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WESSON – The back of Russell Robinson’s white Wesson footballhelmet is decorated with circular stickers . The word PRIDE isprinted on each sticker.

Robinson has 40 stickers on his helmet mainly because he is atwo-way performer for the Wesson Cobras and they have achieved muchthis season, including an 8-1 record and the Region 6-2Achampionship. The stickers are given to the players after each gamewhen particular team goals are accomplished.

Robinson, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior, accounted for ninetackles and a pass interception from his outside linebackerposition in Wesson’s 37-7 trouncing of the St. Andrew’s Saints.That performance has earned him The Daily Leader’sDefensive Player of the Week award for the ninth week of the 2001campaign.

“Our seniors made a list of goals last summer before the seasonstarted for our offense, defense and special teams,” said Robinson.”Every time we reach a goal, we get a sticker.”

For an example, the defense has a weekly goal of not giving upmore than 150 yards to an opponent. The offense has a goal of 250yards rushing per game, plus 100 yards passing. Special teams havea variety of goals, among them blocking a punt and returning a kickfor a touchdown.

It has been a great year for the Cobras and they are lookingforward to hosting an opening round state playoff game on Nov.9.

“We have a big family on our team,” said Robinson. “We work wellas a unit. It’s a team thing.”

Coach Ronald Greer’s Cobras close out the regular season Fridaynight, hosting Hinds AHS. Greer is proud of what his team hasaccomplished and Robinson has been an integral part of the team’ssuccess.

“Russell absolutely loves football,” said Greer. “He eats,sleeps and breathes it. He is real versatile. He could play anywhere for us.”

On offense, Robinson works at fullback and tailback. “He hasreal good feet and he’s a hard runner,” said Greer. “He runs with alot of leverage.”

Football comes naturally to Robinson. His father, Dwight, was amember of the LSU football team in the early 1960s. He was one ofLSU’s famous Chinese Bandits, a defensive back and quarterback fromPonchatoula, La.

Robinson rushed for 16 times for 144 yards against St. Andrew’s.He has gained 318 yards and scored 5 touchdowns this season. As anoutside linebacker, he has accounted for 70 tackles and 4 fumblerecoveries.

Robinson, who bench presses 250 pounds, recalled his firstinterception of the season and shared the accomplishment withlinebacker Billy Ray Miller and safety Marcus Corley. “Billy Rayand Marcus tipped it and I caught it.”

Moved from inside to outside linebacker, Robinson has adaptedwell to the new position. “I enjoy it. My job is containment. Ihave to turn the runners inside so the other linebackers can makethe tackle. I also have to watch out for the reverse.”

Joining Robinson at outside linebacker is Ryan Williams. Millerand Josh McCormick are the inside backers. On the defensive line,Charles Powell and Matthew Ishman are at end. Matt Dyess andDemetrius Bridges are the tackles.

In Wesson’s secondary, Corley is joined by cornerbacks RichieMiller and David Smith.

Naturally, Robinson’s favorite college team is LSU. In the NFLhe likes the Tennessee Titans, running back Eddie George andlinebacker Ray Lewis.

“Our team really worked hard in the summer program,” saidRobinson. “We really stepped it up in the summer.”

The Cobras are enjoying the luxury of a large, new field house.One of their goals should be to continue practicing through thefirst week of December which means they would be playing for aClass 2A state championship.