NWADG Prep Rally Football Preview

PREP RALLY: COVER STORY | 8.21.2022 8 Wisdom has also experienced the high of a championship and the low of a championship game loss. The 6-0, 170-pound Wisdom earned the start as a sophomore in a four-player competition and guided the Saints to the Class 4A title in 2020. "Just watching him play ninth-grade ball, he played a lot of receiver and some QB," Shiloh Christian Coach Jeff Conaway said. "That sophomore year, he really put his nose to the grind and invested a lot of time, effort, and energy into developing into that quarterback. He chased it as hard as he could. That soph- omore year really set him up for success, and he's only gotten better since." As a sophomore, Wisdom threw for 2,159 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 1,485 yards and 24 more touchdowns, joining exclusive company by passing and rushing for at least 20 touchdowns. Last year, Wisdom threw for 2,989 and 36 touchdowns, and added 1,019 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, joining an even more exclusive company as just the fourth quarterback to pass for at least 2,000 yards and rush for at least 1,000 yards in two different seasons along with Greenland's Aaron McPher- son (2001-02), Greenwood's Daniel Stegall (2004-05) and Nashville's A.J. Whitmore (2004-06). "He's very special in that he has a very live arm," Conaway said. "He can make throws he's supposed to make and he can make throws he's not supposed to make. If he feels like getting loose, he's fun to watch create. His speed and elusiveness are very uncommon. When you have some strengths like he has in a quarterback, he's fun to watch." The past two seasons have certainly set new expectations for Wisdom. "Higher? Not necessarily," Conaway said. "Different? Yes. I believe his expec- tation as a senior definitely changes. It's his team, and he's running the show. He's got to do an incredible job of leading well with his words and his actions. He's got to get as many of those young faces to follow him." Wisdom isn't shying away from the expectations as he enters his senior season. "I want to leave a legacy here at Shi- loh Christian," Wisdom said. "My goal is to be the best quarterback to ever walk through here. I want to lead this team to another state championship." He's also keeping goals and expecta- tions in perspective. "More importantly, I want to have fun with my guys," Wisdom said. "These are friendships for a lifetime." Wisdom faces a couple of challenges Top Guns n Continued from Page 7 Hunter Houston | Greenwood File Photo Eli Wisdom | Shiloh Christian File Photo New Larger Showroom! Come Stop By! • Ceramic Tile • Porcelain Tile • Natural Stone Tile 479.751.4043 13241 Puppy Creek Rd Suite 6 I-49 @ Wagon Wheel Rd Exit 76 www.townzentile.com Call 479-751-4043 today to Schedule an Appointment! See TOP GUNS, Page 9

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