Anderson following in brother’s footsteps
By Griffin Callaghan
gcallaghan@cherokeetribune.com
Creekview linebacker Reed
Anderson stepped into a vital
role within the G rizzlies’ defense
last season.
Anderson’s brother, G rant,
led Creekview with 99 tackles
KICKOFF ‘22 95
as a senior in 2020, but
it was Reed who took over at
middle linebacker in 2021.
He flashed serious potential
as j ust a sophomore, drawing
motivation from his brother’s
decorated career.
“A lot of my inspiration comes
from ( his career),” Anderson
said. “I feel like I am always
competing with him, and I want
to be better than what he was.
He is my role model. I look up
to him, and I still watch his film
to improve.”
Anderson was second on the
team in tackles last year with
6 8 and nine tackles for loss. He
also had 3.5 sacks and one forced
fumble.
After an offseason full of improvement,
Anderson is ready
to make another jump.
“I see myself taking a big step
this year,” he said. “My defensive
line really helps, just because
of how good they will be.
That is going to be a big part of
my success.”
Anderson has been around
Creekview going back to its junior
program, and coach Trevor
Williams took notice early.
Alongside Cherokee County
Co-Defensive Player of the Year,
Isaac Hubert, Ty Hubert and
others, Anderson helped captain
a G rizzlies’ defensive unit
that held opponents to only 14.2
points per game.
“We have been watching Reed
grow up for a while now,” Williams
said. “He has been a really
good football player for us. He
played a little on the defensive
line and at fullback for us as a
freshman. He stepped into his
own as a sophomore last year
and was really solid.”
Anderson said he is excited
about where Creekview can go
this season. He will take a more
significant leadership position
on the defense with Ty Hubert
gone, but he still has plenty of
talent surrounding him with
the likes of Isaac Hubert, Cole
Sackman and Taylor Cox-Young.
The G rizzlies’ coaching staff
took notice of Anderson’s commitment
to getting stronger this
summer. At one of the most
critical positions on defense,
he will not be pushed around
in 2022.
“He is another kid who just attacked
the weight room and has
taken on a leadership role in the
middle of our defense,” Williams
said. “We are really looking forward
to him taking that next step
this year.”
Williams believes Anderson
is ready to take on the quarterback
of the defense role. Without
Ty Hubert running the show,
Creekview’s fourth-year coach is
excited to watch his junior linebacker’s
development.
Anderson wore his brother’s
No. 44 last season but switched
back to No. 8 for 2022, the
same number he wore as a
freshman.
G rowing up with an older brother,
Anderson learned toughness
at an early age.
Now, he has transformed himself
into a football player worthy
of recognition both on and
off the field. All those summer
days of two brothers playing and
learning the game together are
paying off.
“He showed me how to be a
man and a leader,” Anderson
said. “I saw how to step up for
myself. He has been such a role
model for me.”
link