ABERDEEN — There is no substitute for hard work.
When you”re part of a program that has had some success, you need players who are going to adopt that mind-set and build on it to push future teams to even greater heights.
Fred Tate and Brandon Smith certainly left their mark on the Aberdeen High School football program in their careers. The two realized a benefit from all of that hard work Wednesday when they signed scholarships to play football at Itawamba Community College in Fulton.
“We have a lot to prove,” said Smith, who played running back and in the secondary for Aberdeen (14-2) this season. “We plan to hit them hard and to hit them where it hurts.”
The seniors attracted interest from other schools, including several at the Division level. They said they will use the fact that none of those schools — the University of Mississippi, Memphis, Jackson State, Southern Miss, and Alcorn State — offered them scholarship as motivation to prove them wrong and to earn that opportunity in two years.Aberdeen High School football coach Chris Duncan feels both players have the potential to go “way beyond” ICC and continue their football careers. He said both players were integral pieces in a four-year stretch that saw the Bulldogs go 47-12 and reach the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 3A state title game the past two seasons.
“Fred is an untapped source,” Duncan said. “He can be a really, really good ballplayer. This year, he showed me a lot. He started leading and showed a lot heart, played hard, and stepped up as a leader — both of them did. There is no secret why we”re winning when we have ballplayers. They will go on and play well for someone else.” Duncan feels both players have the potential to go “way beyond” ICC and continue their football careers.
Ward, who is projected to play defensive end or to be a stand-up end in ICC”s “hybrid 3-4 defense, said he has learned to play with heart. He said that realization helped him become a better a leader.
Smith agreed and said he became more coachable and learned he ad to take care of his business on and off the field. He believes the move to ICC will be a “good challenge” that will allow him to improve his speed and tackling.
Duncan said Ward and Smith bought in early and helped set the standards future classes will be expected to meet — and to surpass.
“I think both of those guys will excel because they play with heart,” Duncan said. “That is one thing I am proud Fred mentioned that he learned here is to play with heart. No matter what sport you”re in, you”re going to have a chance if you lay it on the line. That”s the reason they”re going to be successful.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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