Sports
Plant High's Bullock Packs a Powerful Punch
The Plant Panthers finally have that every-down back they have sought, only he's not exactly packaged the way you might expect.
In a world of 6-foot, 200-pound football players, the diminutive rising senior Wes Bullock gets overlooked by scouts, analysts, even defenders. He vanishes behind some of his mammoth offensive linemen, then bursts out too strong to pull down and too fast to run down.
Bullock hit his stride in Plant High's playoff run last year. In five postseason games, including the state final against Miramar, Bullock rushed for 659 yards and five touchdowns. That's better than 130 yards per game — in the playoffs.
On Plant's spring roster, Bullock is listed at 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds. Those paltry numbers are easily offset by numbers like 290 pounds and 500 pounds, the weights Bullock can bench press and squat, respectively. Don't let his stature deceive you, he runs like a bowling ball, and he does not try to avoid a hit.
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"I never shy away from contact," said Bullock. "I need to earn my respect both from my own team and from the other team."
Bullock is particularly excited about running behind the Panthers' 2012 offensive line.
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"We're getting better, we still have to practice more against our first-team defense," said Bullock. "But when we get in rhythm, we're going to be untouchable."
Bullock is also the consummate team player. When asked what his personal goals were for 2012, he replied, "get better as a team." He went on to confess some personal goals, such as no fumbles and a state title. Only after considerable inquiry did he confess to aiming for 2,000 yards and to lead the team in touchdowns.
To accomplish this, Bullock is continually perfecting his game.
"I need to work on my cutback more this spring and summer," he said.
As a newly-elected team captain, Bullock realizes he needs to be more outspoken in 2012.
"The key to last year's success was that the team captains were vocal leaders," said Bullock. "That was a great experience for me to learn from."
Bullock received his second state championship ring during the Panthers' May 18 intrasquad scrimmage.
"It's a beautiful thing but only makes me want a third one that much more."
