By John Goolsby
From a state championship at Pinson to a program in transition at Valley last year, Jacari Wedgworth has seen the highs and lows of high school football.
Wedgworth got his start in football playing little league in the Eastlake league at the age of four. After transferring from Pinson, he played quarterback on last year’s Mountie team but switched to wide receiver for his senior year.
Wide receiver coach Martee Pope was happy to have Wedgeworth join his receiving corp. “He may not have had the breakout season he anticipated, but he never let that deter his hard work and determination to get better,” Pope said. “His sacrifice has paid off for him and the team as his name has been called to lead the team in the biggest games of the season.”
“I want to be remembered as a brick in building the new Shades Valley,” Wedgeworth said. “I want to be known as being part of the team that built and paved the way for Shades Valley.”
“Jacai is extreme smart, well rounded and calm,” said his mom, Jenece Wedgeworth. “The quote Jacari and I always use is: why fit in when you can stand out.
Standout Wedgeworth does. After graduation Wedgeworth will attend Alabama, Georgia, or Mississippi State on a full academic scholarship to major in Business and Marketing.
Wedgeworth is a thoughtful and mature young man. “Anything can be taken in an instant,” he said. “If you aren’t cherishing your talents and not doing right by them, God can take those in various ways.”
“I am so proud of the young man he’s become,” said his mom. “He’s a great young man on the field and in the classroom.”
“Jacari has been an awesome athlete for us,” said Pope. “His hard work and dedication prepared him; he will be missed in the program.”
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