The last time the Grenada High School football team took to the field for a game that meant something, it was December 2024 in the Class 6A State Championship Game. That night in M.M. Roberts Stadium at the University of Southern Mississippi, the Chargers dismantled Hattiesburg 43-14 to capture its first-ever state championship.
Nine months later, third-year head coach Michael Fair sends the Chargers to the field Friday night as they open the season against Pine Bluff (Ark.) High School. Fans will see a different team as graduation took a toll with just five returning starters.
Still, Fair likes the makeup of the 2025 Chargers.
“We lost a lot of talented players off the 2024 team,” he said. “That being said, I like this team and the talent level they bring to the table. We have a way to go, but I think we have a chance to be pretty good.”
One of the biggest questions heading into the season was a replacement for All-State running back Macaleb Taylor. Three backs will see action Friday night. They include Taylor’s brother, Malik, a 205-pound junior, sophomore transfer K.J. Jones (210 pounds) and sophomore Christian Ewing (185 pounds).
The offensive line has one starter returning in senior Quan Bland (295 pounds) at left tackle. He will be joined by classmates Rowdy Staten (220 pounds) at center, Colt Butler (290 pounds) at right tackle, junior Kameron Washington (250 pounds) at left guard and freshman D.J. Hooker (250 pounds) at right guard. Senior Andrew Fair (200 pounds) returns at tight end.
A second area that was hit hard by graduation was linebacker. Senior Jereon Reed (200 pounds) is the lone returning starter at the position. Classmate Ryan Spencer (205 pounds) moves from the defensive line to linebacker fulltime after having played both positions. Other linebackers will be junior Layne Gillon (195 pounds), classmate Mason Hughes (180 pounds) and Austin Moore (185 pounds). Senior Damareon Sims (205 pounds) will also play linebacker.
“Usually, the offensive line is the furthest behind this time of year,” Fair said. “The preseason is so hard to get ready for whatever front you may see. I think it is going to be outstanding, and they continued to get better each week. They get coached very well and want to be coached. There is a lot on their plates with the style of play we have.”
Grenada hosted Holmes County Central in a jamboree scrimmage last week, losing a 12-7 decision to the Class 5A Jaguars. It was a game that showed areas that needed to be improved heading into the season.
“The obvious thing you saw in the jamboree were the turnovers – something that we don’t normally do,” Fair said. “Defensively, we ran to the ball well. I was pleased with our effort, but we did have a busted coverage that gave up a big play. There were a couple of times in short yardage that we weren’t lined up correctly. All these things can be fixed.”
Friday’s opponent, Pine Bluff, is coming off a 3-7 season. Two years ago, the Zebras came to Grenada to open the 2023 season. The Chargers won a 30-7 decision over a team that finished 10-3, losing in the Class 5A Arkansas semifinals.
Fair expects a talented group of players coming to Grenada.
“We don’t know much about Pine Bluff,” Fair concluded. “Two years ago, they brought a talented group in here and we expect the same Friday.”
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday at Charger Stadium.
