Edmundson gears up for football season

Poplar Bluff’s senior quarterback Jay Edmundson draws back for a pass during the Mules summer workouts at Mules Stadium.

DAR/D'Courtland Christian

As the Poplar Bluff football team strives to lay a solid foundation for the upcoming season, senior quarterback Jay Edmundson steps onto the field determined to propel the Mules forward.

The Mules have two weeks before football returns, and the team is preparing for the upcoming season with a focus on individual improvement and teamwork.

Edmundson expresses excitement for his senior year and is locked in on team energy and chemistry during practice.

“The football season couldn’t get here quick enough, so I’m loving being back on the field,” Edmundson said. “I believe we got a really good group together this season. I’m hoping that everybody has a big year because we have all the tools. If we can keep up this energy that we’ve shown all summer and in recent practice, I know we will be ready.”

With his first start as quarterback last season, Edmundson completed 136 of his 212 passes for 1,690 yards with 14 touchdowns. He received all-district honors, led the team in rushing with 626 yards and utilized his speed from the pocket to run for seven touchdowns on his own.

After falling to Farmington 28-21 in the semifinals of the Class 5 District 1 Tournament, Edmundson said his main priority for the summer was to gain more patience against opposing defenses and to have more confidence in making plays for the Mules on the fly.

Edmundson has been grinding all summer and is eager to see what the Mules can do for his final season. He will look to get a win back from the Valley View Blazers of Jonesboro, Arkansas on opening night (Aug. 30).

“My only focus from the summer was getting better,” he said. “Now that we’ve started practicing, getting teammates and making us a closer unit is my main concern. Hopefully, we can come out with a lot of energy and make sure everybody’s here, but as far as the first game, I’m getting ready for it.”

Besides embracing his role as a senior for the underclassmen, Edmundson will also have to adjust to a new coaching staff with newly-named head coach Jeff Mannon. With Mannon already having long ties with the Mules as defensive coordinator, Edmundson said he’s really excited for the new direction. The quarterback emphasized the importance of having the right energy and getting some solid contributions from the new players.

Before the Mules season kicks off, they will get their first shot at live action by hosting their Maroon vs. White Gatorade Game at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Mules Stadium. The admission is one bottle of Gatorade or other sports drink.

“I’m definitely looking forward to the season,” Edmundson said. “I like the new faces. It’s always good to have new people around who can show us some new things on the field. I believe we have a lot of new players that can make plays, and I’m excited to see how we execute.”