Braden Simpson Geared for Senior Season Finale at Southside. By: Ryan Fletcher
Braden Simpson will take the field for his final season of high school football for the Southside Southerners. Southside nearly ran the table last year losing only one game which came in the semifinals of the state playoffs. Braden and his teammates will look to take that final step winning their final game in Little Rock.“ My expectations this year are high,” said Braden.“ We’ ve had some studs move up from junior high and a few kids move in and I’ d like to get another conference championship and state championship as well. As I go into my senior season I’ ve been all conference sophomore year and all state junior year. I’ ve had a dream of winning a state championship since I was little so that’ s the only thing left on the table I would like to accomplish.”
Simpson has been one of the states best two way players. Braden plays the wingback position and will occasionally line up at quarterback. Last season he rushed for 481 yards and four touchdowns while catching 22 passes for 295 yards and four scores. Defensively, you could argue that he was even better. He accumulated 133 tackles while forcing two fumbles.“ My favorite side of the ball to play is defense because I enjoy the physicality of it as well as creating turnovers which can really switch the momentum around. I would like to force more turnovers this year on defense than in past years and offensively I want to be a better blocker than I was last year and hopefully score more than last year as well.”
Braden has had the opportunity to play for his dad legendary coach and author Kenny Simpson.“ Playing for my dad has been a great experience. We’ ve had highs and lows together( in a football standpoint), and it’ s great to celebrate the victories with him as well as the rest of my family. As far as home life goes, we all love watching football and sports in general, and we don’ t really bring bad emotions home if we have a bad practice or game. Our family life outside of football is still pretty sports oriented. We love going and supporting other sports at their games as well as having three dogs. We love to have friends over to hangout.”
Teams that make the final four don’ t get there without lots of talent. Owen McLaughlin may have had the best season of any player in the state at the running back position. He returns along with QB Trey Allen and several other key pieces.“ Some teammates that I expect to have good seasons are obviously Owen McLaughlin who has a great season last year, and I know will continue to do better this year.