High school football returns tonight to Desoto County
For the first time since November, high school football is back in Desoto County.
At one point, it was uncertain whether Mississippi would have a football season due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, coaches said. So they're not bothered by the fact that the season is starting two weeks later than originally planned after the MHSAA voted on the schedule in July. They're just excited to have the chance to play.
"I told our kids that if the seniors get to have their senior year, then we had a successful year," Lewisburg coach Matt Gehrke said. "Obviously you want to win every game and make the playoffs, but I think that the seniors getting to play is a big positive statewide and a win for everybody."
All eight Desoto County Schools teams will be in action Friday night. Teams were allowed to have scrimmages last week. According to MHSAA
guidelines, fans will not be permitted in stadiums without a mask. Gov. Tate Reeves issued an executive order last week limiting crowd sizes to 25% of capacity.
And even though the crowds will be smaller and players and coaches are getting used to new precautions, they are looking forward to the excitement of Friday night football.
"It's honestly a blessing for us because it's more than football for some of us, this is our life," Southaven quarterback Jordan Hibbler said. "This is a way out for some of us, and myself as a senior with no offers, this is my last chance to go out and prove that I can play at the next level."
Lewisburg linebacker Jordan Hoffman said what he's looking forward to the most about Friday night is being able to play in front of his family and the crowd.
"I think it will be a little different, but it won't be too weird," Hoffman said. "It's still Friday night. Any type of crowd and experience, it's still going to be football and it's still going to be what we know and love."
Hibbler compared playing on Friday nights to taking a test. He said that by the time Friday night rolls around, the preparation has been put in, and it's all about going over what you've worked on all week as a team. He said that he missed the camaraderie of working with his teammates toward a common goal.
"The biggest thing is being out there with my teammates," Hibbler said. "I think that's what gets you amped up the most, being there with the guys you put the work in with, being able to enjoy those moments good, bad, win, lose or draw. Just going through that roller coaster with those guys is probably what I'm most looking forward to."