WELLINGTON – When a team has faith and trust in one’s abilities, it means that the individual can elevate everyone around him.
One player who comes to mind is Isaiah Favors, an incoming senior defensive end who has captured the heartbeat of the Wellington Wolverines organization. The team leader has earned a high level of favor by his head coach, Tom Abel.
“Isaiah will play a major role on both sides of the ball this year” Abel said. “He will play tight end and sniffer for us on offense. He is big, strong, and fast. He has an explosive first step. He is long and has not been blocked yet. He can hit and tackle with viciousness.”
As a junior, Favors showed a level of promise that one could consider as a breakthrough campaign. In 10 games played, the 6-foot-2, 230-pound defensive end finished with 55 tackles (23 TFL’s), 9 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
“It was one of the best moments of my life, playing next to two great defensive ends in Steve [Stephen] Passeggiata and Mike Cotter,” Favors said. “They were great teammates of mine, and we always worked as a unit. And having a good set of linebackers helped us out a lot.”
Even though Wellington had a rough season in 2019 – the Wolverines finished with a 3-7 record – there were some bright spots. One of those shining moments came in Wellington’s 17-6 win over Forest Hill in Week 6, when Favors (5 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2sacks, and 1 forced fumble) helped power his team to at least 10 sacks in what was a defensive masterpiece performance.
Favors was quite honest in his thoughts about how the coaching staff steered the Wolverines through what will be remembered as a learning experience.
“Last year we had a great staff towards the end of the year when [Coach] Abel got suspended,” Favors said. “It kind of broke down the team, but now that he’s back for good, we can be a whole team again. We also have Coach [Jared] Prinzo, and the new defensive line coach. They play a big part of our team.”
The offseason has proven to be a period of growth for Favors, who has lifting almost everyday and conducting some field work with a host of Wellington alumni. This has been done in the midst of our current coronavirus pandemic.
In addition to that, Favors has earned his first two college scholarship offers from Keiser and Graceland.
“I’m enjoying myself and staying in shape for this season,” said Favors, who has zoomed up eight spots from No. 39 to No. 31 in our player rankings for the Class of 2021.
“As of right now, I’m not satisfied with two offers and there’s no letting off the gas,” Favors continued. “I can’t wait for the season to put on a show for the big schools and the people who doubted Wellington.”
When fall practices officially begin on August 24, Favors will look to show his team how much he has grown since last year. From that point forward, he is expecting great things for himself and his entire team.
“My individual goal is to have the best defensive end stats in Palm Beach,” Favors said. “And our team goal is to crush any team that looks upon us.”
Abel believes these things as well.
“Isaiah is hands down the best defensive lineman in the county,” Abel said with great fervor. “He’s my senior captain and leader, the general of our defense. He is the guy that we will lean on this year to get things done. He’s a major factor on why we will be a championship team and have a championship season.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Uriah Grant and Gene Nardi
