Kosciusko High School football coach Kelly Causey was disappointed that a jamboree scrimmage was canceled, but encouraged by the progress his team made during spring practice.
The Whippets were supposed to scrimmage Cleveland Central at Starkville High School last Saturday. “I think we could have played, but Cleveland Central called and canceled on us,” he said. “I was interested in seeing how we would do against competition.”
The cancellation was due to rain in the forecast that held off until later in the day.
Some of the team's key players saw limited time during spring practice due to baseball and track. “Spring is always a tough time with everything going on,” Causey said. “It's frustrating at times.” But he said it was a productive spring.
“We found some guys at different positions who are going to be able to help us.”
Better depth and physicality were positives. Causey gave credit to Joseph Foster, the strength coach.
“Kosciusko has always had a reputation of being a physical team. We showed a little of that in spring practice.”
Kosciusko is coming off a 3-8 season that saw the Whippets give up too many big plays. “We made some minor adjustments with the defense to give us a better chance of not giving up the big plays,” Causey said. “I think that is going to help us cut down on the points (allowed).
He said the defensive line is the area with the least depth. “But we have some quality guys there.”
Ethan Wood started at quarterback as a freshman last fall. He was very limited at spring practice due to baseball.
Wood struggled with accuracy, completing 49 of 121 passes, but Causey expects improvement. “He's a little bigger, a little stronger. We expect some good things out of him.”
The coach mentioned some players who were impressive during spring practice. Michael Thomas, a rising sophomore, saw limited action on the defensive line last year. He has moved to the offensive line.
Curt Welch and Will Cook are new to the team. Welch, who will be a sophomore, will be on the offensive line and Cook a receiver. “He's one of the guys we're excited about,” Causey said of Cook, who will be a senior.
Kobe Carter has moved from defensive line to linebacker and looked good in practice. He will be a junior.
Spring practice has ended, but the players will not be idle until August. There will be work with the weights, conditioning and seven on seven drills three days a week in June and four days a week in July.
August 5 is the first day for MHSAA schools to begin practice. The season kicks off with a home game against Yazoo County on Thursday, Aug. 22.
Kosciusko will remain in Region 4-4A with defending state champion Louisville, Choctaw Central, Leake Central, Northeast Lauderdale and West Lauderdale. Other teams on the schedule are Newton County, Winona, Grenada and Choctaw County
