Pearl High School Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025
Congratulations to the Pearl High School Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025! The Class of 2025 will be inducted in a pre-game
ceremony before the Pearl vs. Northwest Rankin game on Friday, October 17.
David “Mike” Garren – Class of 1961
David Michael “Mike” Garren’s impact on Pearl High School Football stretches far beyond the playing field. A 1961 graduate of Petal High School, where he was team captain and earned All-Conference honors, Garren began his connection to Pearl in the early 1980s when his wife Peggy volunteered him to help film Pirate football games and practices. What started as a simple favor became a lifelong passion and legacy spanning over four decades.
From the days of 16mm film reels and Saturday mornings spent developing footage at Mississippi College, to modern digital systems, Garren has been a constant presence behind the camera for Pearl Football. He faithfully filmed games for multiple head coaches and expanded his service to include basketball and baseball. His dedication to Pearl athletics was recognized statewide, earning him the “Unsung Hero Award” from the Jackson Touchdown Club in 1998, as well as a Special Service Award from Coach John Perry following Pearl’s state championship season. Through forty years of tireless commitment, Mike Garren has captured generations of Pirate pride and preserved the visual history of Pearl football.
Jonathan “Boone” Boone – Class of 1990
A standout multi-sport athlete at Pearl High School, Jonathan Jerome Boone embodied leadership, discipline, and competitive excellence. Playing under Coach Bruce Merchant, Boone was a three-year letterman in football and served as team captain, earning recognition for his athletic ability and character on and off the field. In addition to his football success, he was a four-year member of the Pearl basketball team under Coach Lewis Love, where he was honored as the program’s Most Improved Player.
After high school, Boone continued his football career at Hinds Community College, where he earned Second Team All-State honors and was selected to the Mississippi Junior College All-Star Team as a middle linebacker. He went on to play Division I football at the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Criminal Justice while continuing to excel on the field. Today, Boone works in the economics sector with Airgas and remains a proud ambassador of Pearl athletics. Alongside his wife, Sonji, and their children Paris, Sonti, and Skylar, Boone continues to represent the values of hard work, perseverance, and Pirate pride.
Robert Derrell “Bell” Shoto – Class of 1998
A dominant two-sport athlete at Pearl High School, Robert Derrell “Bell” Shoto earned a reputation as one of the most physical and dependable linemen in Pirate history. A three-year starter under Coach Bruce Merchant, Shoto anchored the offensive line while also excelling in track and field under Coach Woody Barnette. His leadership and toughness earned him multiple honors, including First Team All-Metro, All-District, All-State, and Team Captain distinctions. In 1998, Shoto represented Pearl in the prestigious Mississippi–Alabama All-Star Football Game, starting on the offensive line and proudly showcasing the strength of Pearl’s program.
Following his high school success, Shoto continued his football and track career at Hinds Community College, where he was recognized as Most Improved Offensive Lineman, Most Valuable Offensive Lineman, and earned All-JUCO Track & Field honors. He later transferred to Missouri Southern State University, continuing to compete at a high level both athletically and academically. Beyond his playing days, “Bell” Shoto has remained a pillar of the Rose Hill community, mentoring youth through football, offering free haircuts to those in need, and serving as a positive role model. His commitment to excellence, leadership, and community service make him a true embodiment of Pearl Pirate pride.
John Tyler McLendon – Class of 2010
A model student-athlete and leader, John Tyler McLendon was a three-sport standout at Pearl High School, excelling in football, baseball, and powerlifting under Coach John Perry. On the gridiron, McLendon earned First Team All-District honors in both 2008 and 2009, First Team All-State honors in 2009, and was named All-Metro the same year. His leadership, work ethic, and toughness helped elevate Pearl’s football program during one of its most competitive stretches. In addition to his football success, McLendon was a State Champion in Powerlifting in 2009, and his all-around excellence earned him induction into the Pearl High School Hall of Fame (2009–2010).
Following graduation, McLendon continued his academic and athletic career at Northwestern State University, where he played football and achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning recognition as the 2010 Academic Freshman of the Year and Capital One Academic All-District VI selection. He later earned his master’s degree in Nursing and Health Care Administration from the University of Mississippi and now serves as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Beyond his professional success, McLendon remains an active member of Park Place Baptist Church in Pearl and continues to embody the leadership, faith, and dedication that defined his time as a Pearl Pirate. He and his wife, Lexie, are proud parents of three sons—Alex, John William, and James Tyler—continuing a legacy of excellence rooted in Pearl pride.
