By Jamie Mercer

The Observer

It’s understandable for Johnny and Rhonda Betts to be a bit more anxious than most Center Hill football fans when the Mustangs have to punt the ball.

Understandable because three of the couple’s five sons are members of the 2009 Center Hill varsity squad, with all three taking the field on punting downs – senior Scotty Millican is the long snapper, sophomore Aaron Dougher is the up back and senior Cameron Dougher is the punter.

In addition, all three can be found on the Mustangs’ offensive and defensive charts. Millican plays center and defensive line, Aaron Dougher is a running back and linebacker while Cameron Dougher is the starting quarterback and plays defensive back.

“They’ve all three been playing since they were little, but they haven’t played together since they were 10 and 12,” said Rhonda Betts. “With them playing offense and defense, I don’t get a lax moment during their games.”

While the brothers get along well enough at home, there are game situations that test the trio’s “brotherly love.”

During a recent game against Tishomingo County, the referee came over to the Center Hill coaching staff and expressed his concerns about all the arguing between the team’s center and quarterback. The coaches gave a simple and definitive answer – “They’re brothers.”

“You definitely have to have a good sense of humor about it,” smiled Rhonda Betts, who helped found the CHHS football booster club. “They usually argue about plays and the snap count.

“It’s a good competition and there’s no back-stabbing,” she added. “They leave it on the field.”

The boys’ parents are proud that they’ve never missed a game since the two 17-year-olds were freshmen. The couple is also preparing their schedules to attend all the games when youngest sons Garrett Betts, eight, and Luke Betts, seven, graduate from little league football and join the CHHS squad.

“It keeps us together as a family,” Johnny Betts noted, “and it’s kept them out of trouble.

“I think the funniest thing is when I hear some of the other parents say how glad they are that this is their kid’s last year to play and they got them through high school,” he laughed. “I just tell them that 10 years from now we’ll still be in the same place; we’re committed.”

But football isn’t the only way these three brothers stay close. Scotty Millican and Cameron Dougher are both members of the Center Hill baseball team, and the two seniors work for – and with – their younger brother in a lawn care business.

“Saturday’s a full day for them,” Rhonda Betts said. “They come home on Friday’s after a game at 1 a.m., get up at 8-8:30 a.m., cut until 5 p.m., come home, shower and go out.

“We’ve taught them to work as hard as you play and play as hard as you work,” she stated. “It all rolls over.”

Cameron Dougher, who added escort to his extensive list of titles as he was chosen to walk with his girlfriend during this year’s Homecoming festivities, plans to attend college, play baseball and go on to become a teacher and coach.

“Coaches give me game film,” Cameron smiled, “and I’ll bring it home and we’ll sit down here and break it down.”

Scotty Millican has chosen a different path, as he has already enlisted in the military.

“I signed up in the Army’s early enlistment program,” said Millican, who plans on pursuing a career with the military police. “I want to take that road and see where it leads.”

As the middle child, Aaron Dougher has expressed his independence in a variety of ways. In addition to operating his lawn care business, the 15-year-old also has an animal trapping and releasing service.

At age 14, he competed in the Octagon fighting circuit, often facing opponents several year’s older.

“He was climbing in the cage with 18- and 19- year-olds,” Johnny Betts recalled. “That boy can hold his own.”

However, the younger Dougher decided to retire from fighting after his mother gave him an ultimatum. But that doesn’t mean Rhonda Betts wasn’t supporting her son at ringside.

“Momma put a stop to it,” she noted. “I said, ‘Something’s got to go.’

“I decided it was better to be there than at home worrying about it,” she continued. “We always try to support them; we may not agree with it, but we’ll always support them.”

Johnny Betts agrees.

“I’ve never held them back,” he explained. “Anything they want to try, I said, ‘Go for it.’”