Rockbridge County running back Ling Zheng is climbing his way up the Wildcat record book, with a chance to set the school's all-time rushing record by the end of this year. It's a product of hard work, and home cooking.
"I love to et. Everyday, non-stop, said Zheng. Which actually makes a lot of sense. His family moved from China to Lexington when Zheng was four, and his parents own the Crystal Chinese Restaurant in town.
"Chicken on a stick. It's the best thing there."
"I love their dumplings. The dumplings are pretty good," said Porter Abell, Rockbridge County quarterback.
With that kind of nourishment, Zheng served up a 163 yard, three touchdown performance last Friday, as Rockbridge earned a shutout win over Amherst.
"Everything we do, he's got to make a cut. He's got to read where the opening is in the defense. So he's got great vision. He can cut on a dime, he's really quick," said Jason White, Rockbridge head coach.
"He's awesome. I mean he's fast. He can break tackles whenever he wants to," said Abell.
"Ling Zheng and Porter Abell are close friends. And that bond grew even stronger when the pair spent all summer long working out on the campus of Washington and Lee. Where Porter's father is an assistant head coach.
"No matter how hot it is, after our school workouts we went and worked out for speed and conditioning over at W&L," said Abell.
"I can definitely feel faster. Last year I used to always get caught. Now this year, I never do,' said Zheng.
"The 80 yard touchdown run Friday night against Amherst, I mean he left their free safety sitting. His junior year and sophomore year, that would have been a 25 yard gain for him. So he's worked really hard on his speed this year and it's really start to show," said White.
What doesn't show is the work outside of football, each and every day, to help his family.
"I'm like the translator in the family, like when my mom needs help translating or something," said Zheng.
"He's had to miss school before to go to younger sibling's doctor's appointments or to go when we bought a new house because he's the interpreter for the family, really high character kid," said White.
After the bye this week, the Wildcats will open district play and Zheng will continue pursuit of that rushing record.
"It would feel great. Just having my name, just breaking the record and stuff. But team-wise, if we win states, and I don't get that, I don't even mind," said Zheng.
There's still a lot on his plate, both on the football field and at home.
"I love to et. Everyday, non-stop, said Zheng. Which actually makes a lot of sense. His family moved from China to Lexington when Zheng was four, and his parents own the Crystal Chinese Restaurant in town.
"Chicken on a stick. It's the best thing there."
"I love their dumplings. The dumplings are pretty good," said Porter Abell, Rockbridge County quarterback.
With that kind of nourishment, Zheng served up a 163 yard, three touchdown performance last Friday, as Rockbridge earned a shutout win over Amherst.
"Everything we do, he's got to make a cut. He's got to read where the opening is in the defense. So he's got great vision. He can cut on a dime, he's really quick," said Jason White, Rockbridge head coach.
"He's awesome. I mean he's fast. He can break tackles whenever he wants to," said Abell.
"Ling Zheng and Porter Abell are close friends. And that bond grew even stronger when the pair spent all summer long working out on the campus of Washington and Lee. Where Porter's father is an assistant head coach.
"No matter how hot it is, after our school workouts we went and worked out for speed and conditioning over at W&L," said Abell.
"I can definitely feel faster. Last year I used to always get caught. Now this year, I never do,' said Zheng.
"The 80 yard touchdown run Friday night against Amherst, I mean he left their free safety sitting. His junior year and sophomore year, that would have been a 25 yard gain for him. So he's worked really hard on his speed this year and it's really start to show," said White.
What doesn't show is the work outside of football, each and every day, to help his family.
"I'm like the translator in the family, like when my mom needs help translating or something," said Zheng.
"He's had to miss school before to go to younger sibling's doctor's appointments or to go when we bought a new house because he's the interpreter for the family, really high character kid," said White.
After the bye this week, the Wildcats will open district play and Zheng will continue pursuit of that rushing record.
"It would feel great. Just having my name, just breaking the record and stuff. But team-wise, if we win states, and I don't get that, I don't even mind," said Zheng.
There's still a lot on his plate, both on the football field and at home.
