Har-Ber Senior Focused On Football

Ramey seeking pinnacle of ability

By Matt L. Stephens

Posted: September 1, 2011 at 6 a.m.

Samantha Baker
Springdale Har-Ber senior cornerback Chad Ramey has added 24 pounds since last season.

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SPRINGDALE — Chad Ramey is making up for lost time.

After not playing football his entire sophomore year due to suffering a dislocated hip and recovering from knee surgery, the Springdale Har-Ber senior cornerback saw limited playing time last season.

But this year is different.

In his final season as a Wildcat, Ramey is doing everything in his power to reach the pinnacle of his ability.

“The guy lives in the weight room,” defensive coordinator Greg Simpson said. “I think that’s one thing that’s helped solidify him as a starter is that he has prepared his body for what we’re going to do this year.”

Classes at Har-Ber don’t begin until

8:45 a.m. each day, but Ramey is in the weight room at 6:45 on the dot. Since last season, Ramey has increased his weight by almost 25 pounds, from 143 to 167.

Not being the fastest corner around, clocking in with a 40-yard dash time of 4.68 seconds, size and strength are two of Ramey’s biggest weapons.

At 5-foot-9, his height is what most expect when thinking of the cornerback position. But with the 7A-West Conference being painted with tall wide receivers, physicality will be key.

“You got to get into their hips. If you’re in their hips and tied up with them, they can’t jump very high,” Ramey said. “I have to depend on my athletic ability to try to be physical with receivers. If you’re physical with them, they can’t get up to the ball.”

Har-Ber coach Chris Wood is impressed with the way Ramey carries himself, refocused on football, playing only basketball during that sophomore year where he was slowed by injury.

On top of tweaking his physical game, Ramey’s leadership skills have been what put him over the top when standing out to the Har-Ber coaching staff.

He’s a motivator that will let his teammates hear it if a practice isn’t going well.

“I try to keep the guys going and keep them in the game,” Ramey said. “If somebody is down, I try to get them in line. Guys like Evan (Nuessner) will tell you the same thing; I want to lead by example.”

Ramey is ready to help lead Har-Ber back to Little Rock for its second state title, and he’s putting in the extra work to prove it.

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