Adams County Christian School’s Chris Smotherman may have only joined the Rebels a little over two years ago, but his influence will now remain at the school for years to come.

After moving to Natchez at the end of his sophomore year from his home in Oklahoma, Smotherman was chosen by a group of ACCS coaches as this year’s recipient of the Bruce Pickle Memorial Scholarship, an award given to just one senior student-athlete.

“It’s a pretty big deal for the coaches to choose me out of all the people they could have picked,” Smotherman said. “There are many great athletes, especially this year. I was blessed to be picked.”

ACCS football coach David King said the award was started a few years ago to honor Pickle, who passed away in a boating accident.

Pickle was an ACCS graduate who shined in multiple sports in the late 1970s and early 80s, King said, and also coached the Rebels in the 1990s.

King, who has coached Smotherman during his time on the football field, said the scholarship is all about someone who exhibits all-around positivity.

“(Pickle) had a great love for ACCS,” King said. “He was a very good athlete and an overachiever type. This award is meant for the great leaders on campus, and there is no doubt we picked the right one. (Smotherman) played with a passion that I knew Bruce would have loved.”

“It’s a good feeling to represent the school,” Smotherman added about the honor. “To be an image of the school and for little kids to look up to you and want to be like you, it’s a pretty good feeling to have.”

Though Smotherman is finished playing as a middle linebacker, defensive end, tight end and running back for the Rebels, as well as being a member of the track and soccer teams, his athletic journey hasn’t ended quite yet.

Following his graduation Friday as one of 38 ACCS seniors, Smotherman said he plans to move back to Oklahoma and sign papers to play football at junior college program Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

“I know some kids there,” Smotherman said. “I’m excited.”

Despite leaving Natchez soon, Smotherman said he won’t forget the memories he has made.

“ACCS is a good program overall with a good education and good people,” he said. “I’m going to miss it. I don’t know when, but I will come back to visit.”