CENTREVILLE — At the National Underclassmen Combine two weekends ago in Zachary, La., Michael Pate of Centreville was able to take home one of the camp’s highest honors.

Pate earned the title of Combine King for special teams after excelling in the event as a long snapper.

“There were about eight or nine dudes there (competing in long snapping),” Pate said. “I felt pretty good (to be participating). (Winning) felt good too.”

Pate plays tight end and defensive end for Centreville and enjoys playing on the defensive side of the ball but he works mostly on his deep snapping, he said.

“I think I might (play in college),” Pate said. “That’s what I am working for. I don’t have a certain (school) I’m looking to. I just want to go to a good four year college.”

The snapping portion of the camp consisted of two parts, first the players showed off their snapping ability and then they had an NFL-type combine to test players speed, strength and athletic ability.

“For the snapping part first we warmed up, then did 20 deep snaps and 20 (extra-point) snaps and then had a competition,” Pate said. “Later we did the combine and got tested.”

Pate said his strengths are consistency and putting the snaps in the right spot and he is getting pretty good at putting some speed on his snaps. He also bench-pressed 185 pounds 16 times at the combine, he said.

“I just want to keep working at it and get better and just try to become a better football player,” Pate said.

Centreville was knocked out of the MAIS AA playoffs by the eventual state champs, River Oaks (Monroe, La.), last season but Pate hopes his team will go farther this season, he said.

“We’re going to be real good next season. I hope to get a state championship,” Pate said.