MEET THE BULLDOGS
Brooks sees talent on squad loaded with experience
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Newsboy photo/Jimmy Galvan JASPER COACH THOMAS BROOKS knew the cupboard wasn't bare when he took over the Bulldog football program.

Jasper Head Football Coach Thomas Brooks describes himself as an "aggressive-type coach."

He said his Bulldogs will look like their coach when they hit the field on Friday nights this fall.

"I like for my players to play aggressive," Brooks said. "I like physical football and players that are willing to do whatever it takes to win.

"I'm fair and I want the kids to do the right thing at all times," Brooks said. "I'm a very emotional person. I am not one of those guys who will sit back and coach with their hands in their pockets or with their arms folded."

Brooks said this year's team will have a bit more depth than fans have seen in the past.

"I wanted around 40 players on the varsity so we could play with some depth," Brooks said. "You will have injuries in football, so you need quality depth."

Here's a look at the 2007 Jasper Bulldogs.

Cameron Stubblefield, a 5-10 junior, will start at quarterback for the Bulldogs this year. Stubblefield started late during last year after recovering from an early injury and seeing playing time at the junior varsity level.

Newsboy photo/Jimmy Galvan JASPER COACH THOMAS BROOKS believes junior quarterback Cameron Stubblefield has what it takes to direct the Dawgs this year.

"He's stronger and bigger now," Brooks said. "He takes charge of the offense and he has respect in the huddle."

Xavier Mays, 5-9 senior, will start at strong safety on defense.

"If you just look out there, you really won't notice Xavier that much because he's not that tall," Brooks said. "But in that weight room, I noticed how strong he is and I knew we had to find a place for him. He will come up and hit you."

Octavious Rawls, 5-9 junior, moved back to Jasper this year and will see action at running back and in the defensive secondary.

"He's very fast and he's going to be a great addition to the team," Brooks said. "Anytime you can add speed to the team it helps a lot. A good young man and I'm very glad that he came back."

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy JASPER HELD THEIR FINAL preparation for the upcoming season Friday,Aug. 24 when they took on Nederland in a controlled scimmage. Pictured far left, Kadarroe Rawls breaks into the open field. Pictured above, Carlos Carter brings down Nederland's quarterback. Pictured left, Timoti Cauley (8) prepares to handoff to Brandon McQueen (22) while Dante Rollins (25) blocks.

William Brooks, 5-10 senior, will see time at tight end and at defensive strong safety. Brooks is the son of Thomas Brooks and started at John Tyler last year.

"I felt bad moving him as a senior but at the same time it wasn't like I was moving him to a place that he didn't know," Brooks said. "And he knows that if practice is not going good, we will start over so he tells the guys that all the time."

Landis McBride, a 5-9 senior, will see playing time at running back and defensive cornerback this year after spending most of last season injured.

"He didn't play much last year and that hurt the team because he has a lot of speed," Brooks said. "We are putting him in a position where he can use his speed."

Malcolm Bronson, 5-10 senior, will start for Jasper at wide receiver and as the defensive free safety.

"I am very proud of his attitude and his dedication to this program," Brooks said. "The Thursday after they won the baseball championship, the following Monday he was here for our speed and conditioning program and didn't miss one day.

"Usually, kids will say they have to rest for a couple of weeks and it's hard to argue with that," Brooks said. "That proved to me as a coach that he really wanted to be here. We need to have Malcolm on the field."

William Ellis, 6-0 junior, will see playing time this year at running back and in the defensive safety. Ellis started at quarterback for the Bulldogs last season. The junior is hurt presently and is expected back at the start of district play.

"We don't plan on putting him out there until he is 100 percent," Brooks said. "But he hasn't missed one day of practice and right now, he is helping out any way that he can. That proves to me that he really wants to be here."

Timoti Cauley, 5-11 junior, will serve as the backup quarterback and will also see time as a wide receiver and in the defensive secondary for the Dawgs this year.

"When Cameron was out of town this summer, Tim quarterbacked our seven-on-seven team and threw the ball very well," Brooks said. "He's such a good athlete that we can't keep him off the field all the time."

Kwame Spikes, 5-8 junior, will split time at wide receiver for the Dawgs.

"If you come out and look at Kwame, you wouldn't think he was a football player," Brooks said. "He's not very tall but will give you all of his 130 pounds and is one of our key receivers. He never complains about anything - just works hard and keeps quiet and does his job. We need more like him."

Ryan Bronson, 5-9 junior, will see time at defensive cornerback and offensive wide receiver for the Dawgs this year.

"He is probably one of the top overall athletes in this program," Brooks said.

Darren Beavers, 5-10 sophomore, will split time between offensive wide receiver and the defensive back positions.

"He could play any position except line," Brooks said. "He's a good overall athlete and we know if we have a shortage we can put him there."

Keenan Brooks, 5-8 junior, will serve as a backup running back and defensive linebacker.

"He's a good young man who works hard every day and doesn't say much," Brooks said. "He will do whatever you ask him to do. He's a good role player and you need those on your team."

Dominique Bailey, 5-8 sophomore, will start at wide receiver and in the defensive secondary.

"I didn't know he could jump that high," Brooks said. "He's an athlete. His leaping ability is incredible. He is one of those guys that we have to have on the field as much as possible."

Derrick Day, 5-10 senior, will handle the punting duties for the Dawgs as well as he may see time at wide receiver and in the defensive secondary.

"He's been sick during the early practices so we will evaluate him as the season progresses how much he can help at the other positions," Brooks said.

Aaron Garrett, 6-1 senior is considered one of the team's top receivers and may see time in the defensive secondary.

"He's a senior who decided to come out and he's going to be playing a lot," Brooks said. "It was good to be able to add another good young man to the team."

Isaac Grindstaff, 5-9 senior, will see time as a backup receiver and backup defensive safety.

"He plays on all special teams and that helps out a lot," Brooks said. "He is somebody that is reliable and that can get the job done. He never misses a practice and we're very glad to have him."

Kaddaroe Rawls, 5-9 sophomore, played last year at running back and should see time at the same position and at defensive safety.

"He has a lot of speed and he's a sophomore so he was wondering if he was going to be on the varsity or not so we made him sweat a bit," Brooks said. "He's not a starter but he could be because of his speed."

Kendrick Fowler, 5-8, junior, may see playing time at running back and linebacker.

"He's another one that is a role player for us this year," Brooks said. "He's not a starter on either side of the ball but he's tougher than I thought he was. He will do whatever it takes to help the team win."

Brandon McQueen, 5-10 senior, will start at running back and linebacker for the Bulldogs this year. McQueen has been held out of practices after suffering an off-thefield injury.

"We are expecting big things out of Brandon this year," Brooks said. "He said he is ready to run for more than 1,000 yards so we plan on giving him the ball and seeing what he can do with it."

Cornelius Gillis, 6-1 junior, will start at tight end as well as see time at defensive tackle for the Dawgs.

"He's a big, young man who can run," Brooks said. "He comes to practice every day and does his job."

Dante Rollins, 6-0 junior, will start at linebacker and see time at fullback this year.

"Dante has a lot of athletic ability," Brooks said. "Probably, more than what he knows. Potentially, he can be one of the best that we have. He was the only player that did miss one day for any reason in the strength and conditioning program. I think he's going to have a great year this year."

A.J. Bronson, 5-9 junior, will start at inside linebacker and see some playing time at fullback this year.

"He will play a lot of both sides of the ball," Brooks said. "He's tough and he's not the fastest we have but he's mentally tough. We need him on the field."

Dimitric Brown, 5-11 sophomore, will see time at the tight end position and at defensive end this year.

"We will run a lot of double tight ends so we need some quality tight ends out there," Brooks said.

Darren Bronson, 5-8 senior, will fill out some depth at the running back position and defensive safety.

"He didn't play last year but he decided to come out this year," Brooks said. "He's been super."

Jesse Boerner, 6-1 senior, is a move-in from Huntington and will start at right offensive tackle.

"We needed someone to step into this position and he has played well to take over this position," Brooks said.

Kimpton Lewis, 5-9 junior, will start at right offensive guard and is considered the third defensive end this year.

"He's tough and comes off the ball real hard," Brooks said. "He's not afraid to go in there and bang."

Trae Horn, 6-0 senior, will start for the Dawgs at center and defen- -sive tackles.

"He is one of the strongest guys we have on the team and a leader," Brooks said.

Christian Goff, 6-0 senior, is a starting defensive tackle and is expected to see time on the offensive line as well.

"I think he can be dominating," Brooks said. "He's a kid you can depend on and when you really need to get some yards or to stop somebody, he needs to be in the game."

Raymond Hafford, 5-9 senior, is projected to see playing time on the offensive and defensive lines.

"He's been hurt lately and I feel for him because he really wants to be out there," Brooks said. "When healthy, he adds to our defensive line depth."

Cliff Mitchell, 6-4 junior, will start at offensive left tackle and defensive end.

"He's rangy and big and he has potential to be highly recruited," Brooks said. "Cliff can get a little nasty. He doesn't mind mixing it up."

Michael Crowell, 6-3 senior, will start at defensive end and a backup offensive tackle.

"He's a team leader that doesn't say very much but he does it by his actions," Brooks said.

Steven Shives, 6-3 junior, is battled for the starting offensive center position.

"We would like Steven to take over the role at center and he's working real hard to try to get it," Brooks said. "I think he will come around, not as quick as we want it, but it will."

Carlos Carter, 5-9 junior, will start at right offensive guard and is considered one of the top four defensive tackles on the squad.

"He's fast, strong, tenacious and this kid goes 100 percent on every play," Brooks said. "When you go against Carlos, you better bring it. Carlos has no friends in practice and that's what I like about him."

Crawford Hadnot, 5-8 junior, will be a role player for the Bulldogs this year and may see time as a receiver and in the secondary.

"He helps us out any way possible," Brooks said. "When we need players for a scout team, he's there for us. He's a good person to be around. When I walk with Crawford, the people's image of me goes up."

Fred Birdlong, 5-9 senior, will also be a role player on the team and may see time as a receiver and in the secondary.

"Fred knows he's not one of the top athletes but he's just happy to get into a game and he was so excited when we put him in the PN-G scrimmage," Brooks said. "And he did a decent job for us. He's not going to make any waves about getting playing time. He knows that if there is a chance to put him in, we will."

Stephen Burch, 5-10 senior, will see playing time at linebacker and offensive tackle.

"He will give some quality depth," Brooks said. "He's another one who comes to practice every day and helps us out."

David Beck, 5-7 senior, will handle the placekicking duties for the Dawgs this year as well as serve as the team's inspirational leader.

"You can't keep him quiet but he also works hard," Brooks said. "He loves football. He told me he doesn't know what he's going to do next year. This is so important to him. I wish it were as important to others as it is to him. Being able to play in Jasper means so much to him."