Two words describe this year's recipient of the Farm Bureau/Louisiana High School Mr. Football Award: The Man.

Bradie James has been the man in a West Monroe defense of many men. He led the Rebels with 136 tackles, in becoming the second consecutive West Monroe player to earn "Mr. Football" honors.

James also contributed eight sacks for minus-56 yards and chipped in with 10 tackles for loss, had an interception, three fumble recoveries, and blocked a punt.

"He's a tremendous athlete," West Monroe defensive coordinator Jerry Arledge said. "The good lord has made few guys who are 6-3 and 220 pounds and just 17 years old who can run the way he can and has his athletic ability."

James spent just a year at West Monroe, but what a year it was. The Wossman transfer helped the Rebels accomplish something only one other team has done, a three-peat in Louisiana's highest classification.

West Monroe capped its second perfect season with a 32-14 win over Ruston in the Class 5A title game. For the Rebels it was their third consecutive title and fourth in the 1990s.

In the game, James recorded six tackles including the Rebels' only sack.

"My season has been phenomenal," James said. "I've raised a few eyebrows and changed peoples' opinion about me. I adapted to a new system and accomplished so much in a short time."

James spent his previous three seasons at Wossman before moving to West Monroe. He took a great deal of heat for his decision, but said that it was the right move for him.

"This has to be the best move of my life," James said. "I was criticized so hard and ridiculed by a lot of people.

"But I went to West Monroe and it worked out for the best. I'm my own person. I don't follow crowds. If I did, I wouldn't be here right now."

All of James' teammates were happy to have him wearing Rebel colors.

"He's a great guy to be around," fellow linebacker Jason LeDoux said. "He's not only an excellent football player, but also an excellent person to be around."

While James has been a tremendous asset on the field, he has also been welcomed into the fold by his fellow teammates.

"He's been a real pleasure for us to coach and a pleasure to be around," Arledge said. "He's made a lot of good friends on the team,which is one of the keys to our success. Our kids on defense are close and they like each other."

While the defensive players and coaches get to play and coach alongside James, his counterparts on offense are equally happy he went to West Monroe.

The offensive players get to watch him do his magic on the field,and more times than not, benefit from some of the havoc he causes.

"You look at him, and can't compare any linebacker to Bradie,"senior tailback Kenny Robinson said. "He plays hard every snap and there are a lot of teams who would be a lot better with him."

Senior wide out and Class 5A offensive MVP Marcus Turner said his leadership ability sets him apart from other players.

"He means a lot," Turner said. "He kind of lifts the defense up and takes on a lot of leadership. Other guys are leaders as well, but by him coming over here, he definitely made a difference. He was the missing piece to our defense."

James said the differences he picked up have helped him become one of the most highly recruited athletics this season. He is considering going to Tennessee, LSU, Arkansas, Florida, Notre Dame and Texas A&M- among others.

"As the season progressed I became a student of the game," James said. "I learned how to study film, which had not been taught to me until this year. I also picked up on a winning attitude, which is a habit that you just can't get used to losing. That's the type of atmosphere West Monroe brings to the table."