I spoke with Ja’Quain Blakely and Dee Walker, two Colquitt County linebackers, on Friday, Oct. 2. It was not only game day but the opening game of the region schedule. The Packers were traveling a short distance to I-75, where they would face the Lowndes High Vikings in Martin Stadium. I don’t like to interview players or coaches on game day. There is much more to do with a game a few hours away than talk to me. In this instance, however, that’s the way things worked out. I spoke with Blakely first, then I called Walker. As we were wrapping up, I had one more question for Walker. “I’m sorry, sir, but I’ve got to go. We’re having a team meeting,” he said abruptly. And just like that, the line fell silent. He was gone and there would be no getting him back.
To be honest, the sudden end to our conversation wasn’t a surprise. And it didn’t bother me at all. I laughed as I disconnected my technology, shaking my head at the dedication of not only these two young men but the Colquitt County Packers in general. They are still hungry, still motivated, still at the top of their game. And nothing comes before their team.
Blakely and Brown exemplify the aforementioned qualities. They’ve grown up in Moultrie, are products of the Colquitt County middle school program, and, under the guidance of head coach Rush Propst and his staff, have become two of the best linebackers in the state. Both are big, strong, fast, and love the challenge each Friday night brings. Dubbed the Twin Towers, they play well together and are at times insurmountable obstacles on Colquitt’s defensive unit.
Primarily an outside linebacker, Blakely, 6’3” and 220, is a three-star recruit who has committed to play for the Tennessee Volunteers. He’s been a football player for as long as he can remember, and it’s just about all he’s ever wanted to do. Blakely has not only become a football player, but he’s become one of the best in the state.
Blakely, who is also a center on the Packers’ basketball team, is a complete player. He has tremendous athleticism and can help his team in a multiple of ways. He’s good against the run, is a great pass rusher, and loves to hit. Blakely is also excellent on special teams and make significant contributions in that facet of the game. “I love the physicality of playing defense. It feels really good to lay somebody out,” he laughs. Through the early portion of the year, maxpreps.com reports that Blakely had 14 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Throughout the first half of the 2015 season, things have gone exactly how Blakely thought they would. He and his teammates are not tired of winning and have no intentions of making things easier for their region opponents. “This season is what I thought it would be. We knew we would get everybody’s best and I think we’ve performed well. We just want to work hard. We’re humble kids and we don’t let the hype get to us. We just want to play the game and enjoy what we do,” he says.
Dee Walker feels the same way. The 6’2”, 210-pound outside linebacker is a lightning bolt of a football player – big, fast, strong, intense, relentless. Growing up, he tried to play just about every sport he could. Nothing fit his personality except football. “It’s all I could play. I even tried golf. But I’m not patient enough. I want to go get it. I’m a very physical player,” he says.
Walker remains focused by blocking out all distractions. He doesn’t pay attention to social media and tries to stay out of the spotlight. “I try to keep that stuff to a minimum. As a team, we talk to each other, stay humble, and stay out of trouble. We really don’t have time to get in trouble. We’re here at the fieldhouse almost every day of the week,” he says.
According to maxpreps.com, Walker has totaled 12 tackles and three sacks through the first part of the 2015 season. He’s the kind of player who offenses can’t ignore; paired with Blakely, the two are nearly immovable. Walker credits his success to an unlikely source – the film room. “We spend so much time watching film. When an offense lines up, we know what play they’re going to run before the ball is even snapped. That gives us a big advantage,” he says.
Like Blakely, Walker has nearly two dozen offers from all over the country. He’s considering several schools and says he plans to make a decision soon. He likes Kentucky but is also interested in Florida State, Missouri, Florida, and others. “I want to go wherever I see myself playing and fitting in,” he says.
Walker maintains that when he entered high school, he had no idea his career would turn out like this. “We’ve always been good. But the last four or five years, we’ve been really good. When I got in high school, I thought I would play four years and that’s it. But it’s become a lot more than that,” he says.
Sidebar #1:
Not only are Ja’Quain Blakely and Dee Walker best of friends, they’re also cousins who have grown up together. They love playing together and there’s nothing more they would rather be doing than being on the field with each other. “It feels really good to be out there with my cousin. It’s a great feeling. I know he’s got my back and I’ve got his,” says Blakely. As for what Walker thinks about Blakely – that I didn’t find out. Before Walker could answer, Coach Propst called a team meeting. And when Propst calls, Walker and his teammates answer. Ultimately, that kind of dedication why the Walker, Blakely, and the rest of the Packers are one of the best in the state.
Sidebar #2:
It’s always interesting when players talk about state championships with confidence. The Packers, however, are in an even more unique position than that. Both Walker and Blakely talked about their goals for this season – to outperform their 2014 campaigns, stay focused, win a title. But Blakely mentioned something else. “I would love for us to win a national championship. We have a chance to do that. That would be another goal of mine,” he says.
Player Spotlight/South Georgia/November 2015
Ja’Quain Blakely and Dee Walker
Colquitt County High School
Moultrie, Georgia
Robert Preston Jr.
Photography by Micki K Photography
Blakely, Walker anchor stingy Colquitt County defense
