Defend the state championship. Take the next step in the championship hunt. Electrify with speed and overcome power. Introduce and reintroduce one’s self to the Miss-Lou in the form of varsity football.

No doubt, the storylines will write themselves this football season, and we’ll let those storylines dictate our 2015 Miss-Lou Football Magazine.

That’s right, this football season, we’re shaking things up with our preview magazine.

The first shakeup will come in the form of layout. In an effort to illustrate each team’s personality and key storyline heading into the season, writers, photographers and graphic designers are collaborating to define each team’s “theme.”

In doing so, the sports team at The Natchez Democrat will list projected depth charts for local teams, allowing us to dive past those often time lengthy name introductions. For instance, instead of giving a list of who’s playing offensive line for Adams County Christian School, we will have a graphic element stating such, freeing us up to dive into the resurgence of those hard-nosed Rebels.

Like the Rebels, teams that went far in the playoffs last season looking to take the next step, allows us to have a creative freedom that we hope offers a quality, informative read.

With so many great teams in the area this season, it should be an exciting year, and naturally, we want our magazine to reflect that.

Something we want to continue doing is feature local athletes on the cover of the magazine. The purpose of that is to inspire kids to grow up in this area aspiring to grace the cover one day. It’s a small payoff for all the hard work and sweat these football players have devoted to their teams.

Another new wrinkle will be the addition of Delta Charter School and Sicily Island. Both teams will be playing varsity football for the first time this season.

But coaches, cheerleader sponsors and dance sponsors, we need your help. With so many teams in the area, it can be difficult gathering photos of all the teams and different squads. So please, we implore you, if you have not heard from anyone in the sports team, reach out to us and make sure we get photos from you.

Now that those house chores are out of the way, I’d like to mention we’ll also be bringing back our impact player series, which will highlight a player from every school heading into the new football season.

The series will begin in early August, and this year we’ll feature all of the teams within our coverage area. So the Tyler Caston’s (Centreville), Da’Martre Collins’ (Franklin County), James Claiborne’s (Jefferson County) and Desmond Hunter’s (Wilkinson County) of the area will get the love they deserve.

The biggest problem with the impact player series will be narrowing down one player for each team, as the Miss-Lou is loaded with rich talent this season. For example, Cathedral High School, a team that will look to defend its championship next year, boasts multiple sensational athletes. For the impact player series, one could argue for Dee Fleming, who was an MHSAA Class 1A All-State running back last season, but then again, who would argue against Will Wallace, who had Mississippi State coaches drooling on a visit this summer?

But that’s what makes this whole gig fun, and it’s even more enjoyable when the talent pool has depth.

Depth isn’t an issue for the Miss-Lou this season, and we’re hoping hype won’t be one as well.

If everyone involved would please help us get photographs of all our local football players, cheerleaders and dance team members, this will be the best magazine yet. Let’s celebrate these awesome athletes this season.

 

JAKE MARTIN is the sports editor for The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3633 or jake.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.