Five Minutes with Tracey Coppedge

One of the new faces of the 2009 football season is Southern Nash sophomore Tracey Coppedge. Coppedge is enjoying an impressive season that has helped Southern Nash to a 7-2 record and a second-place standing in the Big East Conference.

SEASON STATS: Coppedge is having one of the better seasons for a running back in the Twin Counties. He has posted more than 1,100 yards, and he has reached the end zone 11 times for the Firebirds.

The sophomore is in his first full season with the varsity squad, and he and classmate Terron Huffman have combined to give Southern Nash a solid 1-2 combo in the backfield.

“I’m having a lot of fun playing with the players who were already here,” Coppedge said. “It’s been a fun year.”

WORK ETHIC: Coppedge is working on becoming an all-around player. Southern Nash coach Brian Foster said Coppedge is improving on his skills as a blocker.

“I think he takes to heart what we tell him,” Foster said. “I think he wants to be a complete player. He wants to win. He enjoys his teammates and coaches. If you give him a football, he’ll stay out all day and play with it.”

Foster said Coppedge remains grounded despite his stats and growing importance to the team.

“I like to win, but you have to take it as it is,” said Coppedge, who began playing football when he was 10 years old. “I try to be a leader by keeping a positive attitude. If we stick together, we can’t be beat. That’s the way I see it.”

SIZE: Coppedge might be pound-for-pound the best running back in the Twin Counties. He is only 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, but he has been able to withstand the rigors of a full varsity season.

His only minor setback came last week when he sprained an ankle at Wilson Hunt.

“Everybody says, ‘You’re too small to be a running back,” Coppedge said. “It doesn’t matter about your size. It matters about your heart size.”

That’s not to say Coppedge runs through opposing defensive linemen or linebackers. He has a grasp of when to play to contact.

“When I get the ball, I try and make things happen,” Coppedge said. “If I see a hole, I use my abilities and run. If I don’t have to take a hit, I won’t.”

FISHING: Coppedge is usually near some sort of lake, pond or reservoir when he is not on the football field.

The Coppedge family, which includes his mother, father and two brothers, makes fishing a family event.

“It’s time to be with myself or my family other than sports,” Coppedge said. “I don’t really get time to spend with my family.”

Coppedge can still remember the day when he caught a six-pound bass as a 13-year-old. He said he smiled from ear to ear.

So which of the Coppedge’s is fishing the best currently?

“All of us get lucky sometimes,” Coppedge said. “We’re out-fishing our daddy right now.”

Jessie H. Nunery can be reached at 407-9951 or jhnunery@coxnc.com