By Robert Wilson

Velma Jackson football coach Bernard Euell was one of the most versatile players in high school in Mississippi and in college in the SEC during his playing days in the 1990s.

Euell played quarterback, defensive back, punter, kickoff returner and holder at Jim Hill High in Jackson and was named The Clarion-Ledger Metro Player of the Year and an All-State selection as a senior in 1991. At Mississippi State, Euell continued his versatile play, throwing a touchdown pass against Alabama, intercepting a pass against Baylor, and playing wide receiver, wingback and returning punts and kickoffs during his collegiate career.

Now, Euell coaches versatile players and has a good one in senior Carsyn Day.

The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Day had 7 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup, 1 kickoff return for 20 yards, 1 run for 4 yards and 3 punts for a 35-yard average, including a 43-yarder to lead Class 2A Velma Jackson to a 7-0 victory over Madison County rival and Class 5A Canton Friday night at Velma Jackson.

For his outstanding performance, Day has been named the Priority One Bank/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.

“Carsyn shows great leadership for our team,” said Euell, who is in his sixth season at Velma Jackson. “He has the respect of his teammates and is special kid. Carsyn is one of the brightest students in school. He was a very big reason we were able to defeat our archrivals. Carsyn played great defense and kept Canton from scoring. We scored our touchdown with about 5 minutes to play.”

Day is a three-year starter and played some as a freshman. He had 39 tackles, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups, 4 blocked punts, caught 2 passes for 30 yards and 1 touchdown, 1 run for 60 yards, punted and returned punts as a junior and helped Velma Jackson to a 6-2 record. Day had 41 tackles, 3 interceptions and 1 pass breakup as a sophomore. He scored one TD as a freshman.

Day’s older brother Albert led Velma Jackson with 137 tackles as a senior in 2018 and played at Hinds Community College and is now at student at Alcorn State. 

Velma Jackson visits Class 3A Yazoo County, 1-0, Friday in their second game. 

Mississippi Scoreboard selects a football player from Hinds, Madison or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or phone to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276 or email [email protected].