Stokes Does Double Duty For West Fork

Kallin Stokes, a West Fork junior, starts on both offensive and defensive line this season for the Tigers, who open play in the Class 3A playoffs at Paris on Friday.
Kallin Stokes, a West Fork junior, starts on both offensive and defensive line this season for the Tigers, who open play in the Class 3A playoffs at Paris on Friday.

— Kallin Stokes has been double trouble for West Fork this season.

The 6-0, 265-pound junior has used his size and strength to plug holes on the defensive line, but he’s also opened them for Tigers running backs on offense.

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Kallin Stokes

School: West Fork

Height: 6-0

Weight: 265

Class: Junior

Notable: Started on the offensive and defensive lines as a sophomore part time, but starts both ways all the time for the Tigers this season.

Stokes said he’s probably best on offense, but admitts defense it a little more fun.

West Fork coach Rodney Selph said he does a great job on both sides.

“He’s definitely one of our best offensive linemen,” Selph said. “But he’s just pretty good on both sides. He’s valuable. He’s got some size and we’re not real big overall.”

Stokes is also versatile, starting a right tackle on offense, but playing some tackle or end on defense, Selph said.

But he’s mainly relied upon to be a run-stopper in the middle for the Tigers. That could be key when West Fork (3-6) opens the Class 3A playoffs at Paris on Friday since the 8-2 Eagles are a run-oriented offense.

“We need him to be that rock with arms and legs,” Selph said. “Be that guys that doesn’t move and makes tackles.”

West Fork comes in as the No. 4 seed from the 3A-1 against Paris, which earned a co-championship with Charleston in the 3A-4, but comes into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed.

Despite losing the final two games of the regular season, Stokes said he’s confident the Tigers have a chance to advance in the playoffs.

Stokes, who squats 400 pounds and bench presses 300, showed great improvement over the past year despite starting some as a sophomore. The potential for him to make more gains this offseason has Selph excited for Stokes’ future.

He could add another 10 or 15 pounds and improve his strength and quickness even more.

“We’re expecting him to improve even more,” Selph said. “I think the still has some developing to do. We think the sky is the limit for him really.”

Stokes said playing with a talented group of seniors a year ago definitely helped pave the way for him this year.

“They taught me really about never giving up and about teamwork,” Stokes said. “They never took a play off and they helped me keep pushing. Those guys helped mentor me. Last year when they lost the first three games of the year, they kept their heads up.”

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