire athletic department is to be envied by virtually every other school in the state.
There is a pride amongst those associated with the Wolverines that is unlike anything you’ll find in many places. It’s not cockiness. It’s a confidence that is backed up by a blue-collar work ethic. That’s why I say East Webster is going to be just fine.
I spoke with Wolverines quarterback Charlie Brand after Friday night’s tough loss. Brand could have just as easily told me he didn’t feel like talking. That happens sometimes with high school, and even college, athletes after ugly losses. Brand stood there like a man and answered every question.
I asked Brand if his team had the resiliency to keep going and fighting after the last few weeks, especially the Calhoun City game. It’s not what he said that caught my attention. It’s how he said it. He didn’t hesitate.
“I think we do,” Brand said. “We’re East Webster. We’ve always had that. That’s always a part of us, so we’ll do it.”
That’s the kind of mentality that has to thrill first-year Wolverines coach Ron Price because, though Brand is a senior, that’s the kind of thing that will bleed down into the juniors, sophomores and freshmen that make up Price’s program.
In Price’s short time in Cumberland, he has noticed the outstanding makeup of his players. While they’ve gone through ups and downs this year, Price’s faith in them to keep on keeping on remains.
“We’ve got first-class kids here,” Price said. “I know they’re going to continue to battle and continue to fight.”
Now let’s be real. Some of what coaches and players say are just old, rehashed cliches. No one is going to say, ‘Nope, we’re just going to pack it in for the season and give up,” but there is a genuineness to the words of Brand and Price. It is backed up by years of examples in every sport that East Webster plays. It is backed up by the families and the people that make up the Cumberland community and surrounding area.
These aren’t the type of people to take a punch to the chin and just lay down. They might lose a fight, but goodness gracious they’re going to go down swinging if they do.
That’s exactly what I mean when I say East Webster football will be just fine. I wouldn’t want to be Winona in two weeks. I’d guess the Wolverines are going to be ready to throw a figurative haymaker as they look to get their season back on track.
East Webster is down, but I’m almost certain the Wolverines aren’t out.
“Everything isn’t always going to go your way,” Price said. “When they don’t, how you respond to it, that’s your true character, so we’re about to find out a lot about our football team.”
I can’t give Price much advice, but I’ve been around this area a good bit longer than him, so I feel like I can share this.
Your team is going to be OK, coach. I don’t know if it’s in its blood, in the Cumberland water or both, but rolling over just isn’t in the East Webster DNA.
Joel Coleman is the Mississippi State writer for the Starkville Daily News. The views in this column are Coleman’s and not necessarily the views of the SDN or its staff.