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Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Two Saints
Western Arkansas, AR
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Roberts Brothers Large On Leadership
Blake Roberts is a college recruiter’s dream. At first glance, the Shiloh Christian senior resembles Peyton Manning in his high school years with a 6-foot-6 frame and strong arm. But one thing the quarterback has that will have the message boards popping as we enter the 2007 season is a particular teammate who stands only a few feet away at receiver — his younger brother.
The word younger was chosen because sophomore Mitchell Roberts isn’t a little brother at all. The receiver/linebacker is 6-2, 227 pounds and has room to grow, even if it’s into his big brother’s shoes. But because his older brother is playing in his first year of varsity football, those shoes might already fit a little too tight.
“Mitchell has more experience with football than me, and early in the year I was always asking about certain things, especially in the weight room,” Blake said.
Blake’s sabbatical from the game of football took place following his junior high career when he decided to concentrate on basketball and baseball. The senior preferred throwing the smaller baseball to the football, but after falling short in state championship runs in those sports, he decided to try tossing something more his size.
Mitchell’s love for the pigskin, however, has remained strong, but like his brother, that hasn’t stopped him from testing other waters.
“I enjoy playing baseball and then basketball behind it,” said Mitchell. “But football has always been my main passion.”
What makes the two special isn’t their multi-sport resume and size, but rather the leadership they display both on and off of the field. In fact, it’s contagious to those around them.
That was evident while one of the brothers walked back to the locker room following a recent 7-on-7 scrimmage. The short trip was filled with encouraging gestures and hellos from multiple individuals passing by. It was celebrity status but with added humility.
Sit down with the brothers and neither are concerned with talking about success on the field — but about their teammates, each other and the legacy they would like to see left.
For Mitchell it’s about academics, and Momma would be proud of her boy. No. 1 on the field would like to see his teammates as No. 1 in the classroom by keeping their grades up so that they can remain eligible to compete next season. For his older brother, it’s a focus on leadership:
“I want to be a guy that my teammates can depend on, a leader,” Blake said.
Quarterback is the position that fits that description, and it’s one that is a tough load to carry. The Saints desire to achieve the first back-to-back state title since the 1998 and 1999 seasons — and with an inexperienced quarterback.
The beauty of the game is that it’s not about one player, but a team. It’s like a brotherhood, and this group isn’t limited to just two brothers to lean on.
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