LITTLE ROCK — Harding Academy senior Chase Ransom is constantly being pulled in two different directions.
If it is not on the football field trying to decide whether he likes offense or defense better, it is his future, where he is struggling with the decision of whether to try to play football in college or study medicine.
On the first count, Chase leans more toward the defensive side of the game because he enjoys the aggressiveness he can exhibit chasing down a ball-carrier. With the other, he believes he will most likely forgo playing football after this season to go into the medical field to be like his father, C.E., and many other members of his family.
"I can't see my life without [football] in it," Chase said. "But whatever happens, happens."
Chase has already been accepted at Harding University, an area he is very familiar with. The campus of Harding Academy is located within Harding University, and Chase remembers growing up watching the Academy football games. The early access to Harding Academy football is what led himonto the field for the first time in fourth grade.
"It was a no-brainer," Chase said. "I've been here since preschool."
Chase has developed his skills throughout the years, becoming one of the leaders on the team. But it is not football skill alone that stands out to head coach Tommy Shoemaker.
"He's a person of tremendous character," Shoemaker said. "He's a very mature young man."
Chase's maturity is evident in terms of how he sees himself and how he hopes others see him as well.
"I want people to know me as a guy, not only a football player, that uses his talent to glorify God and to bring others closer to God," Chase said.
Chase sees football as a way to help people, including himself, spiritually. He said playing football has taught him a lot about life and has helped make him a better person. In that end, he has devoted a large portion of his time to the sport that he enjoys and sees as more than just a sport.
"It consumes so much of my life," Chase said. "When myfriends are going on vacation, I'm going to a 7-on-7 tournament."
Chase does not complain about the amount of time he spends with the group of young men that have become like a second family to him. In fact, he has chosen not to play any other sports or pursue any other extracurricular activities outside of football just to be a better teammate for his Wildcat brethren.
"I think I'm a leader," Chase said. "Mostly at practice and behind-the-scenes kind of stuff."
His ability to lead and to help those around him is evident by his younger brother, Seth, who is in the eighth grade. Seth, like his big brother, is an outside linebacker, and Chase takes every opportunity he can to help Seth perfect his technique.
While Chase is not able to attend all of Seth's games, he is with him at the breakfast table the next morning going over the previous night's games, passing on the knowledge that has come with four more years of experience.
With his own football team, Chase is much of the same way.
"I want to try to make everyone around me better, and contribute to winning state," Chase said. "Our theme this year is 'unfinished business.'"
The theme refers to last season when the Wildcats went undefeated but fell in the playoffs to eventual state champion Shiloh Christian. The 6-0, 175-pound senior outside linebacker/wide receiver expects more for his team this season.
"The football team is a family," Chase said. "We've gone through a lot together and this is going to be a good season."
Three Rivers, Pages 120 on 10/07/2007