Belpre senior hopes to make football postseason
Tojzae Reams
Belpre
Year: senior
Age: 17
GPA: 3.3
Nickname: Golden Eagles football coach Greg Adams calls him “Reamsy”
Sports: football, basketball, track and field
Track highlights: D3 All-Ohio (8th in 40.77) in 300-meter hurdles (2017); state qualifier (finished 9th in 40.94) in 300-meter hurdles and in 4×400 relays (2016); state qualifier in 4–100 and the 4–200 relays (2015)
Football position: tailback (offense) and corner (defense)
College: undecided
Major: accounting
Family: Shavon Reams (mother), Vernon Reams (grandpa), Gavin (younger brother), Brinneth (younger sister), and Jensen (younger sister)
Question: What’s your take on the Golden Eagles (2-2) so far this season?
Answer: We’ve won two in a row, now, and I think we’re going to have a pretty good season. Everybody stepped up against Wahama last week. There were some nice hits, lots of scoring. We’re rolling, and winning is contagious.
Q: And you recovered a fumble after the opening kickoff, right?
A: (Laughs) Yeah, and that was a game-changer.
Q: It’s still early but can the Eagles make the playoffs, like they did a couple of years ago when you were a sophomore?
A: That’s our goal. A couple of years ago, that’s when I started carrying the ball more. That playoff game (vs. Harvest Prep) was close (21-19 Harvest Prep) and a lot of fun. I think I scored a couple of touchdowns (30-yard TD reception). That was my favorite game.
Q: By the way, what is your favorite sport?
A: I really like football a lot, but I’m better at track.
Q: Do you think you’d like to play college ball or run track?
A: Depends on what kind of offers I get. I’m tempted to play football…but we’ll see.
Q: What were you thinking standing on the podium (All-Ohio in the 300 hurdles) at the state track meet last spring?
A: (Laughs) That was so crazy, standing there and looking out at all the Belpre people who came to see me run in that one event. I had a lot of support.
Q: Has that been your career sports highlight at Belpre so far?
A: Oh, yeah. So far.
Q: The year before, you finished 9th in the 300 hurdles at state, and missed all-state by one place. That had to have hurt?
A: It was the most terrible feeling.
Q: No doubt, you’ll be wanting to repeat as an All-Ohioan in the hurdles again next spring (2018)?
A: I’ve been working out over the summer, and even now during the football season. That’s one of my goals. Another is to set the school record in the event, which I think is around 38 seconds.
Q: Who has been your sports inspiration?
A: There’s four people. My grandpa, Sam Petty (track teammate and relay leg), and my two best friends – Cade Dixon and Brice Ferrell. Sam was a senior when I was a freshman. He is now at Ohio State. I play Cade one-on-one in basketball a lot. Brice taught me more about track and training. He transferred to Parkersburg Catholic.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Just helping my grandpa and my mom. I’m constantly active.
Q: What’s your favorite NFL team?
A: (Laughs) The Detroit Lions.
Q: The Lions? Are you from Michigan?
A: (Laughs) No. I just liked Barry Sanders when he played for them.
And, of course, I’m also an Ohio State Buckeyes fan.
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Ron Johnston, rjohnston@mariettatimes.com