BRIDGEPORT – This has been a football season of personal bests for Bridgeport High School senior Jaki Threet. During the Oct. 3 Homecoming game against the Valley Lumberjacks, he collected his 1000th rushing yard while advancing the ball for the Bulldogs.
Quarterback Threet made about 220 rushing yards during that match. The Blue and the Black got the victory with 43 to 6.
Threet went into the game knowing he was close to making 1000 yards, but it was not until after the final score that he confirmed the additional triumph.
“They told me how many I would need. During the game I didn’t know exactly how many, so I didn’t know until after the game,” he said. “It was awesome. It was a goal that I’ve had for a long time, and I know not a lot of people have been able to do that at Bridgeport, so being able to be one of the few to be able to make my mark is pretty important to me.”
Threet bought into the training required to excel.
“That’s a lot of yards, especially in a single season, so being able to do that just shows just how much work I’ve been putting in,” he said.
“My mindset is coming in like: ‘Nobody can stop me.’ Being the most dominant on the field. I feel that’s the important mindset to have. Not letting people do what they want to you and just holding yourself to a higher standard.”
He said the team is taking on some intense training with trainer Cole Smelley.
Threet has confidence in his team, adding they have all they need to win and only need to live up to their potential. He looks forward to the next two games of the season: the Oct. 17 game against Shadyside and the Oct. 24 match against Cameron.
He also has ambitions to make 1,500 rushing yards by the end of the season. He is eyeing the Division 7 Player of the Year spot.
Threet is a lifelong lover of football who has played the game since he was four years old. His stepfather Jarrod Wallace showed him the ropes. Other mentors and role models are the school’s all-time rushing leader 2010 graduate Chris Smelley, and former coach Fred Ray.
He hopes to continue playing after high school. He has words of encouragement to up-and-coming Bulldogs who are considering trying out for the team.
“It takes a lot of discipline, and you’ve got to hold yourself to a standard that some people aren’t willing to go to. You’ve got to work every day. You can’t slack off and if you slack off it’ll show on Friday nights.”
Head football coach Andrew Yahn is proud of Threet, adding he showed his qualities early.
“Jaki’s a very explosive athlete. He’s multifaceted. When he has the ball in his hands he can beat you many different ways. He can beat you with speed. He can beat you with agility by making you miss, and then he can also beat you with power by running through you. He’s a complete back for us,” he said. “He’s been the catalyst for our team so far this year.”
He said the power is in the Bulldog team and their commitment has led to victories.
“It’s a total team effort, so everybody’s got to come out,” he said, adding the linemen are also feeling proud.
“We have two games left. We have our rivalry game this week against Shadyside, it’s a big opportunity to keep us in the playoffs because we’ve got to win both games,” he said. “We know what we’ve got to do, and the kids are excited to do it.”
Principal Jack Fisher said Threet exemplifies Bridgeport’s student athletes.
“He’s doing great this year. Leading his team,” he said. “His 1,000 yards rushing awesome. It’s a great feat. We’re super proud of him, but his most impressive traits are just his character, his leadership, not simply his athletic ability but also his ability to lead his team, and also his incredible influence in our building and our high school and the culture of the building.”
