He breaks out of the huddle; the first thing he does is scan the defense to see where the linemen and linebackers are located.He is looking for an advantage over the defensive linemen, because some players play overly aggressive. He checks to see where the linebackers are positioned to see if they are setting up to blitz or preparing to cover a pass.

Fresno City College running back Kenny Hedrington sat with me to talk about his past and future. “I started playing football at Tenaya Middle School,” says Hedrington. He went on to say, “Basketball was my first love. His middle school play set him up for his high school and college play.

Hedrington said he didn’t see “eye to eye” with his high school basketball coach. By the time the football season was over the basketball season had started, “He really didn’t give me a chance.” Hedrington eventually chose to play football and that is when he started focusing on bulking up for it.

His father, Orlonzo Hedrington has been one of his biggest influences, “I always played three sports football, basketball and track. My dad always told me I need to focus on one,” the younger Hedrington said.

In his senior season at Bullard, the Rams running back helped lead his team to the valley championship where they lost to Bakersfield high. Hedrington concluded his years of playing for Bullard by holding the record for the most yards ran (1800) and he tied the record for most touchdowns (32).

Like most community college players, Hedrington hopes to play for a major university. He is also majoring in business, and his backup plan is to use his degree(s) to help further his family business; Hedrington’s dad owns a real-estate business.

Hedrington is playing in his second season for FCC. Last season he broke his ankle during practice and missed most of the season.

He also talked about the rituals he goes through before every game. “I always go to Youtube.com and watch highlights of players like Reggie Bush, Ray Rice, Michael Bush and Rashad Bennett; I try to steal as many moves as I can.”

“As soon as I get to the stadium, I put on my head phones and walk to the top row to meditate.” Prayer is also a part of his meditation, he said.

Hedrington continues to meditate while getting taped and dressed for the game. “People have to call my name three or four times to get my attention, because I literally get tunnel vision blocking out everything.”

He doesn’t break his meditation until he is in the huddle.

Once he breaks out of the huddle and the ball is handed to him there is a big chance that his offensive line will create a big enough hole for him to sprint through.

After he is past the defensive linemen, there is a chance the other team linebackers or safeties will be in his face attempting to tackle him.

All the Rams running back needs is for his team-mates to clear a path, or other team’s players to miss an assignment, and then Hedrington will be the opposition’s worst nightmare.