Cleats and Calves

06/10/2026

Congratulations to Coach M.K. Taylor on being named the new Head Football Coach of the Jemison Panthers!

Coach Taylor is no stranger to Panther Nation. After serving as Jemison's Defensive Coordinator for the past five years, he now steps into the role of head coach with the support and excitement of the players behind him.

A graduate of Oxford High School, Coach Taylor went on to play football at the University of Alabama before beginning his coaching career.

His experience includes time as a Defensive Analyst and Special Teams Coordinator at Jacksonville State University, followed by serving as a Special Teams Analyst at Oklahoma State University.

More importantly, Coach Taylor has invested the last five years in the young men of Jemison, building relationships, developing talent, and remaining loyal to this program. His familiarity with the team and dedication to Panther football make this an exciting new chapter.

Congratulations, Coach Taylor! We can't wait to see what the future holds.

Go Panthers!

Sincerely,
Big Momma

(Graphic courtesy of JHS/Kendall Jackson/PG)

06/01/2026

Okay, sports people...
Help me understand something.

When did baseball and softball become so angry?

I'm serious.

Football has always had a certain amount of shade. Rivalries are part of the culture. Fans talk trash. Players talk trash. Ever met an Eagles fan?

In football, we expect it, live for it, pay for it, encourage the nonsense...

But then the game gets played,
the score gets settled and people move on.

Lately, every time I turn around, there is another baseball or softball incident.

Florida softball players refusing to shake hands.

A youth baseball coach allegedly telling his son to throw a baseball into the opposing team's dugout.

A Georgia baseball player getting ejected for taunting after a home run.

A grandma throwing things at a Texas Tech player's little sister.

Somebody yelling "lick my ba****ck" on a live broadcast.

What in the world is happening?

The baseball and softball people I know don't act like this.

Matter of fact, I met two teenage baseball players from Tupelo, Mississippi at work last evening. They were there for compression therapy. Those boys said "Yes ma'am" more times in one visit than I've heard at my own house in a month. Their dad was with them and was one of the nicest people you'd ever want to talk to.

So I know good folks still exist in these sports.

That's why I'm confused.

Are the fields under a curse?

Do people step onto the diamond and go stark raving mad?

Do the bleachers emit some sort of neurotoxin?

Because from where I'm sitting, it feels like sportsmanship has taken a beating lately.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Maybe these incidents are getting more attention than they deserve.

But I'd love to hear from the baseball and softball crowd.

What am I missing?

Sincerely,
Big Momma

05/31/2026

📣 YOU'RE INVITED! 📣

🎉 THE FINAL WHISTLE 🎉

Join us Friday, June 19th during Jemison Family Fun Night as we celebrate the retirement of Coach Britt Roshon and honor the incredible impact he has made on Jemison Middle School athletics, students, and our community.

🕖 Special Presentation: 7:00 PM

🏈 GOAT Trivia with the JMS Coaches

🎂 Cake & Drinks
📍 Coach Roshon's Tent at Jemison Family Fun Night

Former players, students, parents, and friends are encouraged to stop by and help us celebrate a coach who has dedicated years of service, leadership, and mentorship to countless young people.

We are also creating a special scrapbook and memorabilia collection for Coach. If you played for Coach Roshon, attended JMS during his time, or simply have a favorite memory, please bring photos, notes, stories, or messages to add to this keepsake.

For years, Coach Roshon has invested his time, energy, and heart into the students and athletes of Jemison Middle School. Let's come together as a community and show him just how much he means to all of us.

Come help us give Coach Roshon the sendoff he deserves.

🏈 One last whistle. A lifetime of memories. Thank you to JMS's #1 Panther, Coach Britt Roshon. 🏈

05/29/2026

Hey Panther Nation!

Another exclusive stadium update from Superintendent Corey Clements!

The newly poured North End Zone bleachers are taking shape, and the final glow-up continues. Every week, Panther Stadium looks a little more like home again.

Thank you, Mr. Clements, for keeping Panther Nation updated along the way.

Go PANTHERS!

Sincerely,
Big Momma 🏈

05/26/2026

To all the incoming varsity football players who reported today...

A little advice from a Momma who's already survived that first week of "summer workouts" a few years now.

First things first...
This ain't middle school anymore.

The pace is faster. The expectations are higher. And the Alabama heat is undefeated.

The first week was rough on Big Red. We learned real quick that some adjustments had to be made if he wanted to survive and thrive.

Hydrate the NIGHT BEFORE.

If you're standing in the kitchen at 5:30 a.m. chugging water trying to get ready for workouts, you're already behind.

You're also probably gonna puke.

Drink water all day and all evening before workouts. Hydration starts the day before.

Eat a good supper.

Protein and carbs are your friends. Your body is about to spend the next morning pushing sleds, running drills, and sweating out half your body weight.

Fuel it.
Eat breakfast.
Not a huge breakfast.

Big Red usually eats a protein bar, Greek yogurt, and at least one banana about two hours before workouts.

Enough fuel to work. Not enough to come back up during conditioning.

Speaking of bananas...
Bananas are good because "monkey no cramp."

If you know, you know.

When workouts are over, eat.
Protein. Carbs. Recovery.

And around our house, one glass of chocolate milk has become part of the routine.

Sleep matters.

You don't get stronger during workouts.
You get stronger while recovering from them. Eight hours is the goal. Your body needs time to heal.

And one more thing...

DO NOT load up on electrolyte drinks before workouts.

Trust me on this one.

Those are great AFTER workouts.
Before workouts?

Let's just say I've seen some expensive sports drinks make a second appearance.

Invest in good cleats and good insoles.

Your feet are carrying you through every sprint, every drill, every rep, and every play.

Cheap cleats can get expensive in a hurry when your feet start hurting.

And finally...

Can we all just stop calling this "practice?"

This is Alabama.
Y'all know good and well we can't officially practice until July.

Right now we're just voluntarily participating in organized suffering.

Welcome to varsity football.

Go Panthers!

Sincerely,
Big Momma

05/25/2026

Dear Florida,
Y'all lost me.

Not because you lost the game.

Not because Texas Tech punched their ticket to the Women's College World Series.

But because when the final out was recorded, the handshake line apparently became optional.

Maybe emotions were high.
Maybe there was bad blood.
Maybe somebody's feelings got hurt.

I don't care.

Shake the hand.
That's what athletes do.

From T-ball to the Super Bowl, we teach kids the same lesson: compete your tail off, leave everything you've got on the field, and when it's over, show respect for the person standing across from you.

Because sportsmanship isn't for when you win.

Sportsmanship is for when you lose.

Anybody can celebrate a victory with class. The real test of character is how you handle disappointment.

And shame on the coaches who allow this behavior.

Coaches are supposed to model leadership, accountability, and respect. If athletes are expected to act with class after a tough loss, then the adults leading them should demand it.

Every little softball player watching that game learned something.

Every young athlete sitting beside their parents learned something.

The question is...was it the lesson we wanted to teach?

You don't have to like your opponent.
You don't have to agree with them.
You don't even have to speak to them.

But you should respect the battle.

Texas Tech earned their trip to Oklahoma City on the field.

They deserved a handshake.

Kids are always watching.
Act accordingly.

Sincerely,
Big Momma

05/22/2026

Congratulations to Jemison High School Class of 2026! It is done...

We are proud of you ALL!

GO PANTHERS!

05/21/2026

Tonight, Panther Nation celebrates our QB1.

Houston Harris will walk across the stage to accept his diploma, and he will also take the next step in his journey to Stillman College to play baseball.

Houston has been a familiar face in Panther athletics for years. Football, baseball, basketball, track — he did it all.

He played both sides of the ball, led when it mattered, and showed the younger Panthers what toughness, strength, and commitment look like.

The stats will fade one day, but the example he set will not.

Congratulations, Houston. We are proud of you and excited to see what comes next.

Once a Panther, always a Panther.

Sincerely,
Big Momma

Jemison catcher/first baseman Houston Harris signs with Stillman College, fulfilling a dream after helping the Panthers reach back-to-back playoff appearances.

05/21/2026

EXCLUSIVE: A first look at the latest progress inside JHS Stadium! 🏟️🐾

Superintendent Corey Clements was kind enough to share these photos with Cleats and Calves, and Panther Nation is going to love what they see.

Every load of dirt, every piece of concrete, and every day of work brings us one step closer to Friday nights back at home. There is still work to be done, but it's exciting to watch the future of JHS athletics taking shape right before our eyes.

While we're at it, congratulations to Superintendent Clements on his overwhelming reelection victory. Earning the support of 85% of voters is a remarkable vote of confidence from the community, and we wish him continued success as he helps lead our schools forward.

Thank you for sharing these exclusive photos with us, Mr. Clements.

Panther Nation, what are you most excited to see when the new stadium is complete?