By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

He’s the first one in the locker room every day before practice, and he’s one of the hardest-working players on the Callaway football team.

Senior defensive end Jamal Bruce knows what it takes to succeed as a football player, whether it’s on the practice field, in the weight room or during a game.

As a three-year starter, Bruce is one of the Cavaliers’ leading tacklers and vocal leaders.

“I want to get it done the right way, stay focused and get the victory on Friday nights,” Bruce said.

Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins has seen Bruce grow into a solid football player, and could tell his exceptional work ethic would lead him into good situations.

“He’s here every time the door opens over the summer,” Wiggins said. “He’s been like that ever since I’ve known him. He’s a solid young man and I enjoy coaching him. He’s a leader of our football team.”

With scholarship offers from Air Force, Western Carolina and Tennessee-Chattanooga, coaches from beyond the area are taking notice of Bruce.

He’s also talked to the likes of Troy, Duke and Appalachian State, among others.

The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Bruce has a 3.5 grade point average and is exactly what many schools are looking for, according to Wiggins.

“There are a lot of schools that are calling him and recruiting him,” Wiggins said. “He’s a big kid, he runs well and he’s got grades. That’s what colleges look for.”

While college will come soon enough, Bruce and his teammates are focused solely on the task at hand - the third-round playoff game at Fitzgerald on Friday night.

The Purple Hurricanes feature a lethal ground game, with several running backs boasting game-breaking abilities.

The defensive line made up of Golden Sutton, Justin Dumas, Desmond Davis and Bruce will have to play at the top of its game to contain Fitzgerald’s offense.

“We plan on stopping them by playing hard and playing fast,” Bruce said. “We’ve got to execute the game plan that the coaches made for us.”

The third-round berth is the school’s first, and Bruce had plenty to do with it.

The defensive line is a strength for the defense, which allowed 14 points or less in eight of 12 games this season.

Combine the defense’s play with the break-away ability of the Cavaliers’ offense, and Bruce thinks this year’s team is capable of playing for awhile longer.

“This is probably the best team I’ve been on,” Bruce said. “It’s like a family. Everybody plays together and plays for each other.”

The team’s cohesiveness should give Callaway an edge going into Friday’s road game, according to Bruce.

If the defense plays together and up to its ability, Bruce thinks another win will come.

“Our first goal was to win region. The next goal was to win state, and now we’re in the third round,” Bruce said. “Hopefully, we can keep going and win a championship.”