A dash of 'Pepper'

Nicknames are rarely chosen, they just tend without rhyme or reason to latch on to certain people.

Football was the farthest thing from the mind of Jacquaylen Harden’s grandparents when they gave him the nickname, “Pepper.” Like the simple kick it offers a bland meal, he has added a unique flavor to the Bessemer City football team during his four years on campus.

Over the past several seasons, Yellow Jacket football fans have gotten accustomed to hearing Harden called by his nickname, either in the starting lineup or following a big play. Often the smallest player on the field — standing a mere 5-foot-6 — a simple cheer of “Let’s go Pep!” makes the Bessemer City senior feel as if he is seven feet tall.

“It’s wonderful, it’s great … makes me a little happy,” Harden said. “It’s one of those things, like, ‘They know my name!’ I’ll never get tired of that, I feel loved.”

Considering how much Harden is on the field, there is plenty of love to go around.

At the start of the 2018 season, he assumed the role of quarterback for the Yellow Jackets. To this point, he is responsible for 939 total yards and 11 touchdowns.

Harden also is the last line of defense for Bessemer City, playing the safety position. This season, he has made 23 tackles and intercepted seven passes for a defensive unit allowing 16 points per game.

And when he’s not busy performing those tasks, the Yellow Jackets’ senior standout is contributing on special teams as a punter, along with returning punts and kickoffs.

“I get tired every once in a while,” Harden said, “but after a play or two to catch my breath, I’m right back in there.”

According to Bessemer City football coach Larry Boone, it is Harden’s intangibles that make him tough to take off the football field.

“With (Harden), we call him ‘Pep,’ anything can happen when he has the ball in his hands,” the Yellow Jackets’ head man said. “We depend on him for a lot, and he’s really come through during his time with us."

Aside from a 2015 campaign in which Bessemer City struggled to a 4-8 record, winning is all Harden has known. Since then, the Yellow Jackets have gone 25-9 and claimed a share of their conference title the last two seasons.

With his time in the green and gold now down to its final handful of games, Harden and a decorated senior class hope to cement their legacy in Bessemer City lore.

“Four years … it would be good to finish this off (with a Southern Piedmont 1A title),” Harden said. “What would it be … five out of the last six years with conference championships? Hang up another banner in the weight room, that’s the goal.”

Joe Hughes can be reached at 704-869-1843 or via e-mail at jhughes@gastongazette.com. Find him on Twitter @JoeLHughesII.