HOLLANDALE — I am an American Soldier. I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier.
Tim Wells, a senior on the Simmons High School football team, recited these words by heart before football practice this Tuesday afternoon. He is only 17 years old, but Wells said he fully understands what they mean. He is willing to die for his country if need be.
Wells took the oath when he joined the Army National Guard in January. The first weekend of every month he wakes up at 5:30 a.m. to train with his fellow guardsmen in Greenwood. It is a grueling morning, full of physical training and hard classwork, but Wells said his learning a lot each time.
“Joining the Army National Guard is the best decision I have ever made,” Wells said. “It is not only a great opportunity for me, but also it gives me a chance to give back to America.”
Wells is following in the footsteps of former Simmons High football star C.J. Williams who last season also played high school football while being a member of the National Guard.
“I saw what a great leader C.J. was, and I thought it made a lot of sense to do the same thing,” Wells said. “I am learning a lot about what it takes to be a leader.”
Wells said there is a good chance that he will pursue a lifelong career in the military, although he also is considering pursuing a career in accounting after he graduates from college.
Right now, however, Wells is applying the leadership skills he is learning in the military to help his Simmons High School football team be the best it can be. After graduating 11 senior starters last team, Wells is one of only six seniors on the entire Blue Devils tam.
Standing only 5-feet-8 and 181 pounds, Wells uses his speed and wits to play both offensive linemen and middle linebacker.
“I play wherever my coach needs me to play,” Wells said. “I actually love being in the trenches because that is where all the action is.”
Simmons Coach Timothy Johnson calls Wells the quinessential leader.
“Because he was in the military, he was gone all summer. But, when he came back he came right on and started to make a difference. He is a great young man, and a great member of this team,” Coach Johnson said.
Last Friday, the Blue Devils went to Belzoni and picked up their first win of the season, defeating Humphreys County 36-27. The Blue Devils travel to Coffeeville Friday night.
Coach Johnson and Wells said the win will hopefully propel their team on another long winning streak.
After having the nation’s active longest winning streak (54 games) snapped in the state championship game last season, the Blue Devils lost their first two games of the season.
The Blue Devils record now stands at 1-2, something that does not sit well with either the player or the coach.
“Right now we are getting better, but we just have to keep working on the mental stuff,” Coach Johnson said. “There are no limits to how far we can go this season. This year we do not have the household names on our team like we did in the past, but that does not mean we cannot go far.”
Said Wells, “We have the talent and the potential to go as far as we believe we can. We just have to keep working hard and believing in each other.”
