Patrick Wilson selected as Football Athlete of the Month in
Wilson looks forward to college football fields
By Ray Finefrock
Special to Culpeper Times
Eastern View High School senior Patrick Wilson as been chosen as the Culpeper Times “Athlete of the Month” for football.
“Patrick is an exceptionally hard worker,” said coach Greg Hatfield, who is in his second year of coaching the Cyclones football team “He’s just a great kid. He leads by example and the kids really respond to him.”
Hatfield said Wilson, who plays strong side defensive end and offensive right guard, is a co-captain of the team.
“He’ll probably be a guard in college,” Hatfield said. “There are always areas in which a player can improve, but Patrick is one of those guys who want you to tell him what to do to improve. He takes it to heart. He wants to work immediately on anything you tell him until he gets it right. He is a real student of the game.”
Wilson said he has been playing football since age 7. As a sophomore he was on the varsity at Culpeper County High School. Then, when Eastern View opened last school year he started for the Cyclones. Eastern View is 4-4 for the year and 2-3 in the Battlefield District.
“I love the game,” he said. “It runs through my family. I love to come out here and hit people or throw a great block for our running backs to help the team win.”
The 6-foot-1, 246-pound Wilson has two older brothers.
One of his relatives, Raymond Kirkley, graduated from Madison County High School and played for the University of Pittsburgh as well as in the Arena Football League.
Wilson is undecided about which college he will be attending, but said he may major in business, math or sports marketing.
“I like to study and keep my grades up,” he said.
In the spring, Wilson throws the shot put and discuss for the EVHS track team.
“I’ll probably just stick to football in college,” he said. “I’ll probably be on offense, but I could go both ways. I’ll play wherever the coaches want to play me.”
Wilson said he has dreams of eventually playing in the NFL, but Hatfield said he wouldn’t mind seeing him in another profession.
“Hopefully he’ll decide to go into teaching,” Hatfield said. “It would be great to have him teach and coach with us here. There’s not a teacher here at this school that doesn’t love Patrick Wilson.”
NOTE: Culpeper County High School coach Mike Williams nominated senior Cortez Rollins as “Athlete of the Month.”
“Cortez started the season as a quarterback, but has really responded well to the switch to running back,” said Williams. “He also plays defense. He can do it all. (Two weeks ago) he scored three touchdowns, led the team in tackles at linebacker and was named homecoming king. He’s just an all-around good kid.”
Williams said Rollins has shown a great attitude and real leadership ability for the Blue Devils, 3-5 for the season and 3-2 in the Battlefield District after not winning a game last year.
“He’s played a huge part in our turnaround,” said Williams. “The kids look up to him on and off the field. He’s just a great role model.”
Williams said Rollins is a vegetarian and is very literate and intelligent. He said the 5-foot-10, 215-pound Rollins should succeed in college.
“He’s too intelligent not to do well,” said Williams. “He’ll make a great outside linebacker at the next level. I can’t express in words what he has meant to the team this year.”
Although he excels on both sides of the ball, Rollins said he likes defense better.
“I like being able to hit people, to catch them off guard,” he said.
Rollins also is a standout basketball player for the Blue Devils, but probably won’t play hoops in college.
“I hope to go to James Madison University,” said the three-year varsity player. “I want to concentrate on football.
“It’s been great to be part of our turnaround here this year. We have a new staff and some new players and we have finally started winning some games. I try to contribute by giving it may all on every play.”