ROGERS — Grant Driver can trace his success to the days before he started playing varsity football.

It goes back to when his older brother Blake was playing.

Watching his brother and playing against him prepared Driver - a senior receiver and safety at Rogers Heritage - for a big career.

“You would compete with them and you try to beat (the older kids) at running routes or trying to tackle them,” Grant Driver said. “Going against bigger kids, you learn the technique. It’s helped running routes and breaking routes off good.”

Breaking defenders’ ankles - as his coaches call it - happens to be one of the many talents Driver uses to help the War Eagles (7-2, 4-2 7A-West Conference). Not only is Driver a key member of the War Eagles’ offense, he also is a keymember of the defense.

Driver leads Heritage with 789 yards and eight touchdowns on 46 catches and has 44 solo tackles and a team-high four interceptions.

“He’s just got a knack,” Heritage off ensive coordinator Chad Harbison said. “He’s one of those kidsyou can tell when he was younger he had older brothers. You can tell those kids played ball when they were little. There’s a little bit of a diff erence in how they approach the game with their knowledge of the game.”

Driver - the War Eagles’ lone All-State pick a year ago - makes big plays on both sides of the ball.

“He hardly ever comes off (the field),” coach Perry Escalante said. “Halftime’s about it.

“He’s one of those kids that’s just a football player. He’s the best football player we’ve got. He’s everywhere … and does a great job where ever he’s at.”

Driver is a solid route runner and has made several catches to impress his coaches.

He leaped to grab a sideline pass that was too high to convert a third down late in Heritage’s win against Rogers High.

Two weeks ago, he made an adjustment in mid-air to catch a touchdown in the shootout victory against Springdale High.

Driver had a team-high eight catches for 89 yards and the lone touchdown in last week’s win at Fort Smith Southside.

It was his second straight game with eight catches after teammate Jordan Snoderly was lost for the season with a knee injury.

“I know defensive coordinators know they have to fi nd out where No. 24 is and limit his catches,” Harbison said.

“He’s just as important on the defensive side of the football as he is on the off ensive side. He’s got to have equal practice time. Not very many kids can handle that responsibility, especially in the 7A.”

The War Eagles have a plan to give Driver a break on off ense, although he usually doesn’t want to come off the fi eld.

“He’s gasping for air and at same time telling you ‘I’m ready coach,’” Harbison said. “He doesn’t want to be on the sideline.”

Sports, Pages 7 on 11/03/2009

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