MEADVILLE — Franklin County senior Jonathan Brooks was a majorimpact player for the Bulldogs in last Friday’s 59-12 Region 7-3Awhipping of the Amite County Trojans.

Playing at cornerback, Brooks picked off 3 Trojan passes anddeflected 4 to help Franklin County win. The Bulldogs are 4-1 inregion play and 8-1 on the season.

For his accomplishments, Brooks have been named The DAILEYLEADER’s Defensive Player of the Week for the ninth week of the2004 football season.

“It’s a good honor,” said Brooks. “It will make me work harderto do it again.”

Brooks (5-8, 165) runs a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. In theweight room, he bench presses 200 pounds, dead lifts 460 pounds andsquats 400 pounds.

“Every ball game, I determine who is the best receiver on theother team and I put Jonathon on him,” said Franklin County headcoach Anthony Hart. “He’s our best cover guy. He has the naturalinstincts to play that position.”

Brooks also excelled on offense last week, playing widereceiver. He collected 250 all-purpose yards, caught 4 passes for80 yards and a touchdown. He had 106 yards on returns and 56 yardson pass interception returns.

“Jonathon is strong. He’s fast and he jumps well.,” added Hart.”He doesn’t talk a lot. He’s not real vocal. He’s always around theball.”

Brooks is a 2-year starter. As a sophomore, he played on specialteams.

Brooks said there were several reasons Franklin County beatAmite last Friday.

“Our pass rush was very good,” explained Brooks. “We had abalanced offense. We had depth at cornerback.”

Brooks explained how he intercepted the 3 passes and deflected4. “Most of them were overthrown.”

Last Friday, Brooks had the opportunity to score a touchdown.”It was 80 Slant,” said Brooks of the play called. “I cut insidethen go outside. I had to jump over (the defender) and reach out tocatch it.”

Connecting with Brooks on the TD was senior quarterback JasperO’Quinn.

Brooks was pleased to mention the Bulldog defense. JoiningBrooks at cornerback is Jonte Marshall. Brandon Goldsmith playsstrong safety. At linebacker are Marcus Tillman, Deandre Davis, BoTillman and Andrew Williams. The linemen include Gary Rogers, CaseyHammack, Marvin Bridges and Andrew Smith.

According to Brooks, the coaches prepare the Bulldogs very wellbefore Friday night.

“He (Coach Hart) is very inspirational,” said Brooks. “They haveus well prepared the all the games.”

Franklin County hosts Wilkinson County Friday in their finalregion game of the regular season. Brooks and the Bulldogs knowwhat they have to do.

“We have to stop their run,” said Brooks.

Brooks is the son of Bernard and Earestein Selman. He has twobrothers.

College football and an education are the next step in Brooksfuture. He would like to play at Mississippi State or SouthernMiss. His major will be in the business or education field.

“Jonathon does well in the classroom,” added Hart. Brooks’favorite class is history.

Brooks’ favorite college football team is the LSU Tigers. In theNFL, he follows the Minnesota Vikings. His favorite player isMinnesota wide receiver Randy Moss.