Alexandria Senior High coach Butch Stoker says it is easy to describe Leesville running back Cecil Collins.

Stoker calls Collins "probably the best" running back his teams have played against.

Others agree with Stoker. As a result, Collins is the first recipient of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Mr. Football Award as the top high school football player in Louisiana in 1995.

In the season opener at Leesville, Collins ran for 292 yards and four touchdowns against Alexandria. In three seasons against ASH,Collins gained 848 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"After that game, I thought he's probably the best we've ever played against," Stoker said. "We made him a star." And what a star Collins was this past season. The 5-foot-10,205-pound senior tailback for Leesville rushed for 3,046 yards and 40 touchdowns on 396 carries in leading the Wampus Cats to their first state title game appearance.

Earlier, Collins was named the Class 4A Player of the Year for the second straight season by the LSWA. He was also the All-Central Louisiana Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

"I think that's a compliment to him and the four years he's established in our program," Leesville coach Danny Smith said. "I think this is the icing on his career to be named Mr. Football."

In his four-year career at Leesville, Collins rushed 1,000 times for 7,833 yards and 99 career touchdowns (95 rushing).

It is believed only Ascension Catholic's Germaine Williams has rushed for more yards in the history of the state, Williams ran for 8,048 yards and 96 touchdowns from 1986-1989.

Collins' senior year season is made all the more remarkable considering Leesville returned only one starter on the offensive line.

Starting with Leesville's season-opener against ASH, Collins turned in 14 straight 100-yard outings, including six 200-yard outings and one 300-yard performance. He also added a touchdown receiving and returned a punt and kickoff for scores.

Coming into the season, Collins was hesitant to consider himself a great running back this after even though he had run for 2,473 yards and 35 touchdowns as a junior.

"To be a great running back, we need to win a championship," he said. "They won't put me in the same category as (LSU and former Carencro running back) Kevin Faulk if we don't win a title."

Even though Leesville fell to Salmen 39-7 in the Class 4A final,many are quick to put Collins and greatness together.

"I thought Kevin Faulk was the best I've ever seen in high school," Opelousas coach Larry Dauterive said. Collins ran for 223 yards and 4 TDs in Leesville's 31-0 playoff win over Opelousas.

"I'm changing my mind. I'm Collins' No. 1 fan now. I've coached in Canada: I've coached at Louisiana Tech for six years. I've never seen anyone with that raw ability at any level. He's got a heart as big as this (Leesville's) stadium."

Such comments about Collins were common.

Said Breaux Bridge's Mike Mowad after Collins ran for 294 yards and three touchdowns in beating the Tigers 28-13 in the state semifinals: "Collins is the best I've seen. He has that unique combination of power and speed, but it is that speed that is so impressive about him. He's so fast for a back as big as he is. I'm an opposing coach and not supposed to say this, but I enjoyed watching him run."

Even Salmen coach Bill Stubbs, whose team held Collins to a season low 73 yards and no touchdowns, sees big things ahead for Collins.

"He'll be playing on Sunday afternoons someday," said Stubbs. "I mean, he is a great back and good things will happen for that kid."

They already have.

The award is sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.