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NATCHEZ — David King’s boys came close to winning a state title in 2021 and 2022. Adams County Christian School claimed the championship this year by growing as the season went on. 

All of the ingredients were there for a state championship caliber team but they needed to be steered in the right direction. 

King, The Natchez Democrat’s 2023 Coach of the Year, likely knew the potential of this team before the start of the season. 

This summer, King took a break from the blistering sun and gave his insight into his team for the 2023 season. He said the team was hungry and close knit. The past two playoff runs fell just short and several of the starters were there when the Rebels fell shy of a state championship in 2020. 

He said this summer the seniors had really committed themselves to a high standard. They played good football to start the season but had a drop off in October. It took a spirited halftime speech from King to get his boys back in gear against Cathedral and the team responded. 

ACCS did not have an easy path in the playoffs and yet found itself hoisting a state title in November. King disappeared from the field during the celebrations. His mind was already onto the next football season. 

King may be too humble to take much credit for this season. There is no denying his ability to build a winning program, develop players and allow his staff to flourish. The cumulative work of the program paid off this year with a state title but the real success can be seen in the fact players want to be involved even once they leave. 

Honorable mentions 

King was not the only head coach to see a fantastic season this year. Delta Charter’s Blake Wheeler won a district championship, the first in program history. Jefferson County’s Roderick Holmes got his team to host the south state championship for the first time in program history. Holmes also won a district title. 

Similar to ACCS, the ingredients are there for those programs to keep winning and developing. Wheeler should have a tough squad in 2024 and fans should not be surprised if the Storm win their first playoff game. They have come close over the past few years. LHSAA coaches recognized Wheeler’s season by naming him the district coach of the year. 

Holmes will likewise have the ingredients for a solid team next year. He said after the south state championship game he was excited for the future for Jefferson County. 

Jefferson County’s core starters should return next season and Holmes should have the pieces for a magical season. 

Holmes and Wheeler both earned honorable mentions for Coach of the Year and could be the Coach of the Year next season.