2024 Preview: Blue Ridge Tigers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson Lanier doesn't see the work he does on Blue Ridge's offensive line as just clearing the way for his running back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He's my best friend," Lanier said of [player_tooltip player_id='833941' first='KB' last='Henderson'], the Tigers' 1,300-yard RB. "I'd do anything in the world for him."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes, Lanier and his line mates don't have to do much. Henderson has a knack for exploding through holes and exploiting what the defense is giving him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"As soon as I can see nobody in front of him, I know he's got a shot to score," Lanier said. "Because nobody's gonna catch him."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson (pictured) said he, too, identifies his chances to score early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I sometimes know I'm gone when Coach (John) Boggs calls the play," Henderson said. "I try to put myself in his head. It helps me. He thinks about everything, and it helps me to look at the O-line. I can see who's matched up. I know who's pulling. A lot of times, I can just think that if I can give it my all right here, I'm probably out."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both of those elements - the sense of brotherhood and his RB's analytical process - are music to Boggs' ears.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"These guys have been playing together forever," he said. "Between Covid and a coaching change, we lost some kids who transferred, but this group has been really important to us. It's been really refreshing to see a group of seniors in this day and age when people transfer for a variety of reasons who have grown up together. They were freshmen when we got here. They played JV together, they've been working hard in the weight room together, and they give back to the community. They just seem to enjoy spending time together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And the talent on the offensive line paired with Henderson's drive to succeed following a sophomore season lost to injury?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"That's been a lot of fun," Boggs said. "Seeing these guys and how they've grown and how they've poured into each other has just been a lot of fun."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year, the Tigers are looking to channel their bond into wins. Here's a look at some of the guys who will lead the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='833941' first='KB' last='Henderson'] RB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Henderson makes it go for the Tigers. He's a powerful, contact-absorbing guy who also happens to have incredible vision, balance, and speed. He rushed for more than 1,300 yards last season, and will return to run behind a deep, veteran offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Lanier</strong> OL, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lanier, a four-year starter up front, is a guy who's athletic enough to play TE and strong enough to play tackle. He has long arms, and does a good job of neutralizing defenders at the line. He's also got enough of a nasty streak to enjoy blocking way downfield, and channels that at times on the defensive line as well. He prefers OL, though. Why? "I like to bury guys," Lanier said with a smile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ty'Keylan Campbell</strong> DB, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell helped lead the Blue Ridge defense last year with 41 tackles and four tackles for loss, while contributing an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. There are high hopes for Campbell on the defensive side of the ball, and he's the type of physical player who can make a difference for the Tigers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Asheton Stokes</strong> WR, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stokes is a weapon both at WR and at returner for the Tigers. He's a burner, and his biggest strengths are his straight-line speed and his ability to make people miss in space. He'll be a key to Blue Ridge's ability to take the top off a defense and keep opponents honest when trying to account for Henderson and the Tigers' rushing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16276786/6586268ff31e3e053cfc14ef' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668d9cccb7811"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emerson Steenrod</strong> TE, 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Steenrod is just what you want from a TE when you're a team with the Tigers' philosophy. He's a great blocker in the run game, and when his number is called in the passing game, he shows up big. He grabbed 15 catches last year, averaged more than a first down per catch, and caught a TD pass. He can be a key safety valve in the passing game, and can stretch the field when he has a chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1738823' first='Gavin' last='Forrester']</strong> QB, 2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Forrester only played in seven games a year ago, but still managed to lead the Tigers in passing yards, and tossed three TDs. With Henderson, Wyatt, and a crowded backfield, Forrester also put up good numbers on the ground, rushing for 243 yards and three more scores on the ground. He can keep defenses honest, which will open up even more room for the running game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ja'Korey Dodd","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"150","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Blue Ridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668d9cccb8c5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dodd has the potential to have a major impact on the back end for the Tigers. Last season, he had 37 tackles and 10 tackles for loss, showing no hesitation to come up and make plays in run support. He's got a high motor, and never seems to be out of the play, chasing way downfield to deliver a hit. He's also a good cover guy, and a hard hitter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17749845/66304e6bf6745a5938393733' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668d9cccb8c8c"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->