I’ve been coverin’ the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference better known to all the Real Playas as the M.I.C. this season. It’s by far the best conference in the state and it’s one of the Top 15 conferences in the nation. To put it in perspective bruh, for most of the season they had 5 of the top 10 teams in the state ranked No.1, 2, 3, 4 and 6. That’s NUTS!!!
So as we prepare for the semi-state match ups in Class 6A this weekend both No.1 Ben Davis and No.4 Carmel are still alive and the only reason that No.2 Warren Central isn’t still alive is because they had to play No.1 Ben Davis in the darn sectionals. Don’t get me started on that foolishness though.
So as I reflect on all of the crazy talent I was blessed to watch this season there is one kid that stands out above all of the rest.
Here’s the crazy thing about it, he’s not one of the D1 prospects that I’ve seen ballin’ out that are goin’ to Michigan, Notre Dame, Iowa, Ohio State, Indiana etc. He’s not on the same level of the All-American Cam McGrone over at Lawrence Central. He’s not the potential Mr. Football and IU commit, Reese Taylor or the unbelievable wide receivers Broc Thompson from BD or the amazin’ junior David Bell that’s bein’ recruited by everybody and their baby’s momma with a D1 football team.
Naw playa…he’s Aidan Ellison a wide receiver and special teams player from Carmel!! Outside of the Greyhound faithful most people probably don’t know who this kid is but I sure do!!! I stood on the side sideline coverin’ the Carmel vs. Ben Davis game back on September 29 and was amazed at the effort that this kid played with. He was playin’ lights out for four quarters. I started only payin’ attention to him because he was out-workin’ EVERYBODY on the field.
He wasn’t but about 5’7″ a buck-O-5 but played with the heart of a lion. I took a picture of him and put him on my desk top because I knew that at the end of the season I was goin’ to write a piece on him because he was so impressive.
I was standin’ there talkin’ to one of the D1 coaches that was there to see one of the Ben Davis kids and we both looked at each other and said at the same time. That lil’ No.84 is a beast bruh. He looked at me and said, “if only I could find kids with that type of heart.” He’s only a sophomore so he’s got two more years to do his thing. Sure, at this point he doesn’t have the height, weight or speed but he’s got all of things that a coach looks for in a football player. LEADERSHIP and WORK ETHIC.
I couldn’t let the season end without shoutin’ out Aidan because he’s got all of the intangibles needed to become a successful man one day. Someone that plays with his fire and heart will be an asset to Corporate America or maybe their own company one day. What I saw from Aidan back in September was a kid that’s destined for greatness because he approaches the game with the understandin’ that I can’t be out-worked. That’s an attitude that will carry a person through live. Keep hustlin’ like that young thunder cat and you’ll be just fine. Salute and I hope to see you at Lucas Oil Stadium Thanksgiving weekend. Stop me when I start lyin’!
Playas Thesaurus:
1) Dun: noun – the person in question, dude, guy, etc. It’s whoever I’m talkin’ about and its non-gender specific.
The G is excluded from the endings of all words because the G is near and dear to my heart because I’m from “The G” which is Gary, Indiana. So I only use the G when I’m talkin’ about “The G!”
The caption under the photo isn’t real but its real talk!