Senior Spotlight: Neshoba Central QB Eli Anderson

Neshoba Central quarterback Eli Anderson is looking forward to putting the ball in the air this season and he says he has to receivers to go and get it.

Anderson and his Rocket teammates will begin fall practice drills Monday as they get ready for their season opener at home against South Panola on Aug. 27.

“I’m looking forward to my senior year at Neshoba Central,” Anderson said. “We had Janaylon Dupree and Desmon Williams move in. They are going to help us sling it around through the air. And Bryceton Spencer is coming back. He has taken his game to another level this summer.”

The Rockets have had a busy summer, working out Monday through Thursday most weeks.

“We played a lot of 7-on-7 this summer,” Anderson said. “We did good. We went to Auburn for a tournament. We went all the way to the championship game and lost to a good Alabama team. And every Monday, we went up to Starkville. Our passing game has been tested by teams like Starkville, West Point and Louisville. We matched up well with them.

“Throwing the ball is going to be the key this year. It will be a new thing. We usually have been a pound and grind team. We had Jarquez Hunter and he would get us 10 yards every time. Now we have guys outside who can go get it.  And that can open up the running game some. Our offensive line is going to be big and nasty. They are going to be physical.”

Anderson also attended several football camps, including Memphis, Southern Miss and Mississippi State. He was planning to go to North Alabama and UT-Martin in late July.

The Rockets finished last year with a 9-2 record. He still has a bad taste about the two losses to Ridgeland, especially the playoff game that ended the Rockets’ season.

“I still have the picture of them celebrating in front of the scoreboard after the game on my phone,” Anderson said. “It wasn’t a good feeling. After that last game, we went to work for this year.”

Neshoba Central coach Patrick Schoolar said Anderson has done what he had to do to be ready for the season.

“He’s a tremendous worker,” Schoolar said. “He is self-motivated and doesn’t mind putting in time whatsoever. He has had a good off-season. His arm has gotten stronger. He has some weapons to throw the ball to. I think he is going to have a great senior season. He has two years of experience under his belt and that helps too.”

Last season, Anderson finished with 1,166 total yards, according to Max Preps. He completed 52-of-101 passes for 780 yards and six touchdowns. He rushed 54 times for 386 yards and six touchdowns.

Along with football, Anderson likes to hunt and fishing. He especially likes turkey hunting.

“It’s amazing,” Anderson said. “That is a hard bird to hunt but I got one last year.”

He hopes to play college football.

“I am hoping for a D-1 offer,” Anderson said. “I have talked to Southern Mississippi, Nicholls State and Mississippi State. If that doesn’t work, I will try to play for a junior college.”

He lists as his favorites:

• Movie – Remember the Titans.

• Dinner – Steak,

• Class – Agriculture; and,

• Hobbies – fishing and hunting.

Anderson said as far as career plans go, he wants to be a coach. That’s not much of a surprise since his dad, Brian Anderson, is a longtime coach.

In addition to practicing football, Anderson worked a McClain Plumbing this summer, cutting grass.