Coastal Georgia/Academic Athlete/November 2013
Collin Edgar
Pinewood Christian Academy
Bellville, Georgia
Robert Preston Jr.
Pinewood junior preparing for military career
It’s easy for high school athletes to get caught up in the moment and not give much thought to the future. Underclassmen in particular fall victim to this trap. The future seems so far away – after all, there will be plenty of time to plan a career and do all that adult stuff. Pinewood Christian Academy junior Collin Edgar refuses to subscribe that philosophy. Though 16 years old, the two-sport scholar-athlete already has his future mapped. And weapons, not athletics, play a major role in his future plans.Edgar, a 6’, 190-pound offensive lineman/defensive end, enjoys everything about playing football. He loves practicing, running, lifting weights, doing all the grunt work football players must do to get better each day. For him, it’s all about preparation. There is no place in this world he would rather be than on the football field on Friday nights in the fall. Anything he can do to improve and gain an advantage over his opponents is something he relishes.
Over the years, Edgar has played a couple of different offensive positions for the Patriots, including left tackle and fullback. On defense, he has always been a defensive end, and it’s the position he would rather play. “I enjoy playing on the line but I also like having the freedom of a linebacker. It’s one position I hope I would never have to change,” he says.As much as he loves playing on defense, his biggest gridiron moment came when he was on offense, playing fullback. The Patriots were playing the Southland Academy Golden Raiders from Americus. The Patriots were down 14-7 on what would be their last possession and had driven inside the red zone. With under a minute left, quarterback D.J. Johnson completed a touchdown pass to get Pinewood within one. Head coach Keith Wasson had a decision to make – kick the extra point for a tie or go for two for the win.The Patriots had a solid stable of running backs last year and Wasson had faith in his offense to get the ball in the end zone for two. An extra point, particularly at the last second of a region contest, isn’t exactly a given. Wasson opted for the two-point conversion. Edgar was on the field at the fullback position. “My job was to go around the left end and hit the most dangerous player I could find,” he says. Edgar helped clear a path for running back Ethan Krumpula, who made it into the end zone. “It was make it or break it. We did what we had to do and made it,” recalls Edgar.
The Patriots would go on to a 5-6 record and their first appearance in the playoffs in a couple of seasons.For 2013, Edgar and his team would like to build on the success they enjoyed last year. They wanted to beat Robert Toombs Academy, their biggest rival, again this year (which they did), go undefeated at home (as of this writing they were), make the playoffs, and finish with a winning record. “Everybody says they want to win a championship. We want to get into the playoffs first. Then we’ll worry about the championship,” he says. During the fall, Edgar’s schedule can get rather hectic.
Through all the craziness that is football season, he has always managed to maintain not just good 
but superlative grades. He has been on Pinewood’s Honor Roll, Achievement Roll, and he was the first person in his class to make the 1100 Club for scoring above 1100 on the SAT. Making good grades is simple but not necessarily easy. For Edgar, it all comes down to time management. “I go from school to practice then from practice home. Once I get home, I do my homework. You just have to be dedicated when it comes to school work,” he says. He remains focused on academics and tries to avoid waiting until the last minute to finish projects – though he admits that “procrastination has almost gotten me a few times.”For Edgar’s career goals, strong academics are a must. He hasn’t decided on a college yet but he would like to major in mechanical engineering, join ROTC, then seek a career in the military. He is leaning towards the Army right now, where he hopes to become a Ranger. He is also considering the Air Force. “My grandfather was a pilot in the Air Force. I always admired that. I feel like I have good leadership qualities and this is something I’ve wanted to do since I was little,” he says.
Collin Edgar has two brothers, and older brother named J.T., and a younger brother named Todd who happens to be a freshman at Pinewood. Todd also plays football – he’s an offensive lineman – so the two have the opportunity to play football with each other. Edgar says it’s fun playing with his brother but it also presents a few challenges. “We have to set aside our brother relationship and be teammates. It has its ups and downs, but for the most part, it’s enjoyable,” he says.
Favorites:
• Subject: Geometry and other practical math courses
• Sport to watch on TV: College football
• Team: Georgia Bulldogs
• Player: Todd Gurley
• Musician: Eminem
• Person to meet: Dwayne Johnson
• Sport you wish you could play: Mixed martial arts
• Place to travel: Australian Outback
• Superpower: Freeze time
