Trevon Strickland

It’s hard for Keith Etheredge not to get emotional when he talks about Trevon Strickland. 

“I’m going to miss him,” the Leeds head coach said of the Green Wave alumnus who will attend Alabama A&M this fall.  “He’s one of the best kids we’ve had here.  You want a total package in a kid, he’s it.  If I could model my son after a kid, it would be Trevon Strickland, and I say that with no hesitation.”

Strickland played five years of varsity football at Leeds, posting 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons and helping the team to two Class 3A state championships, but, as Etheredge says is characteristic of him, he is modest about his accomplishments.

“I’ve just had the opportunity to play with some of the best players around,” Strickland said.  “The past four of five years, I’ve been able to play with some of the Leeds greats.”

Now he’s off to college on an academic scholarship to study civil engineering but hopes to secure a spot on the Bulldogs team as a walk-on.  Etheredge believes he’s a shoe-in.

“Trevon is a football player,” the coach said.  “If he were 6’3” or 6’4”, A&M wouldn’t have a chance of getting him.  He’d be playing at Alabama.”

While he looks forward to college, Strickland looks back fondly on his time at Leeds. 

“I never thought I would miss it this much,” he said.  “When the season ended, in the back of my mind I was wondering if I would ever play again.  I was glad to get the assurance that I’d play at least one more game.”

Strickland took the field as a prep player for the last time as a defensive lineman in the 53^rd annual AHSAA North-South All-Star game.  His efforts boosted the North team to a 34-12 win.

“It was a big surprise to get selected,” he said.  “It really wasn’t on my radar, but it made me feel like all my hard work had paid off.  And obviously I had some good coaching along the way.”

“Being picked for the All-Star game solidifies his career here at Leeds,” Etheredge said.  “He’s one of the top players who’s ever come through here.  He puts his heart and soul into everything he does, and even if he makes a mistake, he’s going at 100 miles an hour.  He doesn’t do things halfway.”

He also described Strickland as someone who treats others with respect.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a football player with his ability turn it off and be the person he is off the field.  He wants to see everybody as a friend and see the good in them.”

Strickland said he has appreciated the support he’s received from his friends in Leeds.

“I think Leeds has some of the best fans of any high school,” he said.  “I can’t think of a better feeling than hearing the fans chant your number or your name if they know you,” he said.