His birth certificate says Bridecous, but those know him call him Git. This year, opposing defense should been calling him that guy that ran all over us.

Eastside running back/linebacker Git Aiken has been a force on both sides of the ball so far in 2008. Last week verses Oconee County, he rushed for 73 yards and scored twice to earn The Covington News/Johnny’s Pizza Prep Athlete of the Week.

Aiken has been getting it done on defense too. Two weeks ago against Jackson County, the junior dual-purpose threat ran for two touchdowns and scored on a blocked punt recovery. He blocked the punt too.

"Last year I did get a chance to play," Aiken said. "I thought that I could do it, but I guess I was nervous because I have wanted to play on the high school level for so long, so I just wasn’t ready for it yet. This year, this summer, I said I was going to work hard and I wanted everyone to know that I was coming in ready."

Aiken has come ready to play. He’s been a major reason why the Eagles are poised to win their first region championship in school history. Eastside sits 8-1 and needs only a win over Franklin County Friday to secure the Region 8-AAA championship.

Aiken has been an integral part of Eastside’s three-headed monster rushing attack. Quarterback Justin Wray carried his team early in the year and Broderick Alexander is the bruiser back the Eagles look to for a change of pace. Lately it’s been Aiken who has stood out. His ability to read blockers and cut against the grain through the smallest of holes has given head coach Rick Hurst the luxury to mix and match backs all season.

Hurst said he tends to go with the hot hand. Lately, that’s been Aiken.

"I just feel loose right now," he said. "I have gotten the feel of how to play at the high school level. Now I just have to keep letting it roll. I have to keep working hard, week after week."

Aiken’s two runs against Oconee were set up by nice blocks, but each time, he found a gap and made the cutback to break the play into the secondary.

"I have the feeling that I can get the defense to flow to one side and I wait, and then plant my feet and cut back," he said. "I just feel like they have the feet that I have and they can’t make that cut back to where I am at. I am blessed to have the mentality to do it."

The junior hopes to get better as the season progresses. With the Eagles one win away from hosting a playoff game, Aiken’s focus is on one thing – winning a championship.

"We have more confidence this year," he said. "Last year I think a lot of us felt like we lost too many players and we weren’t ready for the next step. This year we have the team and the people to make it to the state championship."