Thursday, August 30, 2007
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Thursday, August 30, 2007 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery |
| Fielder’s
Choice A dream It’s another one of those great sports stories. It’s not about who won or lost a game. It’s not about a player, supposed to be a role model, getting arrested. It’s not about a trade on the professional level. It’s not about a signing in the college game. It’s not even about which team will make the playoffs or a bowl game. It’s about a walk-on quarterback, with a goal, with a dream. And it’s about that dream becoming reality, through plenty of hard work and loads of faith. Saturday afternoon at 2:30 in the Liberty Bowl Stadium, when Memphis hosts Ole Miss in big-time college football action, a small-town quarterback who played at a small private school will be calling the signals for the Rebels. Seth Adams of Holly Springs, whose parents live on the same street as the Burlesons, will be living his dream. The 2003 Marshall Academy graduate earned his scholarship at Ole Miss and he earned his starting position at a Southeastern Conference school. This is great stuff. And it’s a story that has made Holly Springs and Marshall County proud. Our county has lots of Rebel fans. There are Mississippi State faithful, too, plus other favorites, like Memphis, Southern Miss, Tennessee and even Alabama. But down deep we’re all pulling for Seth. I moved to Holly Springs in the summer of 2001. And in my first two seasons of covering high school football here, I saw Seth in action several Friday nights. I knew he had tremendous talent. I’m no scout. I didn’t know if he could play major college football. I did know he was a first-class kid, one who would benefit any college and any football team anywhere. I was at MA when he signed a scholarship to play football for Division II member Delta State University. He didn’t win the quarterbacking job there. But he didn’t give up. He transferred to Hinds Community College where he put up some big numbers during a season cut short due to Hurricane Katrina. Adams decided to walk on at Ole Miss, knowing Brent Schaeffer had already been named the starter before setting a foot on the Oxford campus. Schaeffer didn’t produce last season. Adams got the call in a few games and performed well. Then during this off-season he kept working, kept believing and kept dreaming. He took advantage of the opportunity and claimed the starting job. Now’s he making headlines - in the big newspapers, not just his hometown weekly. Saturday’s Commercial Appeal – “Adams picked as Rebel QB; Orgeron has ‘no doubt’ former walk-on is right choice to start.’ ” Saturday’s Daily Journal – “Adams rises above all; From Division II to Rebel walk-on, former Marshall Academy star is now Ole Miss’ starting quarterback.” Sunday’s Clarion Ledger – “Adams living dream as Rebs’ No. 1 guy.” Monday’s Daily Journal – “QB Seth Adams gets his chance to step up.” I was kidding Seth’s younger brother Brent Saturday, the day after this year’s edition of the Marshall Academy Patriots opened their season with a win. Brent is MA’s senior quarterback. On Friday night’s highlights on WTVA, Channel 9, Brent was referred to as “brother of Ole Miss quarterback Seth Adams.” I was kidding Brent about it. He took it all in stride, saying it was OK with him. Brent is extremely proud of big brother. So are Seth’s dad and mom (Gary and Lorena, by their real names). And well they should be. This story is special – to all of us. |
 
 
 
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