By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Director
HURLEY — East Central heads into a new prep football season coming off of back-to-back 2-8 campaigns over the past two seasons.
It marks the worst consecutive seasons for the Hornets in 13 years. In fact, combined with a 3-7 mark in 2023, ECHS is just 7-23 over the past three seasons, which is the worst span since 2007-2006 when the Hornets went 6-24.
But, fifth-year head coach Sam Huff, a former ECHS player, sees an exciting future as his squad moves forward to starting another season.

“We’ve got a lot of experience coming back,” Huff said, in a recent interview. “There’s about 19 in this year’s senior group, and we just had nine last year. We’re excited about that.”
Kash Litton is back at quarterback to guide the offense. He shared some time at that spot last year with Maddox Dunn, but Dunn transferred to George County.
Adrian Marsalis led ECHS in rushing last season, but Huff has moved him to defense this season. Although it’s expected that Marsailis will see some time at some point carrying the ball, after he ran for right at 750 yards last year and six scores.

Huff feels good about both his receiving corps and his offensive line.
He also thinks the strength of his team heading into the season this year is along the defensive line, where Marsailis, and Lucas Smith will man the end spots with Carter Green and Mason Whitis inside.
“Those four guys there, we’re hoping they’re going to do some really good things for us.” Huff added.
The mentor feels so good about that group he moved interior lineman Oren Kibby over to the O-line after he started all 10 games on the D-line last season.

The Hornets open the season on Friday, Aug. 28th in Leakesville against Greene County. And, after falling at home to the Wildcats in overtime to kick off the campaign last year, Huff said that lid-lifter is what his team is waiting on.

“We’re focused on that first game, especially after the way it went last year.” he concluded.