Athens High’s Ryan Horton adjusts his jersey after running a play during practice Tuesday afternoon. Horton was chosen as the Golden Eagle’s Limestone Leader.

Almost all high school coaches will tell you that a team is only as good as its leaders. And there’s no tool more valuable on the football field than experience.

Since every team’s preseason goal is to make it to the playoffs, all of the local coaches will look to seniors to ensure their team makes it over the hump. With such a large number of talented seniors scattered across Limestone County this year, there shouldn’t be any shortage of senior leadership anywhere.

Among those who demonstrate a great deal of leadership both on and off the field is Athens High’s Ryan Horton. Because of that, Horton has been selected to The News Courier’s list of Limestone Leaders.

“Ryan is very athletic and has a great football understanding,” Golden Eagles head coach Allen Creasy said. “He has high character with above average talent and is willing to go the extra mile.”

Growing up, Horton always looked up to his father, who was also a leader on the football field, the basketball court and the track. With his senior year officially underway, Horton said he felt it was his job to take over the leadership role this season, following in the footsteps of his father and former teammate Tyree Malone.

“My dad came from nothing, and now he is successful,” Horton said. “He’s always told me to be the best I can be at everything. With me being a senior, I felt the need to be a leader this year. I’m not real vocal but I try to do my best at every drill, but when it’s time for me to say something, I’ll step in and do it.

“Tyree was a good leader for us last year and set good examples on and off the field,” Horton added. “And that’s what I’m trying to do this year.”

One off the field leadership role Horton said he wanted to continue this year was helping teammates with schoolwork, something Malone did last season.

“If someone was having trouble with their grades and needed help with something, Tyree would help them with it,” Horton said. “That’s something that I’m wanting to do as the school year goes on.”

In addition to being a part of the football program, Horton is also involved with the boys basketball and track teams. He also maintains A’s and B’s.

With graduation still several months away, Horton said he doesn’t have any college plans nailed down yet, but is thinking about majoring in business and physical therapy.