Like in the LHSAA, there is a lot of really good talent in the MAIS including one such talent that plays football for Silliman High School, which is located in Clinton, Louisiana.
That player is two way star in RB/DE Isaac Garba, who is a force to be reckoned with on the gridiron for the Wildcats. At 6’0, 240 pounds, Garba is an absolute tank that just plows through defenders when he carries the football just like a couple of other bruising runners in which he models his game after.
“I like watching Marshawn Lynch and Ashton Jeanty. I try to be aggressive. I run like I hate the ground.”
Silliman RB/DE Isaac Garba
He carries that same mindset when he is playing defense as he enjoys punishing ballcarriers more than being a ballcarrier himself.
“I actually would prefer playing defensive end. I have been playing defense all my life. It’s just more comfortable for me. I am more comfortable playing defense.”
Silliman RB/DE Isaac Garba
Garba is just an all-around good football player and punishing player on either side of the ball. Other MAIS teams saw just that a season ago when he excelled at both positions. There are not a lot of players that can say they were a 1,000 yard rusher and a 100+ tackler, but that is what Garba was able to accomplish in 2024.
Along the way, Garba ended up collecting a lot of hardware including earning All-District Defensive MVP honors, All-State honors, and also being invited to play in the MAIS Football Futures Game last year.
“The Futures game is what I was most proud of. Getting invited to it was amazing. I didn’t know it was a thing and I was proud of myself on how I was able to compete in that game.”
Silliman RB/DE Isaac Garba
Now a days, it is hard to find guys that are not only willing to play a whole game, but to do so at a high level. This two way starter finds that inspiration hits close to home.
“I just think about my older brother. He’s the one that got me into playing football. I watch his film sometimes before games and I just lock in to be honest. I just imagine that he’s playing besides me on the field and we are going at it.”
Silliman RB/DE Isaac Garba
Garba is also imagining and anticipating the next time that he and the rest of his Wildcat teammates have to face Oak Forest and Parklane Academy, which both defeated Silliman last year.
“I want to beat Parklane. They ended our season last year, but I also want to beat Oak Forest. We’ve lost to them in the past two years. Those were two close games we should have won, but that that gives me the urge to beat them this coming up year.”
Silliman RB/DE Isaac Garba
Along with beating some of their rivals, Garba wants to hit some marks in the weight room. Right now, he benches 345 pounds, squats 450 pounds, power cleans 245 pounds, and deadlifts 500 pounds.
“I want to try and hit 400 before I graduate on bench and then, this is the old goal I gave myself when I first came to Silliman, but I want to try and hit 1,000 pounds on deadlift before I graduate, too.”
Silliman RB/DE Isaac Garba
The MAIS All-Star had a nice start to the offseason at the 2025 Gridiron Football Elite Camp at Lamar Dixon Expo Center. At the camp, Garba was named a Camp Top Performer and earned an invite to play in the 2025 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game.
“I think it was a great camp. It was just an opportunity to learn more stuff. I was able to compete against some more people. It taught me things I needed to do to improve in my game. What I learned the most was you have to be physical, especially on the defensive line. You got to use your hands and you got to be able to move your feet fast. My advice to players that want to go to a Gridiron camp is be prepared to get better because they are going to help you get that way.”
Silliman RB/DE Isaac Garba
No matter the level of play, colleges will find you if you are a great player and right now, Isaac Garba has drawn attention from Southland Conference schools like Northwestern State and McNeese State. Heading into his senior season, he wants to prove that he can play with anybody at the next level if given an opportunity.
“I’m a hard worker. I put the time in the weight room. Football is a team sport and in order to be successful, you have to be unselfish and I am willing to do whatever it takes for the team.”
Silliman RB/DE Isaac Garba
Gridiron Football will be at John Curtis High School in New Orleans, Louisiana for our next Elite Camp of the offseason Click the image to register for our camp to get on Gridiron’s radar!
