Bastrop, La. -
For someone who hasn't seen the Bastrop Rams defense on a regular basis, it would be easy to overlook senior defensive end D'Andre (Buck) Bradshaw.
Undersized at 5-10, 185 pounds, Bradshaw plays alongside a pair of blue chip recruits in tackles Josh Downs and D.D. Jones. Throw Tai (Speedy) Alford, a four-year starter at linebacker, and free safety RaDarius Winston, another Division I recruit, into the mix and Bradshaw is surrounded by four stars.
In the eyes of those who follow the Rams closely, Bradshaw is a star in his own right. The bigger the game, the bigger the situation, the more he produces.
'Buck's a big-time playmaker,' said Bastrop defensive ends coach Maurice Doaty, a former All-Gulf South Conference defensive end and All-State linebacker for the Rams. 'He has a nose for the ball and when he gets the ball he knows what to do with it.'
Due in part to a mid-season ankle injury, Bradshaw's stats (40 tackles) aren't gaudy, though he does have six tackles for negative yardage and is tied for the team lead in sacks. In Bradshaw's case, it isn't so much the number of plays he makes that stands out. Instead, it's when he makes them.
'Some people are going to back down in pressure situations,' Doaty said. 'Buck Bradshaw and (defensive end) Charleston Williams are two guys who are going to step up under pressure.'
Paired with Downs and Jones, Bradshaw and Williams give the Rams' front four the coveted combination of speed and power.
'D.D. and Josh are the two down and farewell present ideas dirty guys,' Doaty said. 'Charleston and Buck are finesse. When D.D. and Josh are playing well, Charleston and Buck play well because they feed off of those two guys.'
Bradshaw has been especially effective on special teams, batting down five punts during his career.
As a sophomore, Bradshaw recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown in a 35-7 regular season victory over Ouachita. It was a glimpse of things to come. Last year in the regular season, he blocked a punt and ejercicios ingles present continuous later broke up a fourth down pass in the endzone against Neville. Facing Neville again in the playoffs four weeks later, Bradshaw blocked another punt against the Tigers.
Three weeks ago, Bradshaw blocked and recovered a punt for a touchdown in a first round playoff victory over LaGrange.
'I just try to get to the ball,' the unassuming Bradshaw said.
A member of the Rams' sprint relay teams during track season, Bradshaw has the speed to get to the ball. In fact, he fills in at linebacker when necessary. One of those necessary occasions came last week when the Rams found themselves short two starting linebackers midway through the first quarter.
With Bradshaw moving to linebacker, the Rams' defense didn't miss a beat, forcing six turnovers in a 40-7 quarterfinal road victory over Zachary. Unfazed by the abrupt position change, Bradshaw's 38-yard fumble return late in the third quarter set up a touchdown that all but sealed the outcome of the game.
'I didn't prepare to play linebacker during the week, but it didn't really matter. I kind of knew the position anyway,' said Bradshaw, who has seen spot duty at linebacker throughout his career. 'I'll play wherever the team needs me. I just like being out there.'
For Bradshaw and his classmates, Friday's semifinal game against Belle Chasse will mark their final appearance at Ram Stadium.
'It'll be kind of sad,' Bradshaw said. 'I have a lot of good memories on this field.'
Putting together a career record of 55-1 with three state championships, it has certainly been a memorable ride for Bradshaw and photo valentine present his 29 senior classmates. Naturally, Bradshaw would like nothing better than to add a fourth championship ring to his collection.
'We talk about it all the time. We have a chance to be the first class from Bastrop High to leave with four rings,' Bradshaw said.
For Bradshaw, the reality that his high school football days are rapidly drawing to a close is beginning to sink in.
'What I'm going to miss the most is the people I grew up with,' Bradshaw said. 'Me, Speedy, Tim (Fields), Josh and Charleston all went to Tiny Tots Daycare together when we were youngsters.'
As for the present, the Rams still have some unfinished business.
'Buck Bradshaw and Charleston Williams are pivotal to this week's game,' Doaty said. 'With a scrambling quarterback, they must apply pressure, they must chase and when they get their hands on him, they have to make him pay.'
At some point in the game, Bradshaw will likely break through for a sack, make a key fourth down stop or perhaps even block a punt. That's what playmakers do. That's what Buck Bradshaw has done timetime again over the past two seasons.
