TURNING UP THE HEAT

With challenges ahead in Class 2A, DII competition, Meridian Yellowjackets begin practice for 2024 high school football run through District 10-2A, DII

Making the most of Summer Strength, Conditioning & Skills Camp for seven weeks during the heat of the summer, the Meridian Yellowjackets took the first steps in preparing to compete in their new Class 2A, Division II football district established with the UIL realignment last February.

After going through the summer workout program, there’s plenty to like about the group of student-athletes Meridian will be putting on the gridiron with this season. Quoting NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, Jacket coaches encourage their athletes by echoing these words: “Today, I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow, I can accomplish what others can’t.”

“We have a great group of athletes that have worked hard this summer to prepare themselves,” Meridian athletic director and football head coach Jim Kerbow said. “And we look forward to great improvement this season.”

Looking for their first playoff appearance since 2017, Meridian has shown marked improvement over the last two seasons and will have a wealth of experience returning for the upcoming 2024 season. As a part of the eight-team District 10-2A, Division II, the Jackets line up against the fourth-ranked Mart Panthers, sixth-ranked Bremond Tigers, 11th-ranked Chilton Pirates, Goldthwaite Eagles, Wortham Bulldogs, Frost Polar Bears and Hubbard Jaguars.

“Our kids have worked extremely hard and have improved tremendously over the past two years,” Kerbow said. “Therefore, our kids will be up for the challenge. Our expectations will be to go and compete. We have an opportunity to win the majority of our district games. So, we need to approach each week with a great mindset.”

With losing some key players from last season to graduation, the Jackets opened workouts Monday in search of replacements this season. After getting almost two weeks of practice in battling through 100-plus degree heat, Meridian will travel to Rio Vista to face the Eagles in their first scrimmage at 5 p.m. Aug. 16.

“We do have several holes to fill,” Kerbow said. “However, because we were able to play a JV schedule last season, we have several young men who are prepared to step into those roles. And we look for great things out of those guys.”

Despite some personnel decisions to be made going into workouts in preparation for the upcoming season, Kerbow feels his system has been established and it’s more about repetition to smooth out the rough spots before the season opener at home against Bruceville-Eddy Aug. 30.

“We are in year three of the program,” Kerbow said. “Our players know the expectations. We are not having to change much offensively and defensively, so we should be firing on all cylinders come Aug. 30.”