Minco’s Addington rising to challenge
MINCO — Up with the sun, Caedin Addington doesn’t believe in days off.
Minco’s senior running back is already up at 5:45 each morning to take care of the pigs and sheep.
Never one to complain, Addington said he relishes the routine.
“If you don’t get up and do the things you are supposed to do, then you ain’t gonna be successful,” he said. “I think that applies to farming as it does to football and life.”
Nobody at Minco High is worried about Addington taking care of business.
Through eight games this year, Addington has rushed for 959 yards and nine touchdowns while catching an additional touchdown.
Last week, in a crucial District A-3 battle with Christian Heritage Academy, Addington rushed 29 times for 183 yards and a touchdown to push Minco past CHA, 20-15.
For that performance, Addington is The Oklahoman’s staff pick for Player of the Week.
Minco coach Brock Wardlaw said Addington has been somewhat of a surprise for the Bulldogs this season.
Minco entered the year with high expectations, but Wardlaw knew he would be looking for new leaders after graduating 11 starters from his district championship team from last year.
“This team, we don’t really have those guys on this team that are rah rah guys,” Wardlaw said. “But Caedin has filled that role for us. He leads by example.”
By example, Wardlaw means with his pads.
Although he's only 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Addington is a bruiser. Coaches brag that he's never brought down by the first tackler and is always falling forward for more yards.
“I always knew he’d run hard, but this year he’s taken a step forward,” Wardlaw said. “He runs his tail off and it’s always shoulder down, running through guys.
“He'll run through a brick wall for you if you ask him to.”
Addington said he wonders if opponents underestimate his running power. He's just trying to live up to the legacy of past Minco backs who were known for running people over.
“I’ve looked up to so many people in this scenario,” Addington said. “I think the other team probably doesn't expect me to run the way I do, but I just try to forget everyone else's opinion and make my own name.”
Wardlaw said that attitude and effort extends beyond running hard. Addington has made a name for himself as a guy that'll do anything for his team.
That included playing guard as a sophomore when the starter was injured.
“He was a little bit smaller then even,” Wardlaw said. “He just said, ‘Whatever you ask coach, I’ll do it.’”
Addington said the mentality comes from farm life. Rising each day to meet whatever challenges wait in front of you.
“You have to do whatever is best for your team,” he said. “You have to get after it and seize that opportunity each day.”