BRANDON’S BEASTS: This week’s list includes 2-way players

While Brandon’s Beasts is meant to give recognition to players who normally impact a game without the ball, a couple of players who play key offensive roles are among this week’s honorees.

You could make the argument their accomplishments are maybe a little more commendable.

These are those players who never leave the field. Most small school teams have one or two or 11 players who almost never leave the field because they’re so athletically gifted they excel among their teammates in multiple positions that have very different skill sets.

With or without the ball, the players listed in this week’s Brandon’s Beasts are those who’ve impacted their teams greatly.

University School of Jackson, South Gibson and Greenfield are a couple of teams who haven’t won as many games the last two or three years as they have in previous seasons, but they’re all 2-0 at this point.

Those things don’t happen without the kind of play by multiple athletes who are deserving of having their names among this week’s Brandon’s Beasts.

•Michael Arnhold, Huntingdon: The outside linebacker played a key role in helping the Mustangs pull away with eight tackles with one for loss.

•Austin Gooslby, South Gibson: The left guard played a physical game and helped lead the offense to more than 400 yards of offense in a win on the road.

•William Jones, University School of Jackson: The senior defensive back played a role in various phases of the game. He forced a fumble, broke up a pass and brought down two players for tackles. His biggest impact was a 90-yard kick return for a touchdown.

•Mitch Merrick, McKenzie: The senior linebacker had six tackles and five assists and two tackles for loss as the Rebels picked up their first win.

•John David Ricketts, Greenfield: The Yellowjackets are 2-0, and Ricketts is a big reason why on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he recorded eight tackles and four assists in a win over Tipton-Rosemark. That’s in addition to his work as the team’s quarterback. He went 6-for-7 for 126 yards and two touchdowns and had 110 rushing yards for two more scores.

•Kordell Smith, Crockett Co.: The senior linebacker had 10 tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup as the Cavaliers opened their season with a road win.

Brandon Shields, 425-9751

Sun Sports on the radio

Tune in to WBFG-FM 96.5 from 6-8 p.m. Monday to listen to Varsity Focus Live and two hours of sports talk focused on West Tennessee sports and high school football. One confirmed guest at 6:45 is Milan Mirror-Exchange’s Victor Parkins to discuss two big games this week in Gibson County along with other guests and your calls.