by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@sbgnet.com
(804)
240-2191
Mired in a box of below .500 tickets, John Marshall and coach
Marvin Bridges picked out an above .500
stamp in 2007, a 6-4 season.
Led by players like Hampton’s Darius Jackson and Jalal Gee, and several other college players in
2007, Bridges’ 2009 team may be on par with the 2007 team.
Athletes
abound everywhere, led by one of the Central Region’s most versatile performers,
Josiah Shelton.
Shelton, a
transfer from Midlothian, can play quarterback, running back, wide receiver,
linebacker, cornerback and safety. Opponents may not be able to find
him.
Shoot, Bridges and his staff might even have a difficult
time.
The offensive line should have a great time as the experienced unit
looks to give time to talented weapons.
Ramone Bragg (6-3, 250) and Mike Hudson (6-5, 270) pace the unit from their
tackle spots, while Brandon Brooks (6-1,
250) and Dajuan White (6-2, 260) play
guard sandwiching center Josh
McClure.
“That’s my foundation right there,” said Bridges, who is
itching for more program-building wins over established schools like Mills
Godwin and Hermitage after JM took down Patrick Henry last season. “I feel like
that’s a very important part. I think they are on par with the 2007 team, a
little bit more disciplined.
“If they stay focused, we’ll be in
games.”
Bridges also hopes his defense can keep him in games while the
offense gets going behind sophomore signal caller Malcolm Ball.
Shelton’s versatility will
be key, along with safeties C.J. Shelton
and Lesuane Vaughan, linebacker Tavaris Thompson and promising DE Davon Lampkins.
This athletic group
promises to not be shy and fly around the ball, hopefully spurring the Justices
past the 3-7 mark in 2008.
“We’re looking real good right now,” Josiah
Shelton said. “Only thing we have to do now is wait until we suit up and see
what everybody’s talking about.”
ALL ABOUT JOHN
MARSHALL
Key players:
Josiah Shelton, ATH, Sr.; Malcolm Bell, QB, Soph.; Akeem Brown, WR, Sr.
(“I expect big things,” Bridges said.); C.J. Shelton, SS, Sr.; Lesuane Vaughan,
FS, Sr.; Jamar Tunstall, CB/WR/KR, Sr.; Frank Bullock, RB/LB, Sr.; Josh Wallace,
RB, Sr.; Tavaris Thompson, LB/RB; Tyrell Smith, CB/WR/RB; Offensive line
Key losses: Randall Braxton,
LB/TE; Maurice Johnson, WR/DE; Quantae Cooley, WR/CB (St. Paul’s); Ernest Brown,
DE;
Fast fact: Since 1997, JM has
only one winning season, 2007, that’s one in 12 seasons. Can the Justices make
it two in 13?
Big game: At Mills
Godwin, Oct. 2, 7 p.m. Godwin nipped JM 8-7 in 2008 and is a school that Jayem
has not fared well against in the recent past.
Outlook: This is Bridges’ fifth year and he has
helped pull Jayem out of the doldrums of no-win and one-win seasons. This is the
time he hopes they take a giant step forward.
CAN’T-MISS VIDEO
Stephen
Lewis’ take on the Justices
ATH
Josiah Shelton interview
DB
C.J. Shelton interview
OT
Ramone Bragg interview
OT
Mike Hudson & QB Malcolm Bell interview
WR
Akeem Brown interview
MUST-SEE LINKS
2009
Schedule
2008
Results
Back
to 2009 Football Camp Tour
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