by Nicholas Humble
December 15, 2009 - From winning one playoff game last year, to making it to the second round this year, White Castle High School has high hopes for the upcoming football season.
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| LB/RB Jonathan Roberts |
Returning starters who have gained playoff experience will be keys for success in their run to a state championship. Four returning players who are key impact players are Jonathan Roberts, Ronald Martin, Gerad Carlin and Tyre Bracken.
Jonathan Roberts, a junior linebacker and running back, had more than 300 yards rushing and four touchdowns on offense. He also had more than 115 tackles, more than 35 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions this season on defense. Roberts attributes this season’s success to the team playing as a cohesive unit. “We started playing like a team more than we did last year and started using everybody as a weapon,” Roberts said.Roberts believes next year will bring much success due to the experience and drive this team has. “Work hard, give the crowd a good game and try to make it to the dome. I want that ring on my finger,” Roberts said.
Roberts’ intensity and excitement would be beneficial to any team. “I would bring the intensity and get everybody pumped up for the game,” Roberts said.
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| Lineman Gerad Carlin |
On the other side of the ball, White Castle has many weapons from which to choose including a wall from which they can run behind in sophomore lineman, Gerad Carlin, who is 6’2” and weighs 260 pounds. Carlin believes they went further this year in the playoffs due to their unique players. “We had more talent this year,” Carlin said.
Running behind Carlin is sophomore running back, Tyre Bracken, who has rushed for more than 1,200 yards and scored more than 10 touchdowns. At 5’8” and weighing 167 pounds, Bracken attributes his success of running the football to Carlin. “Jared is a big dude, and he is easy for me to run behind because he can hide me,” Bracken said.
Bracken feels the game just comes naturally to him. “I have been playing for so long, it’s just something I like to do,” Bracken said. “I just love it.” Bracken models his game after his favorite player, Adrian Peterson, a Minnesota Viking. “He works hard, and it all shows,” Bracken said.
Bracken is a selfless player who puts his team before himself. “Some players do not want to do what the coach tells them to do,” Bracken said. “Wherever the coach puts me, that is where I’ll play to help the team out.”
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| RB Tyre Bracken |
His best game came against St. John. “I did not score, but that was my best game,” Bracken said. “When our team was down, and we needed the yards to get the first down, I got the first down.”
Bracken attributes his team’s success to the newly installed offense. “We switched up our whole offense. Last year, all we did was run the ball, run the ball, run the ball,” Bracken said. “Our coach said if we want to go deep into the playoffs, we are going to have to throw the ball a lot, so that is what we did. We switched it up.”
Having to throw the ball meant they needed a good quarterback. In stepped Ronald Martin, a junior, who is 6’3” and weighs 180 pounds. Martin became the first quarterback in school history to pass for more than 1,400 yards and rush for more than 1,000 yards, and he also had more than 20 total touchdowns. On defense, Martin played defensive back and had four interceptions, more than 40 tackles, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
Bracken said that Martin is a great quarterback who really works at his position. “Ronald is a good quarterback,” Bracken said. “He knows what his receivers are supposed to be doing and what routes they are supposed to be running. He just studies.”
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| QB Ronald Martin |
Martin believes the team’s success comes from the new offense. “There was more team effort this year,” Martin said. “Our offensive system for this year was much better than last year, and our defense was better than last year, too.”
Martin said his best game came in the second round playoff game this year. “Second round of the playoffs, but it was a loss,” Martin said. “We were going back and forth, and I had six total touchdowns.”
Martin’s self confidence will benefit his team in making a run for the championship next year. “I am intelligent and real confident in myself,” Martin said. “If my coach asked me to do something, and he feels that I can do it, I am going to try my best to get it done, and I am going to tell myself I can do it.”
Martin has one goal on his mind for his senior season in football. “State championship, let’s win it.”
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