By Thomas Sellers Jr.
MEMPHIS — The electric atmosphere on the campus of Southwind High School could be felt through the Memphis sky.
As a Blackhawk helicopter kicked off 2022 Southwind Homecoming festivities, Munford Cougar and Southwind Jaguar fans were moments away from the main event. The Friday night contest between the Jaguars and the Cougars was for the Region 8-5A championship.
A game of big plays, big hits and big moments went the way of the still undefeated Munford Cougars 31-20.
“This was a gut-check from the word, ‘Go,’” Munford Head Coach Slade Calhoun said. “I think we’re going to win it outright even on a tie-breaker. We’ve got to beat Kingsburg and we hold the tie-breaker over Central if there is a three-way tie between us, Central and Southwind. We’re the only one undefeated team in the non-region. But we want to go 10-0. That’s our goal.”
The Cougars (8-0, 3-0 in Region 8-5A) led 8-0 less than 5 minutes into the game. After a 56-yard reception by Isaiah Cobbs moved Munford to the 28-yard-line, senior running back Braxton Sharp did the rest with a touchdown run.
The Jaguars (7-2, 4-1) wasn’t going to let Munford off the hook, easily answering back. Southwind quarterback Edgerrin Whitmore dropped back and fired a pass in the direction of Martez Carter. Carter made a one-handed snag in stride for a 28-yard TD. The score was 8-7.
As the first quarter came to a close, Munford got a big play from quarterback Jordan Bell. The junior signal caller called his own number on running play. After a stiff-arm dropped a Jaguar defender, Bell used his 100m speed to race 94 yards to the end zone and a 14-7 Munford advantage.
The Munford defense led by players like Josh Reeves, Malik Curry, Ethan Kehayias, Jaelon Dowell, Zach Smith, Tristan Bohannon and Mason Madill controlled the box and line scrimmage.
Southwind was scoreless in the second quarter. Braxton Brown added a 30-yard field goal giving Munford a 17-7 lead at the break.
In need of a big play, Southwind created a break by forcing a fumble and scooping up the ball for a 40-yard touchdown return. The scoreboard in Southwind Football Stadium read 17-14.
The Cougar regrouped after the miscue and marched the football down the field. Sharp tallied his second touchdown of the ninth with a direct snap leading to a 1-yard score. Munford led 24-14.
The rest of the third period belonged to the defenses. There were punts and turnovers including a Kehayias interception.
In the fourth quarter a Jaguar turnover led to the game-icing touchdown for Munford. Cobbs snatched the tipped pass out of the air giving the Cougars possession. Moments later, Bell threw a slant pass to a cutting Cobbs for the 13-yard touchdown and a 31-14 lead with 5 minutes and 59 seconds remaining.
Southwind added a last-second touchdown to make the final 31-20. But the night belonged to the now three-time Region 8-5A champs Munford.
“I work the crap out of them,” Calhoun acknowledged. “We go Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. We wear full-gear on Thursdays. We film practice everyday. We’re still coaching up mistakes today on the way to the game.
“They work and kudos to their parents for never complaining about me keeping them all hours and times of the night,” he continued. “We meet on Sunday nights, work, lift and figure out game plans. That’s just a testament to the kids, their parents and the community. The community of Munford has wanted a winner for a longtime. I couldn’t be more happy for them.”
The Cougars have reigned atop the Region since 2020 and the visitor’s side of Southwind Football Stadium was packed with maroon and white.
“Munford is amazing,” Calhoun said. “This is the first time I’ve seen it like this. We had a lot of people supporting us last year. But right now it’s just over the top.
“We’re starting to put together good seasons in a row, getting some continuity,” Calhoun concluded. “Our booster club is just unreal. Our administration is unreal. The city of Munford to the Mayor, everybody is on board. We have the best coaching staff anybody could ask for. It’s just a good time to be a Munford Cougar right now.”
