Vikings’ linebacker is first 3-time winner

DeArius Christmas vividly recalls how his first varsity game set the tone for the rest of his high school football career.

“I got beat for two touchdowns,” the Warren Central senior said. “He just put it in my mind that I’ll never do that again. That Red Carpet Bowl changed my whole mindset. It made me a better person.”

Not to mention a much better player.

After getting embarrassed in that first game, Christmas turned into one of the most dominant defensive players in Warren Central’s storied football history. The middle linebacker led the team in tackles for three consecutive seasons, was a first-team Class 6A All-State selection twice, played in the Bernard Blackwell Mississippi All-Star Game and spearheaded the defense that allowed the fewest points in Class 6A in both 2013 and 2014.

To cap his stellar career, Christmas reeled in another unprecedented accolade — his third consecutive Vicksburg Post Defensive Player of the Year award. Since the Post awards began in 1987, six players have earned the defensive honor twice. Christmas is the first to win it three times.

“It’s undescribable. When I won it my sophomore year, I said we made history. Now we need to make history our senior year,” Christmas said. “My whole motto is to be remembered. I want to be remembered as a great person and a great player, with a great personality. Winning it three years in a row is a blessing.”

Christmas’ trifecta wasn’t a legacy pick, or being the most noteworthy player in a down cycle for talent. He got better and better as his career progressed and worked hard to acquire new skills that made him a more dangerous defender.

He had more than 100 tackles each of his first two seasons — including 140 as a junior — but still felt something was lacking in his game. So, during the offseason, he became an expert on creating turnovers.

Through practice, he learned how to swipe at the ball and jar it loose while making a tackle. He did receiver drills to become a better pass-catcher. Through intensive film study, the National Honor Society student figured out which opponents were fumble prone and the angles to attack to make them cough it up, as well as the best spots to be in for pass coverage.

The result was the most remarkable season yet for a guy who had already established himself as the best player on the best defense in the state.

In addition to totaling 128 tackles this season, Christmas led the team in interceptions (5), fumble recoveries (3) and sacks (4 ½).

“That’s one of those intangibles,” Warren Central coach Josh Morgan said, his face lighting up as he talked about Christmas. “He gets it. He’s so football-savvy. On film, you can see him not only making tackles, but the other player jerk from where he’s stripping it.”

Christmas said the effort to improve his game came not only from a desire to help the team become better, but also to stay a step ahead of opponents.

“I never try to get too high on myself,” he said. “If I can outwork the next guy, I’ll be good. Anybody can beat me on any game day if I don’t hustle.”

As if he didn’t contribute enough, the 5-foot-10, 205-pounder also dabbled on the offensive side of the ball as a short-yardage fullback. He only got 20 carries all season, but averaged 4.6 yards per carry and tied for the team lead with seven rushing touchdowns.

“Every time the coaches called his name, he delivered,” said teammate Chris Stamps, a cornerback who has verbally committed to Mississippi State. “We relied on him to make a lot of plays. He deserves more attention from D-I schools than he’s gotten.”

Getting more attention from major programs than Christmas has gotten wouldn’t be hard, considering he’s gotten almost none. Most of the state’s junior colleges have recruited him, but Grambling is the only four-year school to show serious interest so far.

To Christmas, his teammates and his coaches, the reason behind the lack of interest is obvious. For all of his football intelligence and proven playmaking ability in Mississippi’s largest classification, Christmas literally comes up a bit short for most scouts who are looking for bigger linebackers.

“If he’s two inches taller, he’d be an All-American,” Morgan said. “It’s one of the things that really disgusts me about college football. Somebody’s going to get a diamond. It’s not even a diamond in the rough.”

True to his analytical nature, Christmas is taking the recruiting snubs in stride and figuring out a way to use them to his advantage. He openly admits he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder over it, but plans to channel that into refining his game even more. Having at least a handful of offers to fall back on has also helped him put things in perspective.

“I just look at how many people are not going to play football when they graduate,” he said. “There’s guys hoping and wishing for offers, and I’ve got enough to be happy with.”

Christmas is also happy with the standard he’s set at Warren Central — and not just as a player. Being remembered as a good teammate, leader and role model has been as important to him as anything he did on the football field.

“It means a lot, and I just thank God for what he does and how he blessed me. I’m extremely grateful,” Christmas said. “I’m just blessed. I’m glad I got a chance to play with all of these guys. A chance to make a name for myself and my family. I got a chance to represent them all — the right way.”

Vicksburg Post Defensive Players of the Year

2014 – DeArius Christmas, LB, Warren Central

2013 – DeArius Christmas, LB, Warren Central

2012 – DeArius Christmas, LB, Warren Central

Derrick Thomas, LB, Warren Central

2011 – Devon Bell, P, Warren Central

2010 – Lee Douglas, LB, Central Hinds

2009 – Mitchell Hoskins, LB, Port Gibson

2008 – Carlos Williams, LB, Vicksburg

2007 – Carlos Williams, LB, Vicksburg

2006 – Dekores Branch, LB, Vicksburg

2005 – Willis McGowan, DB, Vicksburg

2004 – Chico Hunter, DB, Warren Central

2003 – Humphrey Barlow, LB, Porters Chapel

2002 – D’Eldrick Taylor, DB, Vicksburg

2001 – D’Eldrick Taylor, DB, Vicksburg

2000 – Thad Henderson, DT, Warren Central

1999 – Thad Henderson, DT, Warren Central

1998 – Jason Myers, LB, Vicksburg

1997 – Josh Morgan, DB, Warren Central

1996 – Ivan Martin, DL, Warren Central

1995 – Chris Rainey, LB, Vicksburg

1994 – Eric Payne, LB, Warren Central

1993 – Michael Myers, DL, Vicksburg

1992 – Michael Myers, DL, Vicksburg

1991 – Chris Henderson, LB, Vicksburg

1990 – Ronnie Taylor, LB, Vicksburg

1989 – Robert Winters, LB, Warren Central

1988 – Robert Winters, LB, Warren Central

1987 – Jack Muirhead, LB, Warren Central