DIKE (KWWL) -
Senior running back Terry Mooty is the workhorse of the Dike-New Hartford offense.
"Terry's a hard working kid," Dike New Hartford head coach Don Betts said. "Gosh, he's worked hard. Everything he's gotten this year he's earned with his hard work."
Terry's already run for over 14-hundred yards this season while picking up an average of nearly 10 yards every time he touches the ball.
That production has so far led this Dike -New Hartford team to an 8-0 record and a number two ranking in Class 1-A, but it's a team game. Terry believes the success of this team depends on one major factor.
"I'd have to say team chemistry, for sure. It's like a brotherhood," Mooty said.
That idea of brotherhood was never more important than last season when Terry's classmate and teammate Trevor Johnson lost his 9-year-old brother Tate in a tragic accident. Tate, affectionately known as "Tater Tot", loved everything about the Wolverine football team and the feeling was mutual.
"That was a tough time for us," Mooty said. "We all know Trevor and his family, and we loved that kid."
"Tate was part of our extended family, and the Johnsons were part of our family." Betts said. "Terry was instrumental in wrapping his arms around them, which is what you need to do in situations like that."
"We think about it all the time," Mooty said. "We have a slogan, PFT, 'Play for Tate'."
And under that slogan, this team's played inspired, and so has Terry Mooty, who has no shortage of motivation as his faith is a driving factor as well.
"Run a mile at 8:30 on Sundays, one on one time with the Lord," Mooty said. "Glory to God."
And Terry Mooty believes faith will help him go far.
