A quarter of a century. That’s how long it had been since a Columbus High School football team had made it to the playoffs when the 2015 football team arrived there last year. Columbus had its first winning record, 7-4 (3-3 1-AAAA region), in 25 years, too.
In addition, the Blue Devils stellar cornerback, Essang Bassey, their 2015 leading rusher and receiver, signed with Wake Forest and was named the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer’s Player of the Year. Leading passer and TD scorer Derrick James, who was the starting quarterback for the team all four years at CHS, signed with Austin Peay State while Columbus’ leading tackler Brandon Palmer committed to Berry.
It was definitely one for the record books but Columbus High School Head Football Coach Phil Marino is not content for his program to rest on past laurels. If anything, he is looking for more glory days ahead.
“Columbus High football is not an automatic win anymore for opponents,” Marino says.
The team should be in good shape for the upcoming season if they can overcome the loss of several key players and their former standout quarterback. The team returns 14 starters, seven on offense and seven on defense. The O-Line will be strong because of the experience it retained and upperclassmen will also contribute.
Those coming back with a mission to improve on last year’s record include William Nana-Fabu (OL), Tyrese Uzzell (OL), Blake Tew (OL), Bayar Taylor (OL) Terrance Dixon (RB/DB), Donnie Dawson (RB), Josh Lee (WR), Mikail Albritton (LB), Miles Strozier (DB/RB), David Galloway (DE), Ty Lucas (RB/OLB), and Xavier Billingsley (OLB).
The top academic players on the team are also those considered to be college prospects. Six of the returning starter athletes, Nana-Fabu, Uzzell, Tew, Dixon, Dawson and Strozier made both lists.
So many coaching changes have taken place across the Columbus Valley, a scorecard is needed to keep up. Marino practically has seniority locally for maintaining his position at CHS for seven years. With 34 years of experience, he has pretty much seen it all which might explain why he doesn’t mince words when it comes to things like motivating athletes in his program.
“I shouldn’t have to. If they need me to motivate them to play football, they need to try another sport,” says Marino.
Marino’s comments seem a little “old school.” Maybe, but he’s not opposed to trying something new if it has the potential to make a difference. Last season the team initiated a new offense and Blue Devils are sticking with it. Marino describes the previous technique as “we were very vanilla and hope to get deeper into this offensive system.” He would also like to get the points per game up.
His three major goals for the season are lofty and fitting for a coach whose program has apparently broken thru some pretty old barriers. Marino wants to win a state championship, win the region and go undefeated. He finds no reason to do anything any less.
“We cannot and will not go backwards,” says Marino.
Every game will be important as the Blue Devils break in a new quarterback and try to keep last year’s momentum going. Loyal fans including proud CHS Alumni will help cheer on the team’s efforts.
“Without a doubt, best student body fan base in the South! Parent support is tremendous,” Marino says.
Those fans are looking forward to a winning season (which Marino describes as winning more games than you lose). One of the most-anticipated games of the 2016 season will be the Blue Devils game against the Northside Patriots. It recent years, the two schools have established a rivalry of sorts and this year’s match-up should be one to watch.
At the end of the day, Marino and his team are going into the new season with optimism about the possibilities. The 25-year playoff curse is no more. Marino, however, keeps his perspective by continuing a time-honored locker room tradition.
“I wash my players practice clothes every day and hang it for them.”
Columbus Blue Devils
Blue Devils Look For Back-To-Back Playoff Appearances
Written by Beth Welch
Photo by George McDuffie
