There have been a ton of changes for the Newton Tigers this offseason.
Starting with a new weight room, new uniforms and helmets, a new offense and new assistant coaches, head coach Jeffrey Crosby is doing everything he can to turn around the Newton football team, who went 0-10 last year.
“Going into the season with a full spring and a full summer and being able to hire a staff, I feel like we are more prepared,” Crosby said. “I feel like we have a chance to more individual coaching and do things we didn’t get to work on last year. And I think getting in the weight room and have a real offseason workout plan will be a big deal. I think that will make a big difference. We will definitely be more physical up front than we have been.”
One of the biggest changes for the Tigers is with the offensive philosophy, going from the spread to the Wing-T.
“The kids are loving it,” Crosby said. “I felt like a more run-based approach would help us. We have so many athletes and you can’t spread around the love through the air when you have an inexperienced offense. When you run it, you have a chance to get it in their hands.”
On offense, the Tigers will turn to freshman Jaden Moore at quarterback. In the backfield, junior speedster Tazayvion Townsend will be joined by Keilonzea Nichols at running back while Jimare Kincade and Diashun Moncrief will be at fullback. At tight end will be Jy’Marques Holder while Jayden Tillman and Odell Williams will be the wide receivers.
On the offensive line, senior Chrishun Leverette will be at left tackle while Jalis Hughes will be the left guard. At center will be Jayden Turner while Walter Buckley will be the right guard and Kavion Davis will be the right tackle.
“We have a slew of offensive talent,” Crosby said. “The kids love the new offense and think it is better for them, especially the running backs. They are very confident in it and it’s simpler for them to understand. I grew up running the wing-T so I really understand it. The kids are buying in and starting to grind every day and policing themselves and being model citizens in the classroom. That’s the start of being disciplined and will help us approach the game differently.”
On defense, the Tigers will base out of a 3-4 scheme. Derek Moore will be the nose guard while Chrishun Leverette and Kavion Davis will be the defensive ends. At inside linebacker will be Jy’Marques Holder (27 tackles) and Jamie Kincade (77 tackles).
At outside linebacker will be Jamarion Brown and Desmond Stevens.
At cornerback will be Juvella Green and Tazayvion Townsend while Rayson Bunkley and Jeremiah Caston will be the softies.
“I think the strength of this year’s team will be the defense,” Crosby said. “We are returning more guys on defense and have more experience over there. We had a couple of all-district kids on that side of the ball. All of those front seven have played. We have some speed and will run to the ball. I think the key for us is to focus on our fundamentals and wrap up and tackle. That is something we have been working hard on in practice.”
On special teams, Victor Rush will be the punter while Holder will handle kickoffs Moncrief will kick PATs while Leverette will be the long snapper.
The Tigers will compete in district play with Lake, Pelahatchie, Puckett and Scott Central.
“I was looking at Mississippi Gridiron and they had us picked to finish last in the district,” Crosby said. “So that kind of put a chip on my should and maybe it will do the same things for the kids. I really do think we can win two games in district. I really don’t feel like we will be at the bottom.”
2025 Newton Tigers Schedule
Aug. 29 Choctaw Central
Sept. 5 Mount Olive
Sept. 12 at Quitman
Sept. 19 SE Lauderdale
Sept. 26 at Leake County
Oct. 3 Lake
Oct. 10 Pelahatchie
Oct. 17 at Scott Central
Oct. 24 at Puckett
Oct. 30 Richton
Newton Tigers Roster
1 Salathun Rush WR/DB So.
2 Tazayvion Townsend RB/DB Jr.
3 Jy’Marques Holder S/QB Sr.
4 Rayson Bunkley WR/DB Fr.
5 Keilonzea Nichols RB/LB Sr.
7 Diashun Moncrief LB/RB Sr.
8 Desmond Stevens WR/LB Fr.
9 Odell Wiliams WR/CB Sr.
10 Jamarion Brown LB/RB Sr.
11 Victor Rush RB/LB Sr.
13 Donny Bramlett RB/DB Fr.
14 Randell Moncrief S/QB So.
14 Juvella Green WR/DB So.
15 Jayden Tillman WR/CB Sr.
17 Byrson Thomas WR/CB Jr.
18 Jaden Moore QB/DB Fr.
19 Omorian Milsap QB/DE Jr.
21 Jimare Kincaid LB/RB So.
22 Jeremiah Caston RB/DB Fr.
23 Allen Roberts LB/RB So.
24 Dasavion Spivey LB/RB So.
25 Justin Easterling LB/TE Fr.
28 Jace Wheaton LB/DE Fr.
30 Xavier Snow DB/WR Jr.
32 Jamarcus William DB/WR Sr.
34 Trison Franklin WR/DB Fr.
35 D’Mata Johnson LB/RB Jr.
51 Devan Smith OL/DL Fr.
52 Jalis Hughes DL/OL So.
54 Kavion Davis OL/DL So.
56 Walter Buckley OL/DL 8
60 Jayden Turner OL/DL Sr.
66 Chrishun Leverette OL/DL Sr.
77 Derek Moore OL/DL Jr.
79 Jeremiah Johnson OL/DL Sr.
81 Tyler Reed WR/DB Fr.
Head coach: Jeffrey Crosby (second year)
Last year: 0-10 (did not make the playoffs)
Assistant coaches: Cortez Parker (OL/TE/DL), Evan Bigby (OC/WR), Justin Wilson (OL/DL), Kyle Wolfe (QB), Robert Gilbert (RB/ILB), Tarlys Smith (OLB)
Players to watch: Tazayvion Townsend, Jr., RB/DB; Jy’Marques Holder, Sr., S/QB; Chrishun Leverette, Sr., OL/DL; Diashun Moncrief, Sr., LB/RB.
District: 5-2A (Lake, Scott Central, Pelahatchie, Puckett)
Three things to watch
1. The Tigers are ditching the spread and going to a Wing-T offense in an effort to shorten the game and take advantage of the players on the roster.
2. The Tigers enter the season on a two-plus season losing streak. A Sept. 5 matchup with Mount Olive, who went winless last year as well, is the best chance on the schedule to break that streak.
3. In the offseason, coach Jeffrey Crosby hired a new coaching staff, which has led to more individual time with players. The Tigers have also invested in a new weight room and an improved weight program, which should pay dividends this season.
