School Spotlight: Vancleave High School (Vancleave, MS)

Our next school spotlight is covering Vancleave High School out of Vancleave, Mississippi. The Bulldogs are coming off an 8-4 season where they reached the second round of the playoffs. That was their best season since 2010. They are an old school physical bunch that wants to build off of last seasons success. The Bulldogs had 13 seniors graduate and will have some spots to fill, coach Kevin Fant mentioned, “Sometimes you only lose two or three seniors, but those could be the glue of the team. It varies year by year and we move forward from there.”

Coach Kevin Fant is going into his 4th year as the Head Coach for Vancleave. He started by playing high school ball at Moss Point before going into the collegiate level playing at Mississippi St. He went on to get his teaching license and started coaching at Moss Point, he eventually coached at Pascagoula and East Central as well. Once his time was up at East Central he had the opportunity to start Head Coaching at Vancleave and hasn’t looked back since.

What are you trying to get out of your players?

“We are trying to build old-school players who care about their obligations and responsibilities instead of promoting selfish play. I want to develop young athletes who will always compete and continue to develop.”

Defensively they will run a 3-4 base with two safeties, constantly promoting their physicality and aggressiveness. That physical nature transitions to the offense as well, they want to run the ball. They are multiple but will generally work out of a 2 back I formation, but have the ability to spread out to 4 wide.

A player to look for is class of 2024 QB Hunter Parker who can really run it or pass it. He is an undersized “Doug Flutie” like player who plays with the most passion on the field. He is also the starting SS for the baseball team. The offense should really be opened up for him next season.

Two receivers that are great leaders for the Bulldogs are Leighton Eder and Asher Henley who should make an impact on the field and in the locker room.

A Cornerback/Safety to watch for is 6’0 beast Adin Hood who is another returning leader for the Bulldogs. Derrick Forehand should be taking on a new role as well for the Bulldogs in the Fall.