25 Teams in 25 Days: Biloxi Indians

“Just proving to all the doubters and haters out there that don’t think Biloxi is a top school,” said senior receiver and running back William Lai.

After a 5-6 2024 football season, the Biloxi Indians are looking to turn their program around. Now that the players are familiar with Head Coach Jamey DuBose and his coaching staff they’re confident about what’s to come.

“Last year we were all brand new,” said second year Head Coach Jamey DuBose. “It was my first year here and all of the eight coaches I brought in were new. Just the advantage of being together for a complete year and having an offseason. This is the first time we had an offseason with all of us as a coaching staff. I think the language, how we talk and the understanding of the scheme is a lot better last year. I thought the guys last year did a great job of picking up what they could in a short period of time, but we’ve had a little bit more time now to progress and get some things added in and get some understanding of what we’re doing.”  

“He’s made us way more confident than we used to be. He tells us not to doubt ourselves and give it all we’ve got,” Lai said. “The environment is better and a lot more focused, intense, hype and just exciting. We’re always just pushing each other.”

Not only are players more comfortable with their staff, but they’re more comfortable with each other. With senior class of 22 and 12 returning starters, they believe things can only get better.

“We’ve got a lot of guys that have been two year starters or maybe their second or third year or whatever it might be. We do return six on offense and six on defense that played a year ago, so we’ve got a continuity of guys back and we’ve got a really good young group and we’ve got some guys that played a lot last year as juniors that are now seniors or sophomores that are now juniors that’s helping us out and that will fill a lot of roles, so we feel good where we’re at. Depth is one thing we’ve got to find at preseason camp,” said Coach DuBose.

“We’ve gotten bigger, faster, more physical and we’re better at communicating with each other,” said Lai. “Also on the other side of the defense we’ve gotten more physical and liking contact and also communicating over the formations and communicating across the field. Not being scared to go against any person.”

“We’re all really strong, fast off the ball, determined to win a block and block to the whistle,” said senior left guard Ethan Hoit.

“I like my offensive line better this year,” said senior wide receiver Jaylan Johnson. “We’re also fast and have a good quarterback. I feel like we have a real fast team, so I feel like we’re going to be better than we were last year. I don’t know why. It’s just my gut feeling!” 

One player that wasn’t a starter last year is Jordan Ramsey. The junior is expecting to take the role of starting quarterback this year, and Coach DuBose likes what he sees so far.

“Our quarterback does a great job with our offense and leading the inside zone, reading our quick throws and our RPO’s,” DuBose said. “I think he’s done a great job in the spring and through the summer of picking that up. I think our tempo is going to be a good thing that’s going to help us a lot on offense.”

The Indians have many goals for this upcoming season which includes having a winning record for the first time in three years, and winning their first playoff game since 2018. Here’s how they’re going to do exactly that.”

“Just work hard every day,” Johnson said. “One percent better every day.”

“We’re a lot more connected on both sides of the ball, so I see us playing more connected in games and putting a lot of points on the board,” said Hoit.”

“Breaking records and getting past the first round,” Lai said. “Beating our rivals of course, winning more games than we have lost and learning new things.”

“I’m excited for the challenge,” said Coach DuBose. “It’s going to be another great challenge. Our schedule is extremely tough, our region is always tough, but our guys have been practicing with a chip on their shoulder, so I’m anxious to see what they’re going to do and see if we’re ready to take that next step to get us back in the playoffs and actually do something in the playoffs and maybe have a chance to vie for a first or second seed in the region and host a home game. These are things that haven’t happened, and at some time it’s going to happen and we’ve got to believe it is so we’ve got to hope that our culture has carried us a little bit further than where we were last year.”

The first step towards accomplishing those goals will be hosting Holmes County Central on August 29th at 7pm.