Cav’ Leonard scores again

Published 3:57 pm Tuesday, November 7, 2017

By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

He found the end zone again.

Earlier this season, Callaway senior linebacker Jonathan Leonard made a sensational one-handed interception, and he raced 75 yards for the touchdown as time expired in a victory over Upson-Lee.

Last week against Jordan, Leonard scored his second touchdown of the season.

In the second quarter, Leonard scooped up a fumble and raced 20 yards for the score to give Callaway a 21-0 lead.

The Cavaliers went on to win 35-14 to completed a 9-1 regular season.

For Leonard, last week’s touchdown was part of what has been a monster senior season.

A year ago, Leonard had more than 100 tackles, and he was second on the team in that category to Michael Freeman.

Leonard leads the team in tackles this season, and he reached 100 tackles in the ninth game.

The 5-foot-10 Leonard is expected to a part of a large signing class for the Cavaliers, although defensive coordinator Dusty Hubbard said he will likely play a different position in college.

“Most of his offers are at strong safety,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard said any school that signs Leonard will be getting the complete package.

“Not only is he a good football player, he makes great grades,” Hubbard said. “He’s got it all.”

Hubbard added that “the day he steps on the field, he can play special teams, just because he plays so hard.”

FILLING IN: Callaway center Lawrence Thompson was unable to play last week against Jordan because of an injury, and two men filled in for him and did an admirable job.

Keshawn Cameron and Adrian Porter split the snaps at center, and Callaway head coach Pete Wiggins was proud of the job both of them did in the 42-12 victory.

“They had a good week of practice preparing well,” Wiggins said. “To come in to a new position, it’s tough for them. That was a lot of weight on their shoulders, so I was really proud of those two kids and the role they played tonight.”

PLAYOFF SUCCESS: In 2008, the Callaway Cavaliers beat Greater Atlanta Christian in the opening round of the state playoffs.

That victory established a standard of playoff success that the program has enjoyed ever since under head coach Pete Wiggins.

Beginning with 2008 season, Callaway has won at least one playoff game every year but one.

The one exception came in 2011 when Callaway lost to Westminster 34-15 in a first-round matchup.

Starting with the 2008 season, Callaway has made it to the second round of the playoffs five times, it has reached the quarterfinals once, and it has enjoyed two trips to the semifinals.

Overall, Callaway is 13-9 in the playoffs over the past nine years.