CALUMET FOOTBALL: Safety has feel for the game

CALUMET TWP. | Running backs have to be tough, linemen big and strong, quarterbacks poised and accurate, receivers quick and sure-handed.

Calumet senior Everett Streeter possesses all those valuable traits as a safety. But while backpedaling in pass coverage, the first thing you're likely to notice are those looong arms.

In basketball, he's a formidable shot blocker at 6-foot-2.

"A pretty gifted athlete," coach Ivan Zimmer said. "Got good hands as a receiver. Got great instincts on defense. He's a helluva football player."

Streeter also return kicks and has another gift coaches love -- a nose for the football.

"I guess I'm like a magnet to the ball," he said.

"On defense, he can go up and get it," Zimmer added. "He has extremely long arms. All of a sudden, you go: 'Wow. Didn't think anybody would get that.'"

Streeter played sparingly last season due to injury, still had three picks, and is determined to close out his prep career with some real fireworks.

"I look at the quarterback's eyes and then I follow wherever he's looking," Streeter said. "When he throws it, I start sprinting to where his closest receiver is.

"I'm one of the fastest people on the team and ever since I was in seventh grade, I could jump real high, so I use that to my advantage. I could dunk a basketball in eighth grade."

Streeter can read the QB as easy as movie showtimes, even in pursuit.

"When he's scrambling, he (is) panicking so I'm thinking he's either gonna throw to the short receiver to get some quick yards, or throw it long and that's the easiest one to intercept because he's off balance," Streeter explained. "You have to be a step ahead in thinking what he's gonna do, not a step behind."

Streeter claims he's been beaten occasionally but never burned.

"It upsets me a little bit but, like my coach says, I've got long arms, so I can easily jump and knock the ball away," said Streeter, who has close to a 3.0 GPA. "I'd like to play at that next level but if I don't, I'd just like to go to college and get my degree."

And that goal is certainly within reach.