special to the star





With apologies to Clement Moore……



Twas the night before Tyler’s Birthday, when all through the Capital City

All the Wildcats were standing, even Wally the Kitty.

The tackles were made by Jacoby with care.

In hopes that the trophy soon would be there.

The linebackers were ready, all out on the field,

While South Panola’s quarterback tried hard to steal.

And Russell in position and Stanley in a snap,

We had the ball on the twenty in five seconds flat.

When out on the field, there arose such a clatter,

All Wildcats were watching to see what was the matter,

Away to the sidelines, Big Maine ran like a bull,

Rolled over and over when hit by fool.

With offense so powerful, and a defense so quick,

We all knew by overtime, we’d win this one quick.

More rapid than Tigers, the Wildcats stood strong; they were good at their game.

As the coaches hollered, and shouted, and they called out their names!

Now JJ! Now, Khairi, now Marcus and Chris!

On Brian, on Rico, on Dallas and Hamp!

To the top of the goalpost! To the end of the line!

Now push em back! Push em back! To the end of overtime!”

As we looked on the field for what seemed like an hour,

Then we texted all our friends, and wished to a higher power.

So up to the last minute, they worked ever so hard,

With a handful of sacks, and some powerful guards.

And then, in a second, we saw on the field

The running and jumping of a team that would not yield.

As we looked to the scoreboard, we couldn’t believe our eyes.

The South Panola Tigers were crying; you would have thought someone had died.

Weems ran to the field, fresh with Gatorade juice,

And we wondered if ever, he would make this a truce.

He was followed by coaches, as happy as could be

Coach Hill and Coach Stenasas, you could still see their knees.

Kevin Roberts was smiling; Michael Pack, he was crying.

If you read Mississippi Sports Talk, you would have thought we were lying.

The South Panola Tigers were “laid out” on the field.

And there could be no doubt; our victory was sealed.

Dexter spoke not a word, but went straight to the bus,

Patted all those Cat backs, then told them to rush.

And heading back to M-town,

Down I-20, they were bound.

The yellow dog moved, and the whole team gave a yell,

And away the team went; they were feeling so swell.

But I heard them exclaim, as they rolled out Big Blue,



“SEE YA NEXT YEAR, PANOLA; WE’LL MAKE IT 89-2!”



At MHS, we feel like it is the night before Christmas. Yes, Santa has delivered the gift of a trophy, but this team has worked hard for this 5A Championship. Every player, every coach, put in many hours of hard work. They practiced at night; they practiced during the hot summer, and they practiced during the holiday week to make sure they were ready to travel to Jackson. They have made us all proud to be Meridian High Wildcats.

I am honored to have taught so many of these guys. I watched them Friday night as they refused to back down. Play after play, they persevered. More importantly, they are great students who care about their academics in the classroom. They will go on to do wonderful things, and we will always remember this group for their great accomplishment.