Jayden Antonelli's body-type is such that his potential to stand out has been obvious since he moved from Rifle, Colorado, to Nixa while he was in junior high.
What hasn't been so obvious is where the Eagles should best utilize his long, lean frame. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder was in the middle of a tug-of-war between coaches last year, as he took reps at defensive end, tight end, slot, defensive back and H-back.
The decision was made this season to assign Antonelli to defensive coordinator Phil Wickwar strictly as a defensive end.
The results would seem to support that the correct choice was made. Antonelli has recorded six tackles for a loss and five quarterback sacks, both figures are team-highs.
"I love playing offense. But it's nice to be able to focus on one thing," Antonelli said. "I can put all my energy and attention on one spot, so it makes me better."
The fact Nixa coach John Perry can make the decision to have players the likes of Antonelli, Spencer Ward and Jordan Tyler on only one side of the ball certainly makes him the envy of his colleagues around the COC.
The Eagles have zero two-way starters.
Perry doesn't doubt Antonelli could play at tight end, but the need for him to do so isn't there.
"Jayden's a very athletic guy who can make special plays. He's a big-time football player," Perry said. "We have the luxury of playing the majority of our guys one way. It's hard to play this game as hard as you can on both sides of the ball, that's too difficult."
Looking ahead to his future as a college prospect, Antonelli also thinks it will be best for him to devote all his attention to defensive end.
"If I ever play anywhere, I think it's going to be defensive end," he said.
College scouts are sure to take note of Antonelli's speed and quickness along the defensive line. They can reach for game film from Nixa's win versus Joplin two weeks ago to see Antonelli turning in highlights that included a TFL and a tipped pass on a fourth-down stop opposite Joplin 6-6, 290-pound offensive lineman Dontrell Holt.
"I had to be a little more technical against him," Antonelli said. " I saw some success. Everything I worked for was earned."
He's also proud that his work in the off-season and in practices is paying dividends.
"I'm way better than I was last year," Antonelli said. "I put in tons of work during the off-season. At practices, all our players around me keep pushing me to get better. I always want to keep getting better. I've wanted to come out and play and show people who I am."
