Bay County Fantastic 24: Meet the difference makers for Bay High football this season

With football just around the corner, I want to reference a goal of mine I set when I was first named as the new high school sports reporter in Bay County. The News-Herald aims to serve as a medium that increases exposure in the athletics scene and shines a light on the hidden gems around the area.

I want to introduce a concept to the football scene that showcases the standout players from the county's pool of talent. Since it's the 2024 season, it feels fitting to highlight the top 24 players in a series called the "Fantastic 24."

I have assigned each coach the responsibility of presenting four players who embody the brand and tradition of their respective programs.

Our first stop is at Bay High, led by an experienced group looking to change the narrative.

Jacoby Smith, DL, Class of 2025

How are you operating as one of the leaders on the team and getting guys to follow your lead?

"Coaches usually pick leaders but a team picks who to follow by doing the right things and leading by example," Smith said. "The offensive and defensive line follow me, Xion (Miller) and Zach (Roper) and as a leader, I try to give advice and contribute to the team as best as I can."

How has the process been transitioning from an offensive lineman to playing primarily on the defensive line?

"Coach Brown brought the idea to me and I said, 'Let's go with it', so I got with our defensive line coach who taught me power moves and different techniques to shed blocks," Smith said. "I watch NFL players like Jordan Davis, Vita Vea, Cameron Jordan, Chris Jones and Aaron Donald who are all dogs on the field with great moves."

What are some of your favorite moves or moves you have seen success with so far?

"I love the club-rip, rip, bull rush and push-and-pull," Smith said. "I am still learning how to use my hands faster, effectively and more accurately but besides that, I think I am learning it all fast."

What are some personal and team goals you have for this upcoming season?

"I am still working on getting down to 320-pounds which is an ideal weight for a lineman at the next level," Smith said. "A team goal I would want us to play as a team and not as individual players."

Caleb Toombs, RB, Class of 2025

How have you worked and developed yourself to become one of the best rushers in the county?

"When I was a freshman at Mosley I saw Randy (Pittman Jr.) and other guys working hard in the weight room and wanted to be just like them so I got serious about lifting and the extra things needed to get better," Toombs said.

When you're in the open field and a defender is coming to tackle you, what is your first instinct?

"I would put my shoulder down and run through them or I would cut to the right or left, but mainly I would love to run them over," Toombs said.

How are you paving the way for the younger guys?

"I lift them up and whenever they make a mistake in a drill I choose to speak to them calmly and not yell at them," Toombs said. "All the freshmen come up to me asking how I do certain things and I help with all of it."

What are some personal goals and team goals you want to accomplish this season?

"I want to rush for at least 2,000 yards, win district and make it to the state championship," Toombs said.

Javar Bowden, TE/WR, Class of 2026

Listed as a four-star prospect, how are you not letting the recruiting popularity serve as a distraction but rather a motivation for the team?

"Whenever I go on college visits I bring my teammates with me so that they can see where they could be," Bowden said. "This past summer we went a lot of places and they learned that if they pushed themselves to be better each day they could play at these schools."

With such a talented receiver room how are you all controlling a clash of personalities?

"This past summer we went to a lot of 7-on-7's and we already knew we had many guys who could be the top guy on any team, but we got rid of the selfishness and decided if you eat, we are going to be proud of you," Bowden said.

What are some goals that you have for the upcoming season?

"Coach Brown and I have been talking about going to state and winning as many games as possible since my freshman year," Bowden said. "We have the best '26 class in the city, quarterbacks, running backs and all to make us successful."

Wykien Waters, WR, Class of 2025

As the county's leading receiver last season, what are you looking to achieve this year?

"I want to get 1,000 yards receiving, but we have so many talented guys that a bunch of us can get over one-band receiving," Waters said.

What is your best quality as a receiver: route running, speed, or hands?

"I was pretty slow last year so I would definitely go with my hands," Waters said. "More than likely I will catch anything that comes my way."

How has the process been transitioning to a different program for your final season?

"It has been great and this is the best experience I have had because I believe we can take this program to the next level," Waters said.

At your position what is your go-to move to get open and make the catch?

"I do a couple of stutter steps, fake inside, cut back outside down the sideline and catch the fade ball," Waters said.

Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1 .

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County Fantastic 24: Meet the difference makers for Bay High football this season