NATCHEZ — Josh Callaway heard all the stories about his father Bryan Callaway, who played at South Natchez High School.

So the Cathedral High School offensive tackle and nose guard decided back in fifth grade that he would try to surpass his dad.

In his pursuit of football excellence though, Callaway has made sure not to neglect his grades. He currently has a 3.57 GPA and scored a 21 on the ACT, though he plans to take the ACT again in October.

“I put my studies first,” Callaway said. “I go home after practice and spend two to three, or maybe even four hours getting done what I need to get done.”

But Callaway said his life isn’t entirely consumed by school-related activities.

“I try to make a little free time for myself,” Callaway said. “I try to get an hour break in if I can, and I don’t have a lot of homework.”

Callaway said his father has pushed him in both football and his studies.

“I always heard how good he was, and I always wanted to be better than him,” Callaway said.

“He always tells me to try my hardest, because you don’t have that many games to play, and you never know when it’s going to end.”

As a two-way lineman, Callaway said each position gives him a unique feeling when he lines up.

“On offense, it’s more of a feeling that I’ve helped out with the play, and it gives me a sense of protectiveness,” Callaway said. “You feel like you helped protect the quarterback, running back and everyone else, because we’re all like a family.

“On defense, it’s just more of a rush, a feeling that you can’t get anywhere lese.”

And Callaway says it’s probably true that games are won and lost in the trenches.

“I guess that’s true, because if the line’s not blocking anyone, the quarterback can’t get the ball off and the running backs can’t run.”

Callaway said the workload at Cathedral is formidable, but not something that’s too formidable.

“They give us a good bit of homework, but I guess it’s not too hard,” Callaway said. “It’s doable; it’s not impossible. If you actually work, it’s easy.”

The teachers are also very helpful, Callaway said.

“None of them are that hard,” he said. “They try to help you out as much as they can to make you a better student.”

Callaway said he doesn’t have one subject that’s harder for him than the others, but his favorite subject is math.

“It just comes easy to me. Most of the time, I know how to do it,” Callaway said.

Callaway is the son of Bryan and Donna Callaway.