Calhoun City will play Bassfield Friday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. in Mississippi Veterans’ Memorial Stadium in Jackson for the Class 2A State Championship after defeating Baldwyn 31-0 last Friday night in the North Half Title game.
This will be the ninth trip to Jackson for the Wildcats – only South Panola, Weir, West Point and Taylorsville have been more often. This will be the fourth trip to Jackson for Wildcat Head Coach Perry Liles – once with Charleston and now three times with the Wildcats, the first as an assistant to Mike Ray.
Perry Liles
“I coached this group of seniors as seventh graders,” Calhoun City Coach Perry Liles said. “I’m the only coach they’ve ever known. I’m really excited for them.”
Wildcat seniors were members of the 2010 team that lost to Lumberton 26-24 in the state championship game. Cartin McBride, a senior RB/LB for the Wildcats hasn’t forgotten the pain of that loss.
“It’s been burning in my heart ever since,” McBride said.
“We’ve been down there before and haven’t won,” Junior offensive lineman Jordan England said. “I hope we can get it this time.”
Plans are for the Wildcats to walk through the high school, middle school and elementary school early Friday morning before heading to Jackson. School will not be closed Friday, but anyone wanting to travel to the game can do so and bring their game ticket back to school to have the absence excused.
Admission at the stadium is $13. Fans can purchase a ticket at Calhoun City High School for $12 in advance.
“We get a share of those proceeds so we hope everyone will come buy a ticket from the school,” Coach Liles said.
Fans will be allowed to remain in the stadium for all games on one ticket. MHSAA will not clear the stadium after each game as in year’s past.
The Wildcats will face top ranked Bassfield who has previously won five state championships, including two of the last three in Class 2A.
“They’re an outstanding team,” Coach Liles said. “There’s no question we’re an underdog going into this game, but we enjoy that role.”