Devin McCray, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, uses something special to motivate himself every time he takes the field for the St. Joseph Catholic School football team.
McCray’s father passed away when he was just seven years old. Before each game, McCray honors his father by writing the words “Long Live Derrick Jones” on the tape wrapped around his wrist. McCray’s father passed away from pneumonia.
“Even though I was young when he died, I still miss him everyday, and I play every game in his honor,” McCray said. “My father was a really cool dad, and I want to do whatever I can to preserve his legacy.”
This season McCray is a senior leader on the undefeated St. Joseph team (4-0) that is seeking its third straight Mississippi Association of Independent Schools state championship.
After sitting out the last two weeks because of a concussion, McCray, a defensive end, recorded 10 tackles in the Irish’s 44-12 victory over Greenville Christian School last Friday.
“I am glad to have had a good game last week, but I am just doing my part to help the team win,” McCray said. “This is a special team, and as a senior it is my goal to motivate the younger players and to show leadership.”
McCray is not just a talented athlete, he is also a great student. With a 3.8 grade point average, McCray has already been accepted to Mississippi State University where he hopes to one day become a finance manager.
St. Joseph Catholic School coach John Baker said McCray’s intellect and leadership are a critical component to his team’s success.
“His senior leadership and experience are important to us,” Baker said. “He has been there and done that so he can really help the younger players.”
Coach Baker and the rest the Irish will need fine play once again from all their leaders if they hope to extend their winning streak (the state’s longest) to 15 games when they travel to Batesville tonight to take on undefeated North Delta School.
“We have a great challenge ahead of us,” Coach Baker said. “They are a 4A school, and they are the No. 1 team in 4A.”
The Irish play in Class 3A.
