#HSFT17: Stop No. 17 – Booneville Blue Devils

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — They call it “Competition Wednesday” at Booneville.

Five stations with five teams, doing everything from flipping tires to pushing sleds, the Blue Devils aim to out-work their opponents in 2017 as they return a young nucleus that has shown promise to head coach Mike Mattox.

“We have several young athletes that are coming up,” coach Mattox said. “We have a good mixture. We have 6 seniors. Most of our skill people will be sophomores and juniors. We have a great freshman class coming up.

“I’m excited about our kids and the work ethic they display during the summer and the off-season. It’s the best we have ever had here. You have to work hard and everything will take care of itself. Nine out of ten times, if you do work hard you’ll be successful at whatever you try.”

Booneville aims to be successful with a new wrinkle in their offense this season, as coach Mattox is slotting super star athlete Dallas Gamble in at the quarterback spot.

The 6’1 junior had stand-out seasons on the ground and in the passing game his first 2 years at Booneville, but this year he’ll have the ball in his hands on every play.

“He’s worked extremely hard,” Mattox said on Gamble. “Dallas right now is a little fast with what we’re trying to do. It will slow down for him, the concepts, is what he’s working on. I don’t care how good you are, the reps are important. It’ll become easier and easier as they go on.”

Booneville’s tradition is well-documented across Mississippi, as the Blue Devils have missed the playoffs just once since 1992 and have three State Championships to their name.

But the 3A Title eludes the Blue Devils, and Mattox hopes the ball will bounce their way this year.

“We will need a break or two,” Mattox said. “It won’t be from lack of effort. Maybe with some more experience we will handle something like that when the bleeding starts. Our goal is to make it to the playoffs every year. We want to take that next step.”

Booneville will start the season at home versus Mooreville then finish up the month of August hosting Baldwyn in the Skunk Bowl.