MONTICELLO — Matthew Wells created problems for the BrookhavenPanthers on offense and defense last Friday night. He caught atouchdown pass and ran for another in Lawrence County’s 63-21victory against the Panthers.

On defense, Wells (6-2, 190, jr.) sparkled at free safety. Hewas credited with 7 tackles and a pass interception.

For his performance, Wells has been selected The DAILY LEADER’SDefensive Player of the Week.

Wells said he was pleased to receive the honor but he wanted toshare the glory. “I want to thank my teammates for helping me getthis award. I couldn’t do it without them.”

He also thanked the coaching staff for preparing him. “We havegot our assignments and the coaches put us in the right place. It’slike family around here. You can talk to the coaches and they willdo their best to help you.”

The Cougar family is off to a 5-1 start this season and stands2-0 in the Region 6-4A race.

Wells said he hasn’t been surprised by the Cougars’ successlevel. “I expected us to be pretty good. I like playing footballand getting after it; helping the team.”

Lawrence County head coach Mike Davis said Wells has been anasset to the team on offense and defense. “Matthew can flat surerun. On defense, he doesn’t mind coming downhill to tackle.”

Wells intercepted Ole Brook quarterback Bud Britt on the lastplay of the first half. Britt launched a long bomb for the endzone.

“Time was running out and we knew (Britt) was going to go deep,”said Wells. “It was my first interception this season.”

Coach Davis pulled his starting backfield near the end of thethird quarter. Wells played long enough to catch a 57-yard TD passfrom quarterback Adam Watson. He also rushed the football 7 timesfor 88 yards and a score out of the Wing-T formation.

“I like going up an catching the ball,” said Wells. His favoriteNFL player is New England wide receiver Randy Moss.

Wells is a busy young man on the LCHS campus. He also playscenter in basketball and runs track in the spring. He is part ofthe Cougars’ 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams. He also does the longjump.

Wells runs a 4.56 in the 40-yard dash. In the weight room, hebench presses 250 pounds. He squats with 380.

“Matthew is a good student, a very polite young man,” saidDavis. “Coach (Jay) Livingston is our secondary coach. He had himwell prepared for the game.”

Wells said he hopes the Cougars can win a state championship,like they did in 1999. In his spare time, he enjoys watching ESPNand eating his grandmother’s Italian cream cheese cake.

FAVORITES

Birthday: Nov. 26, 1990

Food: Cabbage and cornbread

Dessert: Italian cream cheese cake

TV Show: ESPN

Movie: Meet The Parents

Music: Variety

College: Ole Miss

NFL Team: New England

NFL Player: Randy Moss