Things don’t always go according to the plans that have been laid out, and at Lake Gibson this past season that was the mantra. The Braves began the season as one of the top-ranked teams in the entire region, but following an 0-3 start–their season turned into somewhat of a reclamation project. Lake Gibson rattled off seven consecutive wins en route to a district championship however to put themselves back into the mix, but a season-ending loss to Brandon in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs quickly brought the train back to a halt.
One of the players that has been vital for the Braves on defense while playing all three of his seasons on varsity is the Class of 2017’s AJ DeShazor Jr.–the 5-foot-11, 185-pound outside linebacker has been in the conversation as one of the most-talented to play at the position for quite some time and that was confirmed by virtue of his new place on BCP’s Fire 79 prospect rankings released just last week.
If you’re looking for one of the many reasons as to why the Braves “underachieved” this season, look no further than the numbers–and look up-and-down the roster and see that it’s not a DeShazor-thing by any means–but one that includes DeShazor Jr. after posting an insane 120 tackles from the position last season.
In 2015, DeShazor Jr. tackles were down–but posting 74 tackles in a season in never NOT a productive season. Perhaps it’s what lies in addition to the tackles and that’s the splash plays on defense we were accustomed to watching his first two seasons when he posted 23 tackles-for-loss and two sacks his freshman and sophomore seasons. This past season–those sacks and tackles for loss combined for a grand total of one. If the Braves are going to get back to their defensive domination, those numbers will obviously have to get back to where they once were.
You know expectations are high when by all accounts a 7-4 district championship season feels like a let down, but having a player like DeShazor Jr. returning on your defense is a blessing–especially following the departure of long time head coach Keith DeMeyer to retirement and the Braves needing their playmakers left on the roster more than ever come this spring and fall seasons.
When you watch DeShazor Jr. on film, he’s constantly seeking the ball and firing from his outside position to make his presence felt–and usually with great force. AJ’s ability to be a bruising tackler in the run game and his athletic ability in pass coverage are obviously traits that you want at the position, and with the sting of this season not going away anytime soon, expect the young man to try and obliterate the perception that was left in the minds of those that watched the Braves last season–and those numbers–as soon as he possibly can.
DeShazor Jr. will enter his senior season with 278 tackles for his career at Lake Gibson, with two interceptions, three passes defensed, five fumble recoveries–plus two caused fumbles and a blocked punt to his credit on special teams.