When you think of a Saturday Down South, you think of one event: big time SEC football. On these fall Saturdays, with the leaves changing and the temperature dropping, you can be sure that the whole state is focused on one ball coach and a group of young men representing their school. In many cases, these boys are representatives of an entire state, and while the good ones become Monday morning conversations, the great ones are never forgotten. We spend a lot of time talking about the storylines that make these players so unforgettable, but SEC fans have a special affinity for the small town legend. We especially love to cheer for the kids that come to big time programs from little towns across the southeast. In this SDS special, we would like to introduce you to a guy that we have followed for a while, Branden Cresap of Martha Layne Collins High School in Shelbyville, Kentucky. You may not have heard of him yet, but if his past is any sign of his future, it won’t be long until Branden breaks onto the big stage.

Tyler Montell: Branden, first of all thanks for taking the time to speak to us. You had one heck of a junior season, throwing for 30 touchdowns and 2367 yards playing for your hometown Shelby County Rockets. Right before your senior season, the county redistricts and you’re playing for the Collins High Titans. Tell me about that experience.

Branden Cresap: This whole experience, a new school, new football team, new expectations has been very tough to deal with. Making the decision to come to Collins High was not an easy one but one that I feel has paid off. After making the decision I learned that I had to quickly put it behind me and move on. I still have a lot of friends at Shelby County that I talk to on a regular basis. But overall the split has been weird and people are finally starting to cope with it.

Montell: I read that Jerry Lucas is coaching the team in its first season. He was the OC at Shelby County, has that made the transition easier?

Branden Cresap: Coach Lucas being named the head coach at Collins High has made the transition much easier on myself and for many others. The man has handled the split in a very mature fashion and they could not have hand picked a better person for the position at a first year school.

Montell: How has growing up in a small town helped you become a better leader on and off the field?

Branden Cresap: Growing up in a small town has helped me tremendously molding me into the person I am today. When you grow up in a town where everybody knows your name, you have to be careful what you do and what you say. It has taught me to lead by example on and off the field. I owe a huge shoutout to my brothers Shawn and Jay. All the times when they would let me play in their backyard football leagues even though I was only 8 years old and they were 13 and 14. I owe it all to them. They were the ones who taught me everything about growing up both athletically and as a person. And to this day neither of them have missed a Friday night football game which is very comforting to have that kind of support.

Montell: Your brothers Shawn and Jay were both standout athletes, how did that help you develop as a big time quarterback?

Branden Cresap: I owe a huge shoutout to my brothers Shawn and Jay. All the times when they would let me play in their backyard football leagues even though I was only 8 years old and they were 13 and 14. I owe it all to them. They were the ones who taught me everything about growing up both athletically and as a person. And to this day neither of them have missed a Friday night football game which is very comforting to have that kind of support.

Montell: I know you won’t admit it, but you’re a legend in the making there in Kentucky. How have you been able to use your on the field talents to make an impact on your community off the field?

Branden Cresap: With being a teenager and being a high school quarterback, comes responsibility. Every oppurtunity I have to give back to this community I take it. Whether its as small as giving all the youngsters high fives after a Friday night game or volunteering my time to help build a house on a Sunday afternoon I will do it.

Montell: I know you are a bright kid with a great GPA, what do you look forward to the most about going to college besides football?

Branden Cresap: After high school, I definitely plan on playing college ball somewhere. Wherever that may be I would llike to earn a degree in education if possible and come back to this community to be a teacher and coach of the game I love. Coach Lucas has been an excellent role-model and guided me in this direction.

Montell: Which SEC games are you looking forward to seeing this year?

Branden Cresap: The game that intrigues me the most this has to be the Kentucky vs. Louisville game. I will be attending as a U of L recruit but the Cards still have some rebuilding to do so I’ll predict a 31- 17 victory for the Cats as much as it pains me.

Montell: Give me your game day routine.

Branden Cresap: As far as a gameday routine, I usually wake up and eat a nice chocolate bar with a glass of milk, then myself and a couple of my teammates take a trip to Clear Creek Elemetary and talk to students about sportsmanship and answer any crazy questions they might have for us. After that we head to school and try to focus on that but usually can’t because of the gameday jitters.After school I like to eat a couple slices of pizza and plug my ipod in where you can find some Lincoln Park, Lil Wayne, or any type of music that will get me amped up ready forr my game. Then after that its game time and you go all out for 48 minutes.

Montell: Who are you watching on Sundays? Who would be your first pick in your fantasy draft if you had one?

Branden Cresap: If I had to choose any player for the first pick of a fantasy draft I would definitely go with “AP” Adrian Peterson. The man is a freak of nature! On sundays you can catch me watching the best team in the league… The Cincinnati Bengals! WHO DEY!

Montell: There you have it, a little education from a classy young man. I have a feeling that Branden Cresap will be a name that is said on a lot of Saturdays over the next few years.