News - Sports - Preps

Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

In his own footsteps

Bearcats' Watson proving he's more than just the little brother of an NFL standout

Rain was steadily falling Wednesday afternoon, heavy at times but not enough to be a downpour.

Down the hill across from Rock Hill High School, it was business as usual for the Bearcats' football team as they prepared for tonight's Region 4-AAAA opener against Ridge View.

Except for coach Joe Montgomery cutting the practice short, it was like any other day.

The Bearcats are off to a 5-1 start after two straight losing seasons and have the spring back in their step. They are ranked No. 7 in the Prep Writers Poll for Class AAAA.

Because most of the players are equal in size and ability, the closest thing they have to a star is Asa Watson, who doesn't fit the mold of the other players. He's a 6-4, 210-pound senior tight end/wide receiver who's made a big play or two this season.

Watson never thought he'd be proud to say he's a Bearcat.

"I grew up a Northwestern Trojan because of my brother," Watson said. "When the school zone lines were redrawn, at first I wasn't sure about coming to Rock Hill.

"I had to adjust because of my Northwestern ties. But now, I look back and I'm glad I'm here. It's a good school with good teachers and coaches. And I couldn't ask for better teammates."

Watson grew up watching his older sister, Jessica, excel in track and cross country at Northwestern. He watched as his brother, Ben, became one of the most sought-after football players in the Southeast.

But he knew that playing football for the Trojans would draw comparisons to Ben, who starred at the University of Georgia and starts at tight end for the New England Patriots.

Montgomery said Watson runs a 4.6 40 -- has good hands, can play wide receiver or tight end and excels in the classroom as well as on the football field.

Watson has scholarship offers from N.C. State, Duke, Vanderbilt and Marshall. More offers are expected before the season is over.

"Asa is a great kid, one at the top among the kids I've coached as far as ethics, character and the desire to excel," Montgomery said. "He's truly a student every teacher wants to teach. He's an athlete every coach wants to coach.

"He should be a good college player, but he'll have to put on some weight. That will come as he grows and adds muscle. In college, he needs to be in the 220 to 230 range. Most colleges are looking at him the way we play him, out wide and at tight end. He has that capability."

Watson was recently selected as the first of 10 Community Captains by the Carolina Panthers. He was nominated by Rock Hill Athletics Director Billy Parker and was required to write an essay on what it takes to be a leader and how he exemplifies the traits needed to lead.

He and the other nine high school players will attend the Panthers' home game against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 14. They will be recognized on the field and will receiver a Carolina Panthers' Community Captain jersey. They will also join with the Panthers for outreach programs throughout the school year.

Watson is a 4.2 GPA student, a member of Rock Hill High's National Honor Society and attended Boys State during the summer. He's an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and involved with the Cheer for Children program that helps underprivileged children in the area.

Sounds a lot like his big brother.

Ben wore No. 83 at Northwestern and wears No. 84 for the Patriots. When it came time for Watson to take a number at Rock Hill High, he thought about 84 but chose 86. He has an 84 Patriots jersey he wears when the family goes to Patriots' games -- all the Watsons have one.

Two years ago when the Patriots had an off week, Ben called Asa and asked if he could wear his white road jersey at that Friday night's game. It was his way of returning the support, and Watson has a photo of his big brother wearing the jersey taped inside his locker.

Watson never imagined Ben putting on a Bearcats' jersey after being a star player at Northwestern. Respect is a trait taught at home by their parents, the Rev. Ken and Diana Watson, so it wasn't that big of a deal.

"I look up to Ben; he's a great brother," Watson said. "But I had to find my own identity so I wouldn't be known only as Ben's little brother. I was proud of him, but it was hard when he got drafted. I knew that when I started playing at Northwestern, everyone would expect me to be just like him.

"I knew the comparisons would be unavoidable, and I was feeling the pressure without ever stepping on the field with the varsity. I wanted to start anew, and being moved to Rock Hill allowed me to do that. I've been able to do my own thing."

Watson also plays a very good defensive end when needed. But his thing is catching the ball and running, and he likes to block when the Bearcats run.

Last week in a 56-29 win over York, Watson tied a Rock Hill record that dated back to 1985.

Rock Hill was at its 1. Instead of running the ball, Montgomery called a pass play. Watson ran straight up the field and got past the Cougars' secondary. Quarterback Jatavious Stewart hit Watson with a perfect pass over the middle, and Watson outran York's defenders for a 99-yard touchdown.

"It was a perfect pass, and we got good blocking to make it happen," Watson said. "Our coaches saw that we had a good match-up, me against a safety, and made the call. It was a case of being in the right place at the right time."

Watson said his mom has always wanted him to become a doctor once his football days are finished. He said that Asa means physician in Hebrew and that his middle name, Josiah, means God heals.

"I want to be a physical therapist so I can help people," Watson said. "I want to help people who are hurt get better. I thought about being a doctor, but I have to work too hard at math."