Tampa, September 6, 2019- Happy Friday game-day everybody. We’re opening up your football weekend with another productive playmaker; this time on the defensive side, who’s out to make a name for himself in his third and final ride with Tampa Catholic. Here’s some insight on the tenacious defensive tackle in the green and white and the Crusaders’ (2-0) matchup with a ‘fellow’ competitor in the Clearwater Central Catholic Marauders (0-2).
“I like to keep to myself on Friday nights and think about all facets of my game and how I can contribute in every way. Watching the film and listening to music; focusing on what’s ahead of me that game.
…”The defensive line is where the dogs are at, I have to give it my all and let them know I came to play-get loose. I want opponents to know they shouldn’t take me lightly.”
Jayden broke down for me when everything started clicking and when he noticed true fluidity in his play. The game really slowed down for him after his freshman season at Bloomindale starting in the last 4 games, and as summer wound down his sophomore year when he transferred and played his first game as a Crusader. Been on the up n’ up ever since and never looked back.
“What I’m really working towards this year is just trying to be lights out and perform the best I can,” says Bethea ambitiously.
In wake of his junior showcase, he received his second offer from Notre Dame College at the start of this summer before announcing his commitment to his original offer received, at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff a couple of weeks ago.
“The main reason for me joining [Arkansas Pine Bluff] was the hospitality and atmosphere they showed me. I had a great time at camp during summer meeting the program, and they introduced me as one of their own,” says Jayden, speaking on his recruiting process.
The 6’1″ 275-pound interior lineman wreaks havoc in the front seven, all courtesy of his harrowing pursuit; bursting through the trenches and shedding blocks like his life depends on it. Jayden has undoubtedly set the tone with his high-sense of awareness, making regular textbook plays into strip-sacks and forced fumbles; taking total offensive leverage away from his opponents.
His ability to make the ordinary into the extraordinary aided him greatly in tallying 14 total tackles (5 solo), 7 TPG, a sack, and a fumble recovery in two games thus far. Last year in 8 games per MaxPreps, he recorded 56 total tackles, (39 solo), with 7 TPG, 6 sacks for a total of 54 yards-lost, a forced fumble (more than that on film), 5 QB hurries, and 14 TFLs.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/7966175/5bafbd19c124de1504acbd14
Bethea closes surely, “I think the key point against CCC is being prepared physically and definitely mentally. Making sure we’re covering plays they could possibly run- I want to say they might be the best offensive line they might go against all year. [Clearwater Central Catholic] is a well-coached team, and their whole line I believe graduates with me. They’re going to give everything they got not to go 0-3 on the season tonight and we can’t take them lightly.
“It’s going to be a really good game; a close one at that. It’ll be a defensive game too, I’ll say that. I want to let people know I’m giving it my absolute best this season- I can’t wait to go the next level and progress even better than I am today.”
Tampa Catholic will battle it out on Clearwater Central Catholic’s home-field, in an away, non-conference game. Kickoff this Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Vaughan Sixbury, BCP Contributor