Ms Raiders Batesville

02/22/2024

Strong named Raiders’ Head Coach

By Myra Bean

Sportswriter

Feb. 20, 2024

BATESVILLE, MS – The Arena Indoor football team, MS Raiders, have named Batesville native Eddie Strong as the head coach for 2024.

Strong, 43, a former Ole Miss linebacker, played with the Rebels from 1998 to 2003. One year he sat out with a medical redshirt.

Strong was very excited to accept his first head coaching position and challenge to coach these young men in this high-octane league. The motto for Arena Indoor football is the “fastest game in town.”

“We have great players lined up and I look forward to teaching them all I have learned about football over the years,” Strong said.

He was instrumental and helped put South Panola football on the map as he was named the first ever Gatorade Player of the year from South Panola and a Dandy Dozen in 1997. He helped lead South Panola to the state championship game in 1996 and 1997.

In 2003, Strong signed a free agent contract with the New York Giants, but injury sidelined him.

He was named to the 2002 Coaches All-SEC first time and played in the East-West Shrine game. He finished his Ole Miss career with 306 tackles (179 solos), 10.5 sacks for minus 78 yards, 26 tackles for losses of 104 yards, 13 quarterback pressures, 13 pass deflections, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

Raiders President of Operations, Jamye Horton, said he feels good about Strong and his leadership.

“I know he will do a great job,” Horton said. “He knows not just about football but about life. I am so proud of him.”

Horton also said the players were excited when they heard Strong would be their head coach.

Strong is in the process of selecting his coaching staff. MS Raiders will open the 2024 season March 23 at the Batesville Civic Center. Tickets are on sale at msraidersbatesville.com.

Reply, Reply All or Forward

02/22/2024

Strong named Raiders’ Head Coach

By Myra Bean

Sportswriter

Feb. 20, 2024

BATESVILLE, MS – The Arena Indoor football team, MS Raiders, have named Batesville native Eddie Strong as the head coach for 2024.

Strong, 43, a former Ole Miss linebacker, played with the Rebels from 1998 to 2003. One year he sat out with a medical redshirt.

Strong was very excited to accept his first head coaching position and challenge to coach these young men in this high-octane league. The motto for Arena Indoor football is the “fastest game in town.”

“We have great players lined up and I look forward to teaching them all I have learned about football over the years,” Strong said.

He was instrumental and helped put South Panola football on the map as he was named the first ever Gatorade Player of the year from South Panola and a Dandy Dozen in 1997. He helped lead South Panola to the state championship game in 1996 and 1997.

In 2003, Strong signed a free agent contract with the New York Giants, but injury sidelined him.

He was named to the 2002 Coaches All-SEC first time and played in the East-West Shrine game. He finished his Ole Miss career with 306 tackles (179 solos), 10.5 sacks for minus 78 yards, 26 tackles for losses of 104 yards, 13 quarterback pressures, 13 pass deflections, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

Raiders President of Operations, Jamye Horton, said he feels good about Strong and his leadership.

“I know he will do a great job,” Horton said. “He knows not just about football but about life. I am so proud of him.”

Horton also said the players were excited when they heard Strong would be their head coach.

Strong is in the process of selecting his coaching staff. MS Raiders will open the 2024 season March 23 at the Batesville Civic Center. Tickets are on sale at msraidersbatesville.com.

02/19/2024

Come out and be a part of something great, MS Raiders Dance Team !!!!!

Get a chance to Perform on TV.

To register go to: www.msraidersbatesville.com

02/17/2024

Raider Fans, Let's welcome our newest Partner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You for your support
2024 season

02/14/2024

By Myra Bean
Sportswriter

OXFORD, MS – The Oxford Chamber of Commerce held its monthly new member meeting Feb. 8 at the Edison in Oxford. It was sponsored in part by the Oxford Film Festival.
MS Raiders Arena Indoor Football team was one of the businesses recognized as a new member with Vice President of Operations Eddie Strong and sportswriter Myra Bean in attendance.
Those in attendance showed a lot of excitement that the football team was close by and will bring football to the area in the spring.
Strong was an attendee’s favorite as he played football at Ole Miss 1998 through 2003. He was a linebacker who played with former NFL quarterback Eli Manning.
Strong answered questions about the upcoming season and players since he is also assistant head coach and director of player personnel.
“It was very exciting to be back in Oxford,” Strong said. “Everyone is excited about Arena Football coming to the area. They will be behind us and want to do what they can to help.”
The MS Raiders will open the season March 23 at the Batesville Civic Center at 7 p.m.
Final tryouts for the team are Saturday, Feb. 17 at Greenwood Arena on 2675 Summer Avenue in Memphis. Registration is 9 a.m. and tryouts begin at 11 a.m. Interested parties can also register online at www.msraidersbatesville.com/tryouts.
The team is also holding tryouts for the dancing/cheer team. A one-minute video is being accepted for ladies 18 and over who are interested in being on the team. Friday, Feb. 23, is the final day to submit videos. Please send video to [email protected]. For more information or questions, call (601) 544-6693 or (901) 488-2308.
Tickets are also available from the website, www.msraidersbatesville.com.

02/11/2024