Freeport's Siples nab AOTW

FREEPORT – Any time a team has to fill the void of a running back getting offered by FSU, question marks will surface.

Freeport coach Shaun Arntz understands this. That goes double for junior tailback Brandon Siples.

After all, Siples had yet to handle a carry in his first two years as a cornerback for Walton. Then he transfers to Freeport and is tasked with replacing K’wan Powell, a back that piled up 2,057 all-purpose and 23 touchdowns as a freshman before transferring to Vernon.

Endearing Siples to Bulldogs fans was his 204 all-purpose yards in a 26-18 loss to Holmes County .

And perhaps his four-score, 249-yard Friday night against Walton will erase all memories of Powell. After all, it was quite the stat line in a 27-6 win at Walton, a program the Bulldogs (1-2) hadn’t beaten since 2006.

Siples carried the rock 15 times of 167 yards and two touchdowns, a 52-yarder and a five-yarder.

He threw for a six-yard score.

And he hauled in two receptions for 76 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown.

Added up, the 5-foot-8, 190-pound tailback was a shoo-in for Athlete of the Week. But he doesn't view the banner night as a breakout effort.

“It wasn’t like it was a huge night or anything to special,” Siples said. “This is just the beginning. There’s more to come.”

And, judging from his Athlete of the Week Q&A, he feels the same way about his Bulldogs.

After a 0-2 start, y’all got your first win Friday night. What’s your team's ceiling this year?

I think we’re a playoff-caliber team. We have a ton of talent. We just have to mentally want it. We’re feeling good about that first win and we just have to keep it going.

What was your favorite touchdown Friday night?

The 52-yard rushing touchdown. It was up the middle and I juked a guy and got to the end zone.

What makes you such a good running back?

I have a low center of gravity and I make great cuts. And for 1A football, I feel like I’m a bigger running back.

Better than K’wan Powell? Do you feel like you have to feel his shoes?

Not really. I knew about him when I transferred and how big of a piece he was to Freeport. But I don’t compare what I do to what he did. I’m not focused on any stats. I’m just trying to get colleges to look at me, get offers.

Do you have any offers? And where’s the dream school?

Not yet. Auburn. Southern miss … really whatever is the best fit.

Why did you transfer from Walton?

It was more about school and grades, more academic. It’s been a great transition.

Who’s your best friend on the team?

I don’t got a best friend. It’s more like I have brothers, blood brothers. Tylerr Glenn, Skyler Washington … we’re always together.

Is there any player you idolize or model your game after?

I like Ezekiel Elliott, how big he is. I just I see myself as him.

What’s your favorite, go-to meal?

Popeyes. I like their chicken strips with fries. And I really like their biscuits.

What’s on your playlist?

Hip hop, rap. NBA YoungBoy gets me in the zone.

If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who’d it be?

Russell Westbrook, Kevin Hart and LeBron James.

LeBron, he’s an amazing person on the court and off the court. Russell Westbrook, I used to play basketball in middle school and he was my favorite. I like how he played. Kevin Hart, he’s a funny guy. He’s got a good attitude all the time and he’s very positive

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would that be?

Los Angeles because it’s big and I’m a big-city guy. I like a lot of noise, a lot of stuff going on. There’s a lot of stuff to do in Los Angeles.

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