RAVENSWOOD-Multi-sport star Jeremy Lawrence has been a standout performer for the Red Devils in football and basketball and has participated in both track and baseball during his four-year stay at Ravenswood High School.
But, it will be football that the senior will continue to play at the collegiate level as the all-Little Kanawha Conference and Class AA all-state performer has signed a letter of intent to play for the Bobcats of West Virginia Wesleyan next fall.
"Football has always been my favorite sport," explained Lawrence. "I'm best at it. I like to be physical so it (football) plays to my skill set."
Lawrence, who finished 11th in the Mountain State in scoring with 132 points, led the team with 25 receptions for 455 yards and two touchdowns and finished second to quarterback Dustin Derito in rushing with 928 yards and 16 touchdowns on 150 carries.
Making those numbers even more impressive is the fact that the tailback accomplished most of it with one arm partially immobilized after having it injured in the Red Devils' win at Tyler Consolidated.
"It (the injury) kept me from doing some things," said Lawrence. "But, my doctor and my coaches did everything they could to get me back on the field."
A key for a Red Devils' team that posted an 8-2 regular season mark, but dropped a 28-23 decision to River View in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs.
"They (WVW) told me that, if I have a chance to play, I won't be redshirted next year," added the running back.
Lawrence heads to a Bobcats team that posted a 9-2 mark in 2011, and was the league's top offensive team, averaging 459 yards per game. It also averaged 37.5 points per contest, second best in the WVC
"The coaches have talked to me about playing a slot position," continued Lawrence. "That's fine with me. They have an offense that likes to throw the ball a lot so it plays to my strengths."
Wesleyan was one of three WVC schools the Ravenswood player looked into as conference members Fairmont State and Concord both attempted to lure the Red Devil toward their programs. But, in the end, the orange and black Bobcats were the best fit for Lawrence, who will major in exercise science.
"There were a lot of reasons why (I chose Wesleyan). I like their offensive coordinator (Matt Barnes) a whole lot. And, I really liked the school."
Lawrence is the eldest of five children of Greg Lawrence. His sisters Ashley (16) and Hayley (12) are attending Ravenswood High and Ravenswood Middle Schools, respectively, while brothers Caleb (8) and Austin (6) attend the grade school. His mother is Carla Smith and his step mother is Angie Lawrence.
"Jeremy Lawrence is one of the best kept secrets in the state of WV," explained coach Barnes. "He has a tremendous instinct for the game and a knack for making plays. His gaudy stats only tell half of the story of who Jeremy is as a football player but his film speaks volumes about his tenacity and passion for football. We are very excited to have Jeremy join our football family here at Wesleyan."
