SCOL Player Profile: Francis hopes to lead, teach teammates
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
With this being his final season as a member of the Madison-Plains Golden Eagles, Jeff Francis has lofty goals and expectations for his football team.
Francis, who wears No. 62 for the Golden Eagles, will battle in the trenches as an offensive guard and look to make the opposition’s quarterback’s game a nightmare while playing linebacker on defense.
But the senior for MP has also played defensive line, defensive end and inside linebacker.
"I like defense because I like to hit people and go for the football," he said. "I like to have fun with my friends while playing football, but it is also fun to get physical on the field."
Francis has high goals for his MP team that won three games last season, but all football teams have high spirit when two-a-days and the season begins.
"I want us to go to the playoffs, but I just want us to make everyone better so that we can have good teams for the future of the program.
"All of us have to get going in the same direction and get on the same page."
The MP leader, who has been playing football since he was in the sixth grade, knows his teammates look up to him, and it is his responsibility to lead the team this season.
"I have to be a leader and teach the younger players how to play at this level," Francis said. "I want to give everyone a little confidence in themselves. It all comes to just doing what is best for the team when you are out on the football field. When the guys do things right, I have to let them know, and I want to help correct them when mistakes are made."
MP head coach Barry Blackstone said Francis is a hard worker.
"He is our hardest worker, and he loves the weight room," Blackstone said. "He's never late to a practice, and he's the first guy in and the last one to leave. We expect a lot from him."
The four-year varsity player said his best football moment was during his sophomore season against the Washington Blue Lions.
"Just winning our homecoming game my sophomore year was a good moment," he said. "Before that win against Washington C.H., it had been a while since we had a homecoming win here."
Another moment came in a game when he got around a player larger than him and made a tackle.
"Against Clinton-Massie last year, and we know they have a lot of big guys, I got around one of them that weighed 300 pounds and made the tackle."
Headed into his final year on the gridiron for the Golden Eagles, it is all about becoming a better football player.
"I want to get stronger, faster, and get the very best out of myself," Francis said. "We've been lifting, doing camps and practicing.
"I like how everyone works together as a team in football. Football is a part of my life and I can't live without it. The challenge of the game is why I love football. I watched my brother (Jonathan) growing up and I tried it out, and since then I went from there and enjoyed the challenge of the game."
Francis not only wanted to thank his brother, but the rest of his family and coaches for supporting him through the years.
"Jeff is the type of person who leads by example," Blackstone said. "He needs to develop vocal leadership, which he will do. He didn't get here by himself because Jeff has a great family."[[In-content Ad]]
Francis, who wears No. 62 for the Golden Eagles, will battle in the trenches as an offensive guard and look to make the opposition’s quarterback’s game a nightmare while playing linebacker on defense.
But the senior for MP has also played defensive line, defensive end and inside linebacker.
"I like defense because I like to hit people and go for the football," he said. "I like to have fun with my friends while playing football, but it is also fun to get physical on the field."
Francis has high goals for his MP team that won three games last season, but all football teams have high spirit when two-a-days and the season begins.
"I want us to go to the playoffs, but I just want us to make everyone better so that we can have good teams for the future of the program.
"All of us have to get going in the same direction and get on the same page."
The MP leader, who has been playing football since he was in the sixth grade, knows his teammates look up to him, and it is his responsibility to lead the team this season.
"I have to be a leader and teach the younger players how to play at this level," Francis said. "I want to give everyone a little confidence in themselves. It all comes to just doing what is best for the team when you are out on the football field. When the guys do things right, I have to let them know, and I want to help correct them when mistakes are made."
MP head coach Barry Blackstone said Francis is a hard worker.
"He is our hardest worker, and he loves the weight room," Blackstone said. "He's never late to a practice, and he's the first guy in and the last one to leave. We expect a lot from him."
The four-year varsity player said his best football moment was during his sophomore season against the Washington Blue Lions.
"Just winning our homecoming game my sophomore year was a good moment," he said. "Before that win against Washington C.H., it had been a while since we had a homecoming win here."
Another moment came in a game when he got around a player larger than him and made a tackle.
"Against Clinton-Massie last year, and we know they have a lot of big guys, I got around one of them that weighed 300 pounds and made the tackle."
Headed into his final year on the gridiron for the Golden Eagles, it is all about becoming a better football player.
"I want to get stronger, faster, and get the very best out of myself," Francis said. "We've been lifting, doing camps and practicing.
"I like how everyone works together as a team in football. Football is a part of my life and I can't live without it. The challenge of the game is why I love football. I watched my brother (Jonathan) growing up and I tried it out, and since then I went from there and enjoyed the challenge of the game."
Francis not only wanted to thank his brother, but the rest of his family and coaches for supporting him through the years.
"Jeff is the type of person who leads by example," Blackstone said. "He needs to develop vocal leadership, which he will do. He didn't get here by himself because Jeff has a great family."[[In-content Ad]]