Brian Bell and Nate Brantley. These two seniors anchor a Lowndes Vikings’ defense that, at the time of this writing, had only given up 57 points in four games. They are big, strong, and they can contribute in a number of different ways. And they will be key players down the stretch as all of the Region 1-6A teams seem to be on a collision course for an absolutely brutal – yet very exciting – region schedule.
Brian Bell can do it all. And against Plant City (Fla.) back in August, he did just that. Playing in front of the home crowd at Martin Stadium, Bell scored two of Lowndes’s three touchdowns, including the eventual game-winner, to give the Vikings a 20-14 win over a tough Plant City team. Bell, a 6’3,” 215-pound four-star linebacker/fullback who is headed to Florida State, scored a special teams touchdown and punched in Lowndes’ final score at the end of the game in what was almost a one-man show. After he had recovered the ball in the end zone on a bad snap during a punt attempt, he found himself front and center with the game on the line.
Primarily a defensive specialist, Bell has played some on offense this season. On Lowndes’s final drive, he ended up being the featured back in a bruising march to the end zone. “Coach McPherson just threw me in the game and I scored,” he said. With about two minutes left, Bell entered the game at fullback. He got the ball and ripped off a solid run. He got the ball a second time and did the same thing. He was reeling off yards in chunks of five, six, seven at a time. So Coach McPherson kept calling his number. Bell drove down the field, dragging Plant City defenders with him all the way. He carried the ball eight times and, on his final carry, he punched it into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. “It was pretty awesome to score like that,” he said.
With that kind of running ability, it can be easy to forget that Bell is an even better defensive player. He plays hard on every play 
and it’s his goal to inflict as much punishment as he possibly can on opposing offenses. He’s big, he’s strong, and he’s tough. “I love hitting. That takes care of everything. Every person respects pain. And you’ve got to hit them before they hit you,” he said. In 2013, he forced two fumbles, had one interception, and recorded over 70 solo tackles. At the time In the Game spoke with Bell, he was leading the Vikings’ defense with over 20 tackles.
Bell started getting college offers when was a sophomore. Cincinnati offered him first. From there, the offers rolled in. Finally, he got the one he wanted – the Florida State Seminoles came to the table. “My dad is from Tallahassee. My mom works out of Tallahassee and I’ve got a lot of family down there. They just won a national title. It’s hard to beat that. I love the coaches down there. It’s a great opportunity. I’d love to be down there right now,” he said.
Bell’s partner on defense, Nate Brantley, is also a brother in the backfield. Brantley, a 5’11,” 210-pound linebacker, also spends some time at running back. The two form a lethal combination on defense and are equally formidable on offense. Brantley was a latecomer to football. He didn’t start playing until he was 10 years old, when his family moved to Valdosta. The son of military parents, Brantley lived all over the place until he was in the fifth grade. “I heard football was big down here. I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I started playing and found out I was pretty good at it,” he said.
Brantley isn’t as in-your-face as Bell. But that doesn’t mean he’s soft at all. He pursues opposing ball carriers relentlessly. When he carries the ball, he makes defenders pay if they get in his way. Brantley knows he must be a leader on the team and it’s a job he takes very seriously. “I want to motivate others and lead both by example and with my words. I want to be a leader on and off the field. We’ve got to get better every day at practice and at every game. I want to do what I can to help us do that,” he said.
Brantley got his opportunity to play when he was a sophomore. Tre Jackson, who is now at Georgia Tech, went down with an injury. Brantley was next in line and he got the start against Newton. “I was nervous. Really nervous. I went out there and did what I had to do. I ended up leading the defense in tackles that game,” he said.
It was the start of an excellent career that has only gotten better each and every year. And this year, he can add running back to his gridiron resume. “I’ve always been a defensive player. I played a little offense last year but I have a bigger role on that side of the ball now. I love touching the ball. On defense, we don’t get to touch the ball very much. We all want the ball in our hands. We get the ball, we can make plays,” Brantley said.
Like Bell, Brantley will one day play in college; however, he doesn’t know exactly where he will play. He has a few offers, but he’s waiting to see what happens the rest of the season. Brantley is keeping his cards close to his vest; all he will say is he has some interest from a few schools. Other than that, he would like to focus on finishing out his senior year and hopefully adding another championship to Lowndes’s trophy case.
Both Bell and Brantley want to win a region and state championship in their final season. The Vikings are always right there in the mix, but haven’t won a championship of any kind in a while. Camden has dominated the region standings and while the Vikings have made some good playoff runs lately, they haven’t played for a state title in a while. Both of these young men would like to change that.
“We’ve had some talent the last few years, but we didn’t get better each week like we needed to. This year, we’re working hard and we’re getting better. We’re deep and we’re talented,” Bell said.
Brantley agrees. “My goal is to win region then state. To do that, we’ve got to improve throughout the year,” he said. “I don’t ever want to get complacent or take anything for granted. We’ve got to get better every day.”
Favorites:
Brian Bell
Player: Calvin Johnson
Sport you wish could play: Hockey
What animal reminds you of you: White tiger
Best movie in the last year: Let’s Be Cops
Super power: Fly
Place to travel: Australia
Person to meet: Ray Lewis
Nate Brantley
Sport you wish you could play: Golf
Subject: Weightlifting and general medicine classes
Least favorite: Math
Last book: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Person to meet: President Barack Obama
Superhero: Captain America
Place to travel: Hawaii
Player Spotlight/South Georgia/October 2014
Brian Bell and Nate Brantley
Lowndes High School
Valdosta, Georgia
Robert Preston Jr.
Bell, Brantley anchor a stingy Lowndes defense
