New-look Wildcats ready for 2024 season

POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Last season may not have gone the way the Pearl River football team wanted it to, but if you asked head coach Seth Smith what the attitude was heading into Thursday's season opener at Northwest, it would be excitement. 

"This is the first time we've had a fall camp that looked really good on both sides of the ball," head coach Seth Smith said. "We've always been heavy on defense and light on offense. Now, we have had a chance to push each other on both sides every day. This fall, to me, is an example of iron sharpening iron. These guys had a lot of spirit and enthusiasm. We're ready to get started and get the bad taste out of our mouth."

When the season ended in 2023, Pearl River went out and hired former National Champion offensive coordinator David Boykin to transform the offense by running a spread, up-tempo scheme.

"Our scheme last year was behind the times and didn't put us in a position to be successful," Smith said. "Coach Boykin brings instant credibility. He's extremely intense, a great teacher and a perfectionist. They play fast, and the ball is flying all over the field. It's like controlled chaos."

Defensively, PRCC should remain sound and look a lot like the team the Wildcats deployed in 2022.

"We were really good on defense in 2022. This team is very close to that," Smith said. "We have a ton of depth on the defensive line, are significantly faster at linebacker and our defensive backs group has a ton of depth. It would be a disappointment if we aren't as good or better than that year."

OFFENSE

With the new-look offensive scheme deployed, the Wildcats brought in a pair of quarterbacks that can execute at a high level in transfer Kabe  Barnett (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) and freshman Ian  González (Mexico City, Mexico; St. Stanislaus).

"Kabe is an older guy who is mobile in the pocket and can run if it's needed. From a cerebral standpoint, he's grown tremendously since he arrived." Smith said. "Ian is like a gunslinger. When you watch him play, it's like watching Johnny Manziel. He's great in the pocket and dynamic. They bring different things to the table, and we feel confident in them."

Leading the pack at running back is redshirt sophomore Shadamien Williamson (Waynesboro; Wayne County), who missed last season due to injury. At 5-foot-10, 204 pounds, Williamson is expected to be the bruiser at running back.

"He's been in this league already. It won't be a shock to him," Smiths said. "It's just another day. He's going to be the hammer on offense."

The Wildcats also have a shiftier, pass-catching option in Jacobi  Jefferson (Slidell, La.; Salmen). He rushed for 1,916 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior at Salmen.

"If Shadamien is the hammer, Jacobi is the nail," Smith said. "He's as quick as a hiccup and will help us move the ball in the passing game."

Smith expects Keenan  Franks (State Line; Greene County) and Brayden  Jordan (Laurel) to factor into the rushing attack.

In the receiver room, the Wildcats return Javonta  Caldwell (Laurel), who is expected to have a huge role as a slot receiver. Akeem  Stokes (Pensacola, Fla.; Escambia) will also see work in the slot.

"Those guys may be a little bit undersized, but they can fly," Smith said. "They are the type that if you get the ball in their hands, they can break a tackle and score in one play. We think they will do big things."

The outside receivers are expected to be 6-foot-3 Howard  Kinchen (Lafayette, La.; Patterson) and 6-foot-1 Henry  Lee Jr. (Kenner, La.; East Jefferson).

"Both of the outside guys can fly, too," Smith said. "They are a bit rangier and have a lot of good receiver qualities."

Martavious  Reed (Forest; Scott Central), Christian  White (Ocean Springs) and Kobe  Pierce (Laurel) are expected to make a difference in the receiver room as well.

On paper, the offensive line looks to be young, but the majority of the players who will feature in the group have collegiate experience. All-MACCC performer Jaylin  Jackson (Greenville; Northwest Rankin) will anchor the offensive line as the center. The Wildcats also return Frank  Bentley (New Orleans, La.; De La Salle) and Robert  Clark (Gluckstadt; St. Joseph). Bentley moved from the defensive line to the offensive side of things and Clark featured in four games as a freshman.

PRCC also brought in Mississippi Delta transfer Trey  Morrison (Terry) as well as freshman Slater  Adams (Quitman), Joshua Myers (Hattiesburg; Oak Grove) and Dondiago  Collins (Laurel), who will all be battling for a starting spot on the line. 

"Our guys will be experienced. We will have four new starters on the offensive line, but for the most part, they are all older guys," Smith said. "Trey, Frank, Jaylin and Robert have all been in the league. Josh and Slater are freshmen but have had a tremendous camp. Dondiago will be able to help us."

DEFENSE

Pearl River's defense over the years has been one of the best in the country, and that shouldn't be any different in 2024. 

Much like the 2022 Wildcats, PRCC should be able to rush the passer with four defensive linemen this season, thanks in part to the play of standouts AJ Prim (Tylertown; Foley), and Charles  Atkins Jr. (Metairie, La.; East Jefferson). Prim registered five tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks last season. Atkins Jr. tallied 1.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks. 

"Those guys are explosive," Smith said. "Charles is a speed rusher, and Prim really is a speed or power rusher. We expect big things out of them both. Charles put on some weight and didn't lose speed, and Prim is one of the most gifted football players I've ever coached."

Several players will rotate at defensive tackle, including Belhaven transfer Chavarius  Garrett (Senatobia), sophomores Kendrick  Simms Jr. (Slidell, La.; St. Thomas Aquinas) and Tucker  Smith (Poplarville) and freshmen Ryan  McVay (Pensacola, Fla.; Escambia) and Tim  Williams Jr. (Mobile, Ala.; Theodore).

"Chavarius played a good bit at Belhaven, so he has experience," Smith said. "Kendrick had a really good fall camp and played some as a freshman. Tucker moved back to the defensive line from the offense. Ryan and Tim both were really good in fall camp as well. Coach (Lorenzo) Breland should be in a good spot with his group."

A guy who will factor on the edge or inside is redshirt freshman Travis Bendolph (Mobile, Ala.; Theodore), who missed last season due to an injury. 

"He's phenomenal. He will play a lot on the inside and out," Smith said. "He's very athletic. He's big enough to play inside or fast enough to play on the edge."

At the linebacker position, PRCC only returns two players from last year's roster in Mark  Will (Poplarville) and Matt  Will (Poplarville). New to the team are Trace  Carter (Ocean Springs), Eric  Moore Jr. (Gulfport; Ocean Springs), Lejon  Williams (Pensacola, Fla.; Escambia), Amarion  Tyson (Picayune) and Jeffrey  Hopgood  (Kiln; Hancock).

"Coach (Ty) Trahan knocked it out of the park with the linebackers," Smith said. "Those guys have had great fall camps. We think we've got a really good group there."

Pearl River always has an incredible defensive backs group and it will be led by UNLV signee Quandarius  Keyes (Laurel). He made 11 tackles last season, broke up four passes, intercepted one, recovered a fumble and returned his interception for a touchdown.

"Coach (Ta'Ron) Sims has done a great job developing him," Smith said. "He's naturally become a team leader and has done a good job as a team leader. He's one of the best in the country."

Zavier  Fairley (Wiggins; Stone County), Amari  Butler (Petal), Ja'Quaylen  Love (Brandon), Jadarrius  Gordon (Canton) and Justin  Doll (Miami, Fla.; Miami Killian) will all be players who factor into the defensive back group.

"Several of our guys will have big years in the defensive backs group," Smith said. "Coach Sims has a really deep group. I expect them to be really good again." 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Pearl River brought in a pair of players that can kick and punt in Jake  Vick (Philadelphia; Nanih Waiya) and Morgan  Craft (Picayune). Heading into the season, Vick will handle punting duties while Craft will take on the field goals and PATs.

"When we reflected back on last season, this was another box we had to check," Smith said. "I think we checked them both by bringing in Jake and Morgan."

The long snapper for this season will be Tyke  Smith (Poplarville).

GETTING STARTED

The Wildcats head to Senatobia for their season opener to take on No. 7 Northwest. Kickoff at Ranger Stadium is set for 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at NWCCRangers.com/Tickets.

TICKETS

Tickets for Pearl River home games are on sale now at PRCCAthletics.com/tickets. General admission football season passes are $38, while chairback reserved seating is $75. All-sport passes are also on sale and are $123. The pass grants entry to all PRCC regular season competitions. 

TUNE IN

All Pearl River football games are livestreamed for free at PRCCMedia.com/Gold. Fans who have Roku, Amazon Fire or Apple TV devices can also watch the Wildcat broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" channel from their app stores.

Games can also be heard at WRJW 1320-AM, 106.9 FM and WRJWRadio.com.

For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on X (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).