It did not take long for Ashton Moorman to become exposed to football. The Valwood junior center has been a regular at Georgia Bulldog home games since he was six months old. By the time he was five he was playing organized ball at the local YMCA.
As Moorman begins to enter his junior campaign with the Valiants, he wants to build upon a Semifinal finish in the 2016 GISA State Playoffs and All-Region Honorable mention.
“My goal before I leave Valwood is to win at least one more state championship and a couple more region titles,” Moorman said.
Not just striving for greatness on the field, the junior lineman is also a standout in the classroom and in the community. Boasting a 3.97 GPA while taking all honors and advanced placement (AP) classes at the school; Moorman takes his academics very seriously.
His activity within Valdosta and the surrounding area is prevalent as well. A member of both the Valwood Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Young Life, Moorman not only participates, but he leads.
“Something very important to me is my religion,” he said. “I always talk about the word and have good bible studies. FCA is student led so I make sure I’m always having a lesson within a couple weeks from teaching it. I just enjoy going out and listening to the word every week.”
In addition to his service in Valdosta, Moorman also volunteers with the Salvation Army in Fitzgerald whenever he has the chance.
“I want to be a good role model,” he said. “I really like to make people happy and whenever I inspire somebody or try to lead them to the good road it always makes me feel better inside. It’s really fun to be good to people. If you help them out, they’ll help you out. And I want to make everybody happy.”
When asked about the motivating factor behind all his success on the gridiron, in the classroom and within the neighborhood, the answer was inspiring.
“What drives me are my parents and my future family,” he said. “My parents, as well as my grandfather, have been amazing role models. From my dad working hard every day without complaining to my mom making sure we are taken care of at home. They also instilled great morals in me and my brothers.”
Moorman continued by adding, “I want to make sure that my kids and wife live the best possible life they can have. I want them to have every opportunity that I have and even better. For them to have all that I have to work hard to provide it.”
Truly a high schooler who is mature beyond his years, he understands that sacrifice is instrumental in attaining those goals.
“The hardest thing I’ve had to sacrifice has been my social life,” he said. “Many times, I’ve picked football practice and studying over hanging out and going to parties. I realized that I’m going to love my kids a lot more than a couple of parties or Wild Adventures trips I miss. And I’m willing to sacrifice myself for my future family.”
As Moorman finishes his last two years at Valwood, he is already looking to keep the family tradition of attending the University of Georgia going; with aspirations of one day working in the medical field. He wants to leave a legacy at Valwood.
“I want people to remember a man, that whenever he faces a challenge not only did he overcome it but he stuck with a good character,” he said. “He had good morals, he helped people, and he did the job. He always did what he was supposed to do and more.”
A Football Life
Moorman’s high school football career began with quick success as Valwood ended the 2015 campaign as state champions. He credited that experience to the 2016 senior class.
“It was insane,” he said. “The group of seniors I had were nice and helpful. All throughout the season they were great friends. If we needed help with plays they would explain it to us. I just appreciate everything they did for us as a team.” He continued by stating, “They showed us what football is and what it’s about. I was so happy for them to win the championship after all the pain, sweat, and tears shed for weeks and months. It all became worth it.”
That season did see the lineman thrown right into the deep end during a region game. When the Valiants’ senior center went down with an injury, it was Moorman who had to answer the call.
“I had to snap for about 15 minutes before because I was so scared and nervous,” he said. “But after the first couple of plays I felt back to normal. There’s so much adrenaline and electricity running through me I had never felt before it was crazy. I just went out there and did my best. If I messed up I was going to fix my mistake. But I did not have one bad snap that game.”
This 2016 season was a year of change and was met with a lot of doubt from outsiders. Now starting with a completely new line of sophomores dubbed the “Dream Team” by the seniors before, Moorman knew that he and his fellow classmates had to step up in a big way.
“It was live or die and we decided to live,” he said. “We made it to the semifinals and won our region. That bond became strong and we were together through thick and thin. Through bad times and even more bad times, but we stuck with it.”
Moorman not only credits Coach Ashley Henderson for putting the team in position to succeed thanks to strong mental toughness, but also the strength & conditioning coach Austin Grant for getting them physically ready.
Becoming a Leader
A leader in the community and a leader on the field, Moorman attributes many people for that quality. In addition to playing football, he also is a member of the wrestling team and admittedly doesn’t do it for the enjoyment of the sport.
“While I don’t like it, it makes me better,” he said. “It puts me through so much and that individual aspect makes me think more and become a leader by making your own actions. I want to thank Gahnon Byington, Justin Fusco, and Cam Naville for helping me into the wrestler I am today.”
It comes as no surprise that his favorite athlete is Brock Lesnar, a professional wrestler who has battled doubt and adversity to reach the pinnacle.
“I like his mentality,” Moorman said. “He says he wants to conquer everything and anything in his way he wants to take down. That’s how I approach things. Whoever is in my way I’m going to give you my best shot.”
Probably one of his biggest influencers was former teammate Jack Helms. Stating, “He was one of the seniors on the championship team and I don’t think he ever spit out a negative comment in his football career. We could be losing 40-0 and he’d still go up and down the sidelines and motivate. I try to be as positive I can be while still making a statement.”
August/September 2017
ITG – South Georgia
Family Matters: A Valwood Junior Lineman’s Drive to Succeed
By: Lambert Bales
Family Matters: A Valwood Junior Lineman’s Drive to Succeed
