Greenville Christian School’s Marcus Anderson, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, stepped up big when his team needed it last Friday night.
In the first quarter of GCS’s 49-7 road victory over Canton Academy, Anderson saw his teammate, star running back Marlon Palmer, leave the game with an ankle injury.
With Palmer out of the game, Anderson pushed himself and his teammates to keep going strong. Anderson, the quarterback, threw four touchdown passes and ran in another to help the Saints win their third straight game.
“I will do whatever it takes to help my team win,” Anderson said. “When we saw Marlon go down, I knew it was my job to keep the team going and to provide energy for us.”
Greenville Christian School’s Jon Reed McLendon describes Anderson as his team’s vocal leader.
“He is a great leader because he is always loose and confident,” Coach McLendon said. “He brings a lot of energy to the team, and he definitely helps make us better.”
Anderson, who also stars on the GCS basketball and baseball teams, said he is a vocal person by nature.
“Every team needs someone with a little swagger, and I guess that is my job,” Anderson said. “But, at the same time I never cross the line. I stay humble because this school has brought me closer to God. When I first came to this school, I was not a Godly person. But, now I am.”
Anderson, a junior, said he is really proud of how all of his teammates stepped up Friday. Lawson Stokes, for example, caught two touchdowns for Greenville Christian, while Mike Mohead and Jamichael Short each caught one touchdown. T.D. McClinton had a rushing touchdown as well for the Saints. And, on the defensive side of the ball, Will Riley returned a fumble for a touchdown and JaMichael Short had an interception.
The Saints are expected to have Palmer back for homecoming Friday when they host Porter’s Chapel.
“I love being with these guys because they are my brothers,” Anderson said. “I think we can accomplish great things.”
