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Steven WatersEighth Street Middle SchoolTifton, Georgia by Robert Preston, Jr. photography by Johnathan Chick |
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You could say that football is in Steven Waters’ blood. The 13-year-old eighth grader hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and play football in college, but he doesn’t want to stop there. Steven is already pondering the possibilities of an NFL career and if it worked out, he would join an elite list of Tift County pros that includes Todd Fordham, Clay Shiver and Roy Hart. Steven’s father, Chris, played on Tift’s 1983 state champion team and played football for South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. Already a 6-footer and weighing in at 185 pounds, Steven is making some gridiron noise of his own and planning for his football future. Steven, a linebacker and running back for Eighth Street Middle, has been playing football for five years. He started when he was eight years old playing in the local recreation league. “My dad encouraged me to play,” he remembers. From a very early age, it was apparent that Steven was a gifted athlete. He was the biggest kid on the field; accordingly, his first positions were on the offensive and defensive line. When he started his seventh grade year, he found a new home – at running back. He also moved from the defensive line to outside linebacker, and says he should play middle linebacker this season. He’s found himself in an interesting position. Linemen usually don’t receive much attention. Both the offensive and defensive lines are vitally important to the success of any football team. However, those players simply don’t enjoy the same kind of attention and recognition that the backs, receivers, quarterback and other so-called skilled positions do. But that’s not the case anymore for Steven. Once a workhorse down in the trenches, he’s now playing two of the most visible – and glamorous – positions on the field. How is he handling it? “It’s OK. I like playing running back, but I enjoy defense more. I like to hit people,” he says. Steven had a good season in 2008. He was an integral part of Eighth Street’s defense and played an important role in the team’s offensive attack. He scored eight touchdowns in his team’s seven games, which culminated in a region championship showdown against Hahira Middle. Eighth Street came up short in the game, which evened Steven’s record in championship games to 1-1 (his team won the recreation league championship when he was in the sixth grade). His father is impressed with the skill set Steven has. “It’s scary, really. He has a ton of potential. I wish I had that kind of potential when I was growing up. Skills like his don’t come around very often,” says Chris. Maybe the most important quality Steven possesses is his belief in his team. He wants to win and is willing to do what’s best for the team in order for that to happen. That’s why he is so willing to run the ball. It isn’t necessarily what he wants to do, but it’s what his team needs. “He will play offense because he’s a team player, but he loves defense,” says Chris. Steven has good field vision and anticipation. He takes pride in tackling and knows how to stop ball carriers in their tracks. It doesn’t hurt that he’s pretty fast, either. Though Steven is a natural athlete, he doesn’t take any of his skills for granted. He knows the value of hard work, and he loves to practice as much as he plays. This summer, Steven has been working extremely hard to improve his game. He has lofty goals for the 2009 season: “I want to lead the team in tackles and rushing.” He’s been lifting weights regularly, in addition to working on speed and conditioning drills. Steven’s strength is developing well, and he’s putting a strong emphasis on the weight room. “I feel good about my strength,” he says. |
   Favorite:
Ten years from now I’ll be . . . “Hopefully in the NFL. If not, I hope to have a career in law or teaching.” |
All of those skills and all of that work came together last year in what Steven considers his best game. Eighth Street was playing Valdosta Middle, and Steven played on both sides of the ball. He scored two touchdowns and had several big hits, one of which forced a fumble. Performances like that demonstrate the kind of complete player he is and the different ways he can help his football team win.
Though football is his first love, he doesn’t plan on giving up his next-favorite sport – basketball – anytime soon. A power forward/center, Steven can hold his own on the hardwood. In fact, his basketball ability has also impressed his father. “He’s got some basketball skills that I didn’t know he had,” says Chris. The same athleticism that has helped turn him into an excellent football player has made him an important part of the Eighth Street basketball program. In addition, he’s a member of the school’s track team, where he competes in the high jump (5’5”) and 800 meters (he finished second in the region).
Steven doesn’t really have too many other hobbies. Between football, basketball and track, his schedule is pretty full. However, he does make time for his school work. He knows that athletics will only carry him so far. Without good grades, he’ll be just another above-average athlete who didn’t make it. Steven makes A’s and B’s, and lists his favorite subjects as reading and math. He also enjoys reading in his spare time, particularly mysteries and action stories. “Steven does very well in school. He pays attention in class and gets the material. He’s always on the honor or merit roll, and he’s never made a C,” says his mother, Cheryl.
Steven knows that the pathway to success is paved with an education. He won’t be able to achieve any of his goals – athletic or otherwise – if he doesn’t make good grades. In that regard, there is no distinction between academics and athletics. The two are inter-connected and are components of the formula that will lead Steven to success down the road. It doesn’t hurt that he has a father who has traveled at least part of that same road. “Because I played a little college football, I know what to expect, and I tell him how important it is for him to keep his head on straight and stay out of trouble. He’s got to keep his grades up and look out for people who want to bring him down,” says Chris.
Thus far, that hasn’t been an issue. “He’s a good kid. I’m excited about his future,” says Chris. • | |
January 2012
Robert Preston Jr. 
Micki K Photography 
