BOGUE CHITTO – Quarterback Michael Blackwell is back. Blackwell,a senior, was back last Friday to help the Bobcats beat McAdams53-0 in the season opener of the 2003 football season.

In 2002, Blackwell developed a bloodclot in his left arm whichforced him to miss the final 3 games of the football season.Thankfully he is fine now.

Blackwell (5-10, 185) completed 2 of 2 passes for 40 yards for 2touchdowns to Lange Porter. He rushed for an 18-yard TD. Heintercepted a pass while playing safety and returned it 31 yardsfor another score.

For his accomplishments, Blackwell has been chosen The DAILYLEADER’S Offensive Player of the Week for the opening week of the2003 season.

“I’m lucky,” said Blackwell Wednesday afternoon in the BogueChitto field house about the honor.

Blackwell was happy for the Bobcats to win the season openeragainst McAdams. “I believe it is going to be a big boost for ourteam.”

He felt good about the Bobcats play in the first game. “Ibelieve we played good,” stated Blackwell. “There is a lot of roomfor improvement.”

Returning to the football field this season was a joy forBlackwell. “I enjoyed it.”

“Michael had a pretty good game,” said Bogue Chitto head coachGareth Sartin. “He did a good job leading the offense. He made gooddecisions on his reads, running the option.”

Blackwell explained the successful pass plays to Porter for 2 ofBogue Chitto’s touchdowns. “It was a fade pause. It is designed asa mid-range pass.”

Blackwell watched the McAdams quarterback while playing safety.When the time was right, he stepped in front of the receiver andintercepted the pass. “I read the quarterback.”

Blackwell’s rushing touchdown was credited to the blockingability of the Bobcat offensive line. Blackwell said he ran in astraight line through the holes in the McAdams defensive line.

“The (offensive) line is working good,” praised Blackwell. “It’sa good line.”

Blackwell named his linemen. They are center Robert Bullock,right tackle Anthony Stevenson, right guard Lee Clark, tight endCody Dye, left guard Kyle Moak and left tackle David EarlJackson.

“Michael is a real athletic kid,’ said Sartin. “He’s a danger toscore any time he touches the ball. He’s doing a good job as beinga leader this year. He has to show good leadership as ourquarterback.”

Sartin talked about Blackwell’s bloodclot problem from lastyear.

“We don’t know how it happened,” explained Sartin. “It happenedin the Salem game. We thought it was a bruise for a few days. Hisarm was real sore. He came out early in the second half because wewere beating Salem so bad.”

Blackwell practiced through Monday and Tuesday of the nextweek.

“The doctor looked at it,” added Sartin. “It got real tender.The pain got pretty intense and his mama took him to thedoctor.

They had him on those blood thinners and everything,” continuedSartin. “He didn’t play basketball until January.”

Blackwell is thankful that all of that is behind him now and hecan concentrate on his love for sports. “I thank God that it (clot)is gone,” smiled Blackwell. He added that the time away from sportslast year made him appreciate it more when he was able to resumeplaying this year.

Bogue Chitto has its first Region 4-1A test Friday night as theStringer Red Devils invade Troy Smith Field. The Bobcats were 28-21winners over the Red Devils last year. Blackwell feels he and theBobcats must be ready for the challenge.

“Stringer is a whole different team this year,” said Blackwell.”If we don’t work hard this week, it will be a differentoutcome.”

Following football season, Blackwell plans to play basketballand baseball for the Bobcats. His junior year, he played guard andshortstop respectively.

Blackwell’s favorite subject is chemistry.

Upon graduation, Blackwell would like to attend Ole Miss. TheRebels are his favorite college football team.

“I would like to go to Ole Miss,’ said Blackwell. “I want tocontinue playing football.”

Blackwell’s favorite football player in Atlanta Falconquarterback Michael Vick.

Blackwell is very thankful to be able to play sports at BogueChitto.

“I thank God for the ability to play.”