Taylor Curet

Hattiesburg

Sports Director at WDAM-TV (Moselle, MS)

Sports Director at @WDAM in Hattiesburg, Miss. Proud @lsu Alum / God is good. Yessah!!!

Articles

Armondous Cooley ready to wreak havoc on USM defensive line

Aug 20, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The strength of Southern Mississippi’s defensive line has been harped on all fall camp. Head coach Will Hall said the Golden Eagles have talent, experience and depth at that spot of the field. Wayne County grad Armondous Cooley will factor heavily into the equation up front. “He’s a Cooley from Wayne County,” Hall said. “His uncle was a great player here and he’s proud to be here. We’re so glad he’s back. He’s one of those guys that everybody loves.
USM cornerback Brendan Toles back from injury, ready for fall

Aug 16, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - Southern Miss hopes to avoid the injury bug which plagued its defensive backfield a season ago. Brendan Toles had a promising start to his junior season at cornerback before tearing his ACL just three games in. He admits how tough it was to watch from the sidelines last year, but it helped him gain a new perspective. “I learned that little things matter,” Toles said. “An inch matters, a foot matters. Just gotta stay technical in our stuff that we do, just try to be perfect.
JQ Gray ready for bigger role in USM running back room

Aug 14, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - It’s hard to replace 4,022 yards of rushing. Frank Gore Jr. left Southern Miss with that mark, the third-most in program history. Senior Dreke Clark will spearhead the 2024 running back room, returning from a 429-yard season which was cut two games short due to a broken hand. There will be more opportunities for guys like JQ Gray. The Oak Grove grad enters his second year on campus as a redshirt freshman.
Players of the Pine Belt: Mount Olive CB/WR Haiden Payne

Aug 14, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

MOUNT OLIVE, Miss. (WDAM) - There’s a new man in charge of Mount Olive football. Eric Nelson begins his head coaching career with the Pirates. “I got guys in that locker room that know how to play football,” Nelson said. Nelson won’t be navigating these uncharted waters alone. Guys like junior Haiden Payne will help lead the way on both sides of the ball. Payne’s a talented receiver and lock-down cornerback. “I like to catch interceptions and covering the best guy on the field,” Payne said.
Players of the Pine Belt: Heidelberg LB Devin Tribble

Aug 12, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

HEIDELBERG, Miss. (WDAM) - The Heidelberg Oilers made history last season, advancing to the school’s first state championship. They return in 2024 with hopes of making more history. “Everybody’s locked in,” said second-year Heidelberg head coach Darryl Carter. “Nobody’s taking any days off, taking anything for granted.”“Everybody comes out hype, yelling, screaming,” said Heidelberg senior linebacker Devin Tribble. “Just ready to play.”The dog days are over in Heidelberg.
Players of the Pine Belt: Columbia LT Harrison Cluff

Aug 11, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

COLUMBIA, Miss. (WDAM) - For the first time in six seasons, Columbia High School has a new football coach. New coach Lance Pogue and the Wildcats should make a good pair. Both parties have championship aspirations. Pogue won five state championships with South Panola High School. Columbia claimed the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s Class 4A football crown in 2021 and followed with a South State title last season.
Players of the Pine Belt: FCAHS linebacker Cortez Sims

Aug 6, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

BROOKLYN, Miss. (WDAM) - Larry Dolan has something brewing in Brooklyn, now three years into his second stint as the head coach of Forrest County Agricultural High School. The Aggies made the playoffs in his first season and grabbed a postseason victory in year No. 2. Dolan believes FCAHS can take another step forward in 2024 but he will lean on senior leaders like linebacker Cortez Sims. “I love hitting people,” Sims said. “Make people hurt, that’s the most fun about it.”Sims chose the right trade.
Players of the Pine Belt: Lumberton DE Chakobe Adams

Jul 31, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

LUMBERTON, Miss. (WDAM) - Lumberton High School believes it can put up some numbers offensively this season but the defense remains the backbone of the program. At the core is senior defensive end Chakobe Adams. “He brings that hitter’s, tough defensive mentality that embodies what a Lumberton defensive guy’s all about,” said Lumberton head coach Jonathan Ladner. “He’s going to be the guy that we’re expecting to bring the juice. He’s gotta get us going.
Players of the Pine Belt: Seminary DE/TE Pierston Youngblood

Jul 26, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

SEMINARY, Miss. (WDAM) - Despite a young roster, Seminary competed last season – winning eight games and advancing to the third round of the Class 3A playoffs. The Bulldogs are still young in 2024 but have a few key seniors leading the way. “I didn’t even know this day would come but it’s here,” said Seminary senior Pierston Youngblood. “I gotta take it how it come.”With just one season left of high school football, Youngblood isn’t taking a day for granted this summer.
Players of the Pine Belt: Sumrall LB/fullback Brendan Lewis

Jul 25, 2024 | wdam.com | Taylor Curet

SUMRALL, Miss. (WDAM) - Sumrall High School knows what lies ahead in Class 4A. The Bobcats are building themselves up this summer for what should be a grueling, physical fall. “I love hitting people,” said Sumrall senior Brendan Lewis. “There’s nothing better than lining up on a Friday night - whether it’s defense, kickoff or offense - and just going at it and getting at somebody.”Lucky for Lewis, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to lower his shoulder this season.