LITTLE ROCK — Harding Academy senior quarterback Seth Keese should reach 9,000 yards of career total offense when the No. 3 Wildcats meet No. 4 Rison in a Class 3A quarterfinal playoff game tonight at First Security Stadium in Searcy.
But Harding Academy Coach Roddy Mote said the most important statistic to Keese is the scoreboard and leading the Wildcats (10-1) to a state championship, something older brother Caleb did in 2002.
That point was reinforced Wednesday, Mote said, when Seth Keese led the team prayer.
“He said we needed to play for something bigger than ourselves,” Mote said. “That’s the kind of kid he is. Some of those stats, he could have had a lot more numbers, I guess. But that’s not what we’re after.”
Still, the numbers generated by Keese the last three-plus seasons can’t be ignored.
Keese, 5-11, 185 pounds, is among only a handful of quarterbacks in state high school football history with more than 2,000 yards rushing and 6,000 yards passing, production thathas stamped him as one of the best players ever at Harding Academy, a tradition-rich private school that straddles the Harding University campus.
“He’s been a great football player for us,” Mote said.
Keese, with 8,809 career yards running and passing, has been entrenched as a starter since moving to the varsity team late in his freshman season.
Under Keese’s watch the last three seasons at quarterback and safety, Harding Academy is 32-4 and won two conference championships.
Harding Academy won its first 12 games last season before losing 42-10 in the playoff semifinals at Fountain Lake.
Harding Academy’s chances of winning a fifth state championship were essentially doomed from the start.
On Harding Academy’s third play from scrimmage, Keese tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while scrambling out of bounds - an injury that wasn’t diagnosed until after the game.
Keese continued to play, but the Wildcats’ most dynamic playmaker on offense and defense was limited, Mote said.
“It was very disappointing for him, because he wasn’t able to do what he normally can do,” Mote said. “But he gutted it out and played the entire game. It hurt us as much defensively as it did offensively. He’s such a competitor on both sides of the football.”
Keese started at safety during the playoffs as a freshman and was a member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team after recording 29 tackles (2 for loss), 7 pass breakups, 4 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns) and forcing 1 fumble.
As a junior, Keese had two interceptions and led the team in tackles with 96.
Following knee surgery in December, Keese didn’t play basketball or run track because of his rehabilitation.
Mote said Keese returned for 7-on-7 in May and looks the same on the field this fall - except for a black knee brace - as he did the last two seasons.
“He’s just the same old Seth,” Mote said. “A lot of that is that he’s a competitor. He’s playing fast. He plays real fast once you get inside the white lines. You really can’t tell any difference.”
Directing a Spread attack, Keese has rushed for a careerhigh 1,002 yards and thrown for 1,842 yards this fall.
Keese has also made 40tackles and intercepted four passes.
Keese’s offensive and defensive numbers would be higher, but he’s been pulled early in blowout victories, Mote said.
The Wildcats also had a first-round playoff bye after winning the 2-3A championship.
It didn’t take long for Keese to shake any rust last week against Bald Knob in a secondround playoff game.
In a 41-14 victory, Keese ran for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns, threw for a career-high 304 yards and 2 touchdowns and intercepted 2 passes.
“I mean, he’s special for us, really, on both sides of the ball,” Mote said. “He’s just a special player.”Seth Keese at a glance SCHOOL Harding Academy POSITION Quarterback/safety CLASS Senior HT/WT 5-11, 185 pounds NOTEWORTHY Older brother Caleb was the starting quarterback on Harding Academy’s Class AA state championship team in 2002. … Father Mike is Harding Academy’s offensive line coach. … Started at safety as a freshman in the 2007 playoffs. … Member of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Super Sophomore team. … Has made 165 tackles and intercepted 10 passes the last three seasons.
… Has rushed 336 times for 2,368 yards and 42 touchdowns and completed 456 of 739 passes for 6,441 yards and 62 touchdowns in his career. … Has led Harding Academy to a 10-1 record and a No. 3 ranking in Class 3A this fall.
Sports, Pages 23 on 11/26/2010