Tallon Blackwell closes in on Carson back Rosean Perkins.

Brian Wilhite photo.

By Mike London

mike.london@salisburypost.com

MOUNT ULLA — There was a game in 2015 in which Salisbury’s Tywun Rivens made 17 tackles, three for loss, as the Hornets pounded Surry Central.

Ryan Crowder was the head coach at Salisbury then, and he declared it to be one of best games he’d ever seen a linebacker play for the Hornets.

Rivens was no one-hit wonder, as he racked up high school accolades and went on to be a factor in college ball as a Campbell University linebacker. His accomplishments on the field and in the classroom inspired his younger brothers.

One of his siblings was Lawon Blackwell, a cornerback who played for coach Brian Hinson at Salisbury and was a hero in a pivotal 2019 victory against Ledford.

Latest to wear the pads in the family line is Tallon Blackwell, who is a senior inside linebacker for the West Rowan Falcons. At 210 pounds, Blackwell is a large high school LB, about 30 pounds heavier than Rivens was when he was all over the field making tackles for the Hornets.

“What Tywun did motivates me and pushes me,” Blackwell said. “He lets me know I’m not there yet. But I’m chasing him every day, trying to hawk down the career that he had.”

Blackwell wears the No. 14 jersey, a quarterback number, but he’s all linebacker. He talks loud and he hits louder.

His favorite play of the season was bringing an A.L. Brown tunnel screen to an abrupt halt with a bleacher-shaking tackle that drew roars from West fans.

“Blackwell has been the culprit on several bone-rattling hits this season,” West head coach Louis Kraft said. “He’s a loud voice in the locker room and on the field, and that includes the practice field. Guys gravitate to him and follow him. He cares passionately about his team and his teammates, so he’s bringing the energy and  pushing his teammates every single day. He keeps the energy level high for us and I love to watch him play.”

Even on a Monday, when everyone else is dragging at practice, Blackwell’s motor is running full throttle. He sees the spark he brings to the table as being just as critical as tackling people, and he tackles a lot of people.

Heading into Friday’s big South Piedmont Conference game at Northwest Cabarrus — the Falcons (3-2, 2-0) are three-TD underdogs — Blackwell is  the Falcons’ leading tackler with 55 stops, including eight for loss.

Watch Blackwell highlights for a few minutes, and you’ll see him make every play a linebacker is asked to make. He pressures quarterbacks, stuffs running plays with power and still has the mobility to drop into coverage to break up or pick off a pass. He has one interception this season.

Blackwell was a defensive lineman early in his career, but he transformed his body between his sophomore and junior seasons.

“My weight had gotten up more than I realized, but I dropped a lot of pounds by getting more active, going to the Y and working out every day,” Blackwell said. “When I dropped the weight, I was moved to linebacker as a junior. That’s been a good move for me. I love linebacker because you’re right in the middle of everything and you have a chance to make a difference on every play, whether it’s a run or a pass.”

He’s been outstanding in four out of five games this season and had a dominant role again in last week’s 40-6 victory against South Rowan.

But Blackwell is looking to be even tougher in the weeks ahead. The bar has been set high in his family.

“Tywun did some big things,” Blackwell said. “That means I’ve got something to prove every time I take the field.”