Seth Avants could become a medical surgeon some day. Right nowthe Bogue Chitto senior quarterback is dissecting defenses withsurgical precision.

In his latest outing, a 44-18 victory at Natchez Cathedral,Avants passed for 3 touchdowns and ran for another. He completed 8of 10 passes for 104 yards and rushed 8 times for 70 yards.

That performance has earned Avants The DAILY LEADER’s OffensivePlayer of the Week Award. He has been instrumental in the Bobcats’5-0 start this season.

“It was a very big win for us, especially playing over there,”said Avants. “We came out ready to play and played our game.”

Ignited by Robinson’s long kickoff return for a touchdown, theBobcats didn’t give Cathedral a chance to recover. Avants threw TDpasses of 45 and 15 yards to Robinson and 20 yards to Martin. Healso ran 8 yards for a score.

Bogue Chitto plays a demanding 10-game Region 4-1A schedule. TheBobcats face another tough region foe Friday night, hosting theStringer Red Devils.

“We are finally playing together,” said Avants. “The receiversare catching the ball. Byron (Kersee) and Cole (Laird) are runningreal well.”

Avants said the offensive line has been a key to his success.The blockers include Fred Tillman at right tackle, Josh Wallace atright guard, Blake Sasser at center, Tevin Tobias at left guard,Shannon (Buck) Lewis at left tackle, and Jerry Frye and MichaelMartin at tight end.

Avants has been a 4-year starter for Coach Gareth Sartin’sBobcats. He has a strong knowledge of the game.

“Seth is like having an extra coach on the field,” said Sartin.”He knows where everyone lines up. He runs our offense reallywell.”

Asked about Avants (5-10, 175) and his physical skills, Sartinsaid, “Seth is a very elusive runner in the open field. They rarelyget a good lick on him. He has a quick burst through the hole.

“He’s a very accurate thrower, especially when he’s movingaround,” Sartin continued.

Avants sustained a broken bone in his left hand during preseasonpractice but it hasn’t kept him on the sideline. He throws thefootball right-handed.

“Seth is a really tough kid,” said Sartin. “He plays thoughbumps and ankle sprains. He doesn’t miss practice time.”

Avants described the broken bone as a “boxer fracture.” It’sappears to be healing quickly.

He said he would like to play college football if theopportunity presents itself. His long-range goal is to become aphysician.

“Our main goal right now is beating Stringer,” said Avants.”They have big linemen and a lot of people who can run thefootball.”

His parents, David and Tiffany Avants, both played sports atBogue Chitto. His older sister, Candace, is on softball scholarshipat Copiah-Lincoln Community College. His younger brother, Zack, isa tight end on the Bogue Chitto junior high squad.

Wearing jersey No. 3, Avants was named the DL’s Offensive Playerof the Year on the 2007 All-Lincoln County Football Team. Heaccounted for over 2,000 yards total offense and 27 touchdowns. Hepassed for 477 yards and rushed for 1,540 yards.

When Coach Sartin’s 4-year-old son, Felder, was diagnosed withleukemia just before the season began, the Bobcats began growingcloser together as a team.

“It is tough on all of us,” said Avants. “We have to do what wehave to do. In practice everybody works twice as hard to get thatextra edge.”

He said the team realizes the difficult situation their coachand his family are enduring as Felder under goes radiationtreatment for the disease that appears to be in remission.

Assistant coaches Chad Norton and Adam Moak direct the teamthrough practice when Sartin can’t be there. The 5-0 start has beena reward for their dedication and hard work.

Avants said the Bobcats want to make a strong run in the stateplayoffs. The first order of business is winning on Fridaynight.

FAVORITES

Birthday: April 3, 1991

Food: Home cooking

Dessert: Cookies/ice cream

Subject: Biomedical Research

Music: Variety

TV Show: House

Movie: None

College: Penn State

NFL Team: New York Jets

NFL Player: Brett Favre