As football began and baseball season trailed off into a memory, there were a lot of great plays on the field, but some of the best plays happened off the field and even in the stands.
My sports weekend began Thursday night at Presbyterian Christian School in Hattiesburg as the West Marion Trojans headed to kick off football season for the teams in Marion County. The Trojan Nation traveled well, complete with band, cheerleaders, mascot and filled bleachers full of fans. Though their team ended up on the losing side of the scoreboard, the Trojans’ faithful cheered and support their team to the end.
On Friday night, I traveled to Liberty to watch East Marion’s Eagles take on the Amite County Trojans. The Eagles brought a good crowd, complete with cheerleaders and dance team, but it was what happened after the game that really sticks in my mind.
After a hard-fought 28-20 loss for the locals, both teams gathered at midfield. Amite County coach Reginald Lumpkin addressed both teams and told the Eagles that they fought hard and were a good team. Then both teams knelt and placed their hands on another player’s shoulders as East Marion senior running back Jarveon Howard led a prayer. As the teams knelt in the hazy night air, the stadium lights glowed and there was silence. Young men then got up off their knees and shook each other’s hands and headed their separate ways.
The Eagles this week will host crosstown rival Columbia. It should be a great game.
Two of the area teams were victorious this weekend. Columbia thumped its opponent, Richton, and Columbia Academy came from behind to top Silliman Institute in Clinton, La.
On Saturday, the eyes of Marion County turned to baseball and softball as hundreds showed up to honor area teams that had made it to Dixie Youth World Series’ across the South.
By 9:30 a.m., the parking lot of the Piggly Wiggly was packed with players, coaches and parents decorating floats to head down Main Street toward downtown Columbia.
Columbia Police Department officers, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Columbia Fire Department firefighters and District 2 Constable Robbie Gill helped lead the way. You could hear the sirens for miles as the police cars and fire trucks led the floats containing the baseball and softball players through town. Players threw beads and candy to fans along Main Street.
The whole procession ended behind City Hall at the Pearl River Interpretive Plaza. Mayor Justin McKenzie spoke about the teams and Gill offered a prayer to open a ceremony honoring the young men and women. State Dixie Youth Director Tommy Rheams spoke about Columbia’s role, becoming one of the cities that sends multiple teams to the championships each year.
One by one, coaches introduced the players as parents, grandparents and siblings took pictures and cheered. It was a great atmosphere. As the ceremony closed, everyone adjourned to City Hall for cold drinks, sweet treats and gift bags for the players. It was a true example of community support.
The parade was a reminder of the good things that happen in small towns across America. In an age when people are divided by politics, race and religion, one thing seems to unite them: sports.
The unity via sports can be seen in Columbia at events such as the parade and on any given night on the gridiron. There is a lesson to be learned through sports and it might be one the nation needs to hear.
Pictured Above: Jarveon Howard prays over both East Marion and Amite County following Friday's game. | Photo by Mark Rogers
