He has been a terror on the turf and a hero on the hardwood throughout middle school, and it won’t be long before Quavien Bell takes his game to the next level. Bell, an eighth-grader at Bacon County Middle School, helped lead the Red Raiders to a 5-2 mark on the gridiron this past season. Heading into Thanksgiving, he and his fellow hoopsters had gotten out of the gates at 3-0. Come spring, he’ll make the decision to continue his athletic career on either the cinder track or the baseball diamond.
“Quavien just might be the best pure athlete I have ever coached,” says PCMS football coach Steve Owens. “He squats 315 pounds and benches 200. He also maintains good academic and conduct standing in school, which is so important to being a complete student-athlete. Quavien demonstrates great leadership in how he plays the game.”
Bell, the son of Noah and Katrina Bell, has had large shoes to fill since day one. His dad and three uncles – Vincent, Berriut, and Jason – were all standout athletes for Bacon County High School during their respective prep careers.
Quavien, who first suited up for football at age 6, plays quarterback and linebacker. The 5’10”, 160-pounder should be a contender to replace graduating BCHS signal caller Droell Greene. In fact, the protégé has already spent time picking the brain of his mentor in hopes of filling those shoes.
“I have been to the high school to watch how they do,” says Bell. “At the end of practice, Droell and I would run drills together. He said I needed to get my footwork together and flip my wrist more when I throw the ball.”
Already a proven game-changer, Bell proved his mettle in Bacon’s come-from-behind win over Waycross Middle School this season. Bell’s dad recalls the events of that day.
“We got there late because I had to see about some personal business,” Mr. Bell says. “We were down, 12-6. But once he got on the field, you could see the look in everyone’s eyes change. Quavien threw a 70-yard touchdown pass and scored three touchdowns. They didn’t score after he got on the field and we won, 42-12.”
Against Arthur Williams Middle School, Bell showcased his defensive prowess with a 30-yard interception return. But it’s offense that primarily captures his imagination. He particularly admires the football talents of Seattle Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch and Le’Veon Bell (no relation) of the Pittsburgh Steelers. His favorite college team is the University of Florida.
“Because that’s where Tim Tebow came from, and that’s who I look up to,” Bell says. “The things he did while he was there – the championships and the stuff he accomplished – it’s because he pushed himself harder than other people did.”
NBA superstar Stephen Curry of Golden State is the basketball player most admired by Bell, a point guard by trade who plays center due to his height.
“It doesn’t give me a size advantage, but it gives me a quickness advantage,” says Bell, who found a way to help his team in a pinch earlier this season. “We played Jeff Davis, and we were losing 7-0. Everybody was down and we didn’t really feel like playing. I told our point guard to give me the ball and I made it. We came back and won.”
Though he hasn’t played baseball in the past three years, Bell is considering a comeback this spring as a center fielder. He draws particular inspiration from Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals, a player whom he likens to Tebow. If Bell opts for track instead, he will bring experience in the 200-meters and long jump, as well as the 4×100 and 4×400 relay events.
And when he isn’t competing, Bell hits the books. He particularly enjoys projects in Pam Strickland’s physical science class.
“We are supposed to be dissecting a frog soon, but recently, we got to put some dry ice in hot water and it turned to foam,” he says. “I think she said it was because of oxidation.”
Downtime includes video games like Madden 15 or hanging with relatives and close pals Deon Bell and Savion Miley. He also maintains a close kinship with his uncles.
“I am trying to beat everything they did,” he says. “I had bet my uncle Vincent that I’d be benching more than him at the end of high school.”
Meanwhile, little brother Quantavien, a fifth-grader, is quickly making his own mark in travel football. Because their dad enforces a tight curfew, there’s usually ample time to interact around the house with sports and whatnot.
“Sometimes we’ll go in the front yard and just throw the football around or work with the rotation on my arms or with me trying to stay in bounds,” says the elder Bell sibling. He also cites the strength and conditioning training under Coach Owens.
“I have never heard Quavien brag about anything,” Coach Owens says. “He leads our team by playing with off-the-charts intensity and effort. As a coach, I put a lot on his plate as a runner, field general, and passer. He handled everything very well. He also has a very high football IQ. He understands how we are going to attack different defenses and coverages. I am really looking forward to seeing what this young man can do in the future.”
Southeast/Rising Star/December, 2015
Quavien Bell
Bacon County Middle School
Alma, Georgia
Story by John DuPont
Photos by Andrea Heflin
