Published: August 27, 2008 10:04 am         

Whippets open Rolison era at Northwest Rankin Friday

The big day has finally arrived for Trey Rolison.

The young first-year head coach of the Kosciusko High School Whippets has walked onto the football field many times, but never as the head coach of a high school football team.

“I’m ready for it,” Rolison said. “This is something that I knew I wanted to do and I’ve worked hard to get here.”

His Whippets have worked mighty hard over the spring and summer as well. Just how much that hard work will pay off when Kosy pays a visit to Class 5A Northwest Rankin on Friday night has yet to be determined.

“They have a good football team,” Rolison said. “It will be a challenge. We are watching film on them and getting ready but the team we really need to be worrying about is ourselves.”

Rolison got a preview of his team on Friday night when the Whippets played four quarters against two opponents in the Winona Jamboree.

The Whippets lost to Velma Jackson 19-0 in two quarters of play, then lost to Winona 20-14 in the last two quarters of the night.

“We played horrible against Velma Jackson,” Rolison said. “We looked like we were lost out there. But then we came back against a very good Winona team and played lights out.

“I was very encouraged and liked what I saw,” Rolison said. “If we can continue to play like that then we will be very competitive.”

Rolison said Corvan Greer continues to excel at the quarterback position for the Whippets.

“He is really getting the hang of things,” Rolison said. “We were looking at a couple options at quarterback, but he has really stepped up. He throws the ball well and he can be a real threat running the football. He will keep some folks honest.”

He also feels that running back John Kern can be a special football player.

“He runs the ball hard and could be a big-time football player if he continues to develop,” Rolison said of the 210-pound junior.”

One of Kosy’s biggest concerns defensively will be along the defensive line.

“We have had to make a lot of changes there, but we have some guys who are working hard and doing what it takes to get ready,” Rolison said.

After Friday’s opener, the Whippets will travel to Houston before hosting highly touted MHSAA Class 3A foe Louisville on Sept. 12.

Then comes what could be a huge three-game Region 4-4A run that begins on Sept. 19 at Neshoba Central.

“If we are going to make the playoffs we need to win those three football games,” Rolison said. “There is no doubt about that.”

Following the Neshoba game is a home battle with Caledonia followed by a road trip to New Hope.