By Josh Troy, Clarksdale Advocate
The Clarksdale Coahoma Panthers continue to make a difference in the lives of youth, both on and off the football field. The Panthers have teams in three different age groups, with children ranging from ages 5 to 11. Two of the three age groups won Super Bowls each of the past two years. The 7U and 9U teams won Super Bowls in 2023, and the 8U and 11U teams won in 2022.
The City of Clarksdale presented the Panthers with a proclamation honoring their achievements at the Board of Mayor and Commissioners meeting on Monday. Coaches Milton Williams, a former assistant police chief for Clarksdale, and David Walker, the code enforcement officer for Clarksdale, along with players Samuel Walker, Harrison Portillo, Stanton Portillo, and Tyree Walker, were present as the proclamation was read.
Williams said the coaches volunteer to help the kids four days a week and all day on Saturdays. “We play tackle football, not tag, not flag,” he emphasized. The Panthers win at least one Super Bowl most years. “Every year, we’ve been bringing something home,” Williams added.
Williams mentioned that the Panthers played teams from Tunica all the way around to Belzoni. “This year’s team had 18 of the 22 starters from Clarksdale High School,” he noted.
Williams devoted his time to youth football after retiring from the Clarksdale Police Department. “I was looking for something to do after I retire,” he explained. “I found it. I enjoy it. Your children, grandchildren, this is their future.”
Mayor Chuck Espy and the commissioners present praised the Panthers for their efforts. “I definitely understand and commend you,” Espy said to Williams and Walker. Espy reflected on how 18 of the Wildcats’ starters came through the Panthers’ football program. “That is a great impact on your community,” he said. “It is an outstanding job.”
Ward 2 Commissioner Jimmy Harris said, at one time, the Youth Incorporated athletic programs were significant enough in Clarksdale to have local teams play against each other. “Might be something in the future,” Harris suggested. “Yes, Sir. No doubt,” Williams replied.
Harris noted that the Panthers’ football program teaches children not to go astray and be model citizens, emphasizing that it is more important than winning on the field. “I think most of your victories are going to come off the playing field and what you add in those young people’s lives,” he said.
Ward 3 Commissioner Willie Turner said the kids spend more time with the football coaches than their families during part of the year. “You miss a lot of time away from your family doing things with other people, so I commend you and your staff and Mr. Walker for what you guys do,” he said. “Without you guys, a lot of guys would fall by the wayside, and I don’t take it lightly at all. Thank you for your service.”
“I’d like to congratulate Coach Williams and his staff and the young men. This is real work. And being a retired law enforcement officer, you see the tool that you can deter a young man and groom him to be what he needs to be,” added Turner.
Ward 4 Commissioner Ed Seals agreed. “I would like to commend Chief Williams, the coaching staff, and the Clarksdale Coahoma Panthers,” he said. “Anytime you win two consecutive championships, that tells me that you put in a lot of hard work. I would like to commend you guys for a job well done. Keep up the good work.”
Cover Photo: Pictured in front, from left, are players Samuel Walker, Harrison Portillo, Stanton Portillo and Tyree Walker. In back, from left, are Ward 4 Commissioner Ed Seals, Ward 3 Commissioner Willie Turner, Mayor Chuck Espy, coach Milton Williams, coach David Walker and Ward 2 Commissioner Jimmy Harris.
