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Staley is Williston-Elko's version of C.J. Spiller
11/24/2009 12:14 AM
By CAM HUFFMAN
Sports Editor

Williston-Elko wide receiver Dexter Staley is a determined and confident athlete. But statistics don't mean much to him. Winning, on the other hand, means everything.

As the Blue Devils' top running back last season, the sophomore burst onto the scene as the team's big-play threat. His abilities on the ground led the Blue Devils to a one-loss season and a Class A Division II Upper State title. Against Scott's Branch in the Class A Division II championship game, though, Williston-Elko fell short.

With that in mind, the Blue Devils entered the 2009 season looking for a few more weapons. Staley was told he would still get some time at running back, but another sophomore sensation, Kendric Salley, would get most of the carries from that spot. Staley, meanwhile, would play mostly wide receiver and become the team's all-purpose weapon.

"I didn't really care," said Staley of the move. "I just wanted to win."

So the junior, who already has collegiate offers from Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina and Florida, simply took his orders and made the best of every opportunity than came his way. In the process, Staley rushed for more that 1,000 yards, had some big games as a receiver, scored more than 20 touchdowns and was a major threat on both kickoff and punt returns, helping to lead his team to an undefeated regular season and eventually a spot back in the Class A Division II title game.

Basically, Staley became what Aiken Standard TV play-by-play man Ed Girardeau called the Blue Devils' version of Clemson Heisman Trophy candidate C.J. Spiller.

"I watch a little bit of Clemson," said Staley. "I can see the comparison. He does most of the stuff I do, but he is mostly a running back."

"Dexter is a good all-around player," agreed head coach Dwayne Garrick. "We have a balanced team, but he is that guy that we can go to to make things happen."

The one ability that sets Staley apart from even Spiller is his proficiency in the kicking game. Staley serves as the Blue Devils' kicker and punter, and in Friday's Upper State championship victory, he kicked two kickoffs into the end zone - booming all of them inside the 10-yard line - and he also pinned a pair of punts at the 11-yard line.

"That's huge," said Garrick. "Him putting the ball in the end zone and forcing them to go 80 yards is huge. Most high school teams, especially at the Class A level, don't have that luxury. So we're fortunate there."

Staley, who also plays defensive end and linebacker on the defensive side of the football, explained that his role as the kicker and punter came about almost by accident. He was messing around on the practice field one day, kicking balls down to the other end. His coaches noticed his strong leg and asked him to keep working on it. Without any training on technique or form, Staley became the starter at both positions.

"There ain't no form, I can tell you that," laughed Garrick. "If you watch him kick and punt in practice, it may go 30 yards left, 30 yards right or he may punt it straight up in the air. But he is a competitor, and he can't stand to lose. He is going to do whatever it takes to make our team be successful."

"I think that's a big advantage," added Staley. "I try to kick it in the end zone every time and make the other team go 80 yards. Our defense can usually stop them three-and-out, and that gives us great field position."

The ultra-competitive Staley will have to have all his weapons sharpened on Friday when his Blue Devils travel to South Carolina State to take on Scott's Branch in the Class A Division II championship game at noon. Scott's Branch is the team that knocked off Williston-Elko in the title contest last season, and the Blue Devils don't want their dream season to end with a nightmare once again.

"It feels really good to be back, but we missed something last year," said Staley. "We have to go back and win it all this time.

"We know we are playing good, but we know we have to practice hard. They took it from us last year, so we owe them a lot. I have been thinking about that all summer and all season."

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