Back in December, Carthage running back Keaontay Ingram capped off his stellar junior season with the most sought after accolade for high school football players: a state championship.
Rushing for 2,244 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2016 helped put Ingram in a class all his own. He was also tabbed the District 9-4A Division I MVP and was an All-State Selection. As Ingram heads into his senior season and has FBS offers from some of the nation’s most prominent programs piling up, Ingram feels as though the coming season could lead to even more success for Carthage.
“This is a whole different year,” Ingram said, “We’re going to have new people and have younger guys and I honestly think we are going to be better this year than we were last season.”
Under the guidance of Coach Scott Surratt, the Carthage Bulldogs have won five state championships since his arrival in 2007 and he has over 100 victories, and Ingram is all praise when he talks about playing under his coach.
“It’s a blessing. Coach Surratt knows what he’s doing, he’s been there before. Obviously, the man knows what he’s doing. I have much love and respect for him.”
Playing under Surratt, Ingram knows that the standard for the football team is high and state titles are expected but he would not have it any other way.
“That’s what we work towards every offseason that I’ve been in high school and also junior high,” he said, “The standard is high. Show respect and work hard, it comes down from the people that came before you.”
The stakes inevitably may have increased for Ingram but in his world, there is no difference and his surrounding at school. Despite being one of the state’s highest-rated recruits, he continues the day-to-day grind of being a student-athlete.
“I get treated like a normal student, I’m no different than anyone else. Every day is the same for all students, wake up, go to school and get an education.”
With an attitude dedicated to respect and work both in and out of the classroom, it’s no wonder his natural blessings as a student-athlete have many schools knocking on his front door.
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