Introducing our WXXV Student Athlete of the Week, Picayune’s Xavier Dennis!

During their Week Four matchup, the Picayune Maroon Tide put together a statement win over the Ocean Springs Greyhounds, 38-10, and leading the charge was senior running back Xavier Dennis. 

Dennis found the end zone four times, rushing for 255 yards and pushing his season total to 667 yards through just four games. He’s been a workhorse in the backfield for the Tide, but Dennis is quick to give credit to the guys making it all possible.

“It all starts off with the offensive line. A lot of people were doubting the offensive line at the beginning of the season because we took two hard losses to two teams that had Division I guys on their defensive line, but those guys have been pushing and they’ve been working. Those two teams only made us better. They helped push us forward and now we’re 2-2. Those guys have been working and they’re coming for it all,” said senior running back Xavier Dennis.

This type of performance is nothing new for those who know Zay. As a junior, Dennis rushed for 2,840 yards, establishing himself as one of the nation’s top returning running backs heading into this season. Now, he’s carrying on a tradition that runs deep at Picayune — a long line of talented backs who have left their mark on the program.

“Picayune is football,” said Dennis. “Seeing the guys like Dante Dowdell, Chris Davis Jr. and Darrell Smith just out there having fun. I use to watch from the stands and watching them have fun made me want to play. Seeing them put in the work and seeing what it takes to be one of those guys just molds you. Those great leaders in front of me turned me into a leader.”

And with leadership comes responsibility. Dennis has been helping lead the Tide for the past two seasons, and along the way, football has taught him lessons that extend far beyond the field.

“It taught me a lot of discipline. It’s taught me to not care about what people have to say and to just do you. You know the work you’ve put in, you know what you do, you know how much you love the game, so just do it for you. Do it for yourself and be disciplined all the time,” said Dennis.

When it comes to what motivates him both on and off the gridiron, Dennis points to two influential women in his life.

“My mom just told me to never give up. Never give up. She didn’t raise a quitter. Even when I wanted to quit football at one point, she never raised a quitter. She always kept me pushing forward no matter how hard things got. She told me to push forward and that’s been my motto my whole life,” said Dennis. “I had a grandmother that passed away before she could finally see me play a varsity snap and it always motivates me to keep pushing forward because I know she’s always watching. She’s always wanted to see me do big things and I know she’s watching from the sky.”

Those lessons continue to fuel Dennis as he looks toward what comes next, and when asked about his goals and dreams for the future, his answer is simple: trust the path ahead.

“Just following the path that the Lord gave me. That God gave me. Just following His path. It’ll all play out,” said Dennis.

And it certainly will!  Now, Dennis and the Maroon Tide turn their attention to another talented Pearl River County opponent, as Picayune takes on Poplarville this Friday night.