Published: September 27, 2007 11:13 pm            

GAME DAY FEATURE: Andrews packs punch

It’s no secret that Kokomo football standout Alston Andrews is enjoying his senior season — considerably more than he might have expected. From a team standpoint, the Wildkats have already exceeded their win total from the previous six seasons and they are sitting atop the North Central Conference at 4-0.

From an individual standpoint, Andrews is turning heads with his play. Most of all, though, he is just happy to don the Red and Blue.

Andrews moved to Madisonville, Ky., to live with an uncle during the second half of his junior year. He faced the prospect of finishing high school there as he remained in the Bluegrass state until the summer.

“My mom and grandma wanted me to go down there,” he said. “I told my mom I wanted to come back for my senior year because I’ve been around the other [Kokomo] players all my life. I felt comfortable here.

“I am glad I’m back — really glad I am back,” he added.

The Kats are thrilled to have No. 21 back.

Andrews anchors a defense that is holding NCC opponents to 7.8 points per game. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound safety leads the Kats in tackles (62) and interceptions (three). In addition, he has broken up five passes, forced three fumbles and recovered three fumbles.

In short, he is a playmaker.

“I’ve coached a lot of good safeties and a lot of good defensive players in 18 years, but I’m not sure I’ve taught anyone with more athletic ability and a nose for the football more than this young man,” first-year Kokomo coach Brett Colby said. “He gives us a lot of freedom in what we can do [in the secondary] as far as different coverages and different looks we give teams.”

Colby took the Kokomo job in March. He worked with players during conditioning drills in April and May, but he had to wait until June to work with Andrews. He knew right away that he had a player to lead his defense.

“When you first see him in pads, you can just tell he is a player,” Colby said. “He exudes confidence and he is a leader to everyone who looks at him as far as his effort.”

Andrews embraces that role.

“I try to be a leader out there since I am a senior and I have four years of experience under my belt,” he said. “I just try to be a leader to everyone — don’t bring anyone down, bring them up. When we make a big play, I’ll tap them on the head. I just try to have fun out there.”

Andrews has made his share of big plays. In the season opener against Mount Vernon, he scooped up a fumble and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown and later picked off a pass to help the Kats claim a 27-24 win. And against Huntington North two weeks ago, he racked up nine tackles and picked off two passes — and he took both picks back for touchdowns to help the Kats crush the Vikings 41-6.

“We give out defensive awards and he had 11 stars in our game against Huntington North. I’ve had players before who had six or seven or maybe eight, but never double-digits — and he had 11. That was an amazing night,” Colby raved. “Plus, he had the great catch on offense for a [20-yard] touchdown. He just offers a spark any time he gets on the field.

“His motor runs and that is what you want.”

Most safeties are better at either run support or pass defense, but Andrews is like Bob Sanders of the Colts — who also wears No. 21 — in that he takes pride in playing the run and the pass equally well.

“I consider myself a balanced player,” Andrews said. “I like to tackle people and I like to [play the pass]. I just try to be a playmaker. That is what my coach wants me to be, so I just try to make plays on the ball.”

Andrews complements his ability and energy with a diligent approach to the game. He takes game tape home to study each week. He knows his assignments —and his teammates’ assignments too.

“There was a guy messing up a couple weeks ago and Alston said, ‘Don’t worry coach, I’ll tell him where he needs to go every play.’ I’ll be darned if he wasn’t telling him where to go every play,” Colby said with a chuckle. “He does a nice job out there on the field and brings a lot to our defense.”

Andrews is receiving college interest. Colby thinks he is a good fit for Mid-American Conference schools. Andrews just hopes for the chance to continue his career — but first things first, he wants to close his senior season in style.

“The season is going really great. I love [Colby] — he is just cool to be around and he is a good coach,” said Andrews, noting the defensive mindsets of Colby and defensive coordinator Ron Colby suit him well.

“We’re 5-1, 4-0 in the conference. Conference champs, that is what we’re looking for, but we have to play one game at a time. We still have Richmond, Logan and Marion. We’re not trying to be too confident. We’re practicing hard every day.”

        

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