When Holden Schreier is cooking everyone eats, but over the past two weeks no one more than sophomore receiver Jeffrey Waite.
Over the past two weeks, Jeffrey has 100 receiving yards on 4 receptions, 3 of which were for touchdowns. Jeffrey has been a key reason for Bellwood’s late season success.
For this reason, Jeffrey is this week’s BluePrint Athlete of the Week.
Jeffrey is a part of a very talented sophomore class that has stepped up big this season for the Blue Devils. Jeffrey is a deep threat for Schreier, where Jeffrey uses his speed and precision to get past defenders. On the season Jeffrey has 5 receptions for 113 yards and 3 touchdowns.
All but one of those receptions have come from the last two games.
“It feels great that I am able to help the team whenever it is most needed. It helps us get to our goal of winning a district championship. I wouldn’t be able to do it without the team and coaches,” said Jeffrey when asked about stepping up late in the season.
While those numbers may not jump off the page at you, Jeffrey impacts the game in a way that does not show up on the stat sheet. Jeffrey uses his strength to open up lanes in the run game for the Blue Devils.
Every play you will see Jeffrey blocking downfield and occupying a defender so the running backs can spring a long run.
“Jeffrey has come up big for us at the end of the season. He has made some big catches and he’s starting to emerge as a pass catcher for our offense. He is also starting to gain more confidence on both sides of the ball, which I think is helping him improve,” said coach Nick Lovrich when asked about Jeffrey’s late season emergence.
Not only has Jeffrey contributed on the offensive side of the ball, he is also a major factor for the Blue Devils defense. On the season, Jeffrey has 49 tackles to go alongside three interceptions. Jeffrey is a force in the middle of the defense, he plays free safety for the Blue Devils. Jeffrey shuts down passing lanes across the middle and comes up and makes the tackle if it is caught in front of him.
Jeffrey is also apart of the B-A track and field team, where he set the freshman triple jump record last season. He is looking to have an even stronger sophomore campaign in his track career.
