MABEN — East Webster High School student-athlete Ledrick Patterson had a tough decision to make on National Signing Day.
Patterson was torn between signing a scholarship to play basketball at Itawamba Community College and signing to play football at Holmes C.C.
At the time, he was in the thick of basketball season and leading the team in scoring at more than 17 points per game. He decided to put off the decision and talk it over with his family and former teammate and current Mississippi State Bulldog Johnthan Banks.
The advice he received was simple: Make a decision that”s best for you.
Patterson went with his gut and chose his favorite sport, football, and signed with Holmes on Tuesday.
Patterson”s decision will allow him to reunite with former East Webster High teammates Tanner Roberson and Jacob Harris.
“I love football, and always have, but this was a really hard decision,” Patterson said. “But after talking to the (HCC) coach (Jeff Koonz), I felt like he wanted to win like I liked to win.”
Patterson quarterbacked the Wolverines to a 13-1 record and a berth in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 2A North State semifinal game for the second straight season.
Patterson had 29 total touchdowns in a triple-option attack. He rushed for 902 yards on 103 carries and passed for 586 yards. He also had an interception.
“When you”re looking at so many things to defend, you”re going to have a hard time,” East Webster football coach Jimmy Carden said. “Ledrick, to his credit, did a great job managing the offense after we switched to the option in the offseason. I don”t have anybody else that can do it, so we”re in a tough spot moving forward.”
Patterson said the transition to running the option offense was easier than moving from wide receiver to quarterback. A strong supporting cast helped make the move easier.
Fullback Timakis Bell and tailback Demetrius O”Briant each rushed for more than 1,000 rushing yards, and senior tackles Hunter Cunningham and Brody White led the offensive line.
“They were hard workers like the backs,” Patterson said. “Cunningham and Brody, our freshmen like Colby (Williamson) and Lil” Mose (Charles Mosley), those guys were blocking hard every play. They weren”t gonna give up on a play. That”s the attitude we all had.”
Patterson said he could play slot back or cornerback at Holmes.
He won 44 games in his career as a Wolverine, which ranks with East Webster”s greats. But he feels he belongs with those players because of his work ethic and leadership.
“We”ve had some good ones like Johnthan Banks and Tanner Roberson,” he said. “I think I can fit in with that group because they were hard workers. I consider myself as a hard worker, I”m easy to coach, and I”m easy to get along with. I just like to win games.”
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