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Columbus shows signs of growth with seven off to college- The Dispatch

WIW1U\ t\Otli$ IDWllUF CT Monday· Thursday 7 a.m • .,,5 'p.m. dosed for Lunch Wednesday 12 p.m. · I p.m.

gave us that winning spirit.

It feels good (to have been a part of that). It feels like I accomplished something. I hope I am a part of something just like that at Jackson State. I have confidence everything will turn around for the better." like Deloach at East Central C.C., James hopes he can help a program coming off back-to-back losing seasons following an eight-win campaign in 2013 get back on top. He believes Hughes, a longtime assistant coach at Mississippi State, is the man to achieve that goal. He said Hughes' "experience on the big stage" will be able to help him transform the program. "He came at me with the intention to turn the whole program around and make it into a SEC team," James said. "He is trying to change everything." Montgomery approached the job at Columbus High in similar fashion. He acknowledged players sometimes are hesitant to accept a new coach until they get to know him and trust him. He said it took time for the Falcons to understand that he and his assistant coaches have their best interests at heart and that they know the game of football. Once the players accepted those things, he said it was easier for the winning to begin. With seniors like the seven who signed Wednesday, Montgomery is confident the program is on the rise and that it will be able to send even more players to the next level in the years to come. Deloach agrees. He said it was a "great feeling" to be apart of history with the Columbus High football team and to help get it back where he said it "needs" to be. He said it also is gratifying to get a chance to be where he needs to be: playing football at the next level. "I don't want any handouts," Deloach said. "Everything I want I want to work for it and keep striving. I am not done. This is just the beginning. When the end rolls around, I think it is going to benefit me and my family very well. "I wasn't trying to look too much into the future, but I prayed about it and put God first and let Him lead me in the right path. Now that this day has come, it is a big relief. I feel good. I feel good. I feel good."

Friday 7 a.m. · 12 p.m.

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