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Jacob Oliver has been a huge part of the Chambers Academy football team’s success the last four years. Now in his senior season, he looks to continue the Rebels dominance during the season and finish his high school career winning two state championships in three years.

“It came on me quick I’m not going to lie,” Oliver said. “Last year, all the seniors were telling me that it flies by and to just slow down. Now it’s here.”

That moment that he truly felt like a senior hit him during the Rebels first summer workout on June 1.

Oliver is one of the few offensive starters returning from the Rebels 2019 state runner-up team. He plays as one of the Rebels offensive guards, which play a huge role in the Rebels running scheme, as they do a lot of sweep run plays.

“We rely on our guards. They are the bases of everything we do,” head coach Jason Allen said. “They have to be smart. They have to understand how to block people when they get there. They have to understand angles and they have to be physical. I think it’s huge bringing back our two guards. These guys have been doing this since they were in the fifth grade, so they understand it very well.”

Along with playing on the offensive line, Oliver plays defensive end. Like the offensive line, the defensive line also graduated several key members, so Allen expects Oliver to be one of the players to step up.

“He’s going to be big, because we pride ourselves on stopping the run and Jacob is a run-stopper,” Allen said. “What we want him to be able to do this season is getting to the quarterback and affect the pass game. I know he’s taking that upon himself too.”

Oliver has been part of the Chambers Academy football team since he was a sixth-grader. In that time, he has grown and developed his body to play a significant starting role for the Rebels.

“He’s worked hard in the weight room and changed his body, which has made a big difference for him,” Allen said.

Leadership is something that Oliver has shown throughout the Rebels’ first month of summer workouts. He tries to lead by example. During sprints, he tries to be the first one to finish, while lifting weights, he tries to grab extra reps.

“He works so hard, just like a lot of our guys,” Allen said. “The other guys will see it and go ‘Woah, if I want to play, I have to practice that hard every day.’ To me, that’s better than the rah-rah type of guys, because you see them do it.”

Oliver also leads in the classroom, finishing his junior year on the Chambers Academy Headmaster’s list, meaning he finished with an A average in every class all four quarters.

With his final high school campaign upon him., Oliver is looking to push himself and be the best player he can be.

“I’m expecting to play harder than I did last year and try to be the best I can be,” Oliver said.