Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NAPPANEE - In an interview over the phone Wednesday, NorthWood's Corey Brown began to reminisce, speaking of one of his most memorable moments on the gridiron.
"Last year's Plymouth game," said Brown. "They ran a screen and I recognized it and got him."
Years from now Brown will be able to have phone conversations reminiscing about this season, a season in which he tallied 137 tackles, nine of those going for a loss. Couple that with 4-1/2 sacks and a fumble recovery, and Brown's numbers are good enough to name him All-Northern Lakes Conference, 3A Honorable Mention All-State, South Bend Tribune 3A All-Area and Times-Union Area Defensive Player of the Year.
"I don't know because I've never played offense," says Brown about the attitude differences on both sides of the ball. "But defense is in your face. You have to be mean and aggressive and put your body on the line."
Put your body on the line?
At 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Brown isn't exactly the biggest guy NorthWood opponents ran into this year. But in the spirit of Christmas, big things come in small packages. According to NorthWood coach Rich Dodson, Brown is the kind of player you want on your team when the going gets tough.
"Oh yeah," Dodson says. "He can make a play that can change the momentum at any time. He's a hard worker."
Most athletes these days live in shadows of past and present players, Dodson sees similarities with Brown and former Panther greats but knows there's something different about Corey Brown.
"He kind of fits the mold of some other players we've had around here like Matt Bunch," said Dodson. "But there's no doubt he's his own individual. He's like no other."
Years from now when Brown will still be on the phone reminiscing, his buddy from Plymouth will like to have forgotten that screen play.
