Around his neck and on the front and back of his Sequatchie County football jersey, Caleb Moffitt holds his brother’s number near and dear to his heart.
Caleb, a senior linebacker and running back for the Indians, has paid tribute for much of this season to his brother Austin, who died in a car crash on Sept. 28 along with his girlfriend Alexis McCann.
“My brother Austin is my motivation,” Caleb said. “Ever since he passed a couple of months ago, I have worn his No. 8 and played just for him. Everything I do, I do it for him. Not only on this field, but everywhere I go. I also wear his number on a chain. I am not trying to be the next Austin, I just want people to remember who he was.”
Caleb was 4 years old and Austin was 5 when they first started playing football together. They teamed up to win a little league championship with a double-overtime victory against South Pittsburg, and both avidly cheered on the Tennessee Volunteers.
Austin, who graduated this past spring, was a standout linebacker for the Indians. Caleb has carried on the family tradition as he leads the team with 92 tackles going into Friday’s home against McMinn Central in the first round of the TSSAA Class 3A playoffs.
The big game for the Indians comes three days after the Vols were No. 1 in the College Football Playoff selection committee’s first rankings for the 2022 season.
“He was the biggest Tennessee fan I have seen,” Caleb said of his brother. “We both loved Peyton Manning, and I know he would love to see the Vols ranked No. 1 today. Everything I see really reminds me of him. It’s hard. Football really reminds me of him a lot. Just walking out here reminds me of him.”
In Sequatchie County’s 31-13 home win over Whitwell on Oct. 21, Caleb had a career game on his senior night as he recorded 11 solo tackles, scored three rushing touchdowns and recovered a fumble.
Just a year ago, Caleb was not eligible to play his junior season of football, but he has become a go-to leader for the Indians as they hope to begin a postseason run.
“Caleb has done a phenomenal job,” Sequatchie County coach Rusty McIntyre said. “Like his brother, he plays relentless and gives 100% effort in everything he does.
“He is the quiet leader who everybody watches and sees how hard he works and how much football means to him. He wanted to play and scored the night after his brother’s wreck, and that showed our guys if it means this much to Caleb, it should to us as well. He came back out here because that was what Austin would want him to have done.”
A large turnout is expected Friday night to cheer on Sequatchie County (6-4) in what looks to be an evenly matched bout with the Chargers (5-5).
“This community supports us all the way,” said Caleb, who has five rushing touchdowns and has averaged 7 yards per carry this season. “No matter what we do, they are going to be here for us. I am going to try my best all the time for this program, and so will my teammates. I am excited for this game and will do all I can to help make sure we are all locked in come game time.”
The Indians’ seniors have secured the first winning season in their four years with the program, but the game of football is not everything for them. Caleb, his coaches and teammates want everyone to remember the importance of life is how you live it and not just what is done on the playing field.
“We all know Caleb and Austin were really good football players, but they are also really good kids,” McIntyre said. “They take care of themselves in the classroom, weren’t troublemakers, and they were heavily involved in the church. This community loves their football, but they love a kid who can be a role model for younger kids just as much.
“We lost someone special. Everyone has gathered around the Moffitt family and shown such loving support.”
Caleb hopes for not only a first-round win for the Indians, but a big victory Saturday for the Vols as they visit Georgia in a Southeastern Conference matchup of undefeated teams and a 1-2 showdown according to the Associated Press Top 25. Tennessee is tied for second with Ohio State in this week’s poll, while the Bulldogs, the reigning national champions, are first — though third in the CFP rankings behind the Vols and the Buckeyes.
“My dream growing up was to always play for the Volunteers,” Caleb said. “Seeing them go from unranked to first in the country has been something I never thought I’d see. Especially beating Alabama, that was fun. I am a big Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt fan. I know it’s going to be a battle against Georgia, but I think they can do it.
“I know Austin will be cheering them on, too.”
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.
Staff photo / Sequatchie County linebacker Austin Moffitt reaches for Red Bank’s Lumiere Strickland during a Class 3A first-round playoff game on Nov. 8, 2019.