Friday, August 22, 2003

By Paul Zeise, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

One in a series on top high school football players in the WPIAL and City League.

Peabody's Corey Davis is one of the best high school middle linebackers in Western Pennsylvania.

If he's not careful, he might become one of the best defensive ends or defensive tackles.

Davis is 6 feet 3, 260 pounds and working his way back to his playing weight of 250. Earlier this year, he weighed 285, but he said it is normal for him to gain weight in the off-season then lose it in preaseason camp.

	Related articles Demand increasing for Aliquippa's Revis (8/25/03) Pitt-bound duo takes major leadership role seriously at Kiski (8/23/03) Peabody's Davis truly big man in the middle (8/22/03) Sto-Rox QB nearing WPIAL pass record (8/21/03) Spotlight finally focuses on Lyons (8/20/03) Gateway's Ivy quickly growing as a top quarterback talent (8/19/03) Beaver's Nicol has shown worth at tight end (8/18/03) Pine-Richland's Walker will add QB to resume (8/17/03) Shipley shapes up as defensive star at Moon (8/15/03) Hopewell lineman reinvents himself (8/14/03) McKeesport LB fan of blockbuster hits (8/13/03) After rocky start, Rogers is thriving (8/11/03) Butler relies heavily on Sales to turn around its football fortunes (8/10/03)

Surprisingly, Davis, a senior, is nearly as quick at 280 as he is at 250 and, given his strength, athleticism and overall ability, his best position might be on the defensive line. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds at Metro Index camp last year at 245 and ran it in 4.8 seconds at A-K recruiting camp this year at 280.

"Corey has excellent lateral speed," said Les Kemp, who runs the A-K recruiting camp in Harmarville. "He gives a coach a lot of options because of his ability and his size. He'll probably end up playing on the defensive line in college, but he is quick enough to cover tight ends or receivers so that's not a foregone conclusion.

"His ability to stay with receivers during drills at our camp opened a lot of eyes about how great of an athlete he really is. If he works hard, it is limitless for him."

Davis received early interest from some schools in the Big Ten and the Southeastern Conference, but he committed to Pitt this spring. The Panthers started to recruit him when he was a freshman.

"It meant a lot to me that Pitt was coming after me first," he said. "They really showed me that they wanted me to stay home. They recruited me as a linebacker, but I understand how things work. If they want me to play defensive end, I'll suck it up and that's what I'll do.

"Defensive tackle, however, I'm not real sure about that. I don't know a thing about that position."

For now, Davis will anchor the middle of the Highlanders' defense and has his mind set on reaching the City League championship game. Peabody's last appearance in the title game was in 1996, when the Highlanders lost to Westinghouse. Peabody hasn't won the title since 1994, but Davis believes the drought could end this year.

He said the Highlanders have a lot of talent, especially on defense. The core of the team are seniors who have played on the varsity since they were freshmen. Peabody finished 2-7 that year but has improved each season. Last year, the Highlanders finished 7-3 and lost to Brasher, 7-6, in a semifinal.

Davis said the heartbreaking loss has motivated the Highlanders to work hard in the off-season. He has embraced the leadership responsibilities that come with being the team's top player.

"I know I'll be a marked man, but, if people marking me enables others to make plays, then I've done my job," he said. "But our defensive line has been awesome this year, and that makes my job simple. We had a scrimmage the other day, and I only made a few tackles because they were just stuffing everything."

Despite the Highlanders' championship drought, Davis has experienced the excitement and sense of accomplishment that comes with a City League championship.

He helped the Highlanders win back-to-back City League basketball championships his freshman and sophomore years. Last season, he was a starter for the Highlanders, who lost to Perry in the title game.

"Any championship is going to be exciting," he said. "Even if it is in golf."

Paul Zeise can be reached at pzeise@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1720.

E-mail this story   Print this story