Video: Student Athlete of the Week: Zay Cullens, North Pontotoc HS, Football

[syndicaster id=’6054679′] ECRU, Miss. (WCBI) — Zay Cullens is a top ten student in his class and so far in his junior campaign he is averaging just under two hundred rushing yards per game. Cullens has also had three schools that have scouted him so far in Memphis, Louisiana Monroe and Southern Miss. WCBI’s Jonathan Flippo has more with this week’s Student Athlete of the week.

Zay Cullens is a three sport athlete for the North Pontotoc Vikings athletic program. He plays center-field on the baseball team, forward on the basketball team, and running back and strong safety on the football team.

Out of three sports that Cullens enjoys the most is football, and his Head Coach Brian Sutton sees the leadership and athleticism he brings to the team.

“He’s just one of those kids that works hard and you know he’s has a good head for the game on both sides of the ball. He’s a good teammate and he wants his team to succeed. That stands tall for a guy that you want to be a leader that’s given other guys credit. He knows that he can’t do it by his-self,” said Head Coach Brian Sutton.

Cullens enjoys his classes, but his favorite class that he likes the most is Anatomy and Physiology.

“I like A&P. It helps me know about the body because when I grow up I want to become a Sports Medicine Physical Trainer,” said Student Athlete Zay Cullens.

“Cullens is successful on the football field with over eighteen hundred yards rushing and over thirty rushing touchdowns this season, but that’s one thing that the head coach and teammate are not looking at. the one thing that they are looking at his is academics in the classroom,” said WCBI Sports Reporter Jonathan Flippo.

“He’s an A an B student so you know we like guys like that go and take care of their grades. You know that’s one thing that colleges are looking for now. That’s the first thing they ask when they come in is what about the grades,” Sutton said.

“He’s a good A an B student. He’s always on the A an B honor roll and just keeps his grades up. The coaches usually check on it so they keep him good,” said teammate Caleb Todd.

Following graduation after next year, Cullens wants to leave a good legacy for the North Pontotoc School District and the community.

“A hard working individual with a great attitude and don’t think of his-self. Think of others,” Cullens said.

North Pontotoc will return to action Friday as they host Benton County at 7 p m in the first round of the high school playoffs.