Whether it is the opening kickoff or the kick to start the second half, at some point Brantley County’s Aaron Cerda is the player everyone is watching. The opposing players, coaches and all the fans are waiting to see what the speedy senior return man will do when the ball is kicked to him.
While spectators may recognize his talent, most do not know the effort Cerda has put into the game to get to this point and become one of SEGA’s most improved players. Since arriving at Brantley County High School as a freshman, Cerda has matured to become a team leader and one of the team’s “go-to” players.
“He has become much tougher mentally and physically over his high school career,” said Brantley County Head Football Coach Mark Walker.
Cerda rarely leaves the field for the Herons, playing both ways on offense and defense as well as special teams. His strength, speed and skills have improved but he still strives to be better. “I still need to work on my endurance since I play a lot,” Cerda said. “I just really need to work on getting faster than I am and mentally pushing myself to my limits.”
His speed has already improved greatly. Where he once ran the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds, he now runs it in 4.6 consistently and has recently been clocked as fast as 4.41. In the weight room he can bench press and power clean 300-pounds. Offensively he plays slot receiver and is one of the Herons’ big playmakers. It is at receiver where Cerda believes he has improved the most, making sure his mental toughness is ready every play.
Defensively he is an explosive defensive end and the fastest Coach Walker has ever had at the position. He has come a long way from the young man who would miss practice or take plays off on the field. Now, he plays every down at full speed and never misses practice.
According to his mother, Cerda has improved off of the playing field as well. She credits Coach Walker and his staff for helping build Cerda’s character. She also admits that her son has a love for the sport. “He eats, sleeps and dreams about football,” Cerda’s mother, Sheila Burgess said. “He is very passionate about being a team player.”
In 2013, Cerda had his most memorable game when he caught back-to-back touchdowns to put the Herons ahead of the Beach Bulldogs, a game Brantley would go on to win by 11 points. Cerda has gone from a “maybe” player to an all-around standout by working on his strength, speed and technique since last season. He has worked hard every day of the summer and especially when “nobody else was looking.” He credits his coaches, teammates and family for encouraging him to get better every day and pushing him to the limits of his abilities. “And when I feel like giving up they won’t let me,” Cerda said.
Where other players play because it is something to do or for pride in their school and community, Cerda feels lucky to be able to play football for the Herons.
“Just being blessed enough to be able to play this amazing sport,” he said. “Making touchdowns, blocking and letting my teammate get a touchdown. Everything about football, I love.”
This season his goal is to lead the Herons to the state playoffs, somewhere Brantley County’s football team has not been in eight years. After high school, he hopes to play football at an in-state college such as Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern, Valdosta State or Savannah State. In the offseason, Cerda runs track for Brantley County and qualified last season for regionals in the 100 meters. He also dabbles in mixed martial arts when not on the football field.
Still, neither sport can match his passion for football. His mother recalls that early in little league, he broke his arm but still wanted to play. Through the years, he has developed a love for the game.
“Football is my passion, my way to get over stress but also a way to put a big smile on my face. I don’t think there is any better sport,” Cerda said.
SE-MI-0914-Cerda
Southeast – September 2014 – Most Improved
Aaron Cerda
Brantley County High School
Nahunta, Ga
By Rob Asbell
