Ike’s Allen doing whatever he can to aid cause

Depth is always important for any sports team and especially in football where reserves provide help when it comes to practice and when teammates are hurt it helps to have backups ready to go.

Eisenhower High School’s football team has been struggling with that issue in recent weeks due to injuries and with a big district battle with Northwest Classen tonight at Cameron Stadium, those reserves and scout team players have filled important roles.

One of those is senior Jerald Allen, a 5-10, 200-pound offensive guard and defensive lineman for the Eagles.

“I like playing both offense and defense but my job is to be there to help where I’m needed,” he said. “I am probably a little better at pass blocking but I think that you have to be good blocking for the run as well.”

Like all linemen, Allen has been lifting weights in the Ike program and he’s also watched video to try and learn more about the game of football.

“It is interesting to try and learn why plays work and how the concept of different plays help our offense work like it is supposed to,” he said.

And like all offensive linemen, he loves to eat.

“My auntie, Constance Miller, is an amazing cook and I just love her stuffed bell peppers,” Allen said. “She makes them filled with cheese and meat and they are great.”

He also helps his aunt clean their church and do other things around the house to help out.

When it comes to the classroom, Allen has his favorites, mostly reading and math.

While the Eagles have faced some tough games against powerhouse programs, the attitude of the team is still upbeat.

“We have some really good leaders who have been doing a good job of building team spirit and keeping everyone motivated,” Allen said. “We have some players who are rather quiet but everyone knows we have to be upbeat in these final games.”

When it comes to his future plans, Allen is thinking about something in the world of computers.

“I love working on computers and I think that something in graphic design might be a career that I would enjoy,” he said.

For now the focus of Allen and the Eagles is to go out and win two of these last three games to finish fifth in district and then prepare for a road playoff contest.

“We want to make the playoffs and we know we need to play well this week,” he said. “We know what we need to do and that’s to have a good game and move the football against them.”