As Poplarville High School’s athletic trainer, Courtney Dossett is one of the few people on the Hornets’ sideline who doesn’t stop when the whistle is blown.

Dossett has a desire to be the person student athletes turn to when they get hurt, even when an athlete on the opposing team tumbles. Dossett strives to be the first person helping an injured player.

“I feel like I am here to protect everyone I possibly can. I’m not shy to lend a hand to anyone, that’s the way I’ve always been,” Dossett said.

Even though she is new to the job, this isn’t the first time she has been in Poplarville. The Hattiesburg Clinic employed trainer is going on her second year with the Hornets.

Dossett started her journey to become an athletic trainer at Pearl River Community College in 2006, where she gained genuine experience as a student athletic trainer for the Wildcats.

After two years at PRCC, and another couple of years at Nicholls State University, Dossett established herself at West Alabama University, where she earned her masters in teaching with a concentration in physical education.

Then, Dossett was offered a position as the athletic trainer for the Starkville High School Yellow Jackets, where she worked for a number of years. Although she enjoyed her job in north Mississippi, the Collins native said she wanted to be closer to home, and when a job opened up in Poplarville, she saw her opportunity to do just that.

“When I was told that I could live in Poplarville again, I immediately became ecstatic. As a Wildcat graduate, I already know how great the community is and how good the Hornets’ athletic programs are, so to be part of that was something I really wanted in the next step of my career,” Dossett said.

Dossett assists every sports program at Poplarville High School, and when possible, she will help out at middle school games as well. Her most memorable moments with the Hornets are from Poplarville’s run to the 4A state championship game in football last year.

“In the past, I have not had the pleasure of working with a team quite like this one. The players work with me and really soak in what I tell them, and the coaches are all great at what they do. It’s a fun atmosphere to be around. Working the state championship game, instead of watching it in the stands, it was an amazing feeling,” she said.

Dossett is anxious to see what the 2017 season holds for the Hornets as they play for the right to make another trip to the 4A state championship game.