King appreciates coaches acting like family
Ridgeland High School senior defensive end Creighton King said the best part of playing football for his school is his coaches treating him and his fellow players like family and putting them in the position to play their best and win.
King began playing football in the fourth grade and has played several defensive positions over the years such as nose guard, defensive tackle and half-back. He now plays as a defensive end for Ridgeland and has stuck with the position since ninth grade.
“My favorite part of playing for Ridgeland High is the coaches and the atmosphere,” King said. “Every game I play, I know our coaches have our best interests in mind and will put us in the position to win. I appreciate these coaches and how they’ve treated us like their children and taught us right from wrong.”
While King is unsure where he will go to college, he plans to continue playing football wherever he goes after he graduates in May. He wants to major in business and minor in sports medicine.
King said his favorite part of this season has been playing hard.
“As a senior, you have to be a leader on the team as the younger players will look up to you,” King said. “You have to play hard and set an example to them so they can lead the team themselves in the future.”
Outside of school and football, King enjoys traveling to different schools around the area and speaking to younger athletes interested in getting into sports.
His favorites:
• Hobby: Hanging out with friends, bowling, sporting events, being part of the community
• Food: Steak
• Vacation spot: Hawaii
• Movie: “Creed II”
• Video game: “NBA 2k20”
“My highlight of this season was the game against Neshoba Central, where I had two sacks and three tackles for losses,” King said. “We did lose that game but we moved on, and we’re a better team now. I know this team will be successful in the future.”
Ridgeland High School Head Coach Teddy Dyess said this is his first year as head coach for Ridgeland, and coaching King has been great.
“Creighton is one of our senior leaders, and he bought into our vision,” Dyess said. “He comes to work every day with no complaints, and he works hard. He’s going to be a successful person one day because he does what he's supposed to do, and he does it well.”
Dyess said Ridgeland had a great season. They are 6-4 and heading into their first playoff game against West Point.
“We had a great game last Thursday against Canton to clinch the playoffs,” Dyess said. “The biggest thing is that Creighton and the rest of our players have stuck together through the season and battled their way through, no matter what adversities stood in their way. He is a great human being, and it’s a privilege to teach him and be around him every day. I’m looking forward to seeing what great things he’ll accomplish in the next 10 years.”