Turner has Patriots thinking ‘playoffs’

Jesse Turner has fond memories of his first touchdown.

&#8220It was an 80-yard run,” he said. &#8220I was 9 years old back then and played for the Dumas Tigers – it was like a local pee-wee team. My mom and dad were both excited and they took me to Big Al’s (restaurant) to celebrate.”

But Turner’s parents would probably be hard-pressed to treat their son for all of the big plays he’s been making at Ellender this season.

They’d need to take out a bank loan.

Following Friday’s 42-18 loss to Helen Cox, Turner (5-foot-7, 165 pounds) is the second-leading rusher in Louisiana with 1,047 yards yards.

He also has six touchdowns and is shredding opposing defenses with 8.51 yards per carry.

&#8220If I had to compare him to someone (in the NFL), it would be Ladainian Tomlinson,” said Ellender coach Tawaskie Anderson. &#8220He’s a small guy, but he’s deceptive with his speed and strength.”

Turner has had plenty of practice. In addition to organized football, Turner took his lumps in neighborhood pick-up games with older brother, Jeremy, and children that were more than three years his senior.

&#8220My mom likes football and never really worried about me playing because I was always pretty rough,” he said.

And soft-spoken. Anderson noted that Turner is an &#8220actions-speak-louder-than-words” kind of player.

&#8220He (Turner) is a very quiet and coachable kid who just does whatever he has to do to make things happen on the field,” he said.

Turner has already attracted the interest of scouts from Southern Mississippi, Ole’ Mississippi and South Easton College. This comes in spite of the fact he hasn’t received as much media attention as some of the area’s other running backs.

&#8220Jesse will be a sleeper player and a blessing to any program that decides to pick him up,” Anderson said.

Turner finished his 2006 campaign with 1,213 rushing yards. So far, he’s on pace to obliterate that mark.

&#8220I’m doing pretty good this year,” Turner said. &#8220My goal is to finish with at least 1,500 yards, but I want to score more touchdowns and help my team get into the playoffs.”

Such an accomplishment would taste even better than the dinner special at Big Al’s.

&#8220We’re going to take it week-by-week,” he said, &#8220but I believe we’re playoff-bound.”

Ellender travels to Morgan City for a district matchup Friday.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.