The Lakeland High School Dreadnaughts are looking to overcome a ten-year title drought.  One of their biggest believers is senior Darius Gibbs-Ellis.  Gibbs-Ellis is the most beloved player on the team, not just for his commitment to the brotherhood, but for overcoming his personal challenges to even make the varsity team.  Gibbs-Ellis was so excited about making the team that he walked four miles for his first practice still energized from getting the call to play varsity football.

“When they put me on varsity, I feel like wow it’s my first time on the varsity team with the varsity players.  It made me happy.  I was almost about to cry, being on varsity”. 

Gibbs-Ellis has had to overcome intellectual challenges throughout his life.  But, his primary classroom teacher and Dreadnaughts assistant head coach Brent Harbin says Gibbs-Ellis’s hard work and dedication on and off the field is what has helped him to excel.

“He’s the epitome of what a Dreadnaught is.  Darius bleeds orange and black.  In the classroom, he’s also a good worker.  He gets his work done early.  And, then he wants to do anything he can to help the team.  Top to bottom on our roster, we have great athletes.  You also have guys that have roles.  Darius is a team guy.  He’s a role player.  And, he’s our brother”. 

Gibbs-Ellis will not only play on the varsity team, but will serve as an "assistant coach" for the junior varsity team.  Both the team and the coaches said they're glad to get the experience of playing with Gibbs-Ellis because it's about giving, learning, and growing with him in the brotherhood.

To see Gibbs-Ellis in action, click on the link.