Don’t tell my boss, but I think I have the most important job at The Natchez Democrat.

I’m your new sports editor and I hope to meet you all in my travels across the Miss-Lou area in the coming weeks and months.

The people in news might disagree but I personally believe that the sports editor is the most important position in just about any newspaper, especially in an area that is as passionate about their sports as this one.

I mean, let’s face it. A board of aldermen meeting just doesn’t get the juices flowing like Friday night football or a nail-biting baseball matchup.

I’m coming into this situation as a bit of an outsider, having never been to this area of the state before. But I am working my way south.

After growing up in North Alabama, I made my way to Mississippi State for college, went a little further south to Philadelphia for my first job as sports editor of The Neshoba Democrat, down to Meridian to take an assistant sports editor job at The Meridian Star and finally down and across the state to Natchez.

I have a beautiful wife of three years and two children, so as you can see, I’m a pretty busy guy.

But now that I’m here, my goal is to make The Democrat sports section something everyone in this area can be proud of.

Everyone loves their sports in the Miss-Lou and there are some fine teams out there.

I want to focus not only on the great teams we have in this area, but also on the players that make the plays.

There are many athletes that have interesting stories out there, and not all of them are the star of the team.

I want to explore their stories and give them their chance to shine.

Other than prep sports, another important part of The Democrat’s sports section is local events.

If there is a golf tournament, tennis tournament or some other event, I want to know about it.

I want our sports section to be the best community sports section in the state, but I’m going to need your help.

If there is an event going on, let me know. If you know of someone or something that would make a great story idea, just let me know.

You can send me an e-mail or call me at the office.

I have grown accustomed to the area and the newspaper. I think it is something special.

I will do my best to give you the reader a section to enjoy.

Jeff Edwards is the sports editor. He can be reached at 601-445-3632 or at jeff.edwards@natchezdemocrat.com