LHS 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.

“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.”

Dusty Hubbard, Callaway’s defensive coordinator, knew it was going to take Parks some time before he was ready to fully contribute.

“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

Photo :Kevin Eckleberry

following week he was in the starting lineup.

“He played really well, and he’s kind of taken over the Sam linebacker position,” Hubbard said. “He’s calling everything.”

THREE-HEADED MONSTER: During the 2020 state-championship season, Charlie Dixon was the undisputed number one option at running back.

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.

Rather than having one main running back, three players have shared the snaps, and they’ve all been productive when called upon.

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.

“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.” 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.

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.

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.

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. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Eubanks said. “I love my teammates.”

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.

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

HEARD FOOTBALL

By Kevin Eckleberry

When the Heard County Braves need someone to step up and make a play, senior Isaiah O’Neal is often the man for the job.

O’Neal has been Heard County’s number one offensive play-maker all season as a wide receiver and running back.

“If they call my number, I like to be there and do whatever I can,” O’Neal said earlier this season.

What O’Neal can do is score from anywhere on the field, whether he’s taking a handoff, or catching a pass from quarterback Maurice Fench.

In an early-season game against Pepperell, O’Neal ran for 89 yards with two touchdowns, and he also caught five passes for 37 yards.

The following week against a strong Manchester defense, O’Neal had 131 rushing yards on just 10 carries with a touchdown, and he caught two passes for 39 yards.

O’Neal has continued to be there each week, dazzling defenses with his speed, power and vision while helping lead Heard County to the state playoffs.

In Heard County’s Region 5-AA opener against Temple, O’Neal had a dominant effort with 173 rushing yards on 21 attempts with two touchdowns.

While O’Neal is on the field for just about every snap, he’s also a critical member of the defense as a defensive back.

“I like to stay on as long as I can,” O’Neal said. “If I need a break, we’ve got some good players that can come in and help.”

Shane Lasseter, Heard County’s firstyear head coach, noted that O’Neal is so gifted at defensive back that opposing quarterbacks are hesitant to throw the ball in his direction.

“Something a lot of people don’t realize, they’ve had a really good receiver that we’ve thrown him out there on, and people aren’t challenging him because he’s got that reputation,” Lasseter said. “That’s as important as what he’s doing with the ball in his hands.”

Whatever his role, Lasseter said O’Neal attacks it with 100 percent effort.

“We’ve been very pleased with him,” Lasseter said. “He’s just a play-maker, and a really good kid. He’s a program kid. He’s been here the whole time, and worked his tail off, and they don’t make a better kid. We’re really pleased with him.”

O’Neal is a part of a senior class that has enjoyed a lot of special moments over the years that included a state championship in 2019.

One of those seniors is defensive lineman and offensive lineman Jackson Akins, who enjoys a close relationship with O’Neal.

“They’re like brothers. They’ve grown up together,” Lasseter said. “All of those boys love each other. That makes a big difference, too.”

RUNNING STRONG: While the Braves have shown the ability to make plays in the passing game, their bread-and-butter offensively is their ground attack.

That was on display during Heard County’s 49-20 win over Temple in the Region 5-AA opener for both teams.

The Braves ran for more than 400 yards and averaged more than seven yards per carry, and they had seven rushing touchdowns.

Isaiah O’Neal continued to lead the offense with 173 rushing yards on 21 attempts with two touchdowns, and quarterback Maurice Fench added 155 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

Talented sophomore running back Antwon Carter chipped in with 37 yards on five carries with a touchdown.

Leading the way is an offensive line that figured to be the strength of the team, and that has indeed been the case.

It’s an offensive that features four seniors, including 2020 all-state player Jackson Akins. DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Not surprisingly, junior Tyler Lasseter has been Heard County’s leading tackler this season.

Lasseter enjoyed a stellar sophomore season, and he has kept it going as a junior, pacing the team in tackles from his linebacker position.

“He’s got that Heard County fullback mentality,” head coach Shane Lasseter said of his nephew, Tyler. “He’s going to hit you.”

Senior linebacker Chop Swint has also had a strong season and is second on the team in tackles, and sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Echols is the team leader in sacks.

Defensive linemen Isaac Walls, Jackson Akins and AJ Rogers have also had strong seasons, and defensive backs Isaiah O’Neal, Antwon Carter, Qua Nelson have been getting the job done as well.

Senior Daven Enomoto has also been a key member of the defense, and he’s also a critical player on special teams.

Photo :Kevin Eckleberry