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Eagles Will Count On Despaw, Walker

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By NICK WILLIAMS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 4, 2008

BRANDON - Faith Baptist Christian coach Gene Reynolds has to be thankful he can begin the school's first tackle football team with a duo like senior Aaron Despaw and freshman Josh Walker.

Last year, when the team competed in flag football, Despaw and Walker helped lead the team to a national title. Out of eight teams across the country, the Eagles won the National Association of Christian Athletics Division I championship.

Despaw, who had more than 1,500 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards with 25 touchdowns last season, was named NACA Player of the Year as a junior. His sophomore year, when he led the seven-man flag team to a NACA Division 2 runner-up finish, he was named Quarterback of the Year.

"Aaron has the ability to run and pass," Reynolds said. "Our offense is going to give him the option to throw."

As an eighth-grade varsity starter, Walker, standing only 5-foot-5 and 135 pounds, recorded more than 800 receiving yards and 500 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns.

"The great thing about Josh is his natural instinct," Reynolds said. "He runs great routes. He has good hands and good feet."

And of the 40 or so plays the team had last year, the majority were passing. Most of the connections were between Despaw and Walker.

"He's our best receiver," Despaw said. "He's probably my favorite. Me and him have the best timing."

"The ball is always going to be right there," Walker said. "I don't have to worry. I have so much confidence in Despaw, I can close my eyes and catch the ball."

The two will be responsible for the bulk of the Eagles' offensive production.

"Their connection is good," Reynolds said.

Because the Eagles will enter their first 11-man tackle season, Reynolds had to adjust their offensive playbook, but not too much. He said he still wants to use the option formation to give Despaw the ability to run as much as possible. He also said Walker will spend time at running back with junior Eldrith Smith.

Because the small private school has roughly 35-40 students in the high school, Reynolds will depend on Despaw and Walker to play defense as well. Despaw, at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, will play linebacker while Walker will play cornerback.

Despaw, also a standout basketball player, is looking forward to the school's first tackle football season. The school started seven-man flag football three years ago and in that time has won a CFCC championship and finished third, second and first at the National Association of Christian Athletics national tournament.

"I think we'll do pretty good this year," Despaw said. "We're going to have a lot of people come out. We're just really excited about tackle football."

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