Resilient in the Face of Adversity, Delta Streets Academy

Sports means something different to everyone. Everyone has their own favorite team, their own memories of “where I was when…”, and that’s what makes sports great. No one person will feel the same about any one sporting event. We relate sports to our own lives, in our own way. It’s that uniqueness of experiences that brings all sports fans together, breaks down all barriers; white or black or brown, male or female, rich or poor, young or old — we are just sports fans. Each year, we at GoingFor2, give our writers a chance to share that experience, that emotion, that ‘one thing’ that stood out above all else in the past year. The sports story that mattered to them — big or small. The following is one such story. Enjoy…

This time of year, I feel nostalgic and think about great sports stories that happened over the year especially pro, college, and high school football. This year wasn’t supposed to be like this, to say the least. Kids were supposed to get their shots at College Bowls and high school championships with stadiums filled with cheering friends and families. Some Seniors were going to be able to walk out to the middle of the field and give roses to moms, dads, and grandparents who stood behind them supporting not only them but everyone on the team. Yet, in most states in the country, it wasn’t like that. Covid swept in and took away hopes and dreams, but for one small private school in Greenwood, Mississippi, it might have just been the turning point the football program needed.

Delta Streets Academy

In 2012, T. Mac Howard was living in Greenwood, Mississippi, and was teaching and coaching football and baseball at the public-school level. Howard had been raised in a Christian family in Brandon, MS, and was no stranger to the injustice of poverty and substandard education that plagued his beautiful state of Mississippi. While teaching public school, Howard became frustrated with the lack of discipline, 33 percent dropout rate, and loss of true education within the system. Greenwood is also 72 percent African American, and this broken system seemed to especially forget about these young men who were turning to crime instead of graduations and jobs. So, Howard took action. In 2012, Delta Streets Academy (DSA), a Christian-based school opened to young black men. Here Howard would teach them how to be resilient in the face of adversity, stay in school, graduate, and look toward the future. Howard started with 14 students in the 7th and 8th grades. One of the requirements was 75$ monthly tuition, which is incredibly modest in terms of attending a private school. The remainder of each pupils’ tuition and the school’s operating budget is funded by outsiders locally and nationally. Since then every year, DSA has added more students, grades, classes, teachers, and in 2013… sports.

Delta Streets Lions Football Program

When Delta Streets Academy opened in 2013, it began in a church building’s extra space so there wasn’t much room for sports. However, football is in every Southerners’ blood, and it was only a matter of time before Howard became head coach and started a team. In 2014, the DSA Lions started independent and played eight games. This first Lions’ team consisted of 17 young men. Then in 2015, they played in an eight-man school league which was designed for smaller schools with a low census. Soon, the Lions joined the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) and continued playing fast-paced eight-man football. When Covid hit and schools began shutting down, most players looking toward their senior and junior years had no idea if they would play again. MAIS began exploring options for Fall 2020 and allowed schools to make their own decisions.  According to Howard, almost all of the surrounding public schools in the Mississippi Delta and surrounding counties opted out of fall sports, thus allowing DSA to pick up some new players who yearned to play ball. As one could imagine, the influx of new players meant new talent and possibilities. In March, DSA hired new head coach Travis Upshaw from Texas. Upshaw played college ball at Texas State University, and then three years of Arena League Football. He was no stranger to coaching either as he had previously taught at the high school level in highly competitive environments. Coach Upshaw also brought a new perspective to the Lions’ program beginning with a complete renovation of the facility with real turf, locker rooms, weight room, and lighted practice areas. So, when the boys returned in the summer to begin practicing, they were in shock and awe. Coach Upshaw not only changed the outlook of the complex but the Lions’ culture. With the addition of a new coach, equipment, and players from surrounding high schools that were not playing fall ball, the DSA Lions were excited about the possibilities of an astounding season, one for the record books!

Playoff Bound

The DSA Lions had never had a winning season, let alone playoff hopes or a chance at a berth. When Covid set forth new restrictions, Coach Upshaw welcomed the outside players and knew they could succeed in areas they had not previously. The team was compromised of 30 young, strong dedicated men. One of those players that transferred to continue his education and passion for football, was senior La’ Andre Pittman.  Pittman played linebacker and right guard in 2019 totaling 121 tackles, one interception, five forced fumbles, and five QB sacks as a junior. When his former school said no football, he searched and found his home at DSA. Pittman plays both offense and defense for the Lions never leaving the field. Pittman averaged 10-12 tackles a game for his new team.  His grit and impeccable work ethic helped DSA reach the Class-2A MAIS playoffs where they were slotted the 6th seed. They played Hebron Christian in the 1st round and won 40-0. The Lions then advanced to the semi-finals to face Riverdale Academy and unfortunately lost.

Unfinished Business

Coach Upshaw and the DSA Lions’ off-season motto is now “unfinished business.” Covid might have caused a setback to many things in the world back, but for them, it was an opportunity to band together as brothers and dominate on the field. According to Coach Upshaw, the nine returning Juniors are ready to take it all the way to the MAIS championship in 2021. Out of the seven Seniors that are graduating, Pittman LB/FB and Marquellus Davenport TE/DE have had several colleges interested in them and will have their pick of many outstanding choices to further their promising football careers. Edgar Swims DL/OL is blessed to have already received multiple collegiate offers and has yet to decide. With core values on and off the field of humility, faith, brotherhood, and discipline, The DSA Lions are proving to the Mississippi Delta and themselves that they mean business, unfinished or not. Even though 2020 has been a rollercoaster of emotions, the Delta Street Lions found hope in playing football, making it to the playoffs, and most importantly, found a basis for their future as educated, disciplined young men.