Grenada Starts Season Under New Coach, Eyes Another State Title

Grenada will begin its season under first-year Head Coach Brooks Oakley and will open at Ripley on Sept. 4 after a week-one bye, the team said.

The Chargers finished last season 7-4 and lost in the Class 6A playoffs by a touchdown, the team said. Oakley said he wants to extend the program’s recent success and impress upon younger players the work required to win.

“They’ve had real success here the last couple of years,” Oakley said. “Just trying to carry these seniors were sophomores, and sometimes, when you fight that, they weren’t a huge part of that team and that success, so making them understand that, hey, you can’t just show up and win a state championship; there’s work that’s put into that. There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears put into that.”

The team said it is aiming to replicate its 2024 run, when Grenada won 14 straight games and captured a state championship. Offensive lineman Kham Washington said the goal is another ring and to build leadership among younger players.

Players said coaches have emphasized competition and toughness in practice. “Iron sharpens iron, we just trying to get each other better every day and just go out there and win,” cornerback Corday Singleton said. Linebacker Austin Moore said the focus is communication and getting everyone to the ball. Senior running back Malik Taylor said the team must keep grinding despite the heat.

Source: Original Article