Head Coach Todd Mangum is entering his third season leading the Cougars. The Simpson Academy Cougars are coming off an impressive season. The Cougars posted a 10-3 overall record and fell just short of capturing the MAIS 5A State Championship after a hard-fought game against Oak Forest Academy.
The Cougars graduated 20 seniors after last season which included multiple year starters such as Matt Adcock, Carter Cockrell and Crosby Mullins.
Mangum said, “There are going to be a lot of new faces, anytime you lose 20 seniors I don’t care how big your squad is. I’ve had teams of 100 and teams of 40 and losing 20 seniors it doesn’t matter, not just 20 good football players but 20 good people.”
Mangum said the team has shifted from a class of 20 seniors to a class of four seniors. He said there is a lot of youth on the team, and each day will be a learning experience for them.
He said, “Each and every week will be a growing test for us. We have to mature and grow up each week because of the maturity of our football team now.”
The growth and maturity he referenced was physical, and the biggest gains are seen over the summer. Mangum said the Cougars summer workout began a week before Memorial Day and the team has worked hard.
“Guys have worked hard all summer. We’ve had great attendance, great attitude, and great effort all summer.” Said Mangum.
He said, “We have seen a lot of our younger guys are changing and making a lot of gains in strength, weight, and their bodies are changing. We will continue to see these gains throughout the season and into next offseason.”
Mangum explained that the Cougars are returning limited experience on both sides of the ball, but expressed the team has very talented players capable of stepping up. The Cougars will feature five new offensive linemen this season, and new faces at running back. Benjamin Kennedy and others will see opportunities from the backfield.
Quarterback Barret McKenney is returning for his junior season. McKenney has shown improvement each week since taking over as the starter.
Mangum said, “We saw growth from Barret from week 1 all the way to the state championship. He got better each and every week. He was taking every snap, and he is a year older now. He will be a year more mature at the position and have even more knowledge of the game and what’s expected of him.”
Wide receiver Chanse Funchess will be in line for a big season. Funchess posted six touchdowns last season and showed great chemistry with his quarterback.
The Cougars will have new faces on defense. Mangum explained that the defensive line and linebacker corps will be all new players. This makes every practice and game even more meaningful, as these players adjust to their new roles.
Mangum said, “We have to get better every day, and as coaches that is our job to help them get better. We won’t put any more on them than they can handle. You have to walk before you run, and that’s what we want to do each and every week. Just keep getting better.”
Mangum stressed health during this season and creating depth. He said the more players you have that can play a position well or can play multiple positions the better off your team will be.
He said, “The more guys you have that can play a position or multiple positions will help you in the long run. Because if the injury bug does hit you, then you have guys that can step in. Being injury free and creating depth is something that will be really big for us especially early in the season.”
Mangum praised his senior players Will Smith, Devan Drennan, Tristan Freeman, and Joseph Kilpatrick for their leadership. Mangum said they have done a great job leading by example and being hard workers. Mangum was impressed how the seniors have taken on additional responsibilities as starters as well as being more involved leaders on the team.
In addition to players in new roles, Mangum will have two new faces on his staff this season. Coaches Terry Underwood and Jarrod Jordan have joined Randy McIntyre, Chaucer Funchess, and Matt Lee on the Cougars Coaching Staff.
Although the team will feature new players, the philosophy remains the same. Offensively Mangum wants to establish the run, limit turnovers, and stay on schedule. This will allow the team to use their receiving weapons Chanse Funchess and Braden Duncan. Mangum said he is looking for 3.3 yards a play to keep the chains moving.
On defense the Cougars will focus on stopping the run and limiting big plays. Mangum wants to force teams to drive the length of the field which will lead to mistakes.
He said, “If you can minimize big plays, a lot of times offenses will bog down and have a bad play or have a long yardage situation.”
Mangum intends for his defense to be sound against the run and get off the field on third downs.
The Cougars are primed for another great season. This season will feature Copiah Academy as a division game along with Leake, Lamar, and East Rankin. The non-division schedule will feature new teams such as Hartfield, ACCS, and Taylorsville.
Mangum and the Cougars are looking forward to another great season.
“It’s still Simpson football and the expectations are still the same.”
