Smith named All-Area MVP, Johnson earns coach of year
Henry Johnson has not missed the playoffs in all of his 19 seasons as a high school head football coach.
His sixth season with Clarksdale High School in 2018 was no different, but he and his athletes earned several honors along the way.
Johnson, who was the Mississippi head coach in the 2018 Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game en route to a 24-20 win, led the Wildcats to the second round of the playoffs and earned the Press Register All-Area coach of the year selection.
“I appreciate having the honor of being named coach of the year, but if it wasn’t for my coaching staff and all the hard work that they put in and my players with all the hard work and dedication that they put in, it wouldn’t be possible for me to get this honor,” Johnson said.
Wildcats senior outside linebacker Kevin Smith played for Johnson in the all-star game and finished 2018 with 94 tackles, three sacks, four pass deflections, four fumble recoveries, two caused fumbles and three touchdowns. He was named the Press Register All-Area MVP.
“I’m a blessed child,” Smith said.
When asked about how he was able to succeed, Smith said, “Staying disciplined, staying prayed up and just playing hard every Friday and whenever I have a game.”
It was CHS’s second season as a Class 4A school after moving down from the 5A level.
The Wildcats earned a playoff spot in 2017, but lost at home in the first round to Corinth, 14-7. In 2018, CHS (7-5, 3-1) overcame two fourth-quarter blocked punts to win a home playoffs game against Itawamba Agricultural, 21-16.
“We set a goal,” Johnson said. “Our goal was to win the district, but of course, we came up a little short of winning the district. We just had a different mentality coming in and worked harder. We knew what we were up against. We wanted to really improve that record from the previous year, and we did.”
With Smith, quarterback Cameron Matthews, middle linebacker Trejan Latham and other seniors, this was one of Johnson’s better teams.
“This coaching job wasn’t bad because we had a great group of kids here – good senior leadership,” Johnson said. “It wasn’t bad this year at all.”
Smith had goals similar to his coach and was glad to win a playoff game his senior year.
“We wanted it. We were determined to get it,” he said. “That’s what we went out there and showed them that we’re Clarksdale Wildcats. I’m going to forever be a Clarksdale Wildcat.”
When things got tough in the fourth quarter against Itawamba Agricultural, Smith’s senior leadership kicked in.
“I told them be patient, just calm down,” he said. “We can get through anything if we just stay together. We’ve got to play together – 11 as one every snap.”
Johnson was the head coach at his alma mater, West Bolivar, for 13 seasons before coming to CHS. The success has been there at both places, but the preparation was different.
“In 2A, if you’ve got a couple good players, you can get away with it, but in 4A, 5A ball, you need more than just a couple good players,” he said. “You’ve got to have good players, good scheme, good coaching staff, be able to make adjustments quickly. It’s different.”
Coming off of a season full of successes, both Johnson and Smith are looking to the future with optimism.
Johnson said the Wildcats are looking to “reload” instead of “rebuild” and could have younger athletes in Smith and Matthews’ spots.
“It’s going to be difficult to fill Kevin’s spot,” Johnson said. “He’s just a versatile kid. We have to find someone to do it, but it will be hard to do.
“We’re losing a lot of production with Cameron – a lot of rushing yards, a lot of passing yards. It will definitely be hard. We’ll be young in that position again this year, too.”
Smith said a lot of talent is coming back, including junior running back and kick returner Queston Skipper, sophomore punter and wide receiver Josh Hollins and junior cornerback Chris Williams. He added he hopes they become more versatile next season and help their recruiting prospects.
Smith himself played wide receiver and running back on offense along with special teams.
“Just go out there and play hard,” said Smith when discussing what it will take to succeed in 2019. “Stay disciplined. When the going gets tough, they can bend, but don’t break.”
The Wildcats finished second in their division for two consecutive seasons and Smith is hoping for that to change.
“I’d like to see them win because that’s something that I can’t do,” he said. “I built the legacy that they’re coming behind. I can’t wait to see them play Greenwood. I will be at that game. I think it’s going to be at home.”
The Clarksdale Municipal School District is in the process of building a new football field and Johnson said there is a chance it will be ready for the final regular-season home game against Greenwood. The Bulldogs are back-to-back district champions.
“We’re hoping we could play a game in it next year,” Johnson said. “It might be at the end of the season, but we’re hoping we could get in it.”
Johnson thanked the administration, specifically superintendent Dennis Dupree, who announced he will be retiring at the end of the school year.
“I’d just like to thank my administration with the superintendent, school board for all the support that they give me on a daily basis,” Johnson said. “They make sure we get everything we need for our kids. If it wasn’t for them, we definitely wouldn’t have any success.
“Mr. Dupree has been great for our football program. He really has and I hate to see him retire. We’re going to hate to see him leave. We’re hoping that we get some in-house person.”
Smith also had praise for those who helped him succeed.
“Shout out to my teammates, my brothers and my parents,” he said.
“Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. I’m just a kid from Clarksdale.”
