By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

He’s been as prolific as just about any wide receiver in the state over the past two years.

Troup’s Jamari Thrash has caught more than 100 passes since the start of the 2016 season, and he’s coming off a 2017 season where he had nearly 1,500 receiving yards with 18 touchdowns.

Thrash is looking to show he’s more than just a pass-catcher, though.

Thrash has been getting some playing time at safety this season, and he had two tackles in the season opener against Ridgeland, and one tackle last week against Columbus.

While having Thrash on the field as much as possible obviously helps the team, it also shows college coaches and recruiters that he’s willing and able to do something different.

“I know a lot of people are looking at me for safety,” Thrash said. “So I’ve got to get a lot of reps in at safety.”

Thrash has also continued to excel on offense with touchdown catches against Ridgeland and Columbus.

In his past 14 games over the past two years, Thrash has 20 touchdown catches.

FIRST ACTION: Callaway sophomore Demetrius Coleman was unable to play in the season opener against Opelika while he recovered from an injury.

Coleman, a defensive back and quarterback, was available to play last week against LaGrange, and his presence was needed in the fourth quarter.

Jacob Freeman, Callaway’s outstanding junior quarterback, had to leave the game after taking a big hit in the final quarter.

Coleman, who played extensively at quarterback in the spring game against Montgomery Catholic and in a preseason game against Starr’s Mill, was called upon to lead the offense late in the game.

Coleman helped the Cavaliers pick up a first down before they had to punt, and he kneeled down a couple of times on the final possession as time ran out.

If Freeman is unable to play on Friday against Cross Keys, Coleman would likely get the opportunity to lead the offense.

WHAT A PACE: The linebackers figured to be a strength of the LaGrange defense, and that has proven to be the case through the first two weeks of the season.

Those players have amassed some gaudy tackle numbers against Heard County and Callaway.

Leading the way is senior Dexter Fitzpatrick, who has 43 total tackles in two games, including six for loss.

For perspective, if Fitzpatrick maintains that pace for 10 games, he would finish the regular season with 215 tackles.

Junior linebackers Andraka Martin and Qua Bowles are next among the linebackers with 29 and 25 tackles, respectively.

Also accumulating big numbers for the LaGrange defense are senior safety Vondez Taylor (18 tackles) and senior defensive back Jakoby Smith (28 tackles with an interception).

 THIS WEEK’S GAMES

FRIDAY

Callaway at Cross Keys (Adams Stadium in DeKalb County), 5:15 p.m.

Troup at Harris County, 7:30 p.m.

LaGrange at Hampton, 7:30 p.m.

Lafayette Christian at Covenant Academy (Macon), 7:30 p.m.

Unbreakable Knights at Unity Prep (Hogansville), 7:30 p.m.