By JONATHAN GREENE

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

PEARISBURG, Va. — Giles defensive back Michael Lester may not be the biggest guy on the field.

The Spartan senior stands 5-foot-7, 130 pounds.

Yet on Friday night against Auburn, Lester left his mark on the game.

Lester intercepted three passes, took one back for a score and added a punt return for a score as Giles won 62-0. His performance earned him Pocahonatas Coal Association/ Bluefield Daily Telegraph Player of the Week honors.

“He played phenomenally well,” Giles head coach Jeff Williams said. “Michael has really come on here in the last few weeks at defensive back for us. He’s really doing a good job.

“He’s gradually getting better. I’ve been on his butt about getting more physical. I’m starting to see that out of him.

“I believe that’s probably why he made the plays he made the other night. I think he was out there trying to play physical and all of a sudden he’s making plays for us. Big plays.”

Lester’s performance may have been even better as he returned another interception for a score, but it was called back due to a penalty.

“I was just doing what coach told me to do,” Lester said. “I was reading my key, breaking on the ball and it just fell in my hands.”

His interceptions were far from as simple as Lester makes it sound. He’s interception for a touchdown came as he tipped the ball up in the air then turned his body around to found the ball before taking it 24 yards for a score.

“Concentration,” Lester said. “I had a lot of concentration on the ball.”

Giles is off to a 5-1 start this season after going 5-5 a season ago and missing the playoffs.

The biggest difference has been their defensive play which has allowed one opponent (Christiansburg) to reach 20 points. Last year, the Spartans allowed 28.1 points per game.

“He’s a been a big factor on our defense,” Williams said. “He’s probably a good offensive player too, but we’ve got so many kids that can get in there and play wing back for us. Right now, we’ve got other guys playing the wing back and he’s playing in the secondary.

“On this level, that helps a lot. When you got guys playing one way, it really helps. The more you have, the better football team you have. He’s loves to play the game.”

Lester enjoys playing one way as well.

“It’s a lot easier to focus on one thing,” he said. “I don’t have to focus on playing offense or anything. I just get to focus on what I need to do.”

He and the rest of the Spartans will get a challenge from Glenvar on Friday night. The Highlanders are known for their passing attack.

“We play Glenvar this week and they’re going to throw the ball a lot,” Lester said. “It’s not anything different. I just have to get out there, break on the ball and maybe I’ll get another pick.”

Glenvar isn’t the only team on Giles schedule which features the pass as it seems more teams have gone away from the run and moved to the spread.

“Anymore you have to be solid back there,” Williams said. “Not just solid, but you have to have football savvy and some smarts. He’s got all that.

“Another thing he has is he’s a competitor. He loves playing football. He just likes to play.”

In addition to football, Lester is on the hardwood during the winter and track in the spring. But one sport stands above the others.

“Football is my favorite,” Lester said. “I’ve been playing it since I was little. It’s just something I love to do.”

The Spartans are glad to have him.

“He ain’t the biggest kid in the world, but he’s a tremendous football player,” Williams said. “He’s a tremendous athlete. He’s a great kid to be around.

“He’s got a great heart. He’s fun to be around and talk to. He’s got a great overall personality. A great kid.”

In addition to playing in the secondary, Lester has been a force on special teams. Particularly, the punt return unit.

On Friday against Auburn, the talented senior took one back for a 36-yard score.

“He gets in there and he does a super job at that,” Williams said. “He’s gotten really good. He did it for us last year.

“He’s probably got 10 times better than he was last year. He’s solid back there. We know a lot of times on punts the ball isn’t going to hit the ground. He’s going to field it for us and get up the field.”

Lester added, “It’s hard. I just make sure no one is coming and I catch the ball. I just focus on the ball and make sure I catch it before I take off and run.”

With Lester in the secondary with many other talented players and the Spartans single-wing attack clicking, Giles has worked their way up to fifth place in the VHSL Group AA, Division 1, West Section.

“I’m real pleased with how we’ve started out,” Williams said. “Now, we’re starting to get into district play. Overall, I’ve been real pleased especially with our play on defense.

“I feel like we’ve got some good skilled guys on defense who can play. Guys who can run and are smart. They have football savvy and that really helps on the defensive side of the ball.”

After missing the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons last year, the Spartans look poised to make a return.

“I think we can go pretty far if we put our minds to it,” Lester said. “If we just go out there and play as team, we’ll be fine.”

Giles hosts Glenvar at 7 p.m. on Friday night for homecoming night.

— Contact Jonathan Greene

at jgreene@bdtonline.com

Honorable Mention

Bland County (16-8 win, Narrows): Johnny David, 15-112 rush; Jakob Haun, 14-55 rush, 2 td (3, 1).

Giles (62-0 win, Auburn): Ethan Mitchell, 2-110, 2 td rush (56, 54); Brad Kessinger, 2 td rush (5, 23).

Grundy, (21-20 win, Meadow Bridge): Tyler McClanahan, 133 yards rush, 3 td (5, 8, 2).

Haysi (36-34 loss, Thomas Walker): Zack Owens, 4 td passes

Hurley (40-18 win, Tri-Cities Christian): Tyler Berglowe, 21-263 rush; Austin Cooper, 8-15, 120 yards, 2 td pass; Dustin Waynick, 2 td catch.

James Monroe (28-19 loss, Nicholas County): Trevor Fullen, 17-78, 1 td rush (10) / 3-29 catch, 1 td (15).

Mount View (60-28 loss, Fayetteville): Maurice Brown, 12-88 rush, 1 td (16), 1-46, 1 td catch (46); LaQuell Martin, 5-68 rush, 1 td (49).

Narrows (16-8 loss, Bland County): Wyatt Robertson, 22-187 rush; Joe Butler, 21-118 rush, 1 td (3).

PikeView (14-6 loss, Wyoming East): David Keen, 19-103 rush 1 td (13); Jordan Shrewsbury, 20-83 rush.

Richlands (49-0 win, Marion): Reece Strong, 11-15, 120 yards 2 td pass (4, 49), 7-7 extra points; Devon Johnson, 15-166 rush, 3 td (14, 19, 7), 2-19 catch, 1 td (4), 1 td int (20); D.J. Flack, 3-64 rush, 1 td (49); Eric Johnson, 7-61 rush, 1 td (6).

Summers County (27-26 win, Independence): Isaiah Brown, 12-76 rush, 2 td (16, 53) / 1-39 catch, 1 td (39); Jesse Howdershelt, 23-112 rush, 1 td (18).

Tazewell (35-2 loss, Virginia High): Malik Davis, 77 pass yards, 49 rush yards.

Twin Valley (39-14 loss, Castlewood): Adam Quinley, 19-105 rush 1 td (17).

NOTE: Coaches are urged to make nominations for this award, which will include four more winners for the 2011 seasons. Contact the Daily Telegraph by Tuesday at 5 p.m. at (304) 327-2813 or email sports@bdtonline.com