Tough, aggressive and mean…these three words can be used to describe the game of Brandon Spikes , an outstanding 6-4 1/2, 224-pound middle linebacker who has helped Crest (Shelby, NC) capture the class 3-A state championship each of the past two seasons. Nothing less should be expected from a player who tries to model his game after one of the game’s great linebackers.

“I used to watch a lot of the history of the NFL when I was younger,” Spikes said. “I’d watch the old players and see how they played. I watched Dick Butkus and I liked how he played – hard-nosed, mean and aggressive. I wanted to mold my game similar to that.”

What really stands out to Crest head coach Roy Kirby is Spikes’ football savvy and preparation, both of which remind him of a former great Crest linebacker.

“Brandon reminds me a lot of Shamar Finney – who played for us and then went on to Penn State – in the way that he reads plays as the ball’s snapped, ” Kirby said. “It’s one of those deals that he’s just got that sixth sense and it makes him look like he’s playing faster. He’s one of those kids also that comes over here on a Saturday and watches video of the next week opponent. We don’t tell him to, he just does it on his own.”

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