"After losing the last two years, it was a great feeling," said Torrey Bell of Curtis' 33-3 trouncing of Winnfield in the Class 2A state championship. "We were sloppy in the first half. Once we started playing good, the second half was easy.
"We improved each game and worked hard."
In the semifinals, Bell repeatedly got the best of Evangel Christian star offensive tackle Josh Thomas, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound junior.
"That's the type of guy I'll be seeing in my college career," Bell said. "He was a great offensive lineman with size. I used speed to power on him. Once I got his feet moving, I used his momentum against him."
Bell will take his official visit to Mississippi State on January 20th. He hopes the Bulldogs eventually add a trio of Curtis juniors.
"If they recruit Duke Riley (LB), Sherman Badie (RB) and Tevin Horton (RB), that would be nice," he said.
A couple of weeks ago, MSU coach Greg Knox visited Bell.
"We've grown close," said the 6-foot-5, 230-pounder. "He's great people. During the in-home visit, Coach Knox said I was doing the things they teach players to do. They're excited to have me. I'm what they're looking for in a player, and I already know many things.
"It's always been my dream to play in the SEC and my mom loves it (Mississippi State). My mom has always been there for me and is excited for me."
Bell led John Curtis, which finished the year 14-0, with 16 sacks. He recorded 72 tackles and deflected five passes.