Nicholson said players ‘bought into’ plan to reach title game

JACKSON — Four seasons ago, Chase Nicholson was in a similar spot as he was on Monday afternoon at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Museum in Jackson.

His team was preparing for a state championship appearance against Oak Forest Academy, but then he was in the background as an assistant coach. This time, Nicholson stood at the podium and introduced his staff and his captains to those in attendance. It was a long journey for him to get to that spot, but it’s been worth it.

“I’m grateful and thankful for the opportunity,” Nicholson said. “I’m thankful for coach (Jeff) Terrill and all of the coaches along the way that have taught me anything. As much as I’m thankful for the coaches, I’m thankful for the players because it’s the guys that bought into the program. They believe in each other and they believe in us.”

Nicholson is always quick to take that spotlight off of him. At the presentation of teams on Monday, he introduced three coaches that have been vital in his accomplishments as a head coach, just as he was an offensive coordinator for the Starkville Academy team that made its run to the state title game in 2014.

Athletic Director Tony Stanford has led prestigious public schools across the state before settling with the Vols to help bring Nicholson along. Bubba Davis has multiple state champi-

| Page 12