Winona seeking return to postseason

Published 1:34 pm Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Winona was in the football playoffs every year from 2015-19.

Some hard times have hit the Wildcats with finishes of 1-8 and 2-8 the past two seasons.

Ninth-year head coach Keylon Kincade and his team said they’re ready to return to their form from before 2020.

“I’m expecting leadership and tenacity,” Kincade said. “I want them running around and being violent. I’m looking for them to be able to lead our young kids to grow to be as they are. This is a great group of fine young men that exhibits what we want of them in the classroom, on the field and out in the community. They’re well-respected and make good grades.

“I can’t sing enough praises to them. So I expect them to go out and reap the rewards of their labor and go out there and go back to the playoffs, get back to our winning ways.”

The Wildcats return 10 starters from last season when they averaged 9.6 points per game and allowed 38 points per game.

“I’m looking forward to this season a lot,” senior running back and linebacker Jesse Jones said. “Last year didn’t go how we wanted it to, so we’re just trying to make a comeback and have a deep run in the playoffs.

“I think we have a lot of committed players this time. I think if everyone stays committed and nobody gets injured, I think we’re going to have a good run.”

Jones had 72 carries for 318 yards on offense last season, and he had 115 tackles, two forced fumbles and five tackles for loss.

Nate Hampton (39 of 89, 616 yards, six touchdowns), who is currently the salutatorian of his graduating class according to Kincade, is back at quarterback.

“I’m very excited,” Hampton said. “This is our last ride, and we want to go out with a bang. We want to show the younger group what to expect and give them something to carry on with.

“We need to have a good mindset and just all of us be committed and know that we can do this. We need to play as a group and not as individuals. It’s a team sport.”

“I’m expecting continued leadership from him,” Kincade said. “Nate is a lead-by-example and a lead verbally guy. He will play quarterback, receiver, corner; he will be a multi-role guy. He’s a smart young man. He’s the salutatorian in his class right now, but we’re looking for him to get that valedictorian.”

Winona opens the season Aug. 26 at Grace Community.

Aug. 26: at Grace

Sept. 2: at Lone Oak

Sept. 9: Redwater

Sept. 16: Frankston

Sept. 23: *at Edgewood

Sept. 30: *Arp

Oct. 7: *at West Rusk

Oct. 21: *Grand Saline

Oct. 28: *at Troup

Nov. 4: *Quitman

*District 9-3A Division II Game

All games at 7:30 p.m.