Season opener Thursday night vs. Pearl River
Twenty-seven returning players hope to help the 2023 Holmes Community College Bulldogs build on last year's success.
The Bulldogs finished the 2022 campaign, 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the North Division, and led the country in passing yards per game with a 304.8 yards per game average.
Offensive returners include: Joe Moss, RB, Grenada; Vontrez Rush, WR/RB, Hollandale; Deriaun Townsend, RB, Winona; K.D. Rancifer, WR, Greenville; Jahiem Shack, WR, Grenada; Colton DeShazo, WR, D'Iberville; Jarvis Rush, WR, Louisville; Dekari Johnson, WR, Itta Bena; Bryceton Spencer, WR, Philadelphia; NyJal Johnson, QB, Starkville; J.J. Grant, RB, Collinsville; Terrion Ross, OL, Greenwood; Chris Lanney, OL, Cleveland; Markel Bell, OL, Cleveland; and Joshua Lloyd, DL, Morton.
Johnson finished the season 90-of-140 for 742 yards with four touchdowns and one interception.
Shack is the leading returning receiver. He had 48 catches for 509 yards and one three touchdowns while Jarvis Rush had 23 catches for 239 yards and one touchdown while Vontrez Rush had 22 catches for 208 yards.
Offensive newcomers include: Deion Smith, WR, Jackson; Lonnie Ratliff IV, QB, Peachtree, Ga; Jackson Burkhalter, QB, Spanish Fort, Ala.; Malcolm Boykin, WR, Hattiesburg; John Ford, QB, Sumrall; Jamari Ford, RB, Miami, Fla.; Calvin McMillian, OL, Houston; Reid Grantham, OL, Pearl; Zac Williams, OL, Jackson; Dyllan Westmoreland, OL, Eupora; Tyler Abel, OL, Winona; Johnny Holly, OL, Key Largo, Fla.; Connor Foy, OL, Pearl; Paxton George, OL, DeKalb; Jeremiah Short, WR, Brandon; Marcus Fleming, WR, Miami, Fla.; and Amari Conley, WR, Grenada.
Defensive returners include: Zyonn Mayes, DB, Corinth; Laquan Robinson, DB, Greenville, Ala.; Ke'Zerrian Wash, DB, Newton; Dylan Gray, DB, Terry; Commondre Cole, DL, Collinsville; Chris Walley, DL, Stateline; Kabron Purifoy, DL, Pensacola, Fla.; Tony Taylor, DL, D'Iberville; Corion Mathis, DL, Mendenhall; and Maxton Woodward, DL, Philadelphia.
Robinson is the leading returning defender. He had 46 tackles including one interception and three TFL. Walley had 40 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss while Woodward had 31 tackles and three TFL. Mayes had two interceptions with 24 tackles.
Defensive newcomers include: Jalon Townes, LB, Grenada; Dtrevion Parker, LB, Grenada; Christavious Savior, DB, Louisville; Jaishun Bell, DB, Madison; Octavious Pernell, DB, Lexington; Jaylon Skinner, DB, Grenada; Landon Vaughn, DB, Collinsville; Laquaris Harris, DB, Camden; Laterrius Haynes, DB, Louisville; Jordan Gowdy, LB, Meridian; Dan Smith, DB, Jackson; Leviticus Boyd, LB, Lena; Aikireon Hopkins, DB, Waynesboro; Kendorean Russell, LB, Taylorsville; Dez McWilliams; DB, Philadelphia; Donteye Drew, DL, Tampa, Fla.; Zy Perry, LB, Jackson; Chayce Daniels, LB, Waynesboro; Tay Williams, LB, Coila; Jeremy Roberston, DL, Amite, La.; Lance Carson, DL, Frisco, Texas.
Punter Ryan Wood (Grenada) returns this season. Joining the specialists are kickers Jalen Ballard (Brandon) and Dan Lindsay (Kosciusko) and long snapper Jay Matthews (Madison).
Coaches
Head Coach Marcus Wood is in his second year as head coach of the Bulldogs. Returning coaches from the 2022 staff include: Les George, Assistant Head Coach/OL; Barney Farrar, Co-Defensive Coordinator/DB/Recruiting Coordinator; and Damion Willis, WR. New coaches include: C.J. Johnson, Co-Defensive Coordinator/LB, Chance Lovertich, QB; Barron Miller, DL/Strength and Conditioning; and Alex Devine, Assistant DL Coach.