Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
WAVERLY — The fact that Waverly has been blessed with elite quarterback play over the past decade is no secret.
Mason Kelly is just the latest orchestrator of the Tigers’ explosive offense under head coach Chris Crabtree and the senior has fully lived up to his reputation.
Behind their signal caller, the Tigers have started this season with a 3-1 mark after topping Valley by a 27-21 final in Week 4.
“This season, we started off with a great road test against Miami Trace, followed by a win [over Zane Trace] in the home opener,” Kelly said. “I think we are in a good spot but there’s still a lot we have to improve on. I think our defense is playing really well and our offense has shown really good moments in every game. The biggest thing is we need to put four quarters together and play as one, and I believe when we do, we are a really tough team to beat.”
In the first four games, the senior has thrown for 791 yards and nine touchdowns with a 60 percent completion rate.
Those numbers are just a part of the reason why he’s been selected as SOSA’s Glo Fiber Athlete of the Month.
“Individually, I feel like I’ve really improved on making plays outside of the pocket, especially running the ball,” Kelly said. “In years past, I moved from the pocket some but never had very many attempts rushing. This year, I’m trying to change that and do everything I can to make this team as successful as we can be. I still have room to improve. My offseason work and practice has really benefited me and Coach [Jacob] Knight has played a big role in that.”
So have Kelly’s receiver and backfield mates — Kody Swords, Mason Pollard, Cade Carroll and Sawyer Myers to name a few.
The Tigers trust any of those names with the football in their hands and, of course, they trust Kelly to find them open.
CREDIT: Raymond Gleadle/SOSA
“This year’s group of skill guys is really talented and what makes them so skilled is the work we put in during the offseason and in the summer,” Kelly said. “Coach Crabtree puts us all in a good place in the weight room and with agility training, not to mention those guys all fit really well together. Coach Knight always has a great plan for us going into each game. I think part of why we have always played so well together is our chemistry. Being seniors, I’ve been playing with most of these guys since the third grade and it builds trust between us.”
The relationship that Kelly has with his teammates is, as he describes it, a “brotherhood.” And that shows when you watch Waverly play.
Whether they’re leading or trailing, the Tigers are giving an all-out effort on every play.
“My favorite part about this team is the brotherhood we’ve built and being able to rely on each other,” Kelly said. “I feel this team is different from some of the past teams I’ve been a part of because of that brotherhood we share. As a senior and team captain, this season means a lot and being out there knowing this is the last time I’ll get to play with some of these guys gives me that extra motivation. When I was an underclassmen, I always wanted to play for the seniors because I knew it was their last year. Now being in that position as a senior, I want to leave an example for those underclassmen who will play in the coming years.”
This coming week, Waverly will travel to Portsmouth West before hosting Oak Hill in Week 6.
The Tigers will continue to try and improve their playoff chances. Last season ended with a first round loss to Springfield Shawnee. This season, Kelly is hoping to avenge that loss.
“I hope this season ends with us winning a home playoff game and making as far of a run that we can,” Kelly said. “I believe in this team and that we will be able to do that. I think our coaches do a great job getting us ready every week and that we can accomplish any goal we set, if we stay focused and continue to put the work in. We always have room for improvement and we have to learn from our mistakes and continue to get better each week.”
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