By Rupert Howell

Charleston High School football coach Tony Vance and his assistant coach Kevin Farmer have not only been combing Charleston and Tallahatchie County, but surrounding areas like Batesville looking for help to buy their football team rings in honor of their recent championship season.

Farmer, a former South Panola Tiger, Northwest Ranger and Ole Miss Rebel, is asking former acquaintances and friends to help and both are visiting businesses and professionals trying to raise an estimated $25,000 to purchase the 77 rings for players and coaches.

Vance, who also serves as the school’s athletic director said last week, “They (the Charleston High School Tiger football team) have done their job. Now we are hoping people in the community and surrounding area will step forward,” adding, “We’ve got to do this for them. Many don’t have the resources to do this for themselves.”

Vance and Farmer both noted that although the players didn’t come from Batesville or Panola County, many Charleston area supporters work and shop here.

The athletic department is also putting together a DVD of Charleston’s championship game which will be sold with all proceeds going toward the rings.

The championship rings are priced at $329 each. Coach Vance is asking that donations be sent to his attention at: East Tallahatchie School District, 411 E. Chestnut St., Charleston, MS 38921. They also ask that “championship rings” be written in the designation line of check or money order.