Loud thuds and sounds of clanking metal reverberate through theBogue Chitto field house. Drops of perspiration trickle down cheeksand beads of sweat form on arms and legs of young athletes. Groansand loud gasps of breath are complimented by shouts ofencouragement as the intensity increases in BC’s weightliftingroom.

Bogue Chitto powerlifting coach Chad Norton and head footballcoach Gareth Sartin watch intently as a group of lifters take turnsat different stations in the weight room. They are football playersand powerlifters, usually both.

Norton’s Bobcats are fresh from winning the South Mississippi 1Achampionship. Up next is the state powerlifting championshipSaturday at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

“Our kids have been working hard,” said Norton. “They areexcited about going to state.”

The Bobcats have been on the brink of winning a statepowerlifting championship for three years. They were runners-up toCoffeeville last year, losing by one point. Three years ago theywere fourth as Thrasher and Pisgah tied for the top spot with 29points. Puckett scored 28 points and the Bobcats had 27.

Usually, a strong football program has similar success inpowerlifting. State 1A football runner-up Durant is amongSaturday’s favorites.

Norton believes experience will help his team Saturday. “We havefaced some tough judges already. That will help us at state. Ourkids know what to expect.”

Participants are judged on total poundage in the squat, benchpress and deadlift. There are numerous body weight divisions.Besides strength, athletes are judge on proper form and technique.Each lift requires a standard procedure.

Colton McClendon in the 165-pound division and Shane “Buck”Lewis in the 300-pound division are among BC’s favorites. They bothset records in the South State meet. McClendon achieved the recordbook in the squat, with 430 pounds and the deadlift (460).

What does he enjoy most about powerlifting?

“I like the rush you get,” answered McClendon, referring to theadrenalin high. “It feels great when you have a good lift.”

Standing 5-foot-7 and weighing 165 pounds, McClendon is a risingsenior running back and safety on the football team. He playscenter field on BC’s state playoff-bound baseball team.

“I weighed 180 in football but I’ve lost about 15 pounds inbaseball because we run so much,” explained McClendon. He’s beenlifting since the seventh grade.

McClendon’s favorite lift is the squat.

“Coach Norton makes us work hard,” said McClendon. “That makesus better lifters.”

Lewis (6-4, 300) displays a large, happy smile when he talksabout powerlifting. He is a standout lineman on both sides of thefootball. He plans to play football for the Alcorn State Bravesnext season.

“I like the deadlift best,” said Lewis. “It’s a way for me toshow off how much I an do.”

Lewis turned some heads at South State. He had a record-breakingtotal of 1,125 pounds for three lifts.

Other Bobcats winning first place at South State were eighthgrader Devin McEwen (148), sophomore James Blackwell (220) andsenior Keith Arnold (275). Second place went to sophomore RobertBonds (165) and senior Lenell Bryant (308). Third place was claimedby junior Tyler Saucier (148) and freshman Jermaine Blackwell(220).

Norton is in his fifth year as BC’s powerlifting coach. Hecoaches the linemen during the football season. Sartin worksclosely with him in both sports.

“You never know what’s going to happen up there,” said Norton.”Somebody might get DQed or fail to score on a lift, if they don’tfollow the rules.”

Norton sincerely believes his team has a strong chance atbringing home the state championship trophy. They’ve already wonthe region and South titles.

Stay tuned.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.Box 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com