History made at Walnut as Wildcats top First Assembly 31-18 for Meeks’ 89th career win

WALNUT — Friday night was about more than starting a new football season with a victory at Walnut.

It was a history-making night for longtime Wildcats head coach John Meeks.

Walnut defeated First Assembly Christian 31-18 in its season opener Friday night, giving Meeks the 89th victory of his career and making him the winningest high school football coach in Tippah County history. Every one of those 89 victories has come at Walnut.

The milestone added another chapter to a tenure that has spanned well over a decade and established Meeks as one of the most successful coaches in county history. He took over the Walnut program in 2012 and has spent his entire head-coaching career leading the Wildcats.

While Meeks reached the milestone on the sideline, his Wildcats gave him plenty of help on the field.

Walnut received contributions throughout the lineup in the 13-point victory, producing touchdowns through the running game, passing game and special teams.

One of the biggest performances came from freshman Jaylen Cox, who found the end zone twice in two different ways. Cox caught four passes for a team-high 56 yards and a touchdown while adding 19 yards on four carries. He also broke loose for a 75-yard kickoff return touchdown, giving the Wildcats an explosive special-teams score.

Senior Dylan Rider provided another big-play threat on the ground. Rider rushed five times for a team-high 86 yards and a touchdown, averaging more than 17 yards per carry. He also contributed defensively with a sack.

Jarvis Poplar made his presence felt on both sides of the football. The senior rushed for 61 yards on five carries and caught two passes for 18 yards, including a touchdown reception. Defensively, Poplar came away with an interception.

Wit Wright gave Walnut another scoring option out of the backfield. The senior carried nine times for 30 yards and punched in a rushing touchdown.

Quarterback Sawyer Cardwell completed 6-of-11 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown while adding five yards on the ground. Sophomore Cade Jones also gave Walnut production through the air, completing his only pass attempt for 37 yards and a touchdown.

The Wildcats finished with 214 rushing yards from the ball carriers in the provided statistics, with Rider and Poplar combining for 147 yards on just 10 attempts. Walnut also got 19 rushing yards from Cox, 12 from Carson Weeks and two from Josh Luster.

Walnut’s defense made an impact as well.

Weeks recorded two sacks, Rider added another and Jones was credited with a half-sack. Poplar’s interception gave the Wildcats another big defensive play as Walnut kept First Assembly from matching its offensive production.

The victory moved Walnut to 1-0 and continued a strong run on its home field. The Wildcats have now won six consecutive home games dating back to the 2024 season.

But the biggest number from Friday night was 89.

Meeks entered the night already as the winningest coach in Walnut football history. The victory over First Assembly pushed him another step up the record book, giving him more football victories than any head coach in Tippah County history.

And unlike a coaching career accumulated over several stops, Meeks has built his entire total in one place.

Walnut.

From his first victory with the Wildcats to No. 89 on Friday night, each has come while leading the program at Walnut High School.

The Wildcats will now turn their attention to their first road game of the season when they travel to Belmont next Friday night.

Final: Walnut 31, First Assembly Christian 18

Walnut: 1-0

John Meeks: 89 career wins — all at Walnut — and now the winningest football coach in Tippah County history.

WALNUT — Friday night was about more than starting a new football season with a victory at Walnut.

It was a history-making night for longtime Wildcats head coach John Meeks.

Walnut defeated First Assembly Christian 31-18 in its season opener Friday night, giving Meeks the 89th victory of his career and making him the winningest high school football coach in Tippah County history. Every one of those 89 victories has come at Walnut.

The milestone added another chapter to a tenure that has spanned well over a decade and established Meeks as one of the most successful coaches in county history. He took over the Walnut program in 2012 and has spent his entire head-coaching career leading the Wildcats.

While Meeks reached the milestone on the sideline, his Wildcats gave him plenty of help on the field.

Walnut received contributions throughout the lineup in the 13-point victory, producing touchdowns through the running game, passing game and special teams.

One of the biggest performances came from freshman Jaylen Cox, who found the end zone twice in two different ways. Cox caught four passes for a team-high 56 yards and a touchdown while adding 19 yards on four carries. He also broke loose for a 75-yard kickoff return touchdown, giving the Wildcats an explosive special-teams score.

Senior Dylan Rider provided another big-play threat on the ground. Rider rushed five times for a team-high 86 yards and a touchdown, averaging more than 17 yards per carry. He also contributed defensively with a sack.

Jarvis Poplar made his presence felt on both sides of the football. The senior rushed for 61 yards on five carries and caught two passes for 18 yards, including a touchdown reception. Defensively, Poplar came away with an interception.

Wit Wright gave Walnut another scoring option out of the backfield. The senior carried nine times for 30 yards and punched in a rushing touchdown.

Quarterback Sawyer Cardwell completed 6-of-11 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown while adding five yards on the ground. Sophomore Cade Jones also gave Walnut production through the air, completing his only pass attempt for 37 yards and a touchdown.

The Wildcats finished with 214 rushing yards from the ball carriers in the provided statistics, with Rider and Poplar combining for 147 yards on just 10 attempts. Walnut also got 19 rushing yards from Cox, 12 from Carson Weeks and two from Josh Luster.

Walnut’s defense made an impact as well.

Weeks recorded two sacks, Rider added another and Jones was credited with a half-sack. Poplar’s interception gave the Wildcats another big defensive play as Walnut kept First Assembly from matching its offensive production.

The victory moved Walnut to 1-0 and continued a strong run on its home field. The Wildcats have now won six consecutive home games dating back to the 2024 season.

But the biggest number from Friday night was 89.

Meeks entered the night already as the winningest coach in Walnut football history. The victory over First Assembly pushed him another step up the record book, giving him more football victories than any head coach in Tippah County history.

And unlike a coaching career accumulated over several stops, Meeks has built his entire total in one place.

Walnut.

From his first victory with the Wildcats to No. 89 on Friday night, each has come while leading the program at Walnut High School.

The Wildcats will now turn their attention to their first road game of the season when they travel to Belmont next Friday night.

Final: Walnut 31, First Assembly Christian 18

Walnut: 1-0

John Meeks: 89 career wins — all at Walnut — and now the winningest football coach in Tippah County history.