The Ledger
8/25
SCOTT WHEELER/THE LEDGER
Call them Bartow's version of the Fantastic Four, from left, defensive end Steven Wesley, quarterback Devarius Cook, fullback Alfrederick "Boom" Jones and running back Carl Edler.
Published Thursday, August 25, 2005
BARTOW | 3A-10
Young Jackets Will Not Back Down
By Lisa Coffey
The Ledger
BARTOW
Two things are for sure at Bartow. The fans will come to watch the Yellow Jackets play and scouts will be checking out two-way players Steven Wesley and Alfrederick "Boom" Jones.
Wesley is a senior tight end/defensive end and Jones is a fullback/linebacker who will lead a Yellow Jackets team that lost 22 seniors from last year's 9-2 squad.
"You've got to rely on the up-and-coming seniors," said Bartow coach Shawn Killets.
Wesley (6-2, 230) is a Division I prospect and a quiet leader on the team.
"He speaks when it's needed," said Killets. "He lets his play speak for itself."
Killets pointed out that both Wesley and Jones did not miss a day of summer weight training and that Wesley is always the first to practice and the last to leave.
And he doesn't need any motivation.
"Seems like the tougher the opponent, the better he plays," said Killets. "He blocks well. He runs hard.
"He knows his routes. He's physical on defense and he keeps everything running smooth. The kid is pretty special."
Jones isn't so bad either.
He led the team as a sophomore in tackles at middle linebacker with 109 in 11 games.
This year he will also play fullback.
"He is the vocal guy," said Killets. "The kids sort of feed off his enthusiasm. He has a genuine enthusiasm that's contagious. He will block hard and runs hard."
Jones, who will be starting for the third year in a row, and senior fullback Brandon Bridges (5-7, 175) will be blocking for junior Carl Edler, who led the team in rushing as a sophomore.
With senior Grant Glover (6-0, 170) returning at wide receiver and senior Courtney Chunn (5-10, 240) at center, one of the few questions for Bartow on offense is at quarterback.
Junior Devarious Cook (5-11, 165), who served as backup to Roland Stevens last year and played safety, will take over the play calling.
"He's smart," said Killets. "He's getting better with his reads and mechanics. I'm optimistic he's going to do well."
According to Killets, this year seems to be the opposite of last year, when the team had a good returning offense and a young defense.
This fall, the Yellow Jackets have a young offense and a defense that features five seniors and a junior.
"Last year both parts did well," said Killets. "I hope it's the same this year."
With Wesley at defensive end, Bridges and Jones at linebacker and senior Tyrone Berry at defensive end and Lamar Reese (5-10, 180) at strong safety, the Yellow Jackets have a good nucleus.
Add in defensive back Jarrett Williams (6-0, 170), who played safety last year, corner Phil Jackson (5-6, 165) and a senior Tejon Washington (6-3, 242), who will be rotating in with Wesley and opponents will have to work hard for yardage.
