This is just a little "this and that" to share with everyone regarding Derek Pegues at Mississippi State and the upcoming football camp hosted by Batesville native Deshea Townsend.

Derek Pegues
As for Pegues, he was involved in an off campus altercation at Mississippi State with five of his teammates and an off duty police officer.

Though it was unclear through reported events what actually happened, Pegues and the other five players were indefinitely suspended from the team and missed the April 8 spring game.

The six pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge a couple of days prior to their May 1 court date, each paid $500 and received a six-month suspended sentence.

Though that part of the deal was settled, they still had to contend with Bulldog head coach Sylvester Croom.

Croom made them sweat a while but finally Tuesday relented and said they will be eligible to play in the first game of the season Thursday, August 31.

"The legal system has worked, and our players have been penalized by the court," Croom said in a school press release. "They have each paid a hefty fine and essentially they are on probation for two years.

"They will remain suspended from the football team through the remainder of this semester," Croom added. "When they report back to campus this summer, the suspension will be lifted."

Each is also required to participate in on-campus sensitivity counseling and training, according to the press release.

Deshea Townsend
Townsend was very candid Wednesday in an interview about his disappointment in the lack of participation in the camp from other races participating.

"It is not just for black children," Townsend said.

Batesville is a very unique town in that NFL players take time out of their busy mini-camp schedule to come here and conduct this camp.

Townsend has done it for six years now, bringing his fellow Steelers with him.

Townsend said this a great opportunity for him to come back home and give back to the community. He will be here on Saturday, May 20 to conduct the camp from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

He is well aware that it was more than the black community supporting him as he helped lead the South Panola team to its first ever state championship in 1993 and a 15-0 record. He knows of the support of everyone from this area as he played at Alabama and was drafted into the NFL. He was most aware of the support of his hometown as he and the Steelers went all the way this year and brought home the Super Bowl Trophy.

The camp is not just work. The kids have a lot and I mean a lot of fun. The players step out of their teaching roles every once in a while and just play with the participants.

Last year, one player had a group of very athletic teenage girls who ran him all over the field. They thought he was working them too hard, but every last one of them had a good time.

So no matter the race of your child, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Arab or any other one I can’t think of right now, they are welcome.

There is no charge for the camp. Water and liquids for break and lunch will be provided by Deshea. At the end of the camp, the players will be signing autographs so this is a unique opportunity for the kids to see and talk to professional athletes. Not everyone in Mississippi gets this opportunity. So parents, don’t deny your children and don’t let Deshea down on this one.

"We will be showing kids how to be successful in life and to always give back to their community," Townsend said.

You can’t argue with that.

Parents can come by The Panolian or go by the Boys and Girls Club to pick up forms and return them to either place.

In order to receive a t-shirt the day of the camp, kids must be preregistered by Friday, May 12. If the camp is not full, late registrations may be taken, but there will be no guarantees of a tee-shirt.

For more information, call Myra Bean at (662) 609-6906 or Nyanthia Townsend at (662) 654-3134.
 

Four year head coach Patrick Robey was tapped as the Chickasaw Conference coach of the year.

He directed the Tigers to their first playoff since 1998 and a 14-13 overall season, including playoffs.

"It’s an honor to be recognized by your peers like that," Robey said, looking a little shy about the recognition.

Players receiving All Chickasaw Conference honors were seniors Barrett Johnson, outfield and Jameson Rodgers, short stop.

Honorable Mentions were freshman David Renfroe at third base and senior Jonathan Flint in the outfield.

In softball, junior pitcher Lauren Suratt was selected the All Chickasaw Conference pitcher.

Sophomore Whitney Kiihnl was honorable mention in pitching and utility player.

The lone senior on the team, Summer Gee, was honorable mention for the outfield.
 

Magnolia, Ark.

Herring is a 6-0, 307-pound defensive tackle from Courtland, who transferred to SAU from Ole Miss.

This past season Herring was a Third Team selection on ‘s All-America team, was Daktronics Second Team All-Southeast Region, and Second Team Football Gazette All-Southeast Region picks, and First Team All-Gulf South Conference.

He was selected to play in the Division II 2006 Cactus Bowl All-Star game.

Herring had 40 tackles, 29 solos, 13.5 for 58 yards in lost yardage, 6.5 sacks for minus 37 yards, two pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, and a blocked kick, last season for the Muleriders.
 

Former North Delta head football coach Rick Johnston has accepted a coaching position at Kirk Academy in Grenada.

Johnston was with the North Delta program since 1994, last four as head coach. He amassed a 40-9 record over four years, took the team to one state championship game and won three district championships.

North Delta went undefeated through the regular season in 2004 and have won 20 games in the last two years.

At Kirk, Johnston will serve as the head junior high coach and the defensive coordinator of the varsity team.

Johnston said he entertained other offers, including head coaching positions, but felt the position at Kirk will allow him to fulfill some undisclosed family obligations.

"I also took the position because I have a lot of respect for coach Scott Martin," he said. "He and I are good friends, and he is one of the good guys in this business. He has come up through the ranks like I did as a junior high coach and then he got to be the high school coach."

According to Johnston, Martin was one of the first people who called him when his situation at North Delta changed.

North Delta and Johnston had a mutual parting of the ways for undisclosed reasons, Johnston said. Johnston will finish out the semester at North Delta even though he is going to Kirk each afternoon to participate in spring practice.

Though Johnston expressed excitement about the new opportunity before him at Kirk, he did say he will miss North Delta and the kids.

"I have had some of those guys since seventh grade and we have been down a lot of roads," Johnston said. "For the most part it’s been a good ride. I have some fond memories of my time here.

"I wish the kids here the best," Johnston added. "I’ll be pulling for them except when we play each other."

North Delta and Kirk will meet on September 15 in Grenada.

"Then I’ll have some mixed emotions because I want them to do good," he said. "We have been very successful. The kids play hard. We have a tremendous football history here, and I see that staying the same. I don’t see anything happening to that."

At Kirk 36 players are on the spring roster, with most of the team returning from last year.

"We have a good group down there," Johnston said.

At Kirk Johnston is mostly working with defensive side of the ball and the skill people on offense.

"We’ve got seven or eight kids who can run the 40 under 4.7," he said. "They have a great attitude. We are big up front and athletic."

Johnston bragged on the running back he likened to North Delta’s Dustin Maples and former running back Hayden Sullivant, who holds the private school state record in touchdowns. Maples is second in that category.

"He can fly, real shifty," Johnston said.

Johnston has 10 linebackers he is working with, and he will be able to work with the junior high team a little later on.

"It’s a whole new ball game with me," Johnston said. " I have to learn a whole lot of new faces. I am just excited about the new direction and my new job."

Kirk will play Leake Academy in a spring scrimmage May 12 in Grenada starting at 2:30 p.m.
    

Registration will be held at the old J.P. Hudson ballpark behind the swimming pool.

League director Jerry Self said to be early because registration is only open until the teams are filled.

Registration fee is $65. The cut off date for birthdays is August 1. A copy of the birth certificate and a wallet size photo is required.

Authorized uniforms are required to participate.

The teams from last year all won their league championships. The 7-8 and 9-10 year-old teams were runners up in the North half.

The 11-12 teams were North Half Misssissippi champions with an undefeated season.

For more information, call Jerry Self at
(662) 623-0505.