(by Don Meador, Allen County Schools)
Allen
County-Scottsville senior Steven Whitney signed to play college football at Campbellsville
University Wednesday evening at the high school library.
“This is a big dream of
mind and I’m very excited to go play college ball,” Whitney said. “I loved
football all of my life.”
Whitney---a four-year
member of the Patriot program---recorded 105 total tackles last fall to help
AC-S to a 7-4 record. The defensive lineman registered 81 solo tackles and was
in on 24 tackles in nine games for the Patriots. Whitney (5’10”, 225 lb.)
averaged 11.7 total tackles per game, recovered three fumbles, and had an
interception. As a junior in 2016, Whitney was in on 54 tackles including 39
solo stops. For his career, Whitney had 172 tackles in 28 games, an average of
6.1 tackles per game.
“Football was hard at
moments but I just had to push through,” Whitney added. “But, in the end, it
rewarded me and I got the opportunity I wanted.”
Campbellsville is a
member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the
Mid-South Conference. Last fall, the Tigers posted an 8-2 record on the
gridiron and was ranked 20th in the final NAIA rankings. Campbellsville capped off their season with a victory over Southwestern Assemblies of God University in the NCCAA (National Christian College Association of America) Victory Bowl. In the Mid-South Conference, the Tigers were third in their division. Campbellsville's only two losses came in double overtime to Georgetown College and Lindsey Wilson College.
“I have watched
Campbellsville play and their offense is fast-paced and their defense is coordinated
to attack and attack,” Whitney added. “I think they are a good fit for me. It’s
a Christian school and that will be good for me too.”
Allen County-Scottsville
coach Brad Hood---a Campbellsville University graduate and Tiger football
alumnus---recalled how Whitney shifted his focus to working toward a college
opportunity prior to his sophomore year.
“We had a talk about setting your mind to
things and doing it and how you can accomplish anything,” Hood noted. “The
reason Steven has this opportunity is because he has worked to get his self to
this moment. I am extremely proud of him.”
Hood believes Whitney
can contribute to the Tiger program.
“Steven is a
hard-worker that has earned everything he ever got,” Hood said. “He is not
really big but he is very strong. His dedication to the game and the way he has
worked in the classroom has been great. I believe Campbellsville will be good
for Steven with the small classroom size. On the football field, his work ethic
and aggressiveness will give him some opportunities as a defensive player. I
look forward to seeing him play on Saturday’s.”
Whitney is the 18-year
old son of Valerie Sloan and Kenny Whitney.