High School Football Tour: Aberdeen

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ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI Sports) – “At Aberdeen, we’ve been there two times previously and of course that’s the big goal every year for the kids here is to get to Jackson,” Aberdeen head coach Mark Bray said.

It’s the goal of most teams. Get to Jackson. Aberdeen had high hopes for themselves last season. They went 11-3 and reached the North Half Semis before losing to eventual runner up Charleston.

“It was a lot of disappointment. We had some big expectations and just fell short again. Like I said, the kids will bounce back,” Bray said. “They’re going to be ready to make another run at it.”

Bray is in his second year with the Bulldogs. Aberdeen has a core of guys coming back. The team returns 15 seniors and ten starters. Junior quarterback Josh Williams is one of those ten. He threw for over 2,000 yards last season.

“He’s a two-year starter. So having him back, there’s a lot of things that we’ll be able to do that starting over. we wouldn’t be able to do. We’re expecting big things out of Josh,” Bray said.

Louisville is now a big rival. The Bulldogs beat them for the first time ever last season. There are other rivalries to look forward to too.

“Our kids look forward to playing the local teams, Amory, of course, Shannon, both big games. We’re picking New Hope up this year for the first time. We’re expecting that to be a big game too,” Bray said.

Senior wide receiver Sammie Burroughs says there’s a lot to be excited about this season.

“Just improving what we were bad at last year. I think we have more of a chance this year because there’s more leadership. That’s what we lacked a lot of years, leadership,” Burroughs said. “We’re in the weight room every day, trying to scrap and get better.”