Newly signed Tennessee Titan free agent Chris Herring was in Batesville for a quick stop to visit family friends last week.

He had to return to Southern Arkansas University to graduate during his driving around and then he headed to Nashville, Tenn. for a mini-camp which is going on now.

Herring, 23, enjoyed his year at Southern Arkansas in Magnolia, Ark. after leaving Division 1 University of Mississippi for the second time to attend the Division II Southern Arkansas.

He first left Ole Miss in his freshman year before the Rebels played in the Independence Bowl in 2002.

He played at Northwest Community College his 2003 season and then transferred back to Ole Miss for the 2004 season. Then in the spring of 2005, Herring transferred to Southern Arkansas where he was a highly touted senior.

At SAU Herring had 40 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season for the Muleriders. He played in the Cactus Bowl, which he said was "fun" to play in.

"It was fun going against some of the top guys in the country," Herring said. "It let me know where I stood talent-wise."

What did he think about his play?

"I thought I did pretty good," he said.

He must have as the scouting coach signed him to a two-year free agency deal with Tennessee as a defensive tackle.

Herring does not doubt he can play NFL caliber football.

"I have no doubts at all," he said. "I never doubt myself."

In order to be noticed by the NFL, Herring said character off the field is about as important as talent on the field.

"If you have good character off the field, they are going to give you a look if you are talented enough on the field," Herring said.

Before the draft, Herring was rated by some professional draft people as being too short for the defensive tackle position.

"My coach likes guys who come from smaller schools and shorter guys because they can keep the pass lower," Herring said. "With the way he talked to me, he likes me and it’s like I am there already. I just need to hold on."

Players in the NFL who sign free agency contracts seem more likely to be released before, during and immediately following preseason games in August.

While in Nashville, Herring is staying with former South Panola teammate Chris Young until he finds his own place.

He does not expect to return home until the end of June.

Herring reported another former South Panola standout, Rickey Wright, is working in Magnolia, Ark. this season. Wright, who transferred from Mississippi State last spring, will play his senior season at SAU this fall.

The South Panola baseball team honored its players in a banquet Monday night.

The team went to the playoffs for the first time since 1998 this season. Head coach Patrick Robey was very thankful to the team for the efforts and their diligence to get that far this year.

He said this was a goal the team set for the year and they met that goal.

Some outstanding players were recognized following a dinner of fish, chicken tenders, slaw and French fries.

The senior players each received a plaque from Robey. Seniors included Bud Barthold, Kyle Crofford, Jonathon Flint, Barrett Johnson, Josh Boren, Jameson Rodgers and Lance Hendrix.

The coaches were recognized by the Diamond Club, represented by Kenneth Bright. Coaches included Robey and assistants Drew McGeehee, Amir Hunt, Chim Stogner and Brad Lightsey.

Players recognized for 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.

They received their awards at the South Panola awards day Wednesday.

Team awards were voted on by team members.

Selected as the best offensive player was Rodgers. He was 44 of 94 at bats, batted .461, had nine doubles, one triple, four homeruns and 41 RBIs (runs batted in).

Voted the best defensive player was Mitchell Houston. He was 21 of 72 at bats, batted .292, had six doubles and 11 RBIs.

Lance Hendrix was the most improved player. He was 25 of 82 at bats, batted .305, had 11 doubles and 17 RBIs.

The Tiger award for best work ethic and attitude went to Tyler Benson.

The most valuable players for the year were Boren and Johnson.

Boren was 41 of 95 at bats with a .431 average. He had 10 doubles, one triple, three homeruns and 36 RBIs.

"Barrett would have had a higher RBI number, but he was our lead off batter most of the time," Robey said.

Johnson was 39 of 96 at bats with a .406 average, had 11 doubles, two triples, four homeruns and 22 RBIs.

Robey challenged upcoming players Houston, Heath Bolton and Marty Stokes to take the team to the next level in the upcoming season.

Robey was voted the Chickasaw Conference Coach of the Year earlier in the month.
 

Well, the wait is almost over for the 300 plus children who have signed up to participate in Deshea Townsend’s annual football camp tomorrow.

The camp is called Pay It Forward and Deshea along with four or five of his Super Bowl teammates will make the trip to Batesville to conduct this camp.
Though it will be similar to the past years, there will be a few differences.

The professional players will take a few minutes during each break to talk to the children about things which can make their lives more successful and maybe even pleasant.

Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward will speak on "Doing the Right Things."

Joey Porter will speak on "Handling Success." Chris Hope got the hot topic of "Peer Pressure."

Casey Hampton will tackle the subject, "It All Starts With Education."

Deshea will open and close the camp with some words of wisdom from his experience in the NFL world.

It’s real important that parents get the children to South Panola football Tiger Field on Highway 51 on time. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and the children can pick up their t-shirts and have plenty of time to get them.

Every minute of the camp is planned so your children can get the maximum benefit of these professional players’ experience.

There is still some space left in the high school grades 9 to 12. The local football players from the three schools are issued a special invitation to come and take part in the camp.

These professional players have made it to where you want to be and have some advice they can share with you.

Any athlete, male and female, can definitely benefit from the wisdom these guys will impart so feel free to come be a part of the camp.

The best part is that after the camp is over and you have eaten lunch provided by Deshea, the players will be glad to sign autographs for you.

Even though the experience will be remembered a long time, the autographs will be something tangible for you to hold on to forever to pass down to the next generation.

One parent told me that, "He (Deshea) is so nice to do this. You don’t find many people who would do this for people."

She’s right. Deshea is very nice. He does not have to do this. He spends about $20,000 or more of his own money to give our kids the joy of a lifetime. When you see him and he gives you his autograph, say thanks. He doesn’t "owe" us this camp. He feels he should give back to the community who has supported him throughout the years, and he has more than repaid anything he thinks he owes.

So, dress for hot weather and to run around on the football field. Wear hats and tennis shoes. I do not suggest sandals. You cannot maneuver the drills in sandals. I suggest shorts and the camp t-shirt and not skirts or dresses.

The camp will be held in the newly renamed R.H. Dunlap Stadium on Tiger Field from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Parents should bring the children to the stadium to check-in beginning at 8:30 a.m. so they can be in position no later than 9:15 a.m. in order for the camp to start on time.

The participants will be separated by grades and taken through a series of drills by the professional players, along with South Panola coaches, and former and current football players.

I even heard Ole Miss players Peria Jerry and Jamarca Sanford will be here.

For more information on the camp, call me at 609-6906.
 

Croom will be at the Batesville Civic Center, 290 Civic Center Drive on Tuesday, May 23.

Social starts at 6 p.m. Program begins at 6:30 p.m.

The cost is $10 per person. Students 18 and under are free. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served.

For more information, please contact Bart at
662-325-3594 or Michael at 662-325-3659.