BUCKEYE, La. (KALB) – For Buckeye junior linebacker Kolt Vercher, the trajectory of his season changed dramatically during a week eight matchup against Caldwell Parish.

After QB1 Kadin Grimmett was injured during the game, Panthers head coach Aaron York informed Kolt that he would have to take Kadin’s place behind center.

“Oh, when he went down and the coach said I was going to play quarterback, I was so nervous I was almost shaking,” Kolt Vercher said. “I’m sure my coaches were as stressed as I was every time they called me, but they took things in stride. They have already taught me a lot in a short time.”

That night, Kolt led his team to a 27-20 victory. The next week, Kolt settled into his new position against district opponent Marksville, contributing three touchdowns to a huge 30-8 win for the Panthers.

“It definitely puts a strain on you playing quarterback, because it’s a big mental challenge,” Vercher said. “It feels good to get to the top and lead the team. “It was exciting to have three touchdowns, the most touchdown passes I’ve ever had in a game.”

“Kolt is a true competitor, so any time someone can compete and play with you and be a good teammate and a leader, of course we will have full confidence in him,” senior teammate Haidyn said. Boone. “He told me, ‘Coach, I’m going to step up and play,’ and he did it with a smile and brought us all back to life.”

In his third year, Kolt continues to wear the number 42 as a linebacker and quarterback for the Panthers, proving to be an outstanding leader for his teammates.

“Just knowing the type of person he is helps you have confidence in him at any position on the field,” junior teammate Ty Curtis said. “He’s a great athlete and you know you can trust him wherever he goes. “He will play his best and give everything he has.”

“We’ve trusted him at linebacker for three years and he’s played it very well, so of course we’re going to have that trust in him to play quarterback as well,” Boone said. “We’ve all become kind of like best friends… We’ll always compete during practice, we’ll get it done, but after practice we’re all best friends again. “We just learn to enjoy the kind of bond and trust each other in a way that I feel like other teams haven’t, you know, and that’s special.”

Kolt is not only a star on the playing field, but he also shines in the classroom.

“If you’re looking for your student of the month, he’s going to be your student of the month,” head coach Aaron York proclaimed. “He’s always doing the right thing in the weight room. Work hard in the weight room, work hard in the classroom. If you look at his grades, his grades are the best in his class. Whatever he does, he will do well and those are the type of kids you want to build your program around.”

For his unassuming attitude, exceptional leadership and ability to roll with the punches, Kolton Vercher is this week’s ACA Athlete of the Week.

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