Pearl River opens football camp with energetic first practice

POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Monday was a big day at Pearl River Community College. Not only was it the first day of the fall semester, but Monday also marked the first official practice under new head coach Seth Smith.

The mood at historic Dobie Holden Stadium could be described in just one word: Fun.

“Man, it's just exciting,” Smith said. “It felt good to get back out here. I know it’s only the first day and I know we got a long long way to go but these kids make it fun and today was a lot of fun.”

Smith and his staff went through basic fundamentals throughout practice, breaking the team up by position groups with their respective coaches.

Pearl River Community College head football coach Seth Smith observes warm ups before practice Monday (JACOB COCHRAN/PRCCATHLETICS)

“It’s too early to point out any leaders. Give us two or three weeks," he said. "After about three weeks the cream will start to rise but right now it’s kind of early."

Smith felt his players met his standards Monday in terms of effort and attitude.

“Really, today was just about effort and attitude. I thought for the first day those guys exceeded that because when it’s as hot as it was today and you’re out here for two hours you find out a lot about a young man," he said. "It’s only the first day and we have a long way to go but I was extremely pleased with the energy we had out here today."

The positive energy was not just felt by the head coach, but also his players.

“We’re working hard,” receiver Stetson Moore (Philadelphia) said. “I like these coaches. I like Coach Smith. He’s a great coach.”

Tailback Jyterius Smith (Gulfport) was just happy to be back to practicing football.

“I love it out here. I love football,” he said. “I love the intensity of it. Everyone’s excited to back out here.”

BRAND RELAUNCH Mississippi’s league launched a brand change Monday, transitioning from the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges to the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference; or MACCC for short.

In tandem with the new branding, the MACCC held a virtual Media Day with all 14 of the conference’s football-playing members participating. PRCC’s portion included interviews with Smith and sophomore defensive back Ricco Moore (Moss Point; St. Martin).