Following in Rice's shadow
By LARRY HILLIARD Ledger Sports Editor larry@gaffneyledger.com

Ledger Photo by LARRY HILLIARD Gaffney wideout Emison Hughes would like to lead the Indians to a state championship like his idol, Sidney Rice, did in 2003.

Gaffney High wide receiver Emison Hughes didn't look far to find his role model.

Hughes grew up idolizing former Indian great wideout Sidney Rice.

"I watched all his games and I was able to go to all of his USC home games," Hughes said. "I talk to him all the time, just like we were cousins."

During his prep and college career, Rice was equal parts sure-handed Jerry Rice and big-play Randy Moss.

"He wasn't the fastest," Hughes said. "But anything that came his way, he'd catch it."

So does Hughes, who leads the team in receptions with 15 receptions for 219 yards and one touchdown.

Another role model in his life, his dad also named Emison Hughes, taught him the love of sports.

"He played basketball and football for Gaffney," Emison said of his dad.

But his dad was forced to give up playing sports, a decision Emison said his dad doesn't want him to repeat.

"He wants me to keep my grades up and to play sports," Emison said. "(My dad) keeps me motivated to play."

His play has earned praise from Gaffney coach Phil Strickland.

"He's played real consistently," Strickland said.

It may be his blue-collar work ethic that's been responsible for that. At home, Hughes works to improve his grip by catching the football with one hand.

Hughes also freely admits he's a perfectionist, always critiqueing his performance.

"I'm never satisfied," he said. "People expect more out of me. I know I can do whatever I set my mind to."

Hughes could have easily grown up patterning his play after former Gaffney great signal-callers Malcolm Long or Kentrell Jones. Hughes played quarterback for most of his early career before making the switch to wide receiver as a sophomore. Hughes said the biggest transition was relinquishing control of the game he had as a quarterback.

"The biggest thing about wide receiver is that you aren't able to be in charge," he said. "I loved quarterback, but I just wanted to play."

He got that chance as a sophomore when wide receiver Terry Barnes was sidelined with an injury.

Hughes picked up pointers about the position by observing Barnes and Tyson Petty.

Last year, he broke into the starting lineup and hasn't looked back. Despite missing three games with a high ankle sprain, he finished last season with 39 receptions for 400 yards and four touchdowns.

He returned from his injury with five catches for 123 yards and a touchdown against Boiling Springs.

Although he's enjoyed individual success this season, the Indians are a mediocre 3-3 and aver -aging an anemic 105 yards a game through the air. But Hughes said those numbers are about to change.

"We've been trying to run the ball," he said. "But when there are a lot of people in the box, we'll throw it. We've been working on that now to put it in the air a little bit more. The offensive coordinator (Perry Woolbright) has confidence in us now."

Hughes also is confident the team will march through the playoffs, following in the footsteps of the 2003-Rice led state champions.

"We can go as far as we want to go," he said.

EMISON HUGHES FACT BOX

POSITION: Wideout MEASUREMENTS: 6-1, 180 lbs.

WORTHY OF NOTE: Leads the team in receptions with 15 for 219 yards and a touchdown.