Leading by example with an attitude

By Damien Sordelett
Published: September 5, 2008

When describing a top linebacker, experts seemingly always point to instincts and the ability to make a big play.

For Averett University starting linebackers Logan Smyth and Mario Huffman, it starts with attitude and leading by example not through how they talk, but how hard they play.

The Cougars will rely on that leadership and strength today as Smyth, Huffman and their teammates welcome Old Dominion Athletic Conference power Bridgewater into the Cougar Den for the season opener for both teams.

That leadership comes from two local student-athletes — Smyth a graduate of Chatham and Huffman a graduate of Tunstall — so, each one of them knows the pressure of playing in front of football fanatics in the Danville area and that getting ready to roll for the first game brings added challenges to a football team coming off a winless season.

“Both of them have a great attitude,” said Averett coach Mike Dunlevy. “That is something that Mario has brought in here too, because he is an older guy, he’s brought leadership into the program, even though he hasn’t played here before, that’s something he brings to the table.”

Huffman, a junior middle linebacker, is in his first year with the Cougars. The former Trojan attended Virginia Tech and attempted to walk-on with the Hokies. The lessons that the 6-foot native of Danville learned at a Division I-A school, though he did not make the team, are invaluable to this Cougar football team.

“I just learned that every time you step on the field it could be your last. You never know when you’re not going be given an opportunity to show your skills,” said Huffman. “You never know when it’s your last time physically stepping on the field — such things as car wrecks and things like that end people’s playing careers every day. I just learned that every time I’m on the field just to push myself to be the best which in return will push your teammates.”

It is that attitude, that love of the game that has teammates raving about his hustle and heart on each play during practice. Even though the butterflies are there, it is Huffman’s first football game in a couple of years, those same nerves and excitement drive him.

Which drives Smyth, who as a sophomore is being asked to lead the core of linebackers after getting substantial playing time as a freshman last year. The team’s ninth leading tackler from last season is ready to lead this team as a unit.

“The main thing is coming together as a team, especially in the linebacker core. It’s more of a lead by example,” the former Cavalier said. “I try to play to the best of my ability everyday, that’s all you can do. If you try to lead by example, you got to try to be the best and go by example with what you can do.”

What Smyth and Huffman can do is help the Cougar defense in shutting down a Bridgewater team that averaged roughly 214 yards per game on the ground. The two linebackers will be instrumental in flying around and making stops according to Dunlevy.

“Both of them will led by example on how hard they play,” the seventh-year Cougar coach said. “They both will play very hard, they’ll put the full effort into it — that right there is the leadership qualities I’m looking for.”