JOURNAL SPORTS
With the high school football season kicking off Thursday and Friday, a lot of eyes will be on some of the game-breaking players who impacted their teams last season and could do even more this fall.
During last month’s Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl High School Media Day, several of the playmakers on Bossier Parish teams were spotlighted. Three are featured in today’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal Players Panel. More will follow, from both sides of the Red River.
GARY BURNEY, WR, Parkway
With a new quarterback, and a young offensive line, what about the Panthers’ attack?
“Our offense is still a threat. Don’t get confused just because everybody graduated. We still have some threats with our receivers and running backs. The O-line is pretty good. Overall, we’re still pretty solid.”
With all that you’ve been through in recruiting and making the decision to commit to LSU how does that simplify things for you?
“It takes a lot of pressure off my back. Instead of worrying about college, I can focus more on what’s right in front of me, which is our high school football season. (Committing) just takes a lot of pressure off my back.”
Describe yourself as a player, a teammate and a student.
“Very hard working, a leader, and a threat on a football field. As a teammate, I’m nice, but I’ll push you to be great. I try to be a great leader by example. As a student? I’m a learner, a good learner.”
MALACHI ZEIGLER, QB, Benton
What makes this year better than the Tigers?
“I don’t know if better or worse is necessarily the word. I’d say different. There’s a lot of the same guys with a second year on this, another year in the system with this (second year) coaching staff. We just have more opportunities, some more games to play. And we’re gonna make the most of them.”
Describe yourself as a player.
“I’m just whatever you need. I am poised. I like to think I don’t really get rattled. Highs, lows, I’m just Malachi. Attribute wise, I like to use my size (6-3, 220). In the spring game. I ran the ball more than I have in the past and I didn’t really flinch. I enjoy winning. And so whatever it takes, that’s what you’re gonna get.”
Describe yourself as a teammate.
“I’m still trying to figure that out. I’m pushing towards being a leader. That’s what I’ve been focused on, trying to grow in that aspect. Describing myself as a teammate is more of something that you’d have to ask my teammates about.”
What about in the classroom?
“I’m a straight A student. I’m about to graduate high school with an associate’s (college) degree in general studies. I’m graduating midterm, trying to get on campus at SMU for the spring. I go to school, I do my work.”
CHASE WILLIAMS, QB, Airline
What makes this the year that you want it to be for the Vikings?
“Last year, we didn’t end so wel, so coming into this year, it’s just really been a standard of just going 100 percent, every rep. Don’t take one rep off. If we’re in the weight room and we’re going for 10 reps and you’re at 9 and the last rep is hard, you want to finish. Every rep counts. It’s been a real mental thing for everybody. The goal is to just respect each other, move on and have a strong mindset.”
Describe yourself as a player, a teammate and a student.
“I’m like a really respectful guy. I’m not that type of guy that’ll do a lot of bad things on the field and put myself out there with negativity. I’m a real positive guy and I’ll be respectful, but at the end of the day, I’m really a big competitor and I love to win. I’m a dual threat.
“I’m a great teammate. I love to pick up my teammates all the time. Football is just a game. You’re gonna fumble. I’m gonna throw interceptions, you’re gonna miss tackles, we’ll get scored on or, we’ll get stopped. You have to respect the game and move on. That’s the biggest thing.
“A lot of teachers love me, almost all of them, you know, I don’t go in there and create negativity for the school or the staff or for the teachers or anything like that. I love the teachers. I love the staff. I’ve been wanting to go to Airline since I was really young. My cousins went there. Coming into high school, after going to Cope, I’ve established a personal standard of being respectful and just making sure that I have fun in high school. I’m a great student.”