By Robert Wilson
Waylan King quickly caught the attention of first-year Callaway football coach Montra Edwards when Edwards arrived on campus.
Said Edwards: “Waylan is the kid who has bought into the vision of the program since Day 1. He shows up every day with same energy and passion.”
The 5-foot-11, 200-pound King continued those traits Friday night when he had 14 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 1 fumble recovery to lead Callaway to a surprising, 16-6 victory over previously undefeated Terry at South Jackson Field.
For his outstanding performance, King has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.
Callaway had lost to Terry for the past two seasons and had only won four games last season. But the Chargers are off to a 3-1 start with their only loss to undefeated Grenada, ranked No. 3 in MHSAA Class 6A and No. 12 in Mississippi by MaxPreps.
A big reason for Callaway’s success this season is King.
“Waylan played with the same passion and energy Friday night like he had since I got to Callaway,” said Edwards, who played at Jim Hill High, Hinds Community College, Middle Tennessee State and Jackson State and has coached at Hazlehurst, Holmes County Central and Holmes CC before coming to Callaway. “He does whatever is asked of him, double duty playing defensive tackle, defensive end and linebacker. Waylan’s fumble recovery sealed the victory. He plays on every special team and also plays power back in our heavy formation that controlled the trenches all night.”
King had 86 tackles (second on the team), 13 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 hurries, and 1 interception last season as a junior for 4-8 Callaway and coach Damien Brown, who took the job at Canton High.
King is the son of Sorita King. Sorita was in the band at Callaway, attended Ole Miss, graduated from Mississippi College, earned her master’s degree from Texas A&M law school and is still in law school working on a law degree. King has two older brothers, Willie and Randy Walker, who both graduated from Callaway and Hinds Community College. King’s cousin Kerien Charlo plays football at Texas Southern and is a senior wide receiver and returns kickoffs at Texas Southern. King’s first cousin Dylan King plays football for Mississippi Delta CC.
Callaway plays host to Mendenhall, 3-1, Thursday at 7 p.m. at South Jackson Field.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a player from a school from Hinds, Madison or Rankin Counties each week during the season. Coaches can nominate a player by texting Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
PREVIOUS WINNERS:
WEEK ONE: Gage Crapps, East Rankin Academy
WEEK TWO: Knolyn Bryce Archie Bailey, Lanier
WEEK THREE: Caleb Unger, MRA
WEEK FOUR: Samuel Stockett, MRA
