Underestimate Vontrez Rush at your own risk.
Rush, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, is a slenderly built sophomore with a quiet disposition. Rush is a running back on the Simmons High School football team who says little. Instead, he let’s his play do the talking.
Last Friday in the Blue Devils’ 40-6 victory over Ethel, Rush had the best game of his career as he rushed for 231 yards on 11 carriers and three touchdowns. Rush’s night included a 93-yard runwhere he broke into the open field and dashed right by most of the Ethel defense.
“It felt great to be able to have such a great game,” Rush said. “It feels good to prove people wrong. People tell me I am too little, and they are surprised that I play football. But, they don’t know how quick I am and how hard I work on getting better.”
Rush has now gained more than 100 yards rushing in three straight games, and Simmons head coach Timothy Johnson said he expects the sophomore to only get stronger as the season progresses.
“I knew Vontrez was going to be a good player for us because he is such a good athlete,” Coach Johnson said. “He is also a hard worker, and he is capable of doing a lot of great things for us if he keeps that great work effort.”
With the help of players like Rush, the Blue Devils have now won four straight games as they seek to return to their fifth straight MHSAA Class 1A state championship game. Simmons has a bye this Friday, and the Blue Devils next game is scheduled for Oct. 11 at home against Leflore County.
The Blue Devils, who lost 19 seniors off of last year’s team, are once again looking like they will be a factor deep into the state playoffs.
“This has definitely been one of my most rewarding years as a coach,” Coach Johnson said. “We are a young team, but each week are learning and growing.”
