DeAngelo Ballard will get an opportunity to watch his first Winona High School football team battle another opponent when the Tigers take on Leake Central High School at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Louisville High School jamboree.
“The guys have bought in to what we have been teaching them this summer,” said Ballard, a former Noxubee County assistant coach who replaced Joey Tompkins as head coach at WHS. “They have been doing the things we have asked of them. They have watched film, lifted weights and put in the work on the field. It’s now time to see how it transitions over to the field and in a game.”
Ballard said most of the offense Winona is running is similar to what the team did last year with new terminology.
“Our goal is to play fast. While we have been doing that in practice, we still can go faster,” the first-year coach said. “We are still trying to develop depth on defense. That’s one thing we are hoping comes out of this jamboree. We need to have some young kids step up.
“Leake Central also has a new head coach, but I know they have a good wide receiver who has committed to Arkansas State. They will be prepared,” Ballard added.
“The No. 1 goal in a scrimmage or jamboree game is to come out of it healthy. We do want to play well and see where we are at going into the season opener. It’s also the first time most of these coaches will be working together, so it’s good for us as well.”
The Tigers kick off the 2025 campaign Aug. 29 at home against Southaven High School.
