Velma Jackson shrinking but community rallies around undefeated football team in first MHSAA title game

CAMDEN — Tucked away behind hundreds of longleaf pine trees, a dozen houses surrounding it, and joined together by Loring Road is Velma Jackson High School.

Beyond that, you'll find a community connected by three highways that stretch out for miles.

On Thursday, an MHSAA Class 1A state football title game awaits Velma Jackson (13-0), and it has a shot at a first state title as the Falcons face Biggersville (11-1) in Oxford at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at 4:30 p.m.

Why Velma Jackson dropped two MHSAA classifications

Velma Jackson had been a Class 3A school for its entirety, dating back to the school's establishment in 1960, but dropped to 2A in 2021 and, at the start of the 2023-24 school year, was placed in 1A.

What was the leading cause? COVID-19 significantly impacted the departure of many families and students, who opted for online schools and chose not to return to Velma Jackson's classrooms.

"I think the (attendance) decline is for several reasons," said Rochelle Day, who is a biology teacher at Velma Jackson in her eighth year. "One, I would say, because of the COVID pandemic, where students had the opportunity to be at home virtual learning. Two is because we're a rural area, and a lot of people move out to rural areas for other opportunities that are not presented here."

Due to Madison and Canton expanding, Madison County School District schools have seen many families take their kids to surrounding schools away from Camden.

"It's just very rural," coach Quentin Euell said. "Not a lot of housing opportunity here, not, you know, many job opportunities here, if any. So I think those things kind of factor into the population here at Velma Jackson."

On top of that, the commute for some kids is a challenge in itself, 40 minutes to an hour-long drive at times for school buses early in the morning and late afternoon.

"There is a distance with coming to school," Day said. "Some kids get up early to catch the bus, and some don't. But yes, being in a rural area, there is a great bit of time on the bus."

Of the 236 students at Velma Jackson, 99.2% are Black, according to the U.S. News demographics. That comes in a county where 57% are white, according to census data.

Also, 99% of students are on a free or reduced lunch program.

Euell believes that the rural area gives his school and football team a sense of confidence whenever they go out on the field and represent Velma across their chest.

"We want people to know that, 'Hey, Velma Jackson, although we're in a rural community, we can achieve anything that we want to achieve," Euell said.

Velma Jackson's first football championship appearance

After a few winning seasons that Euell and his staff have put together, it finally has come full circle. In Velma Jackson's shot at its first title, there is agreement on what a state football title would bring to this school.

"It will mean the world to us; it will mean the world to this community," said Euell, who is in his eighth year. "I know it will definitely mean the world to these kids to have the opportunity to accomplish something that hasn't been accomplished."

Posters and decals of football can be seen throughout the school hallways. A graveyard poster of teams Velma has beaten brings a feel of achievement to the players, senior defensive back Byron Williamson said. Knowing their school and community having their back has gotten them this far, why not finish the job?

"It shows a lot," said Williamson, who will play Thursday's game with a cast on his left wrist after breaking his thumb three weeks ago. "It shows all the trust they put in us. They knew we knew what we were capable of, and they believed in us."

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Jonny Bacon works at the family-owned Bacons Convenience Store, one of the only stores near the school. He has three nephews on the team and he was born and raised in Camden. The Velma Jackson graduate says this community has been behind the football team every step of the way along this long journey.

"Everybody is really pitching in for them," Bacon said. "We always have been. In football we've just never got there (state final). This year the whole community, everybody loves it."

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion-Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MHSAA football playoffs: Velma Jackson in first MS championship game