CALLAWAY FOOTBALL By Kevin Eckleberry
While the Callaway Cavaliers marched to a state championship last year, all Javian Parks could do was stand on the sidelines and watch. Parks, at the time a junior linebacker, suffered a severe knee injury in August that required surgery, and he didn’t play the remainder of the season. While Parks wanted nothing more than to get out on the field and “fight with my brothers,” that wasn’t possible after enduring a torn ACL. “It’s hard, but you have to keep pushing through, just like every day,” Parks said. “Our coaches talk to us about overcoming adversity, and that’s what I had to do.” As the 2021 season approached, it was time for Parks to return to the field, to test himself, to see if he was ready to put himself out there again. Parks began the season as a backup, but as the weeks rolled along, the coaches figured it was time to give him more responsibility, and he was in the starting lineup for a critical region road game against Bremen. Parks came through with a strong effort to help Callaway beat Bremen 35-7. “Javian Parks, he got his first start at inside linebacker, and I was really proud of him,” said Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins. “He’s battled rehab, and it’s been a long process coming off that ACL injury, and it was good to see him out on the field getting to call plays at Sam linebacker.” Parks got his most playing time during the region opener against
Haralson County, and while it was a losing night for Callaway, he was happy to be able to contribute.
back, three players have shared the snaps, and they’ve all been productive when called upon.
“I’m glad I had the opportunity,” Parks said. “They moved me to inside linebacker last game, so I knew I had the chance to make more plays.”
Those three players have all had their moments to shine, and they were at their best during a road win over Bremen when Callaway ran the ball at will.
Dusty Hubbard, Callaway’s defensive coordinator, knew it was going to take Parks some time before he was ready to fully contribute.
“Our running backs, Amarion Truitt, Quay Whitfield, Jordan King, they ran really hard, and the offensive line blocked well,” Wiggins said. “I was really proud of their physicality up front.”
“Honestly, he would have played a lot more early on, but he still wasn’t ready,” Hubbard said. “Right before the season started, he tore his ACL. So, it was right at a year. He was physically probably ready, but he still had some days where he’d go out and practice, and the next day it would swell up on him.” Parks showed enough to Hubbard that night to prove that he was ready for even more responsibility, so the
Callaway also has a new quarterback this season, and sophomore DeShun Coleman has been a steadying presence since game one when he led the team to a big road win over Opelika.
following week he was in the starting lineup.
DeShun Coleman, whose older brother Demetrius Coleman was a threeyear starter at quarterback, has completed a high percentage of passes while getting the ball to some talented wideouts including Treyonn Tucker, Carlos Billingslea and Andrew Locke, as well as tight end Exavious Reed.
“He played really well, and he’s kind of taken over the Sam linebacker position,” Hubbard said. “He’s calling everything.”
KICKING STRONG: Coming into the season, the kicking game figured to be a strength for the Cavaliers, and that has proven to be the case.
THREE-HEADED MONSTER: During the 2020 state-championship season, Charlie Dixon was the undisputed number one option at running back.
Senior Blake Eubanks has been rock-solid at place kicker, and he provided one of the season’s top highlights when he made a game-winning field goal against Opelika.
Photo :Kevin Eckleberry
The senior had a remarkable season, leading up to the championship game when he ran for more than 200 yards against Fitzgerald. It’s been a different scenario this year for the Cavaliers.
handling the kickoff duties. As for that memorable night at Opelika, the work Eubanks has put in to become as accomplished kicker paid off big-time. “To get the game-winning field goal at the end, it’s very special for him,” Wiggins said. “He’s put a lot of time into his craft, and to come out and win the game like that is so special.” When Eubanks watched the ball sail through the uprights, he celebrated with his teammates. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Eubanks said. “I love my teammates.”
Eubanks has also been exceptional when called upon to punt, and he boomed one more than 50 yards against Bremen. Sophomore Greyson Batchelor has also been a major contributor while
Rather than having one main running
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