The senior running
back/linebacker said the most painful thing he experienced last season
was watching his teammates play two games without him while he
recovered.
“I got to be the towel guy on the
sidelines,” Hobbs said. “I would wave it to get our fans fired up. I
hated it. I needed to be playing in the game.”
Elkmont won both games (49-13
over West Limestone and 35-14 over New Hope), but Hobbs was determined
not to miss another game. After talking with his doctor and coaches, it
was decided that he could play as long as he could handle the pain.
Hobbs (5-foot-11, 185-pounds) helped the Red Devils to an 8-2 record and spot in the Class 4A state playoffs. “That’s just the kind of kid he is,” Elkmont coach Sean Holt said. “He’s always got to be doing something. He’s not for standing around wastingtime. We can’t get him off the field. He’s in on everything we do on offense, defense and special teams. “If he’s not playing football, basketball or baseball, he’s working or doing something outside. You won’t catch him inside killing time playing video games.”
The trip to the playoffs was
Elkmont’s first since 2011. The Red Devils set a school record with 344
points using the run-oriented Wing-T attack.
Four running backs split the rushing yards. Hobbs had 449 and five touchdowns. Three touchdowns came against rival Ardmore. Hobbs and Zeb Pankey, the other
returning back, could get more of the rushing load this season. The two
will also start on defense as linebackers.
‘Got to love contact’
“If you are going to play
football, you got to love contact,” Hobbs said. “That’s the way we play
it here. It’s smash-mouth football. On offense or defense, I’m always
looking to hit somebody. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Hobbs said he first hurt the shoulder early in the season when took a hit while running with the ball. “I got hit on one side and fell
right on the shoulder,” Hobbs said. “It hurt, but I could still play. It
didn’t get any better and I had to say something to the trainer.” For a guy who loves contact,
complaining about pain just doesn’t seem right to him. More than once
he’s been sidelined during a game by a concussion. “They take my helmet and shoulder pads so I don’t try to get back in."
Favorite play: A block
Hobbs’ favorite play from last year was all about contact and it was not on a run or tackle by him.
“It was a block against Central,”
Hobbs said. “It was a swing pass to Jared Bailey. I peeled back and
took two of their guys out of the play. Jared went all the way for a
touchdown. I’ll always remember that play.”
“People out here love Red Devil
football,” Hobbs said. “When we started winning games, our student
section got behind us big time. It really helped the team in some close
games. I can’t wait to experience that again this year.”
Source: Decatur Daily
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