‘Next man up.’ Devastating injury opens doors at MS Coast program — for new & old QBs

A lot has changed this year for Pass Christian’s Paris Trivillion.

Six months before tossing two touchdowns Friday in a 47-10 rout of St. Stanislaus, the sophomore was practicing at cornerback and wide receiver during spring training and preparing to give a young Pirates defense added depth on the perimeter ahead of the 2024 season.

Then senior quarterback Will Weatherly went down on his very first snap of spring practice after returning from baseball. The would’ve-been starter tore his ACL and his final football season was over before it began.

But second-year head coach Jeff Stockstill made a path-altering decision for both players. Trivillion was thrust into the starting role and Weatherly was made quarterbacks coach. The former has electrified defenses in his first four games and the latter has fully embraced his new role.

“Paris is a pretty good defensive back and receiver and the plan was to let him play that and grow into the quarterback role,” Stockstill told the Sun Herald. “When Will went down it was, ‘alright, man, you’re the next man up.’”

Trivillion had very little quarterbacking experience before that moment, though Stockstill identified his intuition and field sense early on and planned to make him the JV quarterback this season. But plans changed.

So far, it has been to the Pirates’ advantage.

A strong start

Trivillion is already responsible for 11 touchdowns this season, with three coming on the ground. He led an offense that scored on each of its first four possessions Friday against the Rock-a-Chaws and he’s a big reason why the Pirates are out to a 3-1 start with three consecutive 40-point games, despite the graduation of their star quarterback and wide receiver combo from a year ago.

Stockstill had to quickly prepare an offense over the summer and fall camp that blended Trivillion’s athletic skill set with the downhill running of standout back Jacquez Alexander-Dedeaux — who ran for over 100 yards and scored four touchdowns of his own in the win over St. Stanislaus.

“We have a lot of designed runs for (Alexander-Dedeaux) and, if it’s the right look, Paris has the freedom to pull it,” Stockstill said. “Those two have worked well together mainly by being unselfish and both wanting to win.”

It wasn’t an easy start for Trivillion. He relied heavily on his legs in the season-opener against Long Beach, running for 135 yards and two scores. But he threw two critical interceptions in the one-score loss to the school’s rival.

But Trivillion is quickly grasping the position. He hasn’t thrown a pick since that game and had an explosive 352-yard, five touchdown day against Pearl River Central in Week 3. Trivillion credits much of his growth to his new tutor.

“Having a younger coach I can relate to and go to about anything has been great,” Trivillion said about Weatherly. “And that’s been a great experience for me.”

A new path

Weatherly needed a moment to step back once he knew his senior season wouldn’t play out on the field. But the dual-sport athlete couldn’t stay away forever. He’s always believed coaching was in his future and Stockstill fast-tracked him by giving Weatherly full reign of the quarterback room.

He’s traded the pads for a headset and a knee brace and taken ownership of his new role on the sideline signaling play calls and sharing what he sees with Trivillion. And like a true coach, he passes the praise onto his understudies.

“Being able to step into that role as a coach and being able to coach Larkin (Lewis) and Paris up, I’m so proud of them because it’s hard to take an 18-year-old’s advice,” Weatherly said. “They’ve been so great. They’ve been so coachable. I’m just really proud of them.”

Weatherly’s perspective of Trivillion offers insight into the quarterback’s persona and why Stockstill is so high on his impromptu general.

It’s Trivillion’s attitude, approach and intangible instinct that stands out to his teammates and coaches.

There are moments where the inexperience shows. There’s an overthrown screen or an occasional throw into double coverage. But then there’s the poise uncommon for a sophomore making his first varsity starts at the game’s most important position that shines when he converts a third and long with a strike delivered from the pocket or when he perfectly places a deep ball down the sideline.

“He’s not selfish and I think that’s his best attribute,” Stockstill said. “Yes he’s athletic, yes he throws a good ball, but he’s not selfish. He’s been a pleasant surprise for us. He shows up every day and works hard, doesn’t complain and good in the weight room. Everything you really want in a high school football player.”

The new backfield

Trivillion and Alexander-Dedeaux form a backfield that has now accounted for 14 rushing touchdowns and three 100-yard games between the pair.

The new-look offense has proven to be difficult to prepare for and execute against.

“Everybody who runs a spread-style offense knows that if your quarterback can run, you’re really hard to stop,” St. Stanislaus coach Tate Thigpen said. “It makes it difficult. It’s one more running back you have to deal with.”

The Pirates and their young quarterback will continue to be tested. Pass Christian’s defense dominated against the Rock-a-Chaws despite starting multiple freshmen. But it will have its hands full against dynamic and powerful offenses ran by district foes Poplarville, Greene County and Bay High.

It will be equally as trying for Trivillion and his side of the ball. But his position coach has already seen a substantial amount of growth.

“We fixed a lot of mechanic stuff right off the bat and he plays a whole heck of a lot smarter,” Weatherly said. “We had the offense to fit a certain way and we had to change it a little bit and he’s played his game. That’s all he can do, is play his game.”

Pass Christian will be on the road next week for its final non-district game against Northeast Jones.