For Seminary its all about tradition

By By Tony Krausz/assistant sports editor
December 6, 2003
JACKSON Seminary quarterback Mike Watts had a game that most people could only dream of Friday afternoon against the Booneville Blue Devils.
The senior quarterback completed 7-of-9 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns. He even added 11 rushing yards on five carries.
All of those numbers are nice for the quarterback of the Bulldogs, who captured the Class 2A football title with a 45-14 win over the Blue Devils.
But Watt's dream game was even bigger on the defensive end of the field for Seminary, which was making its first appearance in the state title game at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The 166-pound senior intercepted two passes from his quarterback counterpart, Booneville's John David Horn, in the win.
Watts returned both picks for touchdowns, and by the end of the game he was carrying around championship medal around his neck.
Watts' first pick came 7 1/2 minutes into the game.
With Booneville facing a third-and-15 from its 35-yard line, Horn let loose a pass that Watts grabbed the ball at his own 47-yard line.
After a little dancing to get around some Blue Devil offensive players turned defenders, he returned the ball 55 yards for a 38-7 lead.
Watts took off down the right sideline for the score giving the Bulldogs at 13-0 lead, with 4:23 to play in the first quarter.
The senior returned another interception with just over minutes left to play in the third quarter.
Watts snagged an errant pass from Horn at the Bulldogs 45-yard line, and he took off down the field with little residence
As great as his single-game performance was, Watts, who almost had a third interception in his own end zone with 7:02 left to play, said the most important thing was winning the state title.
Making t to Jackson and playing in Memorial Stadium had been on the minds of the Bulldog players since the start of the season, or at least, it was on their practice shirts.
Bulldogs head coach Lance Mancuso had gray t-shirts with blue lettering printed up at the start of the season with a simple message "12-5-03, same goal, one dream."
The t-shirts with the motivational message were the second of inspirational practice wear Mancuso has given his team.
The Bulldogs coach also had the team wear practice shirts that read "PTA: pride, tradition and attitude."
The tradition is back in Seminary.