Stanley's Wildcats ready for Friday

By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
May 16, 2002
New Meridian head football coach Ed Stanley will show fans a glimpse of next fall's team when the Wildcats take on Jackson Callaway in a spring football game at Ray Stadium on Friday night.
Action begins at 6 p.m. The varsity squads will square off for three straight quarters. The junior varsities will play about 20 minutes after that. Then, the varsity squads will come back to work on special situations, including a series of overtime downs.
Stanley feels the scrimmage will help his staff better evaluate where the Wildcats stand going into the summer.
The game will wrap up 15 days of spring work for the Wildcats. The new coach says a lot of progress has been made.
When he was at South Panola, Stanley was known for ground chewing offenses. But at Meridian, he has adopted the offense from new offensive coordinator Wyatt Rogers.
On defense, the Wildcats will employ a 3-4 look. Malcom Jones is the new defensive coordinator. He comes to Meridian after being the head coach at Melrose High School in Memphis. Before that he was the head coach at Treadwell High School, also in Memphis.
Jack Wright is the third new coach. He will coach the Wildcats' offensive line. Brock Clay has been promoted up from Northwest Junior High and will coach the Wildcat linebackers.
The two holdovers off Sartin's staff will be Brian Anderson and Billy King. Anderson will coach wide receivers while King will handle the defensive line.
Stanley says nearly 75 players will participate in Friday night's spring game.