Trezevant remains champion for 2A

White: Title shows how team overcame grade allegations

COOKEVILLE — Trezevant football coach Teli White has been quiet since returning from a five-day suspension as part of allegations into grade-changing at his program.

But he had plenty to say Saturday after his Bears made history, becoming the first school from the former MIAA to win consecutive championships with a 42-20 victory over Marion County in a rematch of last year’s title game.

“You can’t say you’re all about kids and then give up on kids,” he said. “You can’t just say ‘oh, that kid doesn’t respect me.’ You have to be with them all the time ... show them that you care.

“My mother was in the hospital for 13 weeks because of all that (the grade probe). She was in intensive care for 10 weeks, only got out on Tuesday. Tubes in her mouth ... but I was there at school every day for those kids. Every day at practice. They knew I was there for them.

“These are excellent kids. Don’t take away chances from them because of the perception you have. ‘Those kids.’ Don’t just say you’re about children, do something for them. If you grab them (early) they may stray ... but they won’t get away.”

It was sweet validation for White, who was coaching in the fourth title game of his career, second among Shelby County coaches behind Bobby Alston of MUS. The Bears join the Owls, MUS and Bishop Byrne as the only Shelby County schools to win consecutive football titles.

And they did so without a 100 percent healthy Cordarrian Richardson. The Mr. Football winner — who has committed to Clemson — ran for 67 yards and scored twice despite an ankle injury that limited him to just two carries in last week’s semifinal victory over Waverly.

“I asked him how he was and he said, ‘85 percent,’” said White. “I said, ‘well, that automatically makes us two touchdowns better.’”

The Bears got a Most Valuable Player performance from quarterback Tywon Johnson, who ran for 200 yards and scored three touchdowns, including the go-ahead on a 77-yard run on third-and-27 after Marion County (13-2) had battled back to the game at 20.