|
MOUNT ULLA — It promises to be a Noah’s ark sort of football season in Rowan County.
Not because it looks like rain for the next 40 days and 40 nights, but because the superstars are walking around two by two. At South it’s running backs Tore’ Girty and Keith Garrett. At North, it’s receivers Alfonzo Miller and Dre Byrd.
And at West, it’s senior linebackers S.J. Culbertson and James Francis.
Culbertson is a Cleveland (the one in Rowan county) kid, while Francis transferred to West last season from Goldsboro, but they’re more like brothers than teammates. Actually they’re more like twins than mere brothers — right down to their matching Alabama practice shorts and matching black kneepads.
Culbertson and Francis are so in tune that off the field they finish one another’s sentences. On the field, they communicate without speech. Each knows instinctively exactly where the other is heading — just from the look in his eyes or the tilt of his shoulder pads.
Francis tries to explain that feeling of being in perfect harmony with his teammate. “It’s like, you know, we’re ...,” he begins.
“It’s like we’re one,” says Culbertson, finishing off the statement for him.
You get the idea.
Culbertson is a muscular 6-foot-1, 205-pounder. Well, at least he looks muscular until Francis takes his drenched T-shirt off. Francis’ 6-1, 195-pound frame is wrapped so tightly that the muscles seem poised to pop right through the skin. Culbertson made the all-county team last season. Somehow, in a banner year for linebackers, Francis didn’t. But he’s not too upset about it. He’s just making plans to show the voters this season that they messed up.
Which one of the backers is better? “Everybody asks us that,” laughs Culbertson.
“But it don’t matter,” says Francis, finishing the thought.
No, it really doesn’t. All that really matters is that West coach Scott Young has two identical head-knockers. New assistant coach Darrell Misenheimer, who’s been around the block, says he’s seen few humans who can fill a hole like Francis. Culbertson, whose initials stand for Sylvester Jr., is usually about a quarter of a step behind his buddy.
But the two went their separate ways for awhile this summer.
Francis traveled to Germany as part of an American all-star delegation connected with NFL Europe. It’s a good thing the Berlin Wall’s already down. He looks like he could have knocked it over single-handedly.
“They’re trying to learn the game over there,” says Francis, grinning menacingly, as if he enjoyed teaching them a thing or two.
Culbertson stayed closer to home. He represented West at Boys State and also found time to spend a few hundred hours in the weight room. He worked with former East Rowan beast Danny Misenheimer, last season’s 3A South Piedmont Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
“Danny showed me some lifting techniques that really helped,” says Culbertson. “He also showed me how hard he’s worked to get where he is.
“Danny was —ah, what’s the word?” He looks at Francis for help.
“I don’t know what word,” frowns Francis.
“Yeah, you do,” says Culbertson.
“Inspirational,” says Francis.
“Yeah, inspirational,” grins Culbertson.
Culbertson does most of the talking for the pair. His tongue clucks a mile a minute while Francis is a silent master at expressively rolling his eyes.
“No doubt about which one of is better at Dreamscape,” says Culbertson out of the blue.
Francis rolls his eyes.
“Don’t say I haven’t been skunking your tail in Dreamscape,” persists Culbertson.
“You know, we’re competitive in everything — even video games — but there’s a lot of love there. He’s my best friend and I think he considers me his best friend, too.”
Francis rolls his eyes.
But Francis gets on another sort of roll after talk turns to the Falcons’ upcoming season. West is loaded — good quarterback, good running back, tons of impressive linemen on both sides, and of course, those awesome linebackers.
“But we’re picked fifth,” says Francis.
“Fifth!” yelps Culbertson, as if he’s just gotten a cold slap in the face.
“Yeah, fifth,” repeats Francis. “And how is that? Last year, we tied for third and we’ve gained a whole lot more than we lost. Let’s see, there’s nine teams in our league (SPC), so fifth puts us in the middle. Man, they’re saying we’re mediocre!”
“And we’re definitely not mediocre,” growls Culbertson.
“No,we ain’t mediocre,” agrees Francis. “We’re underrated. Definitely underrated.”
“And we’ll prove that on the field,” they say in unison.
And then both of them laugh.
The proving starts tonight. West scrimmages Davie County, which just happens to have its own set of lethal linebacking bookends in juniors Patrick Lowery and Neil Rice. Lowery and Rice might be the two best in the 4A Central Piedmont Conference. No question, they’re the best tag-team in their league, just as Culbertson and Francis are in theirs.
“We’ve seen a lot of the Davie boys over the summer and both of them are good,” admits Culbertson. “They’re athletes. Very strong and intelligent.”
Francis rolls his eyes.
“But we’re quicker and faster,” adds Culbertson, as Francis nods his head emphatically in agreement.
“All four of those kids are good,” says Young diplomatically. “But I wouldn’t trade my guys for Davie’s guys. At least not until after this season. Then I’d do it for sure, because those Davie boys have another year.”
Smiling, but still going at it, West’s partners in punishment finally trudge wearily toward their locker room.
“Maybe we’re underrated ‘cause we had all those transfers last year,” offers Francis.
“Hey, you was a transfer,” reminds Culbertson.
“Oh yeah,” says Francis.
And this time it’s Culbertson’s turn to roll his eyes.
You get the idea.
n
Assistant sports editor Mike London covers high school football for the Post.
|
Today's News