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Saturday, November 1, 2008
All-State Bloodlines
Western Arkansas, AR
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Charleston senior linebackers Akers, Stewart following in brothers’ footsteps
Charleston senior linebackers Erick Stewart and Jordan Akers are best friends, have brothers who were all-state players and were the leading tacklers for the Tigers last season. Both are looking for all-state season, but their paths to where they are now were totally different.
As a sophomore, Stewart (5-foot-8, 185 pounds) started at middle linebacker for the Tigers and was named all-state. Akers (5-11, 230) didn’t even play his sophomore season.
“As a ninth-grader, I didn’t play too much and didn’t think I would play as a sophomore,” Stewart said. “But the coach back then wanted a sophomore to play linebacker so the other guy wouldn’t have to play both ways. I worked hard, and it paid off. I couldn’t believe I was named all-state. It never sank in, and it’s still hard to believe.”
Thinking he would play as a sophomore, Akers was disappointed when it didn’t happen. That propelled him to train and work hard to show the coaches they were wrong. Akers hooked up with a speed trainer and decreased his 40 speed from a 5.2 to a 4.6. Also a fullback, Akers was the team leader in touchdowns last year with 13.
“It was good I didn’t start and turned out better for me,” Akers said. “I decided I would show (the coaches) them I can play and should have.”
As for their all-state brothers, Erick’s brother was all-state quarterback Matt Stewart while Jordan is following BJ and Chris who were both all-state linebackers. During Matt’s senior year, the Tigers won the state championship. Now a graduate assistant at Charleston, Matt finished his career with a 38-3-1 record.
“We play different positions but I looked up to him,” Erick said. “He was a good role model especially with the way he took the pressure of the whole offense relying on him. I wanted to be as good as him.”
Unlike Erick, Jordan plays the same position as his brother. BJ was a fullback/linebacker, and Chris was also a linebacker. They set the bar high for their younger brother.
“They were great players,” Jordan said. “I wanted to be as good or better and be the best I can be.”
Last year, Stewart led the Tigers with over 100 tackles. Playing middle linebacker for the third consecutive year, he has become quite comfortable at the position and credits Charleston coach Doug Loughridge with teaching him to read defenses and the way the line moves.
“He is kind of a natural-born linebacker,” Loughridge said. “He is better if you just let him go. If you coach him, you screw him up. He has a nose for the ball and is fundamentally sound.”
Akers was right behind Stewart with 90 tackles. Loughridge said Akers’ speed is what gets him to the ball quickly. All that matters to the best friends is that one of them makes the plays.
“We try to make as many plays as we can and make the tackles every time,” Akers said. “We help each other out and work well together. Sometimes, I’ll give up my body for him so he can make the play, and he’ll give up his body for me so I can make the play.”
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