Duane A. Laverty / Waco Tribune-Herald

David Ash inspires lots of praise.

“We were blessed when he moved here,” Rodney Southern said. “Texas is going to be blessed when he gets there.”

The Belton coach isn’t talking about this reporter. He’s gushing about his 6-3, 215-pound senior signal-caller, whose strong, accurate arm makes him the prototypical high school quarterback.

Ash’s stats and athletic ability alone would draw similar praise, but Southern said his words were attributed to Ash’s character as much as his playing ability.

Before his arrival, Belton was a middle- to bottom-of-the-pack team.

After winning a share of the District 12-5A title last season and reaching the second round of the playoffs, this year’s Belton team has people around the state and hometown fans talking about another district championship and maybe more.

And as Southern mentioned, Ash has already committed to play for Mack Brown at the University of Texas.

David Ash the reporter sat down with David Ash the quarterback recently and talked a little about sports and life. As you’ll soon see, neither Ash is the long-winded sort.

Reporter: What’s your favorite part of being a quarterback?

Quarterback: The pressure. I like it.

R: Favorite quarterbacks?

QB: Garrett Gilbert. (Ash will begin his college career learning from Gilbert, the Texas starter. He later said he also admires Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Colt McCoy and Tim Tebow.)

R: What’s your favorite color?

QB: Red, Belton colors.

R: What type of music do you like?

QB: Country.

R: Own an iPod?

QB: Nope.

R: Do you have a pregame ritual?

QB: Take a shower and take a nap on coach’s couch in his office.

R: Favorite TV show?

QB: “The Office.”

R: What are you future plans other than football?

QB: I would like to get a business degree and have my own mission service.

R: Favorite pro football team?

QB: Houston Texans.

R: Favorite sports uniform?

QB: I like the UCLA uniforms.

R: Red Sox or Yankees?

QB: Yankees.

R: Celtics or Lakers?

QB: Celtics.

R: What are you looking forward to most at UT?

QB: I’m really looking forward to learning new stuff, what it takes to be at that level.

R: What was your recruiting process like? Did you take a lot of visits?

QB: I took a few, but the whole time I knew I wanted to go to Texas.

R: What was your most memorable game?

QB: Sophomore game versus Killeen Shoemaker. I threw a touchdown pass with a couple minutes left. It was our first real win that season. (Belton won three games that season but rebounded with 10 wins last year.)

R: Favorite activity outside of football?

QB: Fish and hunt.

R: Batman or Superman?

QB: Superman.

R: Score on a 25-yard pass or 40-yard run?

QB: 25-yard pass. It’s easier.

R: Would you rather be called a strong-armed quarterback or a precision passer?

QB: Precision passer.

R: Run a 4.2 40 or throw a ball 80 yards?

QB: 4.2 40.

R: “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent?”

QB: (laughing) Neither.

R: What are your expectations for the team?

QB: Win state!

dash@wacotrib.com

757-5739

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