justin_j36
10-07-2007, 03:32 PM
Everest for Everett
Whatever he chooses, prodigious freshman Golson is bound for the top
By Josh Hoke - The Sun News
http://media.myrtlebeachonline.com/smedia/2007/10/07/07/996-everettgolson.embedded.prod_affiliate.78.jpg (http://media.myrtlebeachonline.com/smedia/2007/10/07/07/124-everettgolson.standalone.prod_affiliate.78.jpg)
RANDALL HILL/The Sun News
From football to basketball, from writing to playing the bass, Myrtle Beach High School's Everett Golson is a freshman of many talents.
At recess on the first day of the 1999 school year, Everett Golson, a scrawny first grader, flashed his bright smile, an electric personality and a rocket right arm on the school yard at Myrtle Beach Primary School.
"We took a football outside," said Carey MacAulay-Schild, who taught Myrtle Beach's freshman quarterback that year. "I had never seen a 6-year-old throw a spiral like that. I told my husband I had a kid that could win the Heisman Trophy."
Golson may have to wait a few more years to strike the pose, but he is well on his way.
His meteoric rise from projected junior varsity quarterback to Friday night star has been the storyline of the 2007 season. He has surpassed expectations and been nearly flawless en route to Myrtle Beach's 7-0 start.
Along the way, Golson has challenged the idea that a 14-year-old was incapable of leading one of the state's top teams, while establishing himself as one of the country's elite quarterbacks in the class of 2011.
But to those who know Golson and have watched him matriculate over the years, his success isn't surprising. He has been bucking the trends - academically, athletically, musically and socially - since they can remember.
Just ask Myrtle Beach coach Scott Earley, who marvelled at the 10-year-old during his days as a recreation league dynamo.
"I used to come by and watch him throw," Earley said. "Even at that age, you could tell God has blessed him with some amazing gifts. I don't think the physical tools have anything to do with what he brings to the table. It's an articulate charisma I have never seen in anybody else."
The natural
On the second day of the 2007 school year, Lynn Auman, an orchestra teacher at Myrtle Beach High School, broke out in tears after learning that Golson, an upright bassist and one of her most talented students, had dropped his fall semester orchestra class to take weightlifting.
Auman understands Golson's decision to put athletics ahead of music at this point. Still, his musical talent is so immense, she allowed Golson - who gives up his lunch break a few days a week for bass practice - to miss this semester's concerts and return in the spring.
"Even when he's old and gray, he can still play the bass," Auman said. "If he has to, he can put it on the backburner for now.
"He has just incredible natural ability. Basically I handed him an instrument, showed him how to hold it and he immediately picked up on everything. Sometimes I'm in awe of his ability to hear something one time and be able to pick up on it."
Cynthia and Wayne Golson introduced music to their two sons at an early age. Golson honed his talent on Sunday mornings, playing multiple instruments, including the drums and piano, at Mt. Olive AME Church on Carver Street.
Golson's special abilities were there from the beginning, MacAulay-Schild said. Although she raves about his athletic ability - he was the only student she couldn't outrun or beat at basketball - she holds his writing in even higher regard. Each year, she uses his year-ending project from eight years ago as an example to her students.
"The thing about him was he motivated others to do more and push themselves harder," she said. "It just comes so naturally. He didn't realize then the talent he had."
Surprise starter
The plan was for Golson to lead Myrtle Beach's junior varsity team this season, but his 70-yard arm, mobility and composure in the pocket made the toughest decision the obvious one - Golson should start over senior Andrew Ellis, who threw for 4,600 yards over the past two seasons.
It all started this summer. With Ellis injured, Golson threw five touchdowns in 10 minutes against Wilson, a 2006 Lower State finalist, in the championship game of Myrtle Beach's July passing league. Then he threw an 87-yard touchdown on his first play in the CNB Kickoff Classic.
Golson and Ellis rotated for much of the season-opening win at Conway, but the freshman eventually took full control of the offense.
"I didn't think I could step in this year," said Golson, a 5-foot-10, 165 pounder. "I didn't think I was physically ready."
His coaches disagreed.
Offensive coordinator Mickey Wilson "has had some great quarterbacks that he's worked and worked and made them great," Earley said. "You just have to point this kid in the right direction. You don't have to go through those mechanical things, where to put the ball or how many steps to take on your drop. To him it's all natural."
Golson has completed 65 percent of his passes this year, while throwing for 1,608 yards and 22 touchdowns against just four interceptions. His numbers would be even greater if he had played four quarters in blowout wins.
While his arm is impressive - his coaches say there isn't a throw he can't make - Wilson's been more impressed with his ability to stay composed in the pocket.
"He's a very special football player," Wilson said. "Naturally, he does some things you can't coach. He anticipates well. He's got great pocket presence. Those are things that are really more instincts than they are coaching.
"He's even gone to third and fourth receivers on some plays this year. That's hard to do. There aren't a lot of college and pro quarterbacks that can do that."
Center of attention
Myrtle Beach has tried to keep a lid on Golson's success. That's mainly because Earley is afraid his ultra-humble quarterback may one day get overwhelmed with all the responsibilities in his life.
"I think the one limit is being able to handle who he is," Earley said. "That's the one thing that scares me. I hope all these things don't weigh him down to point where he wants a little peace and quiet by himself. He'll never be normal. Sometimes I think he wants to be."
Word of his exploits has already spread across the country. A highlight film of his first five games got more than 2,000 clicks on Rivals.com in one week, and more than 20 college programs have already requested film.
Ohio State, Florida State, Louisville, Michigan State and Virginia Tech are already showing significant interest. Clemson and South Carolina called Earley this week and announced their intentions to recruit Golson, who carries a 3.5 grade-point average.
"It blows my mind I'm sending out film on a 14-year-old," Earley said. "I think what the big guys want to know is how tall will he get and how big will he get?"
Earley said Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer watched Golson, then an eighth grader, throw for an hour and a half during spring practice. He told Earley that Golson is better at this point in his career than Michael Vick, the only freshman to ever receive a scholarship offer from the Hokies.
"He told me 'We'll be back next year to get him,'" Earley said.
Golson's future may hinge on more than football. His first love is actually basketball, and, although he's yet to play for Myrtle Beach, he has the potential to be special, coach DeAndre Scott said. Scott would know talent. He coached former state player of the year Devin Downey at Chester.
"He passes the ball at his age as well as any kid I have ever seen," Scott said. "As far as the point guard savvy, Everett is right up there."
The roundball will have to wait, however, at least until Golson does his best to lead Myrtle Beach to a state championship.
"None of this was planned," Earley said. "I knew he would be great when he was in the fourth grade, but after the scrimmages there was no denying this was the best choice for the program.
"If he keeps progressing mentally and physically, he could possibly be the No. 1 quarterback in America."
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/story/210659.html (http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/story/210659.html)
Whatever he chooses, prodigious freshman Golson is bound for the top
By Josh Hoke - The Sun News
http://media.myrtlebeachonline.com/smedia/2007/10/07/07/996-everettgolson.embedded.prod_affiliate.78.jpg (http://media.myrtlebeachonline.com/smedia/2007/10/07/07/124-everettgolson.standalone.prod_affiliate.78.jpg)
RANDALL HILL/The Sun News
From football to basketball, from writing to playing the bass, Myrtle Beach High School's Everett Golson is a freshman of many talents.
At recess on the first day of the 1999 school year, Everett Golson, a scrawny first grader, flashed his bright smile, an electric personality and a rocket right arm on the school yard at Myrtle Beach Primary School.
"We took a football outside," said Carey MacAulay-Schild, who taught Myrtle Beach's freshman quarterback that year. "I had never seen a 6-year-old throw a spiral like that. I told my husband I had a kid that could win the Heisman Trophy."
Golson may have to wait a few more years to strike the pose, but he is well on his way.
His meteoric rise from projected junior varsity quarterback to Friday night star has been the storyline of the 2007 season. He has surpassed expectations and been nearly flawless en route to Myrtle Beach's 7-0 start.
Along the way, Golson has challenged the idea that a 14-year-old was incapable of leading one of the state's top teams, while establishing himself as one of the country's elite quarterbacks in the class of 2011.
But to those who know Golson and have watched him matriculate over the years, his success isn't surprising. He has been bucking the trends - academically, athletically, musically and socially - since they can remember.
Just ask Myrtle Beach coach Scott Earley, who marvelled at the 10-year-old during his days as a recreation league dynamo.
"I used to come by and watch him throw," Earley said. "Even at that age, you could tell God has blessed him with some amazing gifts. I don't think the physical tools have anything to do with what he brings to the table. It's an articulate charisma I have never seen in anybody else."
The natural
On the second day of the 2007 school year, Lynn Auman, an orchestra teacher at Myrtle Beach High School, broke out in tears after learning that Golson, an upright bassist and one of her most talented students, had dropped his fall semester orchestra class to take weightlifting.
Auman understands Golson's decision to put athletics ahead of music at this point. Still, his musical talent is so immense, she allowed Golson - who gives up his lunch break a few days a week for bass practice - to miss this semester's concerts and return in the spring.
"Even when he's old and gray, he can still play the bass," Auman said. "If he has to, he can put it on the backburner for now.
"He has just incredible natural ability. Basically I handed him an instrument, showed him how to hold it and he immediately picked up on everything. Sometimes I'm in awe of his ability to hear something one time and be able to pick up on it."
Cynthia and Wayne Golson introduced music to their two sons at an early age. Golson honed his talent on Sunday mornings, playing multiple instruments, including the drums and piano, at Mt. Olive AME Church on Carver Street.
Golson's special abilities were there from the beginning, MacAulay-Schild said. Although she raves about his athletic ability - he was the only student she couldn't outrun or beat at basketball - she holds his writing in even higher regard. Each year, she uses his year-ending project from eight years ago as an example to her students.
"The thing about him was he motivated others to do more and push themselves harder," she said. "It just comes so naturally. He didn't realize then the talent he had."
Surprise starter
The plan was for Golson to lead Myrtle Beach's junior varsity team this season, but his 70-yard arm, mobility and composure in the pocket made the toughest decision the obvious one - Golson should start over senior Andrew Ellis, who threw for 4,600 yards over the past two seasons.
It all started this summer. With Ellis injured, Golson threw five touchdowns in 10 minutes against Wilson, a 2006 Lower State finalist, in the championship game of Myrtle Beach's July passing league. Then he threw an 87-yard touchdown on his first play in the CNB Kickoff Classic.
Golson and Ellis rotated for much of the season-opening win at Conway, but the freshman eventually took full control of the offense.
"I didn't think I could step in this year," said Golson, a 5-foot-10, 165 pounder. "I didn't think I was physically ready."
His coaches disagreed.
Offensive coordinator Mickey Wilson "has had some great quarterbacks that he's worked and worked and made them great," Earley said. "You just have to point this kid in the right direction. You don't have to go through those mechanical things, where to put the ball or how many steps to take on your drop. To him it's all natural."
Golson has completed 65 percent of his passes this year, while throwing for 1,608 yards and 22 touchdowns against just four interceptions. His numbers would be even greater if he had played four quarters in blowout wins.
While his arm is impressive - his coaches say there isn't a throw he can't make - Wilson's been more impressed with his ability to stay composed in the pocket.
"He's a very special football player," Wilson said. "Naturally, he does some things you can't coach. He anticipates well. He's got great pocket presence. Those are things that are really more instincts than they are coaching.
"He's even gone to third and fourth receivers on some plays this year. That's hard to do. There aren't a lot of college and pro quarterbacks that can do that."
Center of attention
Myrtle Beach has tried to keep a lid on Golson's success. That's mainly because Earley is afraid his ultra-humble quarterback may one day get overwhelmed with all the responsibilities in his life.
"I think the one limit is being able to handle who he is," Earley said. "That's the one thing that scares me. I hope all these things don't weigh him down to point where he wants a little peace and quiet by himself. He'll never be normal. Sometimes I think he wants to be."
Word of his exploits has already spread across the country. A highlight film of his first five games got more than 2,000 clicks on Rivals.com in one week, and more than 20 college programs have already requested film.
Ohio State, Florida State, Louisville, Michigan State and Virginia Tech are already showing significant interest. Clemson and South Carolina called Earley this week and announced their intentions to recruit Golson, who carries a 3.5 grade-point average.
"It blows my mind I'm sending out film on a 14-year-old," Earley said. "I think what the big guys want to know is how tall will he get and how big will he get?"
Earley said Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer watched Golson, then an eighth grader, throw for an hour and a half during spring practice. He told Earley that Golson is better at this point in his career than Michael Vick, the only freshman to ever receive a scholarship offer from the Hokies.
"He told me 'We'll be back next year to get him,'" Earley said.
Golson's future may hinge on more than football. His first love is actually basketball, and, although he's yet to play for Myrtle Beach, he has the potential to be special, coach DeAndre Scott said. Scott would know talent. He coached former state player of the year Devin Downey at Chester.
"He passes the ball at his age as well as any kid I have ever seen," Scott said. "As far as the point guard savvy, Everett is right up there."
The roundball will have to wait, however, at least until Golson does his best to lead Myrtle Beach to a state championship.
"None of this was planned," Earley said. "I knew he would be great when he was in the fourth grade, but after the scrimmages there was no denying this was the best choice for the program.
"If he keeps progressing mentally and physically, he could possibly be the No. 1 quarterback in America."
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/story/210659.html (http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/story/210659.html)