Keontya Winder and Tashad Thompson will help spearhead the Greenville High School defense this season. Winder will be a junior free safety, while Thompson will be a senior inside linebacker.
The two Hornets both head into the new season with experience. They both know their roles and what their teammates and coaches expect.
“My role is to be one of the leaders of the team,” Winder said. “I am the last line of defense. If anything gets past me, it is a touchdown so I play a big role.”
Said Thompson, “I am the captain of the box. If someone comes in the box, it is on me to stop them. I can’t let someone get past me. It is my job to lead the team and call out all the plays.”
Greenville head coach George Richardson, heading into his second season leading the Hornets, said both Winder and Thompson have the maturity and the defense his team needs to succeed.
On Winder, the coach said, “On top of Keontya being a very hard worker, he has very high football IQ. He tends to be in the right places at the right time. He had a great sophomore season last year. He is an excellent open field tackler. He will definitely be playing at the next level next year. He is also one of the fastest guys in the school. He makes great grades as well. He is one of the kids with great character. He checks all the boxes.”
On Thompson, the coach said, “Tashad had a great season last year. He played a little more defensive end last year out of necessity, but he is selfless. He is more of an inside linebacker. He said ‘Wherever you need me coach, I am going to play’. He is also a great student.”
The Hornets won two games under Coach Richardson last season. They defeated Greenwood 33-12 on Sept. 8 and Yazoo City 34-6 on Oct. 27. Greenville has not won more than three games in a season in 12 years, something Winder and Thompson hope to change.
“I know we have a lot of people hating on us. I tell them to ‘keep hating’. I think we are going to have a winning season. The bare minimum is to make it to the first round of playoffs,” said Winder.
Said Thompson, “I feel like, since this is my last year, we have to change how the community sees the program. It is my responsibility to help make that happen.”
