Gerald Fulton is all about winning at Hazelwood East
By Leon Devance
For the St. Louis American
Whenever the Hazelwood East football team needs a play to move the chains, receiver Gerald “Big Play” Fulton is the weapon of choice.
Fulton is a multitalented young man who dazzles opposing defenses with his great hands on the football field and audiences with his rhymes on the microphone. He is as an accomplished rap artist with a record deal at 17 years old.
Fulton, a 6’2” senior, has stretched opposing defenses to score eight touchdowns this season in leading Hazelwood East to a 7-2 record. Fulton combines athleticism and film study to get separation at the line and get open downfield.
“I also have been to practice at Rams Park and learned from both Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce on how to run crisp routes,” said Fulton. “I feel that none of the defensive backs in the conference can guard me because I feel all jump balls are mine.
“As a receiver I use my athletic ability to get open and I don’t drop many balls. And I also have footage on our opponents to study the defensive backs’ tendencies to see who is lazy and bites on play action fakes.”
As the primary receiver in the Hazelwood East offense, Fulton, who has 30 receptions for 682 yards, which is good for 22.7 yards a catch, thrives on delivering big plays.
“When I am on the field, I open up the running game for Thomas Merriweather (who has rushed for 1,291 yards and 21 touchdowns),” said Fulton. “Because when I am making plays, opponents cannot just concentrate on stopping the run and stack the box with eight men.”
Senior quarterback Carl Word and Fulton have played and practiced together for four years at Hazelwood East and played against each other in the Junior Football League.
“Because of all of the repetitions we practiced together, we have great timing and I know all of his moves,” said Word.
“Gerald has amazing hands and his speed creates mismatches for us. With Gerald’s height, when I throw the fade route to him I will put the ball where I know that only Gerald can catch it.”
Hazelwood East runs a multiple I offense with two receivers and one back in the base offense. Coach Corey Johnson called Fulton a complete team player.
“Although he is the primary receiver on pass plays, he also blocks downfield when he does not have the ball. Gerald runs good routes and he catches the ball well, and he is a good football player because he makes big plays for us,” Johnson said.
“Because has played four years for us and Gerald is a senior, he is a outstanding positive leader for the younger kids on the team.”
The Spartans still have an oustide chance of winning the Class 6, District 4 title, but they must defeat Riverview Gardens, Pattonville must defeat Hazelwood Central and the points must be in East’s favor for them to move on in the state playoffs. An East victory on Saturday would clinch at least a share of the Suburban North Conference title.
“Gerald’s goals are the same as every member of this team,” said Johnson. “He is dedicated to success and believes team success is the only goal to have. Gerald wants to win every game, then win the Suburban North Conference, then win the district. Gerald is a successful football player to me because he is a team player.”
