Puckett on pace for records
Timberlake junior running back Nick Puckett, a two-year starter who gives all the credit to his offensive line, is storming through rival defenses to the tune of 422 yards with four touchdowns on 33 carries in just two games for the 2-0 Tigers.
Combine that with his 1,326-yard, 13-touchdown sophomore campaign and it’s about time to rewrite the Timberlake rushing record book.
Puckett needs just 973 more yards to break the career mark set by Nate Anderson in 2003-04. The single-season mark of 1,541 yards is also well within reach.
In addition to an undefeated season and a state championship, which, listening to Puckett are legitimate possibilities if not probabilities, the school records are a pursuit that he does not take lightly.
He’s also looking forward to the rivalry game with Lakeland on Oct. 6 at Timberlake.
“Lakeland is the heart and soul,” said Puckett, who is 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds. “I know every kid says their rivalry game is the most grueling, but this one, we live and breathe for this thing during the fall.
“It means everything.”
It’s always football, football, football with this guy.
“I just love everything about it,” Puckett said. “I love the battle, I love the thrill, and I love doing something that I’m good at.
“It’s every little kid’s dream that they move on to the next level, but I really want to play pro ball, too – that has been my goal since I first touched a football.”
As it turns out, he may owe some of his talent to dad Alan’s little-known, do-not-try-this-at-home workout regime for budding gridiron stars.
“Yes, I did get chased around by a motorcycle and I’m 5, 6 years old out on our place and I’m scared to death that my dad is going to run me over,” Puckett said. “He’s only in second gear and just putting along and I’m ‘aaah-aaah-aaah’ and we’re both laughing and snot bubbles are coming out of my face.
“You can just picture this little kid, dirt on his face – that was me, getting chased by my old man. Maybe we can credit some of my speed to that.”