Up until the 10th grade, Jonathan Watts was a 2-sport athlete atBrookhaven Academy. Watts played football and basketball for theCougars. Following his sophomore year, he decided to concentrateexclusively on football.

Last Friday, Watts accounted for 11 tackles as the Cougars edgedPrentiss Christian School 14-13 to claim their first victory of theyear.

For his accomplishments, Watts has been named The DAILY LEADER’sDefensive Player of the Week for the fourth week of the 2003campaign. He also starts at fullback.

“It feels pretty good,” said Watts of the honor. “It caught meoff guard.” His father is Cougar boys varsity basketball coach DaleWatts. Older brother Josh was a standout basketball player atBA.

Watts (5-11, 200) runs a 40 in 4.9. He benches 250 pounds in theweight room.

“Jonathan has been a starting linebacker for three years so heis our experienced backer,” said Brookhaven Academy head coach RayIshee. “He knows what it going on.”

Watts explained what is needed to be a good linebacker.

“You have to have good vision,” stated Watts. “You have toanticipate. And you have to be mean.”

Watts is responsible for calling the defense after gettingsignals from Ishee. “I call all the defense. I’m responsible forthe check offs and other things like that.”

Watts listed his teammates on the defensive line. They includetackles Wade Calcote and Wesley Taylor, noseguard Chris Falvey,defensive ends Landon Magee and Eric Terry. They all have anywherefrom 2 to 3 years starting experience.

“He (Watts) is one of those tough guys who you have to have tolead a defense,” added Ishee. “He has done a real good job for us.He’s fairly quick inside and he anticipates real well. His mainattribute is that he does anticipate where the football is going.He has a linebacker’s mentality.”

Watts feels the Cougars (1-4, 0-2) can play well and have a shotat the Region 4-AA title.

“We have to go out and play hard,” explained Watts. “We want toearn the other team’s respect. We still have a chance of making itto the playoffs.”

Watts knows Oak Forest lost a lot of seniors but still expectsto face a fast group of Yellow Jackets Friday night. “Their speedis their biggest thing. They fly everywhere.”

In the classroom, Watts likes economics.

Watts loves to hunt and fish when he is not working at his dad’shorse stables outside of Summit. His biggest kill last year was an8-point buck. He likes to fish for bass or anything else thatbites.

Watts plans on going to college but is undecided on a major. Hesaid he would like to continue playing football on the collegelevel.

His favorite college football team is Southern Miss

In the NFL, he follows the Tampa Bay Bucs. His favorite playeris strong safety John Lynch.

Watts said appreciates the help he has been getting from thecoaching staff and his teammates. “I thank Coach Ishee and theother coaches. And the guys up front. Everybody’s working on theteam.”

Jonathan is the son of Lucy and Dale Watts. He got out ofbasketball so he could concentrate exclusively on football.

“He (Dale) still tries to coach me,” smiled Watts.