It’s Over: Williams-Sullivan snaps 43-game losing streak with win over Strayhorn

By Austin Bishop

To some it was incredible. To others it was impossible. But to Williams-Sullivan head football coach Rodney Roundtree his team's streak-snapping win over Strayhorn was inevitable.

"We knew it was coming," a jubilant Roundtree said on Monday afternoon. "This is something we have been working hard for and had our sights set on. We really thought it would have come sooner, but we knew it was coming."

With a 22-14 win over visiting Strayhorn on Friday night the Yellowjackets brought to an end a 43-game losing streak, the state's longest active skid.

Now that burden is transfered to somebody else.

"We need to build on this," Roundtree said. "The first thing we had to do was win a game, but now we just need to keep moving forward."

The win was the first enjoyed by the Yellowjackets since they went 1-8 during the 2005 season.

"A lot of people didn't think we could win," Roundtree said. "I think the hard work the players and coaching staff have put in has been justified. I always had faith in the kids. I knew it might take a few years to turn the program around, but it's something you have to build."

It didn't take long for the Yellowjackets to begin to take charge against Strayhorn, which had qualified for the playoffs a week earlier by winning its only game of the season.

"We scored on the first play of the game, then got the ball right back and scored again to go up 14-0," Roundtree said. "We really showed heart for this last game."

Damion Williams was the offensive star for the 'Jackets, rushing for 216 yards on 14 carries and scoring all three touchdowns.

DeMario Hogsett had 10 tackles to lead the defense, while Alvis Knotts had nine and Edward Coates seven.

While Roundtree was proud of his team rising to the occasion to get the first win, he was also left wondering what could have been.

The Yellowjackets opened the season with a 12-6 road loss to West Lincoln that seemed to slow down the progress of the team.

"If we would have won the West Lincoln game, I think it would have set the stage for the entire season," he said. "It would have been more encouraging. When you almost win, but keep losing, it is kind of discouraging."

Roundtree said his team had several shots at wins this year.

"The only games we really weren't in were West Bolivar, Hollandale-Simmons, Yazoo County and Durant High," he said. "We had our chances in the rest of them."

Roundtree said he has been working to spark a change of attitude at the MHSAA Class 2A school about football. He is hoping the win will ignite that flame of new energy and support.

"Not only did we make history by breaking the state's longest losing streak, the students are also changing the direction of the WSHS football program," he said. "For the game, one win is a small step. For WSHS football, it's a giant leap and we are headed for a brighter football future."

The Yellowjackets now have the entire off-season to prepare to extend their new-found winning streak to two when West Lincoln pays a visit to Holmes County in August.

"We will be looking forward to that one," Roundtree said.

Text Only