CHARLESTON- RNN Sports is highlighting this week’s conference showdown between the Booneville Bearcats and the Charleston Tigers. As an added feature for our readers, RNN Sports is sharing stories from two seniors from both schools who will play on Friday. We asked each what the rivalry means to both them and their communities. The players highlighted in separate stories are Dax Goff of Booneville and Reese Merechka of Charleston.
On a Wednesday evening last week, we had the opportunity to visit with Charleston wide receiver and safety Reese Merechka. Merechka was a key player a year ago in the Tigers’ state championship run, and with the heavy graduation of players from that team a year ago, he has been counted upon even more to provide both experience and senior leadership for a young Tigers team in 2023.
Reese has played on Charleston teams that have been very successful. I asked Reese what growing up in Charleston means to him with respect to the Booneville rivalry. Reese explained, “Since I have been in Charleston it has always been a big game, and everyone knows that it is always going to be two powerhouse teams and it is going to be a physical football game. It is always known that it is going to be a tough, physical game. I know that in order to play well, we have to have a good week of practice. We have to give a 100% in practice, following up with 100% in the game. Booneville is by far the toughest team in our conference, and we have to do everything that we can to be prepared for them.”
Since the start of conference play, the Tigers have won three straight games to be undefeated as of October 6. Reese and the other seniors on the team have done a good job in providing leadership for a young Tigers team. Reese continued, “I think we have a lot of young people, a lot more young people than seniors. We knew that we (seniors) had to step up. We have just made sure that if the younger players had questions, then we would just try to do the best we could to help them. We know that we really need them; we are a young team and we have just tried to help them in every way that we can.”
Charleston is playing a lot of sophomores on their team this year. I asked Reese if he thought the young players fully understood the importance of the Booneville game. He replied, “I think they understand it’s a big game, but they have not yet had the chance to play in one. I don’t think they fully understand how good this senior class at Booneville really is. I guess we will find out.”
Reese is self-admittedly not a vocal leader on the team. But, on Friday night, in the locker room just before the Tigers take the field, Reese feels like because of the importance of the game, he will be more vocal with the younger players. “Me and a couple of others (seniors) need to do that in the locker room.”
The Booneville senior class is awesome. The Bearcats have been picked by many to return to the state championship game and compete for the 3A state title. But first things first. The Booneville / Charleston rivalry will continue with its next chapter on Friday at Alumni Field.
And it should be a classic that many will talk about for years.
