One occupational hazard for quarterbacks in the game of football is taking big hits. No matter what level of play, quarterbacks have to learn to roll with the punches. Jaylin Sellers is the starting quarterback for the Rothschild Leadership Academy Falcons this season. When asked about the physical toll a quarterback experiences, Sellers just smiled.
“It’s not something I really worry about,” Sellers said with a laugh. “I’ve got three older brothers. I’m kinda used to getting knocked down and getting back up.”
Maybe Sellers has been in training for his role as quarterback without really knowing it. The youngest brother in a household of active boys, Sellers is quick on his feet, giving him the ability to scramble around in the pocket. Combined with his intelligence, maturity, and calm demeanor, the eighth grader at Rothschild seems to be perfect for the leadership position of quarterback.
Last year the Falcons won the City Championship for area middle school football teams. Sellers was the back-up quarterback in 2015, which allowed him an up close and personal look at the job of quarterback. Since he began playing the sport at the age of nine, the 13-year-old has been cast in the positions of running back, wide receiver, safety, and quarterback. He feels most comfortable as QB and is looking forward to making another run at a city championship title.
“I believe we can do it,” Sellers said. “We lost some good players from the team, but we’ve got talent, and we’ve got the best coach.”
Rothschild has a rich tradition of winning sports programs. The football teams at Rothschild have had many successful seasons and have a reputation of producing athletes who have no trouble making it to the high school level and sometimes beyond. Going for two city titles in a row won’t be easy, but it isn’t so far-fetched, according to Sellers.
“We have some tough teams to play,” Sellers said. “Double Churches is good. So is Richards. But even if we are going for a championship, we have to play just one game at a time. That’s the way we will get it done.”
Rothschild Athletic Director Jacqueri Cannon is in his second year as head football coach for the Falcons. He is a little more reserved in his comments about his team’s chances for a repeat title, but he does believe the 2016 season is promising.
“We’ve got a young team,” Cannon said. “Most of them are seventh graders. We should be ok. Got some good players and most have experience.”
Middle school athletics offers students an opportunity to play several sports if they desire. It can be a time for athletes to try out different sports and then narrow down their choices to the one or two they wish to pursue in high school.
Sellers is taking advantage of that unique middle school situation and is a multiple sport athlete at Rothschild. He starts off the school year participating in soccer. For middle schools in the area, soccer is a fall sport. Sellers uses the sport to enhance his endurance as an athlete for his running game. After soccer, football season quickly moves into play.
Once football is over, Sellers moves indoors to play his favorite sport, basketball. The multi-talented athlete is a shooting guard for the Falcons. According to him, he averages 12-15 points per game and loves the action on the hardwoods because he has been playing the game for as long as he can remember.
After basketball season, Sellers doesn’t get time off. He participates in track and field in more than one event. Last year he was a disc thrower and ran the mile. Again, he uses this sport to improve his athletic skills. Sellers is thinking about adding another track event this spring, perhaps the 400-meter race.
Going back to the topic of football, Sellers spent the summer preparing for football season. He worked out with one of his brothers and a friend who really put Sellers through some tough drills. The Falcons began their season Oct. 1 with a local jamboree that included 12 middle school teams.
The city championship comes in December. The top two teams in the city will face off at 7:30 on Dec. 7 at Memorial Stadium. Sellers is counting on the Rothschild Falcons securing a spot in the final game.
“We’ve got the best coach,” Sellers said. “Coach Cannon really knows the game. Our team plays well together. I believe we can go all the way again if we work hard and stay focused on one game at the time.”
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Rothschild Quarterback Looking For Repeat Title
Written by Beth Welch
Photo by George McDuffie
