Senior steps up to lead Stillman defense

TUSCALOOSA | Jarell Thomas was listening when Stillman College football coach Teddy Keaton talked to his seniors about leaving a legacy.

Keaton, a Stillman graduate, is in his first season as head coach. Thomas wants to go out as a winner.

I approached this season with a goal in mind, said Thomas, an outside linebacker from Dothan. The goal was to accomplish something that we havent accomplished in a while, and thats to win over five games. During the summer workouts and all that, I just strived for the best.

Thomas best was evident in the opener, when the Tigers defeated Shaw 16-13. Thomas was chosen as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week. His contributions included 11 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.

It felt real, real good, but I knew deep down in my heart that it was the first ballgame, so I would have to step it up even more, Thomas said. Basically, my strength is knowing the plays, studying films and wanting to make the play every time. Its just wanting to go further and see whats out there for me. Im going to keep on trucking till the end of the season.

Samford overwhelmed the Tigers 48-6 last week, but Thomas made 11 more tackles.

Thomas said he accepts the responsibility of being a senior leader for a team that is relying on young talent. Keaton said 14 freshmen saw action against Samford.

I lead by example, so its like Im going to lead you there first and its your job to follow, Thomas said. Im going to do whatever I have to do in order for us to be great.

Keaton described Thomas as a tackling machine.

Hes sideline-to-sideline, Keaton said. Jarell is very fundamentally sound as a football player. He does what hes told to do, when hes told to do it. If you tell him hes got to fill the gap, hes running through the door and closing it. He can play all three linebacker positions. Hes like a hybrid linebacker.

He doesnt talk much. Hes the kind of guy whos a blue-collar worker. He goes to work and does his job. He does all the things that we talk about on this team play hard, play smart, play fast and play together.

Thomas interception came in the fourth quarter, when Stillman was clinging to its three-point lead. He made a return of 19 yards to the Bears 36 with 5:22 left.

I knew that the defense had to make a play, Thomas said. I took it upon myself to make that stop for the team because its all about the team.

Stillman begins SIAC play on Saturday with a game at Kentucky State.

Were approaching this game as we approach every game, Thomas said. Samford was a pretty good football team, but basically we shot ourselves in the foot. This week weve got to be ready for whatever theyve got coming.

Reach Andrew Carroll at andrew.carroll@tuscaloosanews.com or at 205-722-0223.

References

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