By DaShawn Brown - email

SWAINSBORO, GA (WTOC) – Swainsboro head coach David Johnson says he knew senior linebacker Eric Worthen was due to have a record setting season four games into the season.

"I think what made Eric special, and what made that number so high was when we would go back and watch game films, when he had opportunities to make tackles, he didn't miss."

The numbers tell the story.

For the season, Worthen amassed 171 total tackles, 105 solo, adding five sacks, and four forced fumbles.

Said Worthen of his productivity, "I think about it in two ways.  Either I'm going to get him, or he's going to get me.  I don't be the one to get got."

Both Coach Johnson and Worthen agree, it's also that the senior linebacker refuses to take a play off.

"If you don't take a play off, they can't do anything with you."

"I set a goal at the beginning of the season to have 150 tackles and I kind of doubted myself, but when the season started, and I saw how good I was at the position, at that rate, I just kept going harder and harder every week."

"I really wanted to win a championship this year so I decided to work my butt off and do what it takes."