Raiders tight end calls on experience of siblings
To help him adjust to a new challenge, L.D. Bell football player Christion Nealy called upon familiar faces.
The junior moved to tight end this season after playing mostly on special teams last season. As part of learning the position and working on his receiving skills, he called on older brothers Kamari Syrie and Jamari Syrie.
Kamari played two years at Iowa State after graduating from Bell a few years ago. A former lineback/defensive back, he can offer Christion a different point of view.
“He has college experience that he shares with me,” said Nealy, “and he played defense, so he can tell me certain things to expect from defenders.”
Jamari played wide receiver and graduated from Bell this last year, but is not playing in college.
Nealy, who stands 6-3 and weighs 190 pounds, loves to catch passes. He remembers well his first catch at the position, in the second game of the season against Rockwall Heath.
While it didn’t figure in the game’s outcome, a 38-0 Bell loss, it served as an icebreaker.
“When I first ran out, I was a little nervous, but when I caught it, it felt like practice,” he said.
However, as much as he loves to catch passes, Nealy also loves to protect his quarterback and open holes for rushers.
“I like the physicality of the position. It’s more of a challenge,” he said. “You have to know how to block.”
Bell coach Mike Glaze said that while Nealy needs to “get a little bit stronger,” he loves the enthusiasm and energy he brings to his new position.
“It’s so new to him. He hasn’t done a lot of those drills that offensive linemen do, but the more he does, the better he’ll get,” said Glaze. “You want somebody who’s going to be physical and wants to be.
“Another good thing is he can split out and play wide receiver also.”
Nealy thought he would play wide receiver this season. However, Glaze asked him to move positions during spring training. At first he was apprehensive, but that soon changed.
“I’m kind of small. I wasn’t sure I’d be all that good at the position,” he said. “But after spring football I really enjoyed it.”
His father played multiple sports including football, basketball, soccer and track. His mother played volleyball and basketball and ran track.
And while Christion would like to follow Kamari and play in college, for the moment his focus is to do all he can to help turn Bell around from last season’s 1-9 record. He’d also like to experience playing in the postseason, as did Kamari.
“I went to all his games and watched him, and now he comes to my games,” said Christion. “I’d love for him to see us get to the playoffs.”
▪ Coppell Cowboys (2-2) vs. L.D. Bell Blue Raiders (0-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday, Pennington Field
This is the District 7-6A opener for both teams and both come in needing a win to reverse their directions. The Cowboys have dropped back-to-back games and Bell is only a few plays from also being 2-2. The game will feature a Coppell offense that passes more than runs (170.5 yards to 132.25) and a Bell offense that runs more than passes (213-70). Meanwhile, the Raiders defense is stronger against the pass (130.25) than the run (274.5) and the Cowboys defense is better against the run (137.5) than the pass (191.25). Coppell quarterback Brady McBride has completed 63 percent of his passes for 683 yards with nine touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception. Bell signal caller Dominique Lawson is more of a runner (56 carries, 307 yards, 2 TD). It would behoove the Raiders to hold onto the ball, as Coppell has forced and recovered five fumbles. Bell is minus-4 in the turnover/takeaway department and Coppell is plus-3.
This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Raiders tight end calls on experience of siblings."