By Justin Graves

justin@athensnews-courier.com

CLEMENTS – New Clements High football coach Forrest Williams feels good about the Colts’ running game this season. With Clements’ leading rusher Jesse Cobb returning for his senior season, Williams is even more confident that the Colts will be able to move the football.

With Cobb’s combination of speed, strength and desire, he caused opposing coaches to change their defensive scheme before the game. Since Williams’ goal is to spread the defense, he believes Cobb will be a powerful weapon this fall. The Colts’ senior running back has been selected the No. 4 player on The News Courier’s list of Limestone Super Seniors.

“Jesse is a special player,” Williams said. “He’s a football player, and that’s the type of kid every coach wants. He’s a real hard worker, an outstanding leader, an intelligent kid and a good person. Jesse will be a big part in what we do this season.”

Despite being considered one of the best players in Limestone County, Cobb isn’t the type of player who likes the glory. He is quick to give credit to the guys around him on the football field.

“We have a real good offensive line,” Cobb said. “The guys we have up front are big and strong, and they all have worked hard all summer. Having guys like that blocking for you will boost your confidence a lot.”

Cobb was a major reason that Clements turned the corner, and started to find success last season. He believes that with all the starters that the Colts return this year, there shouldn’t be any reason Clements doesn’t continue to progress. The senior said that everyone has been working hard since last year to make sure the Colts get to the playoffs this year, and he said anything less will be a disappointment.

“Our goal is to win football games, and that’s what we have been working for,” he said. “It’s the last shot a lot of us guys are going to have here at Clements, and we intend on making the best of it.”

Last year Cobb played offense and defense, this year Williams plans on using him primarily on offense, and Cobb thinks this will help him increase his productivity.

“Every year my goal is 1,000 yards rushing,” Cobb said. “I think that’s a reasonable goal.”

Cobb doesn’t want his career to stop at the high school level. Williams – who played football at Mississippi State – doesn’t believe it has to be.

“Jesse is a good player, and a good athlete,” Williams said. “There are lots of football programs out there that would love to have a player like him. My opinion is if you can play, and you want to play, then there is a place somewhere to do it.”

Williams and Cobb plan to send highlight films to some small colleges, and Williams said he would do everything he can to help his senior extend his career.

Until then, Cobb plans on taking he responsibilities head on, and being the leader his football coach needs him to be.

“We have a shot to do good things this year,” Cobb said. “There are a lot of guys on our team who are capable of doing good things.

“This is something that we have all been working real hard for this summer. We’re going to battle every week and win some football games.”