Like father, like son? Luverne’s Gregory hopes to follow dad’s title example

LUVERNE — The state championships are a regular topic of conversation whenever he’s walking around town or, in this case, sitting in the stands at Luverne High’s Glenn Daniel Stadium.

They’ve sparked arguments on Facebook with Tigers of old, their families and friends disputing which would win if they somehow played.

Arrid Gregory stays out of the fray, despite his status as one of the superstars on one of Luverne’s past championship teams and his status as an assistant coach on the other.

But this week could settle Gregory’s feelings — and may have already — when Luverne tries for its third state title.

“I’d have to root for that one because of No. 19,” Gregory says, pointing at this year’s team as the Tigers practice before him.

“I have to ride with No. 19.”

It’s just that simple, and the reason is easy.

Arian Gregory, known far and wide in town as just “Zay,” is his son and a junior linebacker for Luverne, which faces Fyffe at 3 p.m. Friday at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium for the Class 2A title.

Arian is possibly the No. 1 player on this year’s team, matching his dad’s status from so long ago.

“I always told him when I was little that I’d be better,” Arian said. “I said, when I was bigger, I was going to make it to state and win.

“He said he looked forward to that.”

This year has been a long time coming for Arrid Gregory, a former running back who still holds major school records with the Troy Trojans.

First was surviving a 2001 car accident that, using his word, “mangled” his left leg and arm. Had a former coach not heard the accident from his house and found Gregory, Gregory said he likely would have bled to death.

He’s coached and cajoled this set of Tigers since they were first- and second-graders chasing a Mighty Mights youth championship. He was the head coach when they were Termites and an assistant for several youth seasons that followed.

This year, he’s led a weekly Thursday night devotional for the team at that most esteemed of Luverne eateries — The Chicken Shack. (This week, they’ll meet on Wednesday night. The Tigers leave for Auburn on Thursday.)

“Arrid came to me before the season and asked about doing it, and I said it would be awesome,” Luverne coach Scott Rials said. “They have a devotional, eat, watch ESPN or something and enjoy their time together.

“He’s a great mentor and leader to this group. He’s been great for me, too.”

The voluntary meetings draw about 20 Tigers per week, with virtually all of the every-play players — including Zay — in attendance.

This week, Arrid laughed when asked if he might haul out his championship jewelry, too.

“I may bring them, lay them on the counter and let them look at it,” Arrid said. “This is something they’ve talked about since Day 1. They’re hungry for it and deserve it.

“They’ve grown so much since their first game.”

His son admits hearing more about his dad’s exploits from others than from dad himself.

Those 129 yards and the 54-yard go-ahead touchdown in a 21-7 win over Plainview for the 1991 championship, Luverne’s first in legendary coach Glenn Daniel’s 37th season, aren’t a topic of conversation.

“He doesn’t talk about it a lot,” Zay said. “He tells me, ‘Be yourself and make your own name.’ That’s why I have a different number.”

Arrid Gregory wore No. 9 when he was a star for Luverne, and Zay had the same digit when he was in youth ball. He switched to present-day 19 long ago.

“Ever since I’ve played football, people have told me about him,” Zay said. “They know I’m my dad’s son. They say I’m his shadow.”

Arrid says Zay is a better player than he ever was on defense, while Zay says his dad was a better player on offense.

Arrid’s 1,337 yards in 1996 for then-Troy State remain a school record. Jordan Chunn came up 59 yards short as a junior in 2016 — on 67 more carries.

Zay, who averages more than 9 tackles per game this year, hasn’t tested himself in such a manner against his dad.

“Never,” he said. “I never even tried it.”

What would happen?

“I’d knock him out,” Zay joked before turning serious. “I know he was a real good running back. He’s not someone I’d try to run up against.”

One story from the 1991 Tigers will be a topic of conversation at this week’s devotional, Arrid said.

Luverne was the underdog against Plainview “and everybody counted us out,” Arrid said. “Everybody said they’d probably beat us, like they’re saying Fyffe will probably beat us.”

“I’m going to tell them it doesn’t matter how big or small you are, or what people are saying,” Arrid said. “What matters is your heart.”

He remembers hearing that Plainview had already ordered championship rings and planned a championship celebration.

The Bears, on the game’s opening possession “ran the ball straight down our throats,” Arrid said. It was an 80-yard drive. (Plainview’s quarterback was Jeremy Pruitt, now the University of Tennessee’s head coach.)

Luverne “never panicked,” Arrid said, and obviously rallied. He will try to convey similar feelings to this year’s Tigers.

“Coach Daniel put it into us,” Arrid said. “I’ll try to put it into them.”

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