John McElroy is the first to admit that as far as his football career is concerned, he was a late bloomer. 
So when he returned home to Marion County following a trip to Oklahoma City with his grandparents following his senior year (1957) at Columbia High School, and his mom told him that Coach Dobie Holden had stopped by and said he wanted McElroy to play football for him at Pearl River Junior College, McElroy’s response was, "Are you sure about that?"
McElroy was a 6-foot, 170-pound "wiry guy," in his own words.
"I remember Elmer Cook and I went down there together," said McElroy. "He was a big ol’ boy and there I was. I was scared to death to go into his office. I mean we had all heard of Coach Holden, but I never thought I would ever have the chance to play there."
McElroy, who spent some 35 years coaching high school football in Louisiana and Mississippi, did more than play for the Wildcats. As an end, he played both ways for the Wildcats. His sophomore year, Pearl River finished with an 8-2 record and defeated Wharton, Texas, 30-20 in the Hospitality Bowl.
"In Dobie’s system, the end was more of a blocker," said McElroy. "I remember the spring of my sophomore year, we were short on players. Coach Holden moved me to running back. I had never played there before. The fall came along and, fortunately, we got some good players in, and he moved me back to end. Bobby Weaver was our quarterback. He could throw the ball."