Senior duo at CBA’S heart
Riggins, Simek help Brothers to 5-0 start on offense and defense
The meshing of the talents and abilities of Jaylen Riggins and Brenden Simek on the football field has been profound this fall for the Christian Brothers Academy football team. Riggins, who helped Troy capture the Section II Class A title during the spring before transferring to CBA, serves as the fullback, often blocking for Simek at tailback.
On defense, the two seniors both play middle linebacker for a defense that has registered four shutouts and allowed only six points in five games. There is, however, a distinct difference between the two standouts in one regard — in-game fluid intake.
Simek, who tops the Brothers in rushing with 659 yards and six touchdowns, has long traveled down an unorthodox path as he drinks Dr. Pepper during games. A lot of Dr. Pepper, in fact.
“I don’t know. Ever since I was little, I have just been drinking Dr. Pepper,” Simek said. “Drinking water gives me cramps. Every time I drank water or Gatorade, I cramped.
Whatever works.”
“It is insanity to me,” CBA first-year coach Bobby Burns said.
“I don’t like soda,” Riggins said. “He loves it. For him, it works.”
The Brothers have been a program thirsting for success, and Riggins and Simek are two of the main reasons why CBA is currently ranked No. 11 in the latest Class AA state poll. The team faces its biggest test to date Friday when the Brothers (5-0 overall, 4-0 Class AA) play host to No. 15-ranked Shaker (4-0, 3-0).
Riggins, who earned Times Union Large School Defensive Player of the Year honors following his junior season at Troy under Burns’ tutelage, has been instrumental in helping his teammates adjust to the new defensive scheme. He has made 29 solo stops (11 for a loss), 30 assisted tackles and scored two defensive touchdowns.
“He helps a lot,” Simek said of Riggins. “He brings a lot of encouragement to everybody and shows everyone what a real football player is. His trust motivates everyone all around.”
“When it comes to his leadership and the acclimation to the new environment, he has exceeded my expectations,”
Burns said. “He has been, since the installation of the defense, another coach for us who happens to wear a helmet.”
“It is so fun playing with these guys,” Riggins said. “I know when we get on the field playing defense, we’re going to get after it.”
Not only is Riggins bringing production, but he is also serving as an uplifting influence for a team that went 2-4 overall during the spring and lost its final four outings.
“A lot of these guys are not used to playing in big-time games. What I have told them is they have to make every rep count and take everything serious,” Riggins said. “I know coach Burns is going to put us in the right spot, so we’ve got to execute.”
“He definitely makes my job easier and less stressful. I know if I miss a tackle, he will be there,” Simek said of Riggins.
Riggins, who has run the ball 15 times for 161 yards and three touchdowns and also caught two touchdown passes, has reveled in watching Simek spark the offense with his relentless running style.
“I like scoring the ball. It is fun,” Riggins said. “I love watching Brenden run. He runs hard and gets after it. I like blocking for him.”
When Burns arrived to take over the program, he did not know exactly what role Simek would serve on offense. He did know what he liked in watching film from his junior season.
“He was a kid where his effort level and physicality stood out,” Burns said. “I didn’t know who was going to be the tailback. He struck me as more of the fullback type . ... Brenden came to me and said he wanted to play tailback. He has been great. In terms of being a team player, a respectful player, a disciplined player and a coachable player, he is as good as it gets.”
Burns has been pleased with Simek’s work on defense, and he believes there is room for growth as he continues to get acclimated to the new system. The senior has 17 solo tackles and 22 assisted stops.
Burns added his transition as coach of the Brothers has been made smoother by Riggins and Simek. He likes the fact the two seniors are not satisfied with anything the team has accomplished to date. Both realize more will be required in order to beat Shaker.
“We’re pretty good, but we’re capable of a lot more,” Simek said.
“Social media does not matter. The crowd does not matter,” Riggins said. “What matters is when those 11 guys step on the field, our 11 guys have got to be better. We have to stay
focused.”