By Robert Wilson
Pelahatchie is one of the most winningest small public schools in Mississippi over the past several decades, but had a tough year last season, losing nine of 11 games and was off to a rough 0-5 start this season.
But the Chiefs – behind freshman DaMarion Snow – ended the losing streak Friday night.
The 6-foot, 210-pound running back-linebacker had 233 yards on 19 carries and scored four touchdowns and had five tackles to lead Pelahatchie to a 42-35 victory over St. Andrew’s in its MSHAA Class 2A, Region 6 opener.
For his outstanding performance, Snow has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.
Pelahatchie has had its share of Division I players in school history, the latest JP Purvis, now at Mississippi State. The Chiefs might have another in Snow.
Snow has 380 on 56 carries and seven touchdowns and 43 tackles, 4 for loss, and one fumble recovery this season, but Friday night was his breakout game. He ran for TDs of 45 yards, 10 yards, 6 yards and 3 yards.
“DaMarion is a big, athletic freshman that is just scratching the surface,” said Pelahatchie coach Ryan Keaton, who is in his fourth season as head coach at the Rankin County school and was head coach for three seasons at Nanih Waiya. “He is still figuring it all out. I think in the last three weeks, DaMarion has come into his own. I really saw a change in how he was running after he lost a fumble against Richland. He was mad at himself, and he began to take it out on the defense every time he touched the ball after that. DaMarion has a bright future on both sides of the ball.”
“Snow played a good game,” said first-year Pelahatchie offensive coordinator Bryan Pittman, who played at Jackson Academy and Millsaps College and was an assistant coach for four seasons at Germantown before coming to Pelahatchie. “He plays hard and does a great job of running behind his offensive line. We’re proud of the way he works every day and look forward to a great rest of the season.”
Snow is the son of Veronica Collier and Sylvester Snow. He has one brother, Dazavion Snow, who is a second grader at Pelahatchie. Veronica played basketball at Pelahatchie and Sylvester played football and basketball at Sebastopol.
Pelahatchie plays at Leake County Friday night in a non-region game.
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.
2023 POW winners:
Week One: John White, MRA
Week Two: Jacob Clearman, Tri-County Academy
Week Three: Ryan McCall, Madison Central
Week Four: Brayden Bullock, Central Hinds Academy
Week Five: Nate Blount, Brandon
Week Six: John White, MRA
Week Seven: Tyler Arrington, Wingfield
