BOGUE CHITTO – The Loyd Star Hornets saw too much of Jeremy Blackwell’s No. 59 jersey Friday night. The junior linebacker accounted for 19 tackles, including a safety, directing the Bobcats to a 29-0 shutout of Loyd Star in the season-opening Possum Bowl. 

     Blackwell, a 6-foot-2, 265-pounder, was getting his first start at linebacker as BC coach Gareth Sartin made changes on defense this season. Blackwell had worked in the defensive line and at offensive tackle as a sophomore.

     “Jeremy has been starting for us since he was in the eighth grade,” said Sartin. “We moved him to linebacker last week and he did a good job.

     Sartin said Blackwell’s size and strength could be intimidating. “He is an imposing presence in the middle. He is a hard hitter and he’s very fast for a kid his size. I hope he continues to work hard and improve.”

     Blackwell replaced graduated senior Kevin Brothern at linebacker. Brothern had been a fixture at the position for three years.

     Asked about his fourth quarter safety, when he tackled running back Brett Calcote in the end zone, Blackwell said, “It felt great to make a big play.”

     He said he is enjoying the move from the defensive line to linebacker. “You get more action and you can make harder hits.

     “It was my first time to start at middle linebacker and I like it a lot.  I have to make sure the defensive line is set up right and I call the plays.”

     He has worn jersey No. 59 since eighth grade.  He plays right tackle on offense and is adept at flattening a defensive player. “I get to pancake people. I got a lot Friday night.”

     The Bobcats finished 9-3 last season and were 7-2 in the Region 4-1A standings behind  region champion Natchez Cathedral and No. 2 Stringer. They lost to Nanih Waiya in the opening round of the state playoffs.

     “Coach Sartin pushes me hard to improve,” said Blackwell. “Coach (Chad) Norton does a good job on defense.”

     Sartin and his players believe they can make a serious run in the state playoffs this year.

     “We are a lot better defensively than we were last year,” said Blackwell. “We are working harder. Our goal on defense is to hold teams under 14 points or get a shutout.”

     He said his favorite college team is LSU. He faithfully follows the New Orleans Saints and defensive tackle Will Smith on Sundays.

     Blackwell said his parents, James and Yvette Blackwell, provide encouragement to him and his muscular brothers. James “Peiro” Blackwell is a senior running back and defensive end. Jeremy’s twin brother, Jermaine, works in the offensive and defensive lines.

     “My dad (Class of ’93) was a running back at Bogue Chitto,” said Jeremy.  “He tells me to play hard.”

     Norton also coaches BC’s Class 1A state champion powerlifting team. Jeremy set a state record with a 590-pound deadlift.

     James Blackwell won the 242-pound weight division. Teammates Jimmie McNulty and Robert Bonds also won first place in their respective divisions.

     The BC powerlifting team recently received their state championship rings. The football team also wants a state title ring this year.