#HSFT16: Stop No. 30 – Mooreville Troopers

MOOREVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — What better way to begin a new era than to bring back an alum of your school?

That’s what Mooreville is doing as they welcome former Trooper football player John Keith back to take over the football program in 2016.

“We’ve had a great summer,” coach Keith said. “I’ve been excited being here and getting to know the kids. Just anticipating what we’re going to be on the field.

“I really like our defense. I think we have a chance to be solid on defense. Coach Young does a great job with those guys. We have senior leaders on that side of the ball. Early on they’ll have to carry us while we figure out what we’ll be offensively.”

Coach Keith takes over a program that has seen a resurgence in the last 5 years, making the playoffs in 4 of those seasons.

Before that, the Troopers had made the playoffs just 3 times in 30 years. The expectations are there but so is a head coach who has to adapt to his new surroundings.

Coming from Tupelo, Keith now has the reigns of a program that he hopes the community will get behind.

“We have a great coaching staff and support staff and administration,” Keith said. “I’m excited. This place means a lot to me personally. I’m excited to impact young people in this area and put something the community can be proud of on the field every Friday.”

There’s much to replace from a strong senior class last year that included do everything athlete Tay Rucker but there is much returning including quarterbacks Mitchell Tharp and Andrew Peugh, top receiver Carson Cryder and leading tackler Nathaniel Smith.

Coach Keith is telling his kids to focus on their play on the field and not so much as to what is happening on the scoreboard.

“Don’t get into the wins and losses,” Keith is telling his kids. “Let’s get better and be accountable on field, in the classroom and in life. We want to be physical, be aggressive and compete every day. Not putting a number on if we win x amount of games. It’s about us getting better.”