By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

GUYTON – South Effingham cornerback Josh Brooks hopes to open college football coaches’ eyes during his senior season.

Brooks already has piqued some interest with favorable numbers for his position. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, he’s taller than most corners. And his 4.5 40-yard dash speed, 250-lb. bench press and 450-lb. squats display high-level physical skills.

But can Brooks put everything together on the football field?

On July 27 he showed his versatility and topped his teammates in the Mustangs’ Lift-a-thon, which featured a multi-event competition combining strength (bench, squat, and the clean and jerk), speed (40-yard dash and pro shuttle) and agility (vertical jump and broad jump).

“I didn’t know I was going to win it, but I have people around me pushing me to be my best and I’m going to push them to be their best,” Brooks said. “We’re helping each other get where we want to be.”

For his effort, Brooks was awarded South Effingham’s lift-a-thon championship belt.

The Mustangs’ top five overall behind Brooks were running back Caleb Wright, quarterback/wide receiver Lawton Bowen, defensive lineman Damien Washington and tight end Corey Woods.

“These (competitions) are fun. Some of the kids didn’t have their best days and they’re upset, but some of the other guys did better than they have before,” said SEHS coach Loren Purvis, who enjoyed watching the Mustangs push themselves on the final day of the GHSA football acclimation period.

On July 29, players completing the five-day acclimation period could put on pads.

SEHS kicks off the season on Aug. 15 against New Hampstead in Pooler Stadium.

Brooks is penciled in as the starting cornerback, but he’ll be scrutinized covering receivers in the passing game and fighting off blocks and making tackles in run support. 

“College coaches love Brooks’ length and watching him run,” Purvis said. “He began at corner to start last season but some others stepped up and took his place. I think there’s a reality now for him that this is it. He’s the senior now and this is his last shot.”

Purvis said he was impressed with several individual performances. Junior wide receiver Judah Walker ran a team-best 4.4 40-yard dash. Bowen wasn’t far behind at 4.55 and had a 250-pound power clean (lifting the barbell from the floor to his shoulders).

Nose guard Chris Clark had the team’s top bench press (320 lbs.) and linebacker Nic Ford had the best squat (570 lbs.).

Woods, a senior tight end, benched 250, power cleaned 280 and had a 395 squat.

Sophomore nose guard Gage Roberson had a 545-lb. squat.

 

Camp notes

In an effort to beat the heat and humidity, the start of Mustangs practice will be moved to 6 a.m. for the remainder of August when school starts on Aug. 8, Purvis said.

Heat and humidity are usually at their highest when students get out of school at 3:20 p.m.

All practices must be run in accordance with the GHSA’s standard for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, which produces a reading that accounts for temperature, humidity, and wind speed.

High WBGT readings can force coaches to shorten practices, eliminate pads, backup workouts to the evening or move practices indoors to combat heat stress.

“We don’t have an indoor facility (for football) or what Georgia Southern has (a covered outdoor facility). We don’t have those options,” Purvis said. “A lot of programs around the state practice in the morning. School starts at 8:20 and the good thing is the kids can go home at 4. Waking up (for the 6 a.m. practice) is going to be tough, but it’s what we have to do if we want to practice.”