Brannon soars with the Hawks

RB Richard Brannon holds an early edge over most running backs in Charlotte

Richard Brannon poses for CHSF.com

Richard Brannon may not be the biggest or quickest running back in Charlotte, but with an unmatched intensity and skill, he’s helping the West Mecklenburg Hawks soar this season.

Brannon doesn’t skip a beat and comes ready to play every game. And Friday, September 14^th, was no exception as the Hawks flew by the Mallard Creek Mavericks with a 29 – 0 win (called at halftime due to inclement weather).

Brannon went 23 yards for the first touchdown of the game, putting his team in the lead. He scored the second touchdown of the game by hurling himself into the air and over the Maverick’s defensive line at approximately the five yard line.

This rugged style of play is not atypical for the senior running back who admits, “I just run very physically. I like to run hard and make people miss. I’ll run over a couple of guys if I have to.”

Brannon’s fierce play has not gone unnoticed this season. Numerous coaches have commented on his outstanding athletic ability, including Harding’s head coach William Perkins; who considers Brannon to be one of the best running backs in the city. In response to this compliment, Brannon says, “I really appreciate that, man. I know I work hard to try to do what I can do, and I think I am one of the best running backs out there.” When asked which NFL running back he most emulates, he responds, “LaDanian Tomlinson.”

One thing that sets Brannon apart is his dedication to his studies. Brannon’s hard work on the field combined with attentiveness to his academics has made him a recruiting priority for the top North Carolina universities. Right now Brannon says he is considering Wake Forest, N.C State, UNC Chapel Hill, and Appalachian State.

Going to school on a scholarship is important to Brannon who admits he needs to remain focused on and off the field in order to attain this goal. “On the field right now, I’m focusing on getting my team to win more ball games; this comes first. I’ve got to be a team player. In the classroom, I’m trying to work very hard on my academics and to get my grades right.”

Brannon says his favorite subject in school right now is English because he loves to read. When asked if he’d like to continue to study English in college, he answers, “Nah, I’ll probably end up doing something with computers.” As unpredictable as his play! So long as Brannon continues to stay on his toes, he’ll keep college scouts, coaches and fans on the edge of their seats.