South Gibson running back duo leading charge for Hornets entering Milan game

MEDINA — South Gibson coach Scott Stidham can look to his backfield and see two different of players.

CJ Sharp is the power back, listed at 5-foot-5 and weighing 180 pounds. Dre McAllister is the speedster standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing 160 pounds.

Together, they’re one of the better running back duos in the area. Sharp and McAllister will have to have big games Friday as South Gibson (7-2, 3-1) travels to Milan (5-4, 3-1) for a Region 7-3A contest at 7 p.m.

The winner will clinch second in the region behind Covington and host a playoff game next week.

Stidham has been coaching the duo for three years. He realized the potential between the two when they started playing with each other. It’s not gone unfulfilled.

“You knew early on they had a chance to be good, but every coach coaches a lot of people that have a chance and won’t finish it,” Stidham said. “We are definitely glad for them to be a part of us. That’s for sure.”

Sharp might be the smaller of the two, but his lower body strength sticks out. He’s got big, strong legs and a powerful base. He’s thunder. McAllister is lightning. They complement one another.

”I feel like either one of us has an edge,” McAllister said. “We have both our factors and both of our strengths and weaknesses. I feel like what I’m weak at he’s stronger at. And what I’m stronger at, he’s weaker at. We just work off each other.”

McAllister transferred from Spring Hill in Middle Tennessee three years ago. Sharp was immediately impressed the first time he saw McAllister with the ball in his hands.

“I knew he was going to help out the team a lot after I saw him run,” Sharp said. “Whenever we (run) a play, each one of us has a thing we can do and can’t do.”

In the summer, the two went one-on-one during practice. Sharp ended up getting the best of McAllister two out of the three times.

“We went head up and we did Oklahoma (drill) and did like three reps,” McAllister said. “I think he won two reps, but he didn’t truck me or anything. He’s tough to tackle.”

Both of them have gotten the best out of opponents a handful of times.

Milan coach Jeff Morris has seen what the two are capable of the past few years. The two had success against the Bulldogs last season in a loss.

“McAllister is outstanding with the ball in space,” Morris said. “Scary. Both of those kids, when they put them behind the quarterback, they are both physical, downhill, fast runners. Just impressive all the way around. … They hurt us last year running between the tackles.”

Stidham counts his blessings when it comes to Sharp and McAllister. Not only are they productive on the field, they are unselfish, wanting the best for the team. The dynamic duo will leave a void at the end of the season. For now, Stidham says he’s lucky coaching the two.

“The best thing about coaching them is that they are so willing to work hard,” Stidham said. “They are yes sir, no sir guys, that want to be coached and want to get better. That’s the most fun you have as a coach when somebody wants you to help them.”

Reach Luis Torres at ltorres1@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9638 and follow him on Twitter @LFTorresIII.