Each year the Rumble on the Ridge tournament attracts a host of college coaches who come to watch the talent and maybe even throw in a little recruiting to many of the top players in the south.
Statewide celebrities, such as the current and former Miss Arkansas, have been to the Rumble to sign autographs and just spend time meeting and greeting the people.
The tournament has also become a gathering place for past participants who make sure they take the time to stop in and just say ?hi.?
This year?s Rumble was no exception.
During the three days, many former Forrest City Mustang and Lady Mustang players were on hand as well as a few athletes with local ties who have made a place for themselves in the national spotlight.
Such was the case Thursday when Nick Patterson, a sophomore safety with the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes was on hand.
Patterson is the son of former Forrest City High School graduates Johnny and Roselyn (Bowman) Patterson.
Nick is following in his father?s football footsteps. Johnny played for Al Miller?s version of the Mustangs in the 1970s.
Patterson graduated from Hazelwood Central High School in St. Louis, Mo., where he had 11 touchdowns and caught 45 passes for 876 yards as a senior. He played both ways and was in on 74 tackles and had two interceptions. As a junior he had 49 tackles. He was named to the All-State team during both his junior and senior seasons.
As a freshman in 2005, after redshirting his 2004 season, Nick played a total of 18 minutes and was in on six tackles ? four of those of the solo variety. He made his college debut against Miami (Ohio) and also was on the field against Northwestern and Indiana.
This past season, Patterson has been vying for time with two other Ohio State safeties and recently logged time in the Ohio State-Michigan game which was televised nationally.
?There is no other place I would rather be playing right now than at Ohio State,? Patterson said Thursday. ?It is very fulfilling to me to be playing for the No. 1 ranked team in the nation and it is fulfilling just to be able to go out there and represent my family, the university and all of their great fans.?
Patterson said the Ohio State coaching staff does a great job keeping the players on even footing ? especially when they are preparing for a big game such as facing Michigan.
?They don?t let us get too high or too low,? Patterson said. ?After all the hype it is still a game and we still have to go out there and play the game. The coaches keep us calm and focused. We don?t change our approach from game to game, we keep it the same.?
As far as the talk about a possible national championship rematch, Patterson says he can?t really worry about that.
?Whoever we end up playing will be a worthy opponent because they got to the title game with hard work just like we did.?
He said Ohio State was his first choice coming out of high school, even though he does take some shots about not being a Razorback.
Right now, Patterson is rotating into the game with two other safeties, but with two college seasons left, he is working toward a starting position.
Patterson?s two grandmothers still reside in Forrest City with several cousins and nephews.
Patterson parents live in St. Louis.
Naturally, Patterson says his number one goal is to play in the NFL, but if, for some reason, that doesn?t happen, he will have his degree in finance, which is fine with Patterson.
