Sean Patrick already knew how humble his star running back is. Monday morning just served to reinforce that belief for Trion High School's head football coach.
Three days after senior Rob Brown produced one of the most prolific rushing nights in the history of Georgia prep football the Bulldogs held their Monday morning weightlifting session. Front and center was Brown, who, when he wasn't praising his offensive line, acted as if he hadn't just rushed for 441 yards and seven touchdowns.
Patrick wasn't surprised.
"All he's talked about is his offensive line," Patrick said. "I think his yardage ranked sixth all-time in Georgia and he comes in this morning with weight training and he's killing himself. Doesn't say a word, just gets to work. That's what makes him special."
For his big night in Friday's 61-28 Region 6-A Public win over Mt. Zion-Carroll, the 6-foot, 205-pound Brown is this week's Times Free Press Player of the Week. The effort came one game after he rushed for 290 yards and four touchdowns while also catching two touchdown passes in a 48-7 win over Armuchee. That game was called at the half due to inclement weather.
"I've not seen a player have those kind of rushing yards in consecutive weeks," said Patrick, who was former University of Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm's offensive coordinator in high school. "Rob is a powerful runner. He runs violently. People have to make a business decision every time he comes at them and as the game goes along they sometimes don't want any of it."
The Trion offensive line and tight ends were considered the team's strengths entering the season and haven't disappointed. Brown and his coach have consistently praised the group, made up of tackles Kaleb Park and Ezra Adams, guards Zach Sharp, Jackson Drennon and Isaac Stewart (the latter two have combined to replace the injured Brantley Willbanks), center Bladyn Bowman and tight ends Cole Cavan and Ben Allen.
"Those guys take great pride in Rob's accomplishments," Patrick said, "and rightfully so. Just like Rob, they are peaking right now and we're fortunate to have so many good players up front."
The big night gave Brown 1,824 yards, making him the school's all-time single-season rusher with Friday's game against rival Gordon Lee still to play. Still, even after last year's 1,200-yard season, Brown has flown way under the college recruiting radar, though that is, according to Patrick, changing.
"Rob works Saturdays and Sundays, so he didn't get to go to any summer camps," Patrick said. "Part of it, too, is that he's a late bloomer. All I know is somebody is going to get a steal."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com; follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.