Copiah Academy’s Henley in star wars
Published 6:00 am Monday, November 29, 2004
GALLMAN — What senior Price Henley lacks in size, he makes upfor it in heart. Henley, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs in at 175pounds, played tailback for Coach Mitch Mitchell’s Copiah AcademyColonels. Mitchell replaced former coach James Callahan whoresigned after the 2003 football season.
Henley has been selected to play in the 33rd annual MississippiPrivate School Association’s All-Star football game on Thursday,Dec. 2, at Robinson-Hale Stadium on the campus of MississippiCollege. The game kicks off at 6 p.m.
Coaching the South All-Stars is Parklane head coach CharlieNewlon. The North All-Star coach is Todd Lott of GreenvilleWashington.
“I feel pretty honored,” said Henley. “It’s a good thing.”
Copiah finished the season 8-3 overall and 2-2 in District 3-AAplay. It was the best season in several years for the Colonels.
Henley scored 21 touchdowns and finished with 171 total points.He kicked 30 extra points and five field goals for 45 points.
Mitchell talked about Henley’s strengths as an athlete. “Pricehas very good feet. (Henley runs a 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds).He’s a soccer player. He is a lot stronger than peoplerealize.”
Henley had a close call following a homecoming football gamewhen he was in an auto accident that left him with 30 stitches inhis head. He missed the next football game but came back two weekslater. The Colonels didn’t lose another game the rest of theseason.
“We never lost another game when we got Price back,” addedMitchell. “He just gave us that boost. He was our offensive MVP inDistrict 3-2A. He’s an all-around good player.”
Henley said he really enjoyed playing for Coach Mitchell whostarted him full-time and supported him during the season.
“In 2003, I didn’t play much,” said Henley. “I like coachMitchell a lot, especially his attitude and his excitement.
“I am excited about our success this year,” added Henley. “Icould not have asked for a better year.”
Henley credits Coach Mitchell to turning the football programand attitude around. “He (Mitchell) got us started on a weightprogram and got us running. He gets excited and he’ll get ontoyou.”
Henley was also the recipient of the Wendy’s Heisman Award forthe state of Mississippi. “I am very pleased to get that,” Henley’solder brother, Happy, won it his senior year at Copiah.
“Price is a good student,” added Mitchell.
Henley is also playing basketball and soccer. Last year, Henleyplayed guard for first-year head basketball coach MichaelMcAnally.
On the soccer field, he plays midfielder and is coached by LanceTeasley.
“I love soccer,” smiled Henley. “I have played it since I wasthree.”
Henley plays on the select soccer team (Rankin United FootballClub) out of Rankin County. Last summer, they spent a week inTrinidad playing against other clubs.
Price is the son of Brandt and Rita Henley. He has a youngerbrother Richard (14). The Henleys are Methodist.
His older brother also played football and his younger brotheris playing soccer with him on the varsity team.
Henley plans on going to Ole Miss but is undecided on a major.He may play club soccer at Ole Miss. The Rebels don’t have acollegiate soccer team.
His favorite subject in school is history. His favorite collegefootball team is the Ole Miss Rebels.
In the NFL, he likes the Green Bay Packers.
Henley also follows the English Premier Soccer League.
“I want to thank Coach MItchell,” added Henley. “He is one ofthe best coaches for football I’ve ever seen. And I’d like to thankmy linemen, too.”