The Presbyterian Christian Bobcats are under new management this season, as the Bobcats hired long-time Jackson Academy head coach Joey Hawkins. In eight seasons with the Raiders, Hawkins had a record of 75-19. CoachesAid sat down with Hawkins to talk about the season so far and what lies ahead for the Bobcats’ program.
The Bobcats rolled over Heritage Academy 20-7 in Week 6.
Q: Talk about your first year here and how you want to move this football program in the right direction.Â
A: Well, we started off 5-1 with wins over Columbia, Wayne, Oak Forest and Heritage Academies. In Week 2, we beat Sumrall 35-18. So we had a good start to the season. However, we lost the last two and we had chances to win them both.
Q: Talk about Jackson Prep and the game this Friday night.
A: It is a big game for us. It is a division game. Jackson Prep is playing their best football of the season right now. Our guys are very excited. It should be a great game.
Q: How is it playing football in a town with big public schools like Hattiesburg High, Oak Grove and Petal?
A: Well, we are a great school here at PCS. We are the fastest growing private school in the state, and we have only had football since 2002. Our kids are playing great and our program has grown so much we are now in the highest division in the MAIS. The constant changes has made it difficult to compete at times, but we have done a good job. Our guys really play their hearts out.
The Bobcats taking on Oak Forrest.
Q: Talk a little about your team's victory over MHSAA opponent Sumrall.
A: It was a great game. Our schools are only 10 miles apart. We come out and really played hard. I believe in the next few years that game will become a great rivalry.
Q: How do you feel about MHSAA vs. MAIS teams competing?
A: I think it is great. I am not sure the exact record, but I believe it is pretty close. It is good for all the schools. It really adds excitement for our crowd and players.
Q: What is something that you tell your guys in the locker room right before you hit the field every Friday night?
A: We tell them to play hard for 48 minutes and to play as smart as you can for that period of time. We are building a program here. Jackson Academy was on top for a while. We are heading in the right direction.
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