By Bret H. McCormick
NEW ORLEANS – Aidan Anding watched what the Ruston Bearcat football program accomplished last year and decided he wanted to be a part of it.
After spending his first two years at Ruston High School specializing in basketball, Anding joined the football team last spring ahead of his junior season. He quickly showcased his abilities, earning a starting spot at cornerback and a scholarship offer from Louisiana Tech over the summer.
He played a massive role in Ruston’s undefeated regular season and playoff run, and without his efforts Saturday night in the Caesars Superdome, the Bearcats wouldn’t have won their first state championship in 33 years.
With the Bearcats in an offensive rut during the first half of the Division I Non-Select title game against Zachary, the 6-foot, 165-pounder fielded a punt at the Ruston 46-yard line and raced down the sideline for a 54-yard touchdown that tied the game at 10 with less than two minutes to play in the half.
“When I’m on punt return, I look and see how the first defender is close to me,” Anding said. “If I know I got a little room just to move and make him miss, I know I got a good return.”
Anding’s touchdown allowed the Bearcats to get to halftime without trailing so that the coaching staff could make the necessary offensive adjustments for the second half.
Anding also drew the tough task of defending Zachary’s star receiver and LSU commitment Trey’Dez Green. The 6-foot-7 Green caught eight passes for 97 yards, including a 6-yard jump ball that tied the game at 17 in the third quarter, but he had to work for every yard.
Anding kept shadowing Green all night and made two pass breakups, including one where he nearly intercepted the ball at the goal line before it popped loose when he hit the ground. Anding also provided primary coverage on a fourth-down pass attempt to Green in the end zone with the Bearcats leading 24-17 with just over two minutes to play.
“It was competitive, man,” Anding said of his matchup against Green. “I’ve been watching film on him all week – at home, at school, in the morning, everything. Watching film just made the game go slower.”
The Bearcats’ motto during the offseason after last year’s loss to Destrehan in the Superdome was “unfinished business.” Anding said he joined the team to help the Bearcats finish that business, and he certainly did Saturday night.
“It’s very emotional because Ruston ain’t been at the top since like forever,” Anding said. “These boys, this is really a brotherhood. It shows you what it’s like when you come together as a family, what you can accomplish.”
The future is extremely bright for Anding, who will return as a seasoned veteran next year instead of a newcomer with zero experience.
Ruston coach Jerrod Baugh said Anding has an all-around skill set to be used all over the field. Coaches gave him several opportunities on offense as the season progressed, including taking a deep shot to him Saturday night that was slightly overthrown.
“He’s just a really dynamic player,” Baugh said.
He’s also an extremely important leader, which will be pivotal as the Bearcats replace seven defensive starters off this year’s championship team.
“He’s a team leader and a really hard worker,” Baugh said. “His addition to our team has really helped kind of gel our football team together. Any time you can bring a really good football player in that’s a really good worker – one of the hardest workers on the football team – it’s always gonna help.”
Senior linebacker Jadon Mayfield praised Anding’s mindset and work ethic, saying he constantly pushed the Bearcats to be better during workouts and practice.
“He’s just one of those players who’s gonna get it done no matter what,” Mayfield said.
