There was a time when Murry Adams thought his football career had ended before it had even started good.
As a freshman baseball player for Pillow Academy, Adams suffered a brain contusion when a foul ball was lined into the PA dugout, striking him in the head. He later suffered a seizure related to the head injury.
"It was a pretty scary deal. Of course, football was out of the picture my sophomore season, and I didn't know if I would ever be able to play again," Adams said.
As a junior, Adams kicked only for the Mustangs. He had a successful season, earning All-Commonwealth honors at kicker. But he wanted more.
"After just kicking, I couldn't stand not being more involved, and I as I started progressing with my recovery, I started believing I would get another shot at football," he said.
That chance came in February of 2008, when Adams was cleared by his doctor for contact. A few months later, he participated in spring practice under new Mustang head coach Michael Fair.
"I was out there going all out and enjoying playing a sport that I had really missed. I just jumped right in there. It took a little while to make some adjustments, but I became pretty confident and comfortable really quickly," Adams said.
One would hate to wonder where this year's Mustang team, 7-3 and North AAA champs, might be without Adams - a standout player in all three phases of the game.
"Without Murry, I just have to believe someone else would have stepped up and made the big plays that he has. That's the kind of team we have," Fair said. "Now with that said, there is no doubt we are a much better football team with Murry on the field."
Heading into Friday night's first-round state AAA playoff game against Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Adams leads the Mustangs in rushing with 665 yards and six touchdowns on 116 carries. He has one receiving touchdown and leads the team in scoring with 94 points (seven TDs, six field goals and 30 PAT kicks).
From his strong safety position, he ranks third on the team in tackles with 82.
Adams is one of the most versatile players in recent history for Pillow, but that's not what impresses Fair the most about the 5-foot-11, 175-pound senior. It's Adams' character and leadership that has his coach raving.
"As good as he is on the football field, he's an even better person off it. He's a strong Christian leader, spiritual leader for this team and this school. You can count on him at all times," said Fair.
Last week, Adams proved he's even more versatile than some thought, moving from tailback to quarterback in the team's new "Wild Horse" shotgun attack, which was installed a few weeks ago after starting signal-caller Will Andrews went down with a broken collar bone.
After less than two weeks practice under center, Adams proved he's more than just a running threat at QB as he completed 8-of-12 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown - a performance that left Fair comparing Adams to some of the best athletes he's ever coached.
"He took close to 40 snaps and had no fumbles or interceptions and made some plays in the passing game. There are only two or three players I coached (in six years at South Panola) who can do the things that Murry is doing," Fair said. "It takes a tremendous athlete to be this versatile. Not every great football player can go from dotting the I in the backfield to throwing out routes."
His kicking and punting have also been an integral part of Pillow's success this season. He is 6-of-6 on field goals, including a 48-yarder as time expired to beat Jackson Academy 10-9 in a game that was the key win in the Mustangs' run to a conference championship.
Fair believes that Adams' increased role with the team has helped his kicking.
"Since he's playing all these different positions, he doesn't have time to think about the next kick. He just stays out there, makes the kick, gets ready to kickoff and then play defense," Fair explained.
Adams says his individual play after a two-year layoff has "definitely exceeded" his expectations but is quick to spread the credit for all he has accomplished.
"Every bit of my success has been because of the other people on the field with me whether it's the line blocking, the snapper snapping or the holder holding," Adams said. "I just get the glory because I am the last one to touch the ball.
"God has really blessed me and this team. It all started with Coach Fair coming in and trying to build up a program the right way. He's been a big influence on me from the very first meeting. I can go into his office at any time and talk about anything.
"Coach Fair is about more than teaching football. He teaches life lessons everyday."
Adams will likely need another big game Friday night to keep the Mustangs' season alive when PA hosts Madison-Ridgeland Academy at Bill Davis Field.
