August means four things in South Mississippi—heat, humidity, hurricanes and football.
The first three everyone can do without. The latter is in our blood. Fans will get a chance to get their blood flowing on Friday, Aug. 23, when high school football officially kicks off with jamborees and the regular season the following Friday.
On the sideline reporting the action for another season will be 228 Sports. The goal for the online publication is to bring positive coverage of prep sports and athletes to Mississippi’s six coastal counties (Jackson, Harrison, Hancock, Pearl River, Stone and George).
The idea for 228 Sports evolved by accident about three years ago. Longtime Coast sportswriter Curtis Rockwell approached Our Mississippi Home publisher Jamey Foster, about writing sports articles for OurMSHome.com.
Foster saw the potential for an online platform for high school sports separate from Our Mississippi Home and 228 Sports was born.
The name represents the area code for Mississippi’s six coastal counties.
“We strive to spotlight student-athletes who often lack the proper recognition they deserve for college recruitment,’’ Foster said. “We look forward to improving our coverage of prep sports. We’ve gotten excellent feedback from parents, athletes, coaches and schools.’’
Sports fans can follow 228 Sports coverage on a variety of platforms—the 228 Sports app, Facebook, Youtube, TikTok, and Twitter. 228 Sports also produces podcasts and mini-documentaries on student-athletes and coaches.
After the 2023 football season, Foster took 228 Sports in a different direction by exploring student involvement that led to relationships with coaches and school faculties.
The first student 228 Sports used as an intern was James Spain of MossPoint. Spain shot photos and provided Moss Point game information.
Foster saw an opportunity for on-the-field interviews when he discovered Makenzie Knight at East Central doing student interviews for her own Twitter channel.
Soon the idea of “Students on the Field” was born.
Foster said his vision for 228 Sports is for it to be maintained by a collective of students from Gulf Coast high schools under the direction of industry professionals.
“We want content, photos, and more to be generated by students,” Foster said. “228 Sports exists for these student-athletes by providing a mass audience to showcase talent. Some of these athletes really enjoy the world of sports broadcasting, which is why we have some of them working with us behind the scenes.
“I believe there is value in training up the next generation to be ready and experienced before college. It’s great to see young kids get involved and see their excitement. We got a lot of good feedback from this.
“These kids are very talented, and this gives them a chance to be involved in athletics that before wasn’t available to them.”
Recently added to the 228 Sports team was Lea Santiago of St. Patrick to be the student program director for the “Students on the Field” program.
For 228 Sports to maintain its presence and grow, advertising dollars are needed, and Foster and the staff are seeking businesses and individuals who would like to come aboard.
“We would love for businesses and interested organizations to join us in promoting these outstanding students and athletes, and grow 228 Sports to a place beyond what we can even envision,’’ Foster said.
The 228 Sports staff this year is made up of a mix of former sportswriters, coaches, sports enthusiasts, and high school students.
The most experienced writers on the staff are me and John Bialas.
I spent 23 years as a sportswriter and editor with the Mississippi Press before going into the real estate business in 1996. Writing has remained in my soul and I was excited last year when given the opportunity to write for 228 Sports.
Bialas had a long career as a sportswriter and editor with The Daily Herald and the Sun Herald before retiring. He is serving as our editor.
Foster heads up 228 Sports as publisher and CEO.
Others on the staff include Sam King (content director, contributor), Bruce Thornton (host of the Southern Six Sports Podcast, contributor), Brett Merrill (photographer, contributor) Carlos Hurtado (chief photographer), Hunter Dawkins (publisher of Gazebo Gazette, contributor), Rob Sigler (contributor) and Bill Glenn (contributor).
Student reporters are Spain, Reagan Hoffheinz (Pascagoula), Ava Dellinger (Ocean Springs), Frederick Nicholson (Gautier), Kelly Turcios (Gulfport) and Addie Tungett (Greene County).
