Geoff Mott
Sports Scene
Defense in football is meant to be played with an attitude.
That’s exactly how Brent Showers played it during his career at Rockford High School.
The 5’11”, 235-pound Showers led the Rams in tackles with 120 and helped his team to a 9-2 record and a Division 1 district championship game.
For that kind of season, he earned his second straight all-state status and was named the High School Sports Scene Defensive Player of the Year.
“I like to play with a chip on my shoulder and knowing that I am going after someone else,” Showers said. “Knowing that I have an advantage, more than a disadvantage as an offensive player, knowing I’m trying to take you down, that’s what’s great about playing defense.”
Of the 120 tackles, 23 were for loss. Showers also had four sacks, two pass break ups, and three forced fumbles for a Rockford team that was definitely led by its defense this year.
He also played a little offense for the Rams at fullback and thrived at that position, also.
Currently, several teams in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, as well as some teams in the Mid-American Conference, are looking at him for the linebacker position.
A three-year starter for the Rams, Showers is also a very good baseball player. It is no surprise that he starts at catcher, a position closely related to linebacker.
“My leadership skills [are my greatest asset],” Showers said. “I’m a very vocal person and love talking, and that has made it possible for me to communicate better on the football and baseball fields.
“My dream is to play both in college,” he added. “Knowing how hard it would be to be a quarterback of the defense and quarterback on a baseball team as a catcher, that would be hard. I’m leaning towards football now. I’m just glad to start the next chapter in my life.”
Showers is happy with what he is leaving behind. “I’m glad with how I went out as a player [at Rockford],” he said. “I wish we could have ended as a team better. I learned a lot from the program, and it was a blessing to play for Rockford so long.”