[Sly Fox]

Richlands' 'Spiritual Leader' Guides Team Toward Title
Posted Thursday, November 30, 2006 ; 08:40 PM

Caleb Jennings not only serves as the Blue Tornado's star running back but as the team's spiritual leader.

Story by Jared Fialko

RICHLANDS, Va. -- Standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing less than 170 pounds, at first glance Caleb Jennings might not look like the most dominating running back.

But the 1,400-yard rusher can pack a Brian Urlacher-like punch -- a debt he said he owes to only one person.

"Being this small, playing this physical game, I have to have someone to thank for all the miracles that happen sometimes out here," said Jennings, Blue Tornado senior running back.

A devout Christian, Caleb said he owes his strong faith to his parents, grandparents and uncle, who is a minister in Nashville, Tenn.

Jennings devotes a great deal of time to his Community Heights church, while taking part in their Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed, or AWANA, club.

His faith even has taken him from Alabama to Costa Rica on mission trips.

He lets his passion show on the gridiron, with his favorite touchdown celebration.

"My sophomore year, the first touchdown I scored, I didn't have time to because everyone bum rushed me," Jennings said. "Then the second time, I outran everybody so I can get down there, and I thank God for what he let me just do."

Win or lose, the game always ends the same way for the Tornado, with Caleb leading the way in prayer.

"It started with Timmy Brown, what a great spiritual leader he was, he always led us in prayer," Jennings said. "Then one day he told Coach Mance he wanted me to do it, and I was really honored."

"You gotta look for someone that the kids look up to, and they all respect Caleb, and he just does a great job there," said Greg Mance, Richlands head football coach.

"It's really a blessing to let me do that and be a witness to the team," Jennings said.

Hopefully, Saturday won't be the last time Caleb leads his team in post-game prayer.

If Richlands wins, they'll advance to the state title game in Lynchburg on the campus of Liberty University, one of the many schools Caleb is looking to continue his education.

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