Priester ready to take on big Eagles workload
By Gabriel Kahaian
MDJ Sports Writer
It isn’t an uncommon thing to see a father
FREE ADMISSION
PIZZA
FOOTBALL
BEER
GAMES
Live Music Kid’s Zone
Giant Slides, Obstacle Courses,
Bungee Jumps, Rockwall & more! The Return
(Beatles Tribute Band)
Live In Concert 8-10pm
Reserved Tables Available!
KICKOFF 2021 167
Sat. Sept. 11TH
Noon - 10:00pm
Logan Farm Park
CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION
770-423-1330
JRMMANAGEMENT.COM
coach their son. Across the country,
you’ll see fathers sporting headsets on the
sidelines while leading their sons to victory.
While father son duos can be endearing
stories, seeing a former record breaking
collegiate running back directing his
son on the gridiron may turn some heads.
Trey Priester, son of former Clemson
tailback Raymond Priester, is already
making a name for himself at North
Cobb Christian.
Trey Priester is a rising junior who plays
cornerback and running back. He has been
a member of the Eagles program since
eighth grade and he was named a second
team All-Region athlete last season.
Raymond Priester is known as one of
the best running backs to come out of the
ACC. He played for Clemson from 1994
to 1997. In his four years he scored 21
touchdowns, had two 1,000 rushing yard
seasons and holds the record for most
rushing yards in a game when he ran for
263 yards in 1995. He was drafted in the
fifth round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the
St. Louis Rams. He is also the ACC’s 11th
all-time leading rusher.
He is currently the running backs coach
for the Eagles where he is witnessing his
son blossom into an elite playmaker.
Trey Priester played most of last season
at cornerback, but he also saw time in
the backfield. Last year, he had 45 tackles.
With North Cobb Chrisitan’s talented
senior and 1,000-yard rusher Caleb Cannon
graduating, it was time to search for
the next back.
First-year coach Matt Jones said one
look at Trey Priester’s film made it very
clear that he was the next man up.
“I just sat down and watched his film and
saw what a great player he was,” Jones said.
“He has great vision. He runs hard, breaks
tackles, and he isn’t scared of anybody.”
Jones said that his confidence in Priester
only grew after seeing him in action during
off-season workouts.
“When I met Trey, I saw he had the intangibles
and had the mature mindset you
would want in a leader,” Jones said. “He
is the type of leader that can provide us a
spark, and that other kids can rally behind.”
Priester said his mentaily comes from a
philosophy he adheres to in every aspect of
his life. A philosophy that his dad taught
him at a young age.
“I strive to always be first,” he said. “You
have to always be first on the line during a
drill, or sprints during the summer. Even
during life, do you want a good job or career?
You have to show people, the coaches,
that you care. Show it matters to you.”
What helps Priester be first is his speed
and aggressiveness running the football.
He said his mindset on the field is to find
ways to gain more yards every snap.
“I try to be as aggressive as possible,”
Priester said. “If I get hit I keep running. I
don’t care. I will get as many yards as possible
before you bring me down.”
This offseason, he said he is looking to
get even faster and improve his stamina.
He said that his track season is helping
him gain more stamina along with offseason
drills.
Raymond Priester said it is a joy watching
his son excel on the playing field. However,
he is also preparing his son to navigate life.
“I am a believer that football teaches a
lot of life lessons,” he said. “A big point I
make is to say what you mean and do what
you say. You have to be a man of your word,
and be a man of character. Go with all the
fiber in you and do your job.
“There are going to be times where you
get banged. Who can take some punishment
and still be able to get up. That’s life.
Football can help kids plan ahead, that’s
my job as a father.”
/JRMMANAGEMENT.COM