Daniel Boone seniors serious about leadership roles

Daniel Boone football coach Jeremy Jenkins has given Dru Fleming and Walker Barton a lot of responsibility. The pair of senior standouts have embraced it. The veteran coach likes what he sees from them as he explained they've been leaders on the field, in school and overall with the team. Fleming, who has bulked up to nearly 200 pounds, rushed for 860 yards last year in addition to playing some defense. "He dedicated himself to the weight room, and our strength and conditioning program," Jenkins said. "We're really excited about him. He's running between the tackles. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He can run outside. He'll play some defense too. There's not anything on the football field we feel like he can't do." Fleming, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds, has played a lot of positions. He's mainly the featured running back, but also plays a little bit of Wildcat quarterback. On defense, he might line up at linebacker or safety. But, it's his primary position which he most enjoys. "Running back, that's what I've been playing for the longest time," Fleming said. "I've been playing that since I was five years old, so that's what I'm most comfortable with, and that's what I like playing the most." The Trailblazers have gone through a tough couple of seasons, including going 1-9 a year ago. But, Fleming feels optimistic after the work they've put in over the last few months. "Everybody's worked pretty hard in the weight room and out on the field and conditioning," he said. "Our 7-on-7's have looked good, and everybody's playing together as a team, so I'm super excited for the season." Fleming first started playing football at four years old. His dad played at Sullivan South and passed on the love of the game to Dru. Fleming most likes how football is the ultimate team game of 11 guys working together every play towards a common goal. He also likes how Jenkins has given him so much responsibility. "Coach Jenkins has taught me a lot of new things that I hadn't learned before," Fleming said. "I love playing for him, and I love that he trusts me to go out there and perform each night. I like the kind of volume and carries that I get from them." Barton, at 5-10 and 145 pounds, is also versatile. He can line up at different receiver and defensive back positions. Like Fleming, he counts history among his favorite school subjects. He also likes math and hopes to create big receiving numbers this season. Regardless of his personal numbers or even the final outcomes, football is the sport which Barton most enjoys. "Going out with my friends, and running out on the field, there's just nothing like it, the best feeling in the world," Barton said. "Other sports are cool and great as well, but I mean, it is the ultimate team game because you got to have all 11 guys in sync in football." He likes other outdoor activities like golf and riding a jet ski. One reason he loves math is the same as football. "I love math because you never really get great at math, but if you keep practicing, you get better at it," he said. Barton hopes to use math extensively in the future with plans to study mechanical engineering at the University of Tennessee after high school. Fleming has hopes of playing football beyond high school, and is interested in a career in sports marketing. Echoing his teammate, Barton feels the strength and conditioning the team has gone through have put them on the right track for improvement. "We hit the weight room hard back in November, and we've been sticking with it," Barton said. "We've continued working hard in the summer, and it's showing on the 7-on-7's. We're going to continue to get better."