Greene County High School has seen multiple players advance from its football program to play at the next level, and Arkiyus Wright and Malik West hope to be the next pair of Tigers to do so.
With alumni like Ronald Blair and Josh Nesbitt to emulate, West and Wright have developed skills that will help the Tigers to have a successful season.
Both were prominent players for the Tigers on both sides of the ball last year.
West is the Tigers’ main running back and led the team in rushing touchdowns last year with five. He is considered more of a bruiser in the trenches but also can turn it up on the outside if need be.
During Greene County’s scrimmage game against Putnam County last Friday, there were multiple instances where West was able to show his versatility. He led the team in rushing yards and ended up giving the Tigers life toward the end of the first quarter when he broke off a 48-yard run to set his team up inside the War Eagles’ five-yard line.
Wright also proved himself last season, leading the Tigers not only in reception yards per game but in tackles per game on the defensive side of the ball. He also added an interception and a forced fumble.
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound senior is good at finding open space when he’s playing wide receiver, and a ball hawk when he’s in the defensive secondary.
However, both West and Wright feel like they had to gradually step into their roles as leaders on the team, and both credit first-year head coach Terrance Banks for helping them to succeed.
“He’s helped us with our work ethic,” West said. “I believe that he can help us get to the next level with the connections he has.”
Wright added that Banks’ coaching style fits well with the Tigers’ current needs.
“I like his energy, and he always brings that energy to the table,” Wright said. “That’s something that we are going to need if we want to win games.”
Now that they have more of a leadership role on the team, Wright and West have been able to notice the Tigers coming together more so than in years past.
“We’ve bonded and connected better this year,” West said.
“I think the better connection is going to lead to a better season,” Wright added. “I think it’ll help us when we’re on the field and have to rely on each other.”
The two seniors come into the 2022 season with high hopes. West and Wright both believe this year’s Tigers will show more than they have in recent seasons.
“Our goal right now is to win the region championship,” West stated. “Then after that, we’re trying to go compete for a state championship.”
“We’ll catch y’all in December at Georgia State,” Wright added.