After a big sophomore season, Carl Junction’s Rayquion Weston is earning a reputation as one of the premier players in southwest Missouri.

At 5’11, 195-pounds, Weston brings speed and power to the field and is coming off a sophomore season in which he rushed for 1,643 yards and 21 touchdowns. He had nine 100-yard yard games as the Bulldogs went 9-3 overall.

“I go out to catch some passes at times, when we are passing the ball I have to block to make sure my quarterback doesn’t get hit,” Weston said. “Those are a couple of things that I do at my position.

“My team this year looks really good and we have a lot of athletes that could play both ways if we need them. Once everyone gets on the same page we will be a really good football team.”

This offseason, Weston has focused on getting stronger and faster and improving his all-around skills.

Weston began playing football when he was really young in the Kansas City area and says his dad has been the biggest influence on his football career.

“He is always at all my football game every since I was little,” Weston said. “He makes sure that I always go out and play with heart and when I’m not doing so good, he would come over and talk to me on the side and make sure I go back in and do what I need to.”

A fan of Marshawn Lynch, Weston says he appreciates the way the former Seahawk ran with the ball.

“He’s just a dawg on the field,” Weston said. “I love the way that he plays ball. Everyone calls him ‘BEAST’ and when I’m on the field that’s what they call me because I like to go beast mode.”

Weston says Kentucky has shown him the most interest,

“They send me lots of things,” he said. “I have a lot of other schools that sends me letters and emails. Also where I’m from we can’t get offers for football till junior year.”