Lee Rouse: Full speed, every play, all day

A picture hangs on Lee Rouse's wall, reminding him of his favorite football memory.

While playing in last year's 4-AA state championship game, the New Bern High School defensive end broke through Charlotte Independence's offensive line and sacked the quarterback.

"I pinched in across the tackle, the quarterback scrambled, and he had no receivers to go to," Rouse said. "I brought him down by his jersey."

Entering his senior season, Rouse is looking to add many more personal highlights to his high school football portfolio. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound defensive end is one of six returning starters on the New Bern defense, hoping to lead the Bears to their second consecutive state championship.

"You've got some guys that lead by example. Then you've got some guys that are verbal leaders, always encouraging and motivating. He does both," New Bern head football coach Bobby Curlings said.

Rouse may not be the biggest or strongest defensive lineman on the New Bern football team. He may not be the most talented. What separates Rouse from his teammates is the sheer intensity he displays on the football field.

"I don't care if we're just going through a walk-through drill or a game-type situation, he's got one speed - that's wide open," Curlings said. "He does everything we ask without any kind of hesitation, and he does it as hard as he can possibly go and as fast as he can possibly go.

"He constantly encourages and demands that his teammates do the same."

Rouse's energy in practice not only rubs off on the rest of the New Bern defense, Curlings said. It also helps develop the offensive tackles he faces in practice.

"They know if they've got a chance, they've got to go as hard as they can possibly go," Curlings said. "He challenges them every drill, every day, every snap of the ball. It's making us a lot better on both sides of the ball."

Somewhat quiet and unassuming, Rouse doesn't necessarily strike you as a typical hard-hitting defensive lineman. He gets good grades, stays out of trouble and displays outstanding character off the field, Curlings said.

But when Rouse steps onto the football field, a new creature emerges.

"When he crosses that line on the football field, he's able to flip a switch," Curlings said. "He turns into what you want as a football player.

"He takes each play as a challenge. It's him against the world, and he's planning on winning."

Although the New Bern football team doesn't designate team captains, Rouse is most certainly a leader on defense. He credits much of his success to his ability to beat offensive lineman off the snap.

"I've got way better feet than the offensive lineman," Rouse said. "I'm a whole lot faster and can get around them. And I'm probably stronger than most of them."

While the memory of last year's state-championship game is definitively a good one, Rouse has a few not-so-pleasant memories lingering in his mind. The Bears started their 2007 season with losses to Richmond County and Wilmington Hoggard.

When asked if he's looking forward to facing those two teams again, Rouse confirmed with one simple word.

"Payback," he said.