HATTIESBURG – One of the best players in PCS football history is still making an impact on the team even though he graduated and is currently gearing up for his freshman season at Ole Miss.
On a spring afternoon just before a PCS baseball game, incoming junior Thomas Holford could be found just outside the north fence of the football field sprinting up the steep hill leading to the field’s scoreboard. After a summer workout in nearly 100-degree heat, another incoming junior, Tyson Keys, can be found doing the same thing.
“You have to put in a lot of work,” Holford said. “It’s really mimicking Isaiah (Woullard), because he set that precedent. He worked so hard for that, and I’m just trying to be like that, because I want to accomplish what he accomplished.”
Keys echoed Holford’s statement.
“Isaiah kind of passed the torch, so I go down there and run hills by myself,” Keys said. “I have a bench at home, so I go work out on that and I run. Anything to get in shape, because that’s one thing I need to improve on.”
Standing at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds and 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Holford and Keys, respectively, are two imposing figures on the defensive line. Both will play on opposite ends, and opposing offensive lines will take notice.
If either Holford or Keys is getting to the quarterback or running backs in the backfield while the other is not, expect the other to pick up his play, too.
“We vibe off of each other,” Keys said. “When he’s doing well, I started doing well. If I start feeling good, then he starts doing better. We vibe off each other really well. I feel like if we put our mind to it, with the bodies God has blessed us with and the mindset he’s blessed us with as well, it’s going to be really hard to contain us.”
During a summer workout in July, Holford turned toward his defensive backs and said, “Just give us a couple of seconds.” That’s all pass rushers need to make their presence felt.
“That’s basically it,” he said. “Guard for three seconds and we’ve got it. There are some good linemen in this district, but I think with the linebackers we have and the defensive ends we have, our pass rush is probably going to be the best in MAIS.”
Not only does Holford believe PCS has the best pass rush in the conference, head coach Joey Hawkins said during his preseason interview for the Football Preview Magazine, Holford and Keys are “two of the best I’ve ever coached.”
“It humbles you really,” Holford said. “It makes me want to work harder. We try really hard and we have a big motor, so it’s rewarding.”
The Bobcats will need dominance from the two defensive ends to start the season, too. The offense has a lot of new faces and it’ll have a new identify with the departures of Woullard and three-year starter at quarterback, Luke Hudson.
PCS will have to rely on the defensive unit during the first couple of games, so Holford and Keys can touch the ball on offense, too.
“Well, we can’t touch the ball without getting a stop on defense,” Keys said. “That’s our main focus. Just make sure we don’t let them get points on the board. Try to keep a zero on their side of the scoreboard.”
PCS begins official practice
MAIS football was allowed to start practice a week earlier than MHSAA schools, and PCS got started Monday morning with the start of two-a-days. The rain Monday and Tuesday forced the team to go inside the new indoor facility that was built next to the baseball field, which is something nearly every other school in the state doesn’t have the luxury of doing.
“It’s been a blessing,” Hawkins said. “We’ve been able to accomplish everything we’ve wanted to do the first two days. It’s been a true blessing to our whole school, and boy, we’ve enjoyed it. We’ve been able to get in every bit of work we’ve needed to.”
PCS will host West Marion Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. to start the season.
