Although injuries have limited his senior season, Luella’s RL Ward is enjoying an impactful year, rushing for 417 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 5.9 yards per carry. Ward had a great game last week rushing for almost 150 yards and three touchdowns. clinching a playoff spot over Cedar Grove 35-25.
“My senior, I had a rough start due to an injury, besides all that I’ve had an amazing senior year with my team,” he said.
Luella has continued to be a program on the rise, making the playoffs four of the last five seasons, and Ward has been instrumental in their success the last few.
“It just feels amazing that we are making it to the playoffs once again,” Ward said.
The Lions will be playoff-bound for consecutive seasons, which speaks volumes about the program under head coach Craig Coleman. He first took over in 2020 and Luella has played its best football during its 21-year history since.
The Lions are developing their football players, competing at a high level and you can see the progress in their athletes from year to year.
“One thing that I feel that I have improved the most is reading the defense before the play,” Ward said about his biggest improvements.
On the recruiting front, the 5’9″ 210 lbs. athlete said that he still waiting for his moment, deploying patience into the process and keeping faith.
“Recruiting is a little slow for me right now but that’s not going to stop me from making plays on Friday night. I know the more I keep doing my part eventually someone will see,” he said.
Ward’s older brother, Kam, was a standout at Irwin County where they won multiple championships, and later went to play at Albany State. Like his brother, he is a bruising runner who gets behind his pads and will obliterate any meek attempt at tackling.
As we mentioned in the Week 12 standout report, Ward has been a player Luella can plug anywhere on the field, even helping the team beat Pace Academy as a junior while playing QB. Ward has a lot of patience as a runner, waiting for his blocks to materialize. That’s great, but it’s him driving his feet, spinning out of tackles, and just fighting for extra yardage that will be most impactful at the next level.
Ward’s injury has undoubtedly impacted his recruitment, and his overall production in the state column, but we feel like his senior film showcases a back who can play competitive football. Seriously, one of the toughest runners between the tackles in the state, and if he played a powerhouse program, Ward would have close to double-digit offers from varying levels of play.
Whether his season continues beyond the first round, we will have to see. Regardless, Ward will be a prospect to watch down the recruiting stretch here, so be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter/X to see the latest on the senior and players across the state.
I am so proud of RL. He’s a fine young man. He’s a very compassionate and loyal young man too. I know who he truly is, I’m his grandmother. It has been a pleasure seeing him grow up to become the young man he is. I’m also proud of his older siblings too, of course, I’m their grandmother, “Mammo Stephanie.”
Awesome Humble Young King That I Thank GOD For…. My Prayers are that he accomplish everything he puts his mind too… I know he will be GREAT! Very Loving and Respectful Young Man. Whatever he puts his mind too, just like his brothers .. He WILL DO IT! Love You, Babyboi! Go Ward #8