Britton Bailey hasn’t played football his entire life, but he’s become an instrumental part of the Vardaman Rams’ offense the last two seasons.
The senior quarterback missed part of his junior season due to a wrist injury but dedicated the offseason to trying to remedy the winless campaign the Rams suffered in 2019. He’s already achieved that goal but is aiming for more wins before he graduates.
“My goals are to lead the team in a positive way and improve our record from last year,” Bailey said. “The team and I worked hard during the offseason, and I can tell it helped me be better prepared for this season. I’m stronger and smarter with the game than I was last year, and that’s helped a lot.”
As far as what the Rams did specifically in the offseason to ensure 2020 was better than 2019, Bailey said it came down to hard work multiple times a week.
“The team worked out and did drills three days a week in the summer,” Bailey said. “I grew a good relationship with the team and my receivers over the offseason. We all worked hard and became better players.”
Bailey’s head coach and offensive coordinator Brennan Pugh hasn’t been on the sideline with the team the last three weeks during a COVID-19 quarantine, and Bailey is eager to have him back with the team this week.
“It’s been different for sure,” Bailey said. “I’m ready for him to get back with us, and I know he is too.”
Although Pugh hasn’t been present on the sideline with the team during games, he has been calling plays from a construction lift in his backyard at home games, something Bailey said hasn’t been too challenging for him.
“It hasn’t been too challenging, but it’s weird not having your head coach there at any practices or games,” Bailey said.
Bailey is a multi-sport athlete at Vardaman, but before last season, he hadn’t played football since junior high. He has always been interested in the sport, however, and decided to give it another go his junior year.
“I always liked watching football, and I decided to try it out,” Bailey said. “I’m glad I did.”
Vardaman’s offense is surely glad he did too, and when asked what his favorite part of playing the last two seasons has been, Bailey didn’t get too complicated.
“Throwing touchdowns,” Bailey said.
Bailey and the Rams are back home this week as they host Okolona.