Tommy Curtis III has grown up hearing stories about the football exploits of his father. The latter, Tommy Curtis II, played quarterback at Vicksburg High School and Hinds Community College and earned the nickname “Air” by setting Warren County’s single-season record for passing yardage.

Curtis III, a running back and linebacker for Vicksburg Junior High, might one day earn the nickname “Land” based on his ground-based skills, but for now he goes by “Trey” and is starting to make a name for himself.

Trey Curtis will play in the inaugural Mississippi Prospects All-State Gridiron Classic Saturday night at Southern Miss’ M.M. Roberts Stadium. It’s a weeklong all-star festival of youth football, featuring practices and all-star games with players ranging from third through eighth grades.

Curtis will play in the eighth-grade game Saturday at 6 p.m. He said that while this will be a fun game and experience, there is a serious side to it.

“To me it’s a mix of both. It’ll be more business than fun,” said Trey Curtis, who attends the Academy of Innovation but plays football for VJHS. “When I get down there, I’m going to work out too. Can’t start slacking just because there’s a game on Saturday.”

Curtis has been playing football since he was 5, first for youth teams in the YMCA league and Vicksburg Packers programs and then later on at Vicksburg Junior High. With his bloodlines and passion for the game, he was pegged as one of the top players in his age group.

His father, Tommy Curtis II, threw for 2,506 yards and 19 touchdowns for Vicksburg High in 1997. His yardage total was a Warren County record at the time, but has since been surpassed.

As his son grew up, the elder Curtis passed on his love of football as well as his knowledge of the game. Of all the lessons he taught his son, Curtis II said the one Trey seems to have taken most to heart is the importance of being prepared.

“One thing I admire about him is he understands the game of football at an early age,” said Curtis, who is now a sergeant with the Vicksburg Police Department. “If he keeps applying himself, he’ll be a great football player. The unseen practices are what separates great athletes from average athletes — getting up early to work out, staying late after practice. I want him to understand that.”

Seeing how other good young athletes work is part of the reason Trey is going to the all-star game, Tommy Curtis added. He hopes his son can pick their brains or absorb some of the work habits he witnesses during the week of practice leading up to the game.

Players reported to Hattiesburg on Tuesday. The younger age groups play their all-star games on Friday, and the older groups on Saturday.

“It’ll give him some exposure and get him around the game of football, which is important,” Tommy Curtis said. “He’ll get to see other kids from around the state and see he’s got to work even harder to be better.”

While football is a passion for Trey, he and his family stressed that it was only part of what he’s all about. Family and church are just as important, they said.

Trey said he appreciates what his family has done to help him succeed.

“My mom (Rebecca Curtis) does a lot. She gives me a lot when it comes to football, and that’s one of the things that makes me work harder every day,” Trey said. “(Tommy Curtis) taught me a lot over the years. That’s where my love of football comes from. It gives me a chance to know how great I can be.”

Trey said he wants to play in the NFL one day. That path will be forged more over the next few years than this week, but every little bit helps. He and his family were determined to make it all count while Trey chases his dream.

“He’s got a bright future. As long as he stays focused, the sky is the limit,” Tommy Curtis said. “We can’t let any days go wasted to get better. Over the last few years he’s grown and showed he wants it.”