Charles Brooks knew before the 2018 season started that he’d have to step up and become one of the leaders of the Greenwood High School football team.
Brooks, 17, moved from left guard to center on the offensive line with the graduation of four of the Bulldogs’ offensive linemen from 2017.
“Whatever helps the team I am willing to do,” said the 6-foot, 285-pound Brooks. “When the season started, we knew we had a lot of work to do on the offensive line. We have become a brotherhood. We are working together as a unit. Coach (Clinton) Gatewood came to me way before the season started and said I’d have to take on a leadership role. I was willing to take the challenge on. We are focused on getting the job done Friday night.”
The Bulldogs (11-2) will put it on the line one more time Friday when they visit the Wildcats of Louisville High School in the North 4A title game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Greenwood last played in this game in 2015 when it lost 14-7 to Noxubee County. The Bulldogs were also in the same game in 2014 against Noxubee County, losing 21-0. Brooks was on the sideline in uniform for both games — in 2015 as a freshman backup lineman and in 2014 as an eighth-grader who had been moved up to the varsity team following the junior high season.
“I got to be a part of those two teams in 2014 and 2015, and I saw firsthand what it felt like to lose those games,” Brooks said. “It’s different when you just see it happen than when you are a part of it and you lose in this game. We were so close to being state champions. Going out as a state champion would be something else. It can happen. It will happen.”
Should the Bulldogs knock off Louisville (13-1), they would play the winner of Friday’s East Central-Poplarville contest on Nov. 30 at Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg in the Class 4A championship game.
Brooks’ playing time at GHS started in 2015 as a freshman as he played sparingly at center. In 2016, he earned his starting spot at right guard and started alongside Christian Henderson,who was at right tackle. Last season, Brooks moved over to left guard and played next to left tackle Kwatrivous Johnson, who signed on with Mississippi State. With the departure of four seniors, Brooks was moved to center to anchor this year’s offensive line.
“Playing center is the best fit for him. He has excelled at the position this season,” said GHS offensive line coach Brandon Davis. “When I first started working with Brooks three years ago, I could always count on him to jump offsides or get a holding call early in the game. He had so much excitement and adrenaline going. Once he settled down, he would play well the rest of the game.
“He played beside some good ones in Dolla Bill (Johnson) and Christian. He was like the little brother on those teams, but he took on that role this year. He’s been the leader of the offensive line this season.”
Brooks has played on the defensive line at times this season. In last week’s 40-38 third-round victory over Corinth, he had six tackles with three of those being for a loss.
“I got in the weight room and did a lot more running when I knew I’d be starting three years ago. I had to get in better shape,” said Brooks, whose father, Charles Brooks Sr., played at Threadgill High.
“My dad, my family, the people in the community and the coaches on this team have been big inspirations to me,” said Brooks.
“They have all been behind me 100 percent. Coach Davis has a different attitude toward the game since he’s played it on different levels, and Coach (Cary) Weaver played quarterback here at Greenwood and at Mississippi Valley. We have some talented coaches on staff.”
Brooks has been offered by Miss. Valley, East Mississippi and Hinds Community College. He said Alcorn State, Louisiana Tech and Louisiana Monroe have also shown interest.
nContact Calvin Stevens at cstevens@gwcommonwealth.com.
