Mississippi Gridiron Covers Football Season in the Magnolia State

Mississippi Gridiron Magazine 2013 Cover

Sports fans are snapping up copies of “Mississippi Gridiron” from south of Memphis to the Gulf Coast for the most comprehensive look at football season in the Magnolia State.

Former Mississippi College sports information director Chris Brooks is pumped as the magazine’s fourth annual edition recently went on sale at Walmart, Kroger, Books-A-Million and Barnes & Noble stores around the state. Copies go for $11.99.

“This is a labor of love for me,” said the 37-year-old Mississippi College graduate who serves as the magazine’s publisher. “We started this to promote the great football tradition in Mississippi, but more importantly to create a platform to positively influence young people and be involved in their lives.”

Previews of all ten college teams in the state, profiles of every Southeastern Conference squad, and a spotlight on all 14 community college teams in Mississippi are contained in the 224-page publication. But the heart of the magazine would be the previews of all 320 high school teams.

Brooks spent nine years as MC’s sports information director before leaving his post on the Clinton campus to produce the magazine in 2010.

“I miss being around all the coaches and players. They were a special part of my life,” Brooks said. “I miss the family environment and those friendships. Mississippi College is a special place to work.”

The MC Choctaws are trying to bounce back in 2013 after three straight losing campaigns. Stung by injuries, the Choctaws finished with a 2-8 record last season.

The new season opens September 7 when Mississippi College battles the Millsaps Majors in the annual Backyard Brawl. Kickoff at Robinson-Hale Stadium in Clinton is 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 at the MC athletic department and $15 at the gate. The Choctaws will be back at home September 14 to face Huntingdon of Alabama for a 6 p.m. kickoff.

“Hopefully our Choctaws can get back on track this season,” Brooks said Thursday. MC Head Coach Norman Joseph, he said, “is a great person and coach, and someone I looked up to. They added a lot of new talent to the roster that should make an immediate impact on that program. I hope it’s a great season.”

The magazine also includes the annual high school preseason All-Gridiron Team, its Top 25 high schools and coaches rankings for all classifications.

Getting the magazine with its full color pages off the ground and in the hands of readers wasn’t easy for the Brandon resident.

“God calls us to difficult circumstances sometimes, and this was incredibly tough to get going. But I’m proud of what we’ve been able to put together. I can’t wait to get started on the 2014 edition.”

Brooks earned his bachelor’s degree in 1999 and master’s degree in 2008, both in chemistry at Mississippi College. For sports fans hungry for information, he’s put together just the right ingredients as a new football season begins.

Questions or comments for the “Mississippi Gridiron” publisher? Contact Chris Brooks at chrisbrooks@msgridiron.com.