Regardless of the level, football teams normally show their best improvements from Week 1 to Week 2 during the season. For Grenada (Miss.) High School linebacker Genard Avery and his teammates, the Chargers were able to put in a solid four quarters of play last weekend and get in the win column.
Avery, a 2014 prospect, helped lead the defensive charge in a 35-0 blanking of Kosciusko a week after the Chargers lost a heartbreaker to Oxford.
"In our first game we made a lot of mistakes in the second half and we didn't play a complete game," said the 6-foot-1 and 220-pound Avery. "We came out explosive in the first half in our opener but then we made so many mistakes and had a lot of penalties in the second half.
"We just got to play all four quarters and play smart football for all four quarters."
Avery has also noticed improvements in his own game comparing his play this season with his sophomore season.
"I am just at linebacker this year and I am a lot better in coverage," Avery said. "I am delivering harder hits on running backs and just giving 100 percent on every play. I want to make every play and make everything go to the outside and not in the middle. As the middle linebacker, I want every team we play to be afraid to run through the middle of our defense."
Avery worked on the aspects of his game at several college camps back in the summer and that translated into his improvements this year. Avery also added his camp showings helped him get a good start on the recruiting trail.
"So far I am getting interest from Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Louisiana-Lafayette," said Avery. "I went to camps at those three schools and also to a combine in Tupelo. I did pretty good at the Ole Miss camp and I liked it there. I like their atmosphere and I met a bunch of people from other schools that I play against. I also had a lot of fun at Mississippi State. It felt like I knew everybody there and I love their coaches."
In the early stages of his recruitment, Avery added that those pair of in-state SEC programs are tops on his favorites' list.
"The main two I like right now are Mississippi State and Ole Miss," said Avery. "Mississippi State said they like my size and my speed and the way I play at linebacker. I love everything about State's campus and their atmosphere. With Ole Miss I like their atmosphere, too, and their players and coaches, just like with Mississippi State."
- Paul Jones
- Mississippi State Insider - Bulldawgs247