Darius Eubanks is the kind of football player every coach would like to have on his team.
One of the biggest reasons is his play this season in the secondary for the Thomson High School Bulldogs. The 16-year-old Eubanks, a junior, has played superb defense all season.
Eubanks has a total of six interceptions this season - double interceptions coming against two different opponents, including the Cross Creek Razorbacks.
His latest pick was against the Washington County Golden Hawks last Friday night in The Brickyard. Eubanks, the son of Stephanie Walker and step-son of Shawn Walker, of Dearing, intercepted a first half pass and returned it 64-yards for his first-ever career prep touchdown.
"It felt real good to make that interception and then run it all the way back for a touchdown - especially in The Brickyard," said Eubanks during an interview Monday. "That was a real big win for us against Washington County, because we now get to host the first-round of the state playoffs against Westover."
"He's been playing some real good defensive football for us," said Thomson Head Coach Luther Welsh. "He's become a valuable player to us, because he plays both ways. He does a good job every game."
Coach Welsh said he knew that Eubanks had a lot of talent, but he didn't know that it would blossom as quickly as it has.He called it "a pleasant surprise."
Eubanks has his job down offensively as split end. Because he does, according to Coach Welsh, it means he gets a chance to work out more in practice, defensively.
Eubanks said it meant a lot to him when Thomson Defensive Coordinator John Barnett congratulated him on his interception touchdown return against Washington County.
"He told me I had done a good job and for me to keep it up," Eubanks said. "That really meant a lot to me, because I want to play good every game and keep improving."
Eubanks' efforts in the game against Washington County helped the Bulldogs to a 34-10 win and assured themselves of home field advantage in the first-round of the Class AAA State Playoffs.
He believes the Bulldogs "can go real deep into the state playoffs" this season.
"We've got a good football team," Eubanks said. "We don't have a lot of standouts. We just play good together as a team. It's worked for us so far this season and I believe it will continue deep into the playoffs."
Hard-work and determination will be the key factors, Eubanks said, in just exactly how far the Bulldogs go the rest of the season.
"We've got the talent and players to do it," Eubanks said. "We've just got to go out there and prove it to ourselves and others."
