Del City 2024 ATH Braelon Adamah lets his all-around play do all the talking
DEL CITY, OKLAHOMA - It took Braelon Adamah a couple of seconds to decide.
The Del City senior put his hand to his chin and stared up into the sky as he pondered which of his three touchdowns last Friday night was his favorite.
Even though Adamah had scored the first points of the game on a hard-nosed run up the middle of the Guthrie defense to set the tone for the night and had shown off his speed later in the half on a second touchdown run, in the end, they didn’t compare to the 90-yard punt return.
The play came midway through the second quarter and the Eagles leading Guthrie, 21-0, in the Class 5A quarterfinals. Guthrie had just caused a turnover, but the Del City defense had stopped them cold and forced the Bluejays to punt.
Adamah caught the ball at the 10-yard line and started to run to his left. But he changed direction and a lane opened to his right. After getting a couple of key blocks along the Bluejays' sideline, he coasted into the end zone.
Along with a 101-yard interception return for a touchdown by LaDainian Fields, Adamah’s punt return may have been the most exciting play for the Eagles.
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But that is not what made it his favorite play. It had more to do with the teammates who sprung him loose.
“If it wasn't for JaShawn McCallister and D'marion Turner, I would’ve never made that touchdown,” Adamah said. “I cut back, and I told D’marion to go hit and he ran upfield and blocked. I watched JaShawn block. He blocked from the 50; I promise you he blocked from the 50 all the way to the 30, so that’s what I love about it.
"We don't give up. That's the reason I scored, that's the only reason. If it wasn't for them, I would've never scored that, and I thank them for that.”
Del City's Braelon Adamah (4) lines up during the Eagles' Class 5A quarterfinal playoff against Guthrie on Nov. 17, 2023.
The 90-yard punt return was Adamah's final trip to the end zone of the night. But it wasn’t his final display of athleticism.
When the game ended, Adamah sprinted onto the field and did a back flip to celebrate the Eagles going to the semifinals and what was undoubtedly his best game of the year.
“This is probably my best game ever,” Adamah said. “Ever since my sophomore year, this is probably my best game I have had. It feels pretty good.”
That is saying a lot since Adamah has been a starter for Del City coach Robert Jones since his sophomore year.
“He's just been a special player since he's been a sophomore. So when you have a kid start as a sophomore, they get so much experience that by the time they're a senior that when they get into these games, there is just a comfort level,” Jones said. “His first year, we went 9-1 and he was playing big-time games as a sophomore. So now, this is routine for him.
"I love his personality. He really is like a spark plug for us. I'm happy for him.”
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Playing alongside Oklahoma State commit RJ Fields in the Del City backfield, Adamah has carried the rock 22 times for 119 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He also has 13 receptions for 189 yards and another score.
On the defensive side, the 5-foot-10, 167-pound free safety is second on the team in tackles.
“This year's been special for him and it's been real disappointing how the recruiting is going,” Jones said. “I hope (college) coaches come up because I'm seeing this kid make play after play all year.
"I'm like, where are his offers? But I think he's going to have something.”
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Right now, Adamah is more worried about finishing off the season with a title. De City hasn’t hoisted a gold ball in football since 1976.
As Del City (12-0) prepares for a semifinal match-up with Claremore (11-1-1) this Friday in Noble, Adamah figures the rest of it will take care of itself.
“I just want to show up and show out,” Adamah said. “I don't do a lot of talking. A lot of people do a lot of talking, but I'm not the type to talk.
"I talk with my pads. I come out here and ball out.”
-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK
