Countdown to Kickoff: Harrison Central Red Rebels

GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) – Since 1958, Harrison Central has only made it to the second round of the playoffs twice. However, the Red Rebels' graduating class has made the postseason twice and has the experience to make a splash in 2024.

“I’m excited to see what we can accomplish with me as quarterback and a new offensive line,” said senior quarterback Jorden Anderson.

“We still have a lot of guys here. We're a little older and have a little more experience,” said veteran offensive lineman Jaxson Moore. “We have a lot of core players back from the young group we had a year ago.”

“We're really excited. The kids are excited about the future. I'm excited about the future,” said head coach Nekemia Rich. “We're slogging out here in the heat while taking precautions. Everyone in Mississippi is pretty much in the same boat, so we're excited to get out here, work hard and get ready to get going at the end of the month.”

After two seasons with the program, Tony Myers leaves as head coach of the Red Rebels, paving the way for a familiar name to take over.

Nekemia Rich was promoted to head coach after 20 years at Harrison Central Athletics.

“My expectations are still the same,” Rich says. “I want to develop the whole athlete, not just the football player, but a young man. As much as a player improves as a football player, I want him to improve as a young man.”

“I like it. There's a lot more leadership. You can tell the energy has changed,” Anderson said.

“He's been a great leader. He's already changed the culture,” Moore said. “Our team has a better attitude and we see people taking things more seriously. Even at summer workouts, a lot more people came.”

Rich and his team know what it takes to win while also teaching the athletes to be exemplary young men in the community. This style of coaching has allowed the team to stay engaged and visualize a potential run to the playoffs.

“I want to go to the district,” Anderson said. “We obviously want to have a positive record, do our best and go as far as possible.”

“Of course you want to have fun, but the main goal is to win,” Moore said. “We haven't made it past the first round since I've been here. We know we have the talent and we trust each other. We're a close-knit family that's growing closer and closer, so I want to win with them. These are my guys and I love them like family.”

The Red Rebels open the season against the Gautier Gators, who finished last season 8-5.

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