Lakeland High School Football Dreadnaughts 5A State Champions

The 2013 Lakeland High School Running Backs
by Brent Harbin 

While the next exciting installment of Dreadnaught Football season rolls by, allow me to introduce myself and the running backs on this year’s varsity team. I am 2nd year Dreadnaught Coach Brent Harbin, and I have the honor/privilege to coach these young student athletes at the running back position. You might have noticed that we have some new names and faces once again this season. These guys have been working hard in the offseason to give you all something to be proud of come Friday nights at Bryant Stadium. The running backs had a very good FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) camp in Deland, FL this summer, and I have personally watched these young men grow “Together” (this year’s team motto) as a unit. This year’s running backs are a very talented group and you will see all 6 on the field. They range from one senior, three juniors, one sophomore and one freshman. As a team, we have amassed a total of 863 yards on the ground and 13 TD’s. Our longest run from scrimmage is 51 yards, with an average of 5.4 yards per carry. (Please note that this includes rushing from all rushers and not just the running backs). Allow me to introduce the guys and some information about each.

#35 – Jimmy Williams – First up is our lone senior, fullback Jimmy Williams. Jimmy’s a journeyman, so to speak, as he came to us right before the season started, via the defensive line, to help us fill the void at the fullback position. Jimmy is steadily getting better daily, and we look for big things from him in the near future. He has seen playing time early this year as we closed out a win against Treasure Coast H.S. Jimmy’s a team player, and does what it takes on and off the field as he has maintains a high GPA and is a regular on the A/B honor roll weekly. 

#17 – Aaron Davis – Aaron is a junior and is unique on this year’s team. Not only is Aaron a fullback, he is also a reserve at the quarterback position. He played a leading role on last season’s JV football team as he was the starting quarterback. Aaron has seen playing time this season at the quarterback position as a closer and has a season long run of 9 yards from scrimmage. Aaron has a tough duty during practice of getting reps at both quarterback and fullback on a daily basis, and somehow managing not to confuse his assignments for each. Being an honors student doesn’t hurt either, as he has another high GPA on the team and is in our honors program academically. 

#34 – Jacob Sundey – Leading the way, as a blocker, for the running back and quarterback is Jacob Sundey. Jacob is THE bruiser-back on this year’s running back squad at the fullback position as you have probably already noticed. He is a junior. Jacob is a 2nd year varsity player as he did see some time his freshman season, before leaving the Dreadnaught family for a year before returning to us this season. You can expect to see Jacob getting those tough yards up the middle of the field this year as #34 goes wild against the competition. Through 4 games, Jacob has 21 carries for 104 yards, for an average of 5 yards per carry, with his longest being a 15 yard scamper against Haines City H.S. His blocking up front cannot be valued by just numbers alone, as Jacob is quite an asset when he’s not carrying the football. 

#1 – Ra’Don Dwight – Only a junior, Ra’Don has had a great start to the 2013 season. Ra’Don is a 2^nd year varsity player, as he played a key role on last year’s varsity team and was a standout on the JV team 2 seasons ago. He leads the team for individual rushing for the Dreadnaughts. With 4 games played, Ra’Don has amassed a total of 318 yards from scrimmage, 8 TD’s, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and has a longest run of 35 yards. Ra’Don has a special running style in which he uses his low center of gravity and great vision to make quick cuts and get yards after contact or (YAC) as most call it on the football field. By far, Ra’Don’s best game to date was against a tough and athletic Haines City H.S. defensive unit, which was also a game in which he scored 5 TD’s. Ra’Don is one of the tailbacks in our “Hammer” and “jumbo” formations that we run in our short yardage package. We expect great things out of #1 Ra’Don Dwight before his career is done here as a Dreadnaught. 

#26 – Randy Bates – As a sophomore and 1^st year Dreadnaught, Randy has the opportunity to play varsity football as a running back for the Dreadnaughts. Thus far Randy has been limited on carries, but when you see #26 in the game be ready for some very exciting runs, as Randy may be the purest, hard-nosed, hit the hole hard, punishing style runner we have in our stable of running backs. Randy’s longest run from scrimmage this year is 8 yards. Randy is also a running back in our “Jumbo” and “Hammer “short yardage package. Only being a sophomore, Randy has the advantage to learn from a great system and group of running backs as well. Stay tuned for more from #26, Randy Bates. 

#22 – Anthony Davis, Jr. – Anthony Jr., or A.J., as he is called, is our youngest running back on the field, but you wouldn’t be able to tell that he was only a freshman by the way he carries himself and the football. A.J. has stepped up and through 4 games has amassed 28 carries, 173 yards for an average of 5.7 yards per carry, and has 1 TD. You may remember A.J.’s first kickoff return at Bryant Stadium, as it went for 90 plus yards for a Touchdown. His running style is quite unique, as he is a shifty, but smooth runner, who finds a crease and gets the most out of his carries. You can expect to see a lot of #22 this year and the next three years to come as he matures as a Dreadnaught running back.

The future looks bright for Dreadnaught fans as our experience and also youth at this position will only make Friday Night Lights at Bryant Stadium even more special. You will be hearing the cannon go “BOOM” many more times this season as this group, by committee, of running backs have fun doing what they do best – playing Dreadnaught football and giving you, the fans, something to cheer about.

I hope you enjoy the game tonight against North Miami Beach High School. I am Coach Harbin, and I am excited about this year’s team. Thank you for the support. See you soon.