 |
| #2 Senior wide receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr. leaps high to bring down a catch against Clermont East Ridge. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 23, 2011) |
By Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
September 27, 2011
LEESBURG - Senior wide receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr. is one of Leesburg High School's two sport athletes. As a junior he help lead the Yellow Jackets to their first state basketball title in 34 years. He is one of the hand full of players on the football team that has a state championship ring.
Roberts is a pure athlete who has excelled in football and basketball. He has stepped up his game in the absence of University of Miami commit wide receiver D'Mauri Jones, also his teammate on the 2011 FHSAA Class 4A Boys Basketball State Championship team. Roberts has big play ability in Randy Trivers explosive offense. He has 10 catches for 179 yards this season. He is averaging 17.9 yards per catch and has the ability to out leap defenders to catch the football. Roberts has rushed for 45 yards on 3 carries in 2011 averaging 15 yards per carry. When Roberts gets the football in his hands good things happen for the Jackets. He has great field vision and follows his blocks with precision.
 |
| Juilliard Roberts, Jr. after winning the 2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Championship. |
He is cool under pressure as evidenced in the 2011 FHSAA Class 4A Boys Basketball State Semifinal game against Tampa Blake. With Final Four MVP Joe Toolie feeling under the weather and the rest of the Jacket squad rattled early. Roberts entered the game with lots of energy and poise, he ignited the rest of the team. Leesburg ended up beating the state #1 ranked class 4A team by 16 points. His vertical leap allows him to go up high for the football and he has made some spectacular catches this season. He is one of the reasons why Leesburg is favored to repeat as state champions in basketball this season. He is no longer under the football recruiting radar. With D'Mauri Jones back in the Jacket lineup Roberts will no longer see as much double coverage as he had in the first three games of the season.
Roberts comes from a family of champions, from both his mother and father side of the family. His father Juilliard Roberts, Sr. help lead the Jackets to their last playoff win in 1992. He played along side Leesburg legend Oran Singleton and was a part of the 1992 Regional Championship team. Roberts grandfather is a retired employee of the Lake County School System George Nilblack. His Grandfather George is the first cousin of Leesburg all time leading wide receiver Greg Williams. Championships are in his DNA below is a short list of some of his family who have won championships or went to college on athletic scholarship at Leesburg High School.
Here is a short list of Roberts family members who have won championships at Leesburg:
Juilliard Roberts, Sr. 1992 Class 4A Football Regional Champion
Mecee Roberts 1991 Class 4A Softball State Semifinalist.
Gilbert Nilblack 2007 Class 5A Football District Champion.
Greg Williams 1969 Class A Football State Runnerup. Leesburg High School all time leading wide receiver. 1969 All State Football and Basketball. Southern University
Haywood "Ironman" Richardson 1971 Class A Football District Champion
Khalil Tucker Football South Carolina State University
Wayne Taylor 2000 Class 5A Boys Basketball District Champion, Regional Semifinalist
Dominic Taylor 2002 Class 5A Boys Basketball State Semifinalist
Alonte Richardson Bethune Cookman University Track
Keturah Roberts Lady Jackets Basketball District Champion Too name a few.
 |
| Juillard Roberts, Jr. takes a moment to reflect during the 2011Class 4A Boys Basketball State Final against Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons. |
Here is an exclusive interview with
2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Champion and Varsity Football Wide Receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr.
Carver Heights Quarterback Club Presents:
Gerald Lacey One On One With Juilliard Roberts:
Gerald Lacey:
You play like a champion every time you step on the football field or the basketball court. What motivates you to perform at such a high level?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr.
The things that motivate me to perform at such a high level is I just love the game. I want to go places and I know I have the talent, I just don't want to be that person 10 years from now in Leesburg watching kids play talking bout what I did I want to show them NOW what I can do.
Gerald Lacey:
How does it feel to be called state champion?
How does it feel to be called state champion?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr.
It feels very good to be called a state champion that just lets me know that my name is imprinted in Leesburg basketball history.
 |
| #2 Senior wide receiver Juilliard Roberts, Jr. talks with his teammates on the sideline during the Mount Dora Game. (PHOTO BY ASHLEY BEYER/September 16, 2011.) |
You seemed to play your best in pressure situations. At the 2011 Class 4A Basketball State Semifinal game against Tampa Blake, you played with a lot of poise. Your team was down 6-0 early in the first quarter against a Blake team that had been ranked #! in the state all season long. You guys were the underdogs and starting PG Joe Toolie was ill, you entered the game at that point and led a Leesburg comeback. Were you nervous when you came into the contest?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
In the semi-final basketball game I was very nervous. I just wanted to win because in my mind losing isn't an option.
In the semi-final basketball game I was very nervous. I just wanted to win because in my mind losing isn't an option.
Gerald Lacey:
With your athletic ability you head coach Randy Trivers another lethal offensive weapon. You have showed that you have the ability to score and make big plays from all over the field. What were your goals coming into the 2011 season?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
My goals coming into the 2011 football season is to play the best football I have ever played. This is my senior year and that means I don't have anymore chances to show what me and the other seniors can do. So my plans was to bring my "A" game every game and to conclude my senior year with an STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
 |
| Juilliard Roberts, Jr. dribbles the ball in the open court against Tampa Blake in the 2011 Class 4A Boys Basketball State Semifinal game. |
Who are some of the schools who have been contacting you about playing for them next year?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr.
I'm not really allowed to talk about what schools are looking at me right now.
Gerald Lacey:
Leesburg has not won a football playoff game since 1992 against Land O' Lakes. Your Dad Juilliard Roberts, Sr. played on that regional championship team. You helped end a 34 year state championship drought in basketball. Do you and your teammates understand that you have a chance to place your name in Leesburg sports history by ending a 19 year playoff win drought?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
Me and my team do understand that we can end a 19 year drought and we practice like it everyday. We work hard on being the best conditioned team and the best at executing plays.
You started out the year 3-0 does your fast start surprise you and your teammates?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
Beginning the season 3-0 hasn't surprised me and my teammates at all because this is what we've been preparing all summer for but we gotta stay humble and keep getting better.
Gerald Lacey:
With so many big time recruits around you and the media attention it brings. Do you have any problems with staying focus in this type of environment?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
I don't have any problems staying focused with all the media attention I really don't worry about it I just try to get better everyday and try to help my team and coaches win the best way I can.
You play for coach Randy Trivers a champion himself. How has his system had a impact on you and your game mentally and physically?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
Coach Trivers system has had a big impact on me mentally and physically. I haven't learned this much about football ever. He has really expand my knowledge about football on all types of different angles. He also has made me and my team one of the best conditioned teams in the state hands down.
Gerald Lacey:
On the upcoming basketball season you guys return 4 starters from a team that won it all last year. What will you guys have to do different this year in order for you to repeat as champions?
On the upcoming basketball season you guys return 4 starters from a team that won it all last year. What will you guys have to do different this year in order for you to repeat as champions?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
In the upcoming basketball season we will have to stay humble and put in a lot of work to repeat what we did last year. If we all keep our head right and stay together no doubt Leesburg will be state champions again.Gerald Lacey:
Which sport will you play in college?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
In college I would like to play football.
You play basketball for coach Marcel Thomas a young energetic coach who will continue to do great things. How has it been playing for him?
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
Playing for coach Thomas has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. He is a great coach. Coach Thomas is the type of guy that will be there for you through whatever and treats all of his players the same no matter what. I'm very appreciative to have him as a coach.
Gerald Lacey:
Well thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with me. I look forward to seeing you do more big things at Leesburg High School and in college I pray that you prosper in every thing you do Juilliard. Always remember do it the Yellow Jacket way "GO HARD"
Juilliard Roberts, Jr:
Thank You Mr. Lacey, I will.
Article provided by:
Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.
Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
No comments:
Post a Comment