Anderson County running back Waylon LaRue and Carter defensive back Isaac Cookston earned Player of the Week honors after impressive Week 3 performances.
LaRue was a workhorse against Bearden, helping the team win 35-18 on Friday night. He had 25 carries for 175 yards and one touchdown. Altogether, the running back had 310 all-purpose yards, which included a 99-yard kick return for a special teams score.
LaRue is Anderson Country's go-to player for three weeks of the high school football season, and he wants to continue being a force that guys can look up to on and off the field.
"I want to be a leader on this team. I want to give little kids ideas and stuff. I want them to look up to me," said LaRue. "I want to lead these kids, so when they grow up, they have things to be excited about, especially if they go here and score touchdowns."
For the Hornets, Cookston was a madman on defense. He totaled two interceptions, one pass breakup, eight tackles and four QB hurries in the 21-7 win over Gatlinburg-Pittman.
Cookston is only a sophomore and put up those numbers in his second varsity team start. He said he wanted to kick things into full gear against GP, and he couldn't have done it without his teammates.
"It's very meaningful," said Cookston. "It was my third time ever playing in a real varsity game. I'm happy to have a good staff around me and a good group of men around me that help get me in the right position to make the right play."
Anderson County takes on Fulton at home this upcoming Friday, while Carter plays in a class 4A battle against South Doyle on its home turf.