By Robert Wilson
Former Brandon High, Mississippi State and NFL running back Jerious Norwood – considered one of the best high school players in Mississippi history – didn’t make it to the state championship game during his high school career.
His nephew, Brandon linebacker Khalil Norwood, has now made it twice.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound senior had 15 tackles, one for loss, and three quarterback hurries to help Brandon to a 31-13 victory over Ocean Springs Friday night in the MHSAA Class 7A semifinals at Ocean Springs.
For his outstanding performance in a huge game, Norwood has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.
Norwood led Brandon’s defense limit Ocean Springs to only 147 total yards and its lowest point total since 2019. It was the 10th time Norwood had 10 or more tackles this season. His season high is 18 tackles against Warren Central.
The win puts Norwood and his teammates into the state championship game for the third time in the past four seasons. Brandon, 12-1, meets Tupelo, 13-0, for the 7A state title Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Southern Miss’ M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg (televised on MEtv and radio on ESPN the Zone 105.9 FM). Brandon is looking for its first state title in school history.
Norwood – a member of the Performance Therapy/Mississippi Scoreboard Preseason Metro Jackson Elite 11 Team – has 170 tackles, 11 for loss, 10 sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, 3 caused fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.
“Khalil has been playing as good as any defensive player in the state the last few weeks,” Brandon coach Sam Williams said. “We shouldn’t be surprised because we have seen him do it time and time again but seeing an undersized inside linebacker make as many plays as he does against huge offensive linemen is always impressive. Coming into the year we needed to replace some big-time defensive production when we lost Jaeden Calendar, and Khalil was just the kid to do it. He started the year fast and has been an absolute tackling machine and has grown into a great leader. I am so proud of him and the young man he is becoming.”
“Khalil has been a great player for us since he was a sophomore. He was a linebacker and running back at the junior high and ninth grade levels and eventually settled into the role of inside linebacker as he transitioned into varsity football. Khalil is a very athletic, super productive player who always seen so be around the football. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with football IQ, toughness, and a willingness to tackle.”
“Khalil played with passion Friday night,” Brandon defensive coordinator Greg Robinson said. “He was all over the field. Khalil has always been a good player, but his maturity and growth from his sophomore year to now has turned him from a good player to a team leader and a player younger guys can look up to. I’m so proud of the growth he has made over these three years. Khalil leads the team in tackles, but also in energy and effort. I’m excited I get to watch him play his last high school football game in the biggest game of the year.”
He had 157 tackles (12.1 tackles per game), 14 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, 1 interception for a 53-yard TD, 1 caused fumble and helped Brandon to a 10-3 record and semifinals of the MHSAA Class 7A playoffs last season as a junior.
Norwood had a career-high 20 tackles in the season opener against Picayune last year. He had his 53-yard interception return for a touchdown in a win over Oak Grove in the regular season.
He was a second team All-Metro Jackson choice last year as a junior.
Norwood has been selected to play in the Bernard Blackwell North-South All-Star Football Game at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 21 at Gulfport’s Milner Stadium.
He has offers from Hinds Community College and Northwest Mississippi CC.
Norwood is the son of Sanders Norwood and Kim Mosley. Sanders played football at Pearl High and Hinds CC. Kim graduated from Pearl High. His older brother, Jalen Hill, and older sister, Aniya Norwood, both graduated from Brandon.
His uncle, Jerious, produced 8,027 yards and 92 touchdowns in his brilliant high school career from 1999-2001 and was a high school All-American. He went on to become the all-time leading rusher in MSU history and played in the NFL and CFL. Norwood won 33 games in his three years at Brandon and lost to Moss Point in the semifinals his junior and senior seasons. Brandon won its first 13 games his senior year in 2001.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a football player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
WEEK ONE: Samuel Stockett, MRA
WEEK TWO: Billy Puckett, Jackson Prep
WEEK THREE: James Farr, Clinton
WEEK FOUR: Tyshun Willis, Velma Jackson
WEEK FIVE: Josef Walker, Clinton
WEEK SIX: Caleb Unger, MRA
WEEK SEVEN: Pierce Ingram, St. Andrew’s
WEEK EIGHT: Justyce Williams, Murrah
WEEK NINE: Daniel Watkins, Northwest Rankin
WEEK TEN: John William Walker, St. Andrew’s
WEEK ELEVEN: Billy Puckett, Jackson Prep
WEEK TWELVE: Myles Miller, Madison Central
WEEK THIRTEEN: Glen Singleton, Madison Central
WEEK FOURTEEN: Ryan White, Jr., Germantown
WEEK FIFTEEN: Kenzy West, Hartfield Academy
