Leflore County High School students are brimming with pride and exhilaration as their football team gears up for its state title game this weekend in Hattiesburg — the school’s first state championship appearance ever.
The Tigers (10-3) will square off against undefeated Scott Central Saturday at the University of Southern Mississippi.
A large number of Leflore County High students plan to make the three-hour trip to Hattiesburg to watch the game, and some say it has been their year to shine.
“Right now I’m very excited because the football team is making history. I’m just excited to cheer my heart out and support my team,” said sophomore Becky Delarosa.
A cheerleader and a flute player in the band, Delarosa has been one of numerous students either on the sidelines or in the stands during football games to help cheer the Tigers to victory.
“When you’re on the sidelines, you’ve got to stay positive and keep your spirit up. If you keep your spirit up, you’re most likely going to win. You’ve got to get the crowd hyped,” she said. “Even when we’re low on points, you still have to cheer on your team to become successful and win the game.”
Students have described the atmosphere of the football games as rowdy, thrilling and on-the-edge excitement.
“It’s rowdy. Everybody is just going crazy. It’s just a lot of positive energy there because everybody wants them to go all the way,” said Hailey Powell, a senior cheerleader who was crowned Miss Leflore County High earlier this semester. “I’m really excited, and I’m really expecting them to win.”
Leflore County High School cheerleaders cheer on the Tigers football team during a game held earlier this season.
“The football games are always very lively. Everybody is on their feet most of the time,” said Autumn Howard, a sophomore who plays the French horn in the band. “Everybody is anxious as to what’s going to happen next. There’s never a dull moment when you’re at a Leflore County game.”
There should be that same level of excitement at the title game.
“We’re going to win the championship, come back home and turn up. It’s going to be fun!” said Ke’Sean Williams, a freshman.
“It’s going to be a show, it’s going to be a movie! We’re going to make history,” said Jameshia Kyles, a junior who plays the baritone — “the loudest instrument” — for the band. “It’s going to be a night to remember.”
This year’s success has been a source of pride not only for Leflore County High — often considered the underdogs among the Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District’s three high schools — but also for the city of Itta Bena.
“Leflore has always been the underdogs, and now that we’re up on top, we’re starting to get recognized,” Howard said.
“I feel like it’s a big change, and a big move for Itta Bena. It’s letting the town be heard; it’s letting the town be seen as great,” Delarosa said.
Samaya Moore, a junior on the basketball team who considers herself the football team’s number one supporter, said, “We’re bringing this little town back to life. Go to Hattiesburg and get that ring, and come back to Itta Bena.”
Students and Itta Bena residents alike show up to home and away games, often filling the stands — and the football players appreciate the enthusiasm.
“I would say the school has rallied behind us, and we have gained a lot of support,” said Dekari “Turbo” Johnson, a senior all-purpose player. “It has been really fun just winning and having that winning atmosphere, where the school can be behind you.”
The Tigers’ success this season is “all new to us. We’re just all taking it in, enjoying the moment,” Johnson said. “We’re making the best of it, trying to fulfill the fans’ dreams of winning state.”
Johnson said that at away games, Leflore County fans typically outnumber the fans of the home team — and sometimes some Leflore County fans have to stand along the track or sit in the home team’s stands.
“It’s great. It means a lot,” Demarkavious Sims, a sophomore linebacker.
Having the whole town’s support has been “amazing,” said Laquavius Jackson, a junior defensive tackle and defensive end. “We couldn’t just let them down,” he said. “Really, they fueled us with the power we needed to get the victory.”
Jackson described the energy from fans at games as “outrageous” and “spontaneous.” He likened the energy for Saturday’s game to “a bull just ready to be unleashed.”
“We’re going to get released Saturday,” he added. “We’re going to the championship. I believe that it really shocked and amazed everyone.”
The city of Itta Bena, Jackson said, will show up to Hattiesburg Saturday to “make sure we have all the love and support we need. They’re really rowdy.”
- Contact Gerard Edic at 662-581-7239 or gedic@gwcommonwealth.com.
