When Adam Smith took over as the Head Football Coach at Ethel, he had heard a lot about the talents of Cyrus Rone.
But after taking a beating as a sophomore, Rone had decided not to play football in his junior season.
Then came the first game of the season, an 18-15 overtime loss to Hamilton.
“That first game of the season, I was watching the game, watching guys I know compete and I was wondering what I was doing in the stands,” Rone said. “It was a bad feeling, knowing I should have been out there. So I got coach’s number and texted him that weekend. I was the first one there on Monday to talk with him. He talked with the team and they accepted me back.”
Smith said getting Rone back made a big difference.
“It was definitely huge for us,” Smith said. “They were coming off a rough year and a lot of kids had decided that they weren’t going to play. They didn’t enjoy the game anymore and Cyrus was one of those guys. Then we went out against Hamilton and got edged out in overtime and I think he realized that it wasn’t going to be like it was before. He realized that he wasn’t going to get beat down like he did the year before. I think he realized that we were going to be able to compete and he wanted to be a part of that. His dad was a college player at Delta State, so football is in his blood.”
Rone paid instant dividends for the Tigers as he caught a touchdown pass the next week against rival McAdams in a 23-20 win. And as the season went on, Smith started to entrust more and more of the offense to Rone.
“I’m glad he decided to come out because he answered a lot of questions for us,” Smith said. “He played some wing back for us and made a lot of big plays. He also made some big plays for us on defense as well. He had a big interception and return for a touchdown against Coffeeville. He was always there to give us a big spark when we needed it.”
Before joining the team, though, Rone had to run 100 hills. Then he did not get to put on pads until Wednesday. Rone said the three-point win over McAdams was one he will never forget. In that game, Rone caught a 4-yard touchdown pass.
“That was great,” Rone said. “It felt good to have a team that was going to work together and compete and to be able to celebrate as a team. I hadn’t had any contact and had to get warmed up to that. We had some long, hard drives and everybody was busting their tails on defense. We put it together and sealed the deal. It was a great feeling.”
The Tigers got another win against Coffeeville and made the playoffs for the first time in 20 years. But the Tigers lost in the first round to Sebastopol.
“After the season was over, I was really upset,” Rone said. “I hate getting put out of a sport. I take it really personal. But the offseason has been going really well. We aren’t where we need to be and need to get more guys showing up for summer workouts. We need to get bigger, faster and stronger. Coach Smith has been working us like a horse this season, that’s for sure.”
Smith said he is expecting big things out of Rone this season as he takes a larger role in the offense and defense.
“Cyrus is going to be a starter for us on both sides of the ball. He is probably going to be one of the focal points for us on both sides of the ball. And he is going to be our punter as well,” said Smith. “I think he’s going to do a great job running the ball for us. He ran really hard last year and was always getting positive yardage. He had a couple of hundred yards rushing last year but I expect him to have a lot more than that this year. He’s elusive, but he doesn’t dance around. He runs the ball hard.”
On defense, Rone had four interceptions last year from his safety position. But Smith said he is moving Rone to more of an outside linebacker spot.
Rone came back strong after a brief hiatus from the sport.
Robbie Robertson / The Star-Herald
“He made a lot of big plays for us at safety last season,” Smith said. “We will move him to an outside linebacker spot this year and he will be more of a hybrid player.”
Smith said one of the biggest contributions Rone will make will be in the leadership position.
“He has bought in 100 percent,” Smith said. “He’s that prototypical guy that is going to be there every day. He’s bought into everything he does. Whatever he does, he does it 100 percent. Buying in and dedications isn’t something you have to worry with on that guy. He’s an all-in guy. And he keeps everybody else in line, as well. He’s like another coach on the field for us and that’s a huge help.”
Rone said he realizes he must take on a central role this season.
“I’ll be a senior and will try to be more of a leader this year,” Rone said. “Every team needs a leader. I’m just trying to keep everybody straight in practice and try to keep everybody in a positive direction. We have a goal to have a winning season and make the playoffs. After that, we want to win the district and then win a playoff game.”
Rone is also a standout baseball player as well, starting at second for the Tigers. Rone also made the State Games this summer, a game designed for the state’s top rising seniors.
