Eagles take flight to junior college programs
There were two All-area players on the offensive side of the football for Eupora High School that seemed to be right in the middle of the steady improvement the program made over the last three seasons.
Wide receiver Cam'ron Culpepper and quarterback/linebacker Edwin Herard were as important as any player on the team for coach Stephen Edwards and they were rewarded for it on Wednesday. Both were offered scholarships by multiple junior colleges down the stretch of the heated recruiting season and Culpepper chose Southwest Community College with Herard settling on Holmes Community College.
For Herard, a long career playing both sides of the football was a chore at times, but he had no problems laying it all on the line every Friday night for his teammates. He starred at quarterback two seasons and at linebacker when he could. There was a question where he would end up playing on the next level and Holmes liked him best at strong safety.
“I think with him being able to play one position now and not have to be a jack of all trades, I think he's going to excel,” Edwards said of Herard. “He's a natural leader and a lot of that has to do with his upbringing. The sky is the limit and Holmes is very excited about him playing strong safety. I think he'll be a defensive captain for them before it's all said and done.”
Herard threw for 1,795 yards, 24 touchdowns and 16 interceptions during his career with 1,078 yards and 14 scores coming this past season. He also ran for 2,716 yards and 35 scores, which meant the stout athlete was taking a pounding most days.
As an All-state linebacker, Herard didn't mind delivering a blow as well with 226 tackles and three tackles for loss over his four-year career. His best season was as a junior when he played defense full time and racked up 153 tackles. This past season, Edwards used him sparingly to take some weight off his shoulders.
At Holmes, he'll finally get a chance to play just one position and it's something he's totally comfortable with next year. He's excited for the next chapter at a place that has seen a couple of Webster County products like East Webster's Luke Wilson and Eupora's Charvez Embry have much success the last couple of years.
“My one goal is to win every game on the next level," Herard said. "That's always the goal. I like what (Holmes) has going on and I think it will continue. (Head coach Jeff Koonz) is doing a great job and (defensive coordinator Don Yanowsky). I really like what they're doing and it'll be a good fit for me.”
Culpepper chose Southwest with an offer from Coahoma on the table as well. Southwest felt right for the talented wide receiver, who also stars on the basketball court.
“I feel like that was the best place for me," Culpepper said. "They treated me well and I like the campus and they treated me well. I've enjoyed my time at Eupora and am thankful for everybody here. All the coaches wanted from us is to work hard and they pushed us. I've enjoyed learning under them.”
This past season, Culpepper had his best year yet with 21 catches for 574 yards and 12 touchdowns. He became the primary receiver for the Eagles after the loss of Allarea wide out/running back Al Dumas and he excelled.
He'll get his opportunities in certain situations at Southwest and Edwards believes his best football is ahead of him.
“I think what they do on offense in the double wing, he's going to get a lot of man coverage and he's got some speed and can catch,” Edwards said of Culpepper. “I think he can definitely help out tremendously.”
Edwards looked on proudly at two players that he's watched come up through junior varsity and all the way through high school. They had gone from followers to leaders on the team very early and other players have become better players because of their leadership.
As Edwards looked on from a distance on Wednesday, he'll watch them get a chance to be developed now in junior college. He has no doubt that they'll get even more opportunities in two more years.
“You knew, physically, that they definitely had the potential to play on the next level,” Edwards said. “It's just good to see that come to fruition. I really think that if they buy into those programs, I see them going somewhere after the two years in junior college.”