Spencer Ward tried growing a beard during football season last year, but shaved during the stubble phase. This season, he obviously hasn’t seen a blade in a while and is sporting a full-fledged beard
“No shave November you know. Got the intimidation factor,” the Nixa safety said with a laugh.
Ward’s play alone surely has been intimidating enough to opposing running backs and receivers in particular who make their way to the second level of Nixa’s defense and meet up with the 5-foot-9, 181-pound junior.
Ward recorded a career-high 14 solo tackles in the Eagles’ 27-15 Class 6 District 3 semifinal win versus Ray-Pec last week.
He had at least one tackle against both tight end Jaden Reddell and wide receiver Jaidyn Doss. Reddell’s college offers have come from the likes of Alabama and Auburn, while Doss is a Nebraska commit.
Ward has heard all about recruiting stories in which college coaches scout one player only to discover another player. He’s hoping the coaches looking at Riddell and Doss took note of his sterling play that included hard hit after hard hit.
“It makes you have an eye out for them,” the uncomitted Ward said of the college offers Riddell and Doss have. “I took it as an opportunity and wanted to play my heart out and win. I believe I’m a D-I athlete. I can play with those guys any day. It was a great feeling to go against an opponent like that, fly around and play like I should.”
Over the past three weeks, Ward has 33 solo tackles. On the season, he has 102 solo stops, three tackles for a loss, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
“He’s the best freakin’ defensive player we’ve got,” Nixa coach John Perry said. “He’s the leader on that side of the ball. He’s a great football player who we’re glad we have around another year.”
Perry adds Ward no doubt will soon be receiving more than his share of college offers.
“This area gets the shaft when it comes to recruiting for whatever reasons. But Spencer, people are going to find him,” Perry said. "(Ray-Pec) has the recruits with all the offers. It was a chance for our kids to stand up for themselves and say, 'Hey, we're pretty good, too.'"
Nixa has allowed four touchdowns over the past three weeks, after yielding 36 points to Republic. Ward feels the Eagles’ defense is peaking, entering this week’s District title tilt at home against Lee’s Summit North, which will also bring to Eagles Stadium NCAA D-I commits.
“It’s all about being quick with your reactions and studying film. If you make the right reads, that will help you out so much,” Ward said. “We’ve been hitting it hard and are locked in.”
