Jackson Free Press

Derrick "Duke" Arnold Jr. hopes to lead his team to a national championship in January. Arnold is the 12-year-old quarterback sensation for the Jackson Steelers Sports Organization, which plays in the Premier Youth Sports Association.

So far this season, he has led his team to a perfect 7-0 regular season for the Steelers A Team (ages 12 and under) that started with a 34-0 win over the Mississippi Seahawks. Arnold's team decimated the competition in the regular season by outscoring opponents by a total of 248 points in the regular season.

His first experience with football began like most young athletes. He started watching the game with his father, Derrick, and before long, he was running around the house with a football in his hands.

The Madison Middle School student started playing youth football when he was just 5 years old. He joined the Jackson Steelers Sports Organization when he was 9 years old and has been with the team for about four years now.

Arnold led his team to a 28-6 victory in the PYSA Championship Game held in Jackson. He and the Steelers went on to win 19-8 in the state championship that took place in Columbus, Miss.

"I like that football is equally about being smart and being physical," Arnold says. "I have to be smart to read the defense, since most of our plays are run out of the shotgun (offensive formation). I have to be able to know what the safeties and cornerbacks are doing on passing plays, and I have to be able to read the defensive end on several of our running plays."

Even after scoring 20 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns, Arnold is humble about his place on the team, offering "a big shout out to our offensive line."

"They are the reason we have so much success on offense," he says.

This team is also filled with competitive players, Arnold says. He praises the team's leadership, including head coach Jerrell Simmons and all the assistant coaches.

After winning the state championship, the Steelers traveled to Atlanta from Dec. 11 to 13 to play in the Southeast Regional Championship (SEC). Arnold and the Steelers outscored three teams by 27-0 to win the title.

"It was exciting to play teams from Alabama, Georgia, Florida and elsewhere at the SEC Championships," Arnold says.

Winning the championship opened the door for Arnold and the team to travel to Orlando, Fla., to play for the National Prep and Youth Football Association's BCS National Championship from Jan. 8-10, 2016.

Arnold says he models his game after former Auburn Tigers quarterback and current Carolina Panthers star Cam Newton, but his favorite player is Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. "I like how he is a leader, and he keeps playing hard, and his teammates playing hard until the end of the game," Arnold says of Wilson.

While Arnold loves football, he also plays basketball at Madison Middle School and is thinking about taking up baseball, as well. This season, he not only played for the Steelers but also for Madison Middle, moving up to play with the eighth-grade team. That meant his parents, Derrick and Cornelia, had games on Thursday and Saturday to cheer for their son.

When not testing his arm as the Steelers' quarterback, Arnold plays defensive end and middle linebacker for the team. He tallied up 50 total tackles while containing the opposing offense's outside attack as a defensive end and while stopping the run as a linebacker.

"I don't know who we are playing yet, but I can't wait to see," Arnold says about the BCS National Championship. "I am ready to go to Orlando and represent Mississippi as best as I can and hopefully bring home a title."

Arnold has already brought back three trophies this season and has the Jackson Steelers ranked 13th in the nation in the ages 12 and under football division.

The team is raising money for the trip with a GoFundMe page to cover tournament fees, travel and hotel costs for players and coaches. Donations can also be sent to the Jackson Steelers at P.O. Box 12332, Jackson, Miss., 39236-2332.

Visit the Jackson Steelers' Facebook page to view their game schedule or to learn more about being a part of next year's team.