NEwton High School
MArcus Calwise & Wayne Patterson #3 | WR
DT
By PHILLIP B. HUBBARD
every practice and not being late for any team activities this season. That’s how he wants to start ost Newton County-based football teams making a difference for the Rams. By doing so, will have veteran leadership to depend on Patterson believes he’ll get more opportunities to for the 2021-22 season. However, Newton show his team that he can play. High School will lean heavily on its underclassMeanwhile, on the other side of the line of men due to the youth on the overall roster. scrimmage, Calwise will be a sophomore wide Due to that fact, head coach Camiel Grant Jr., receiver for Newton High School. plans to play a lot of sophomores and even freshHe personally aspires to catch a few touchdowns men will receive substantial playing time. this season, help his team make the playoffs and But there are two players, in particular, that possibly to capture a region/state championship. Grant is really positive who will make the most But there’s something a lot more personal that impact for his team this season: Marcus Calwise inspires Calwise to be successful during his sophand Wayne Patterson. These two players showed omore campaign. their head coach a lot during the team’s two sum“I have my dad, mom and family supporting me,” mer padded camps. Calwise said. “They come to every single game “For us, it was a time for us to see what these and my dad gives me a pep talk before every game, young guys do and how they handle going up too. My grandmother motivates me, too, because I against somebody that they don’t know,” Grant wouldn’t be anywhere without her.” said. “There was no drop off for either of those Calwise labeled it as a ‘blessing’ to play football. guys. Plus, how mature they’ve been this summer He recognized that everyone doesn’t get a chance has been a surprise.” to play football, much less on the varsity level. Patterson is a freshman defensive lineman for So, Calwise plans to make the most of this opthe Rams. He’s been playing football for the past portunity. nine years. His entire family has played football It’ll be the determination from both Patterson as well which motivates Patterson to perform at a and Calwise that’ll help make this a more successhigh level. ful season for the Rams. Now, Patterson is eager to experience Friday Their head coach recognizes that, too, and has night-lights at Sharp Stadium this fall and make noticed great strides by all of the young players on his own mark. this year’s squad. He just doesn’t know how the nerves will get to “I think this the closest group of players we’ve him quite yet. had in a while,” Grant said. “We’re going to be “I’m going to be nervous [for the first game of the young, but the simple fact of how much the guys season],” Patterson said. “But once I get out there, like working with each other will make a big difthe butterflies will go away and play football.” ference.” Patterson plans to hang his hat on attending
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30 | Football Preview 2021
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