By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
Big-yardage totals connected to Cummings football players have been common through the years.
The 2024 numbers look different.
Two Cummings running backs enter the postseason with more than 1,000 rushing yards apiece.
That’s right – on the ground. For a program that for years was defined by the moniker “Air Cavs” this might catch some observers off guard.
Jaidyn Briskey with 1,220 yards and Devin Witherspoon with 1,053 yards often have been running wild.
“It’s a little different style of play,” coach David Grimm said. “Cummings always has been known as an air attack.”
Briskey eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in the eighth game. Witherspoon reached that level in the ninth game for the Cavaliers (8-2).
“That’s what we planned at the beginning of the year,” Briskey said. “We knew we could do it.”
Yet Witherspoon said becoming a 1,000-yard rusher wasn’t on his radar.
“It wasn’t a thought at the beginning,” he said. “I’ve just been blessed.”
Briskey and Witherspoon, who are both junior captains, use different paths to compile those yards.
“Briskey is the power,” Witherspoon said. “I’m the speed.”
Briskey, at 210 pounds, is in the category as a bruiser.
“Our pound-it guy,” Grimm said. “Give him a little room. He’ll fall forward and get us 2 (more) yards.”
Briskey began playing football in the eighth grade. He’s also a linebacker.
He’s not fancy as a ball carrier.
“I like doing whatever I want when I get it,” he said. “I make a move when I have to. Get that first down and that can turn into more.”
Witherspoon, a 185-pounder, has breakaway speed, running for an 82-yard touchdown against Graham.
“Devin is a little more of a burner,” Grimm said. “He can hit those edges and corners and really take off.”
Ja’Kway Robertson, a Cummings receiver, said the offense has other effective components.
“We try to give everybody a look,” Robertson said. “(Briskey and Witherspoon) are pretty good athletes.”
Witherspoon, who lines up at quarterback in some Cummings’ formations, has been a sprinter for the school’s track and field team.
“Our guys up front and our receivers open up the plays,” Witherspoon said.
Offensive linemen helping create openings are C.J. Wiley, Saquan Holloway, Trey Harris, Miguel Frausto, and Malachi Smith.
“Those guys have been doing it all year long,” Grimm said.
