Jim Brady knows he got in at the start of something big.
The St. Augustine Prep linebacker
and the rest of his senior teammates are the first class to play all
four of their seasons for coach Mark Reardon and assistant Charlie
Roman.
Not coincidentally, Brady and his teammates are the first class not to have a losing season during their careers.
"We're headed in the right
direction," Brady said. "I want to say we're a part of something that's
going to be special in the next couple of years. I want to say we
started this. It feels great."
The Hermits (7-0) are ranked No. 1 in The Press Elite 11 and will play at Vineland (3-3) at 6 p.m. Friday.
The 6-foot, 225-pound Brady, 17, lives in Mullica Township.
He's established himself as one
of South Jersey's top players with 89 tackles, 16 of them for losses,
and six sacks this year. Brady is considering attending several Football
Championship Subdivision schools.
Brady also wrestles for the Hermits, but football is his passion.
"It's school, football and I like to mix in some hunting once in a while," he said.
In a telephone interview Tuesday
night, Brady discussed a number of topics, including what it's like to
play for Reardon and Roman.
On how he started playing football:
I started out playing when I was 5 years old. I started out playing
quarterback, and I just grew to love the sport. I played quarterback for
about four years until I was about 10. I started running the football
then and became a fullback. I've been a linebacker my whole life.
On becoming a full-time defensive player:
I love hitting people. That's probably my favorite thing to do, and on
defense I get to hit somebody every single play. I started out my
freshman year at St. Augustine playing a little bit of fullback. The
coaches decided to move me to linebacker, where I've been playing ever
since.
On the daily atmosphere at St. Augustine: It's a bunch of guys hanging out. You don't have to worry about any distractions. We hang out together every weekend. The Prep is like a family.
On the daily atmosphere at St. Augustine: It's a bunch of guys hanging out. You don't have to worry about any distractions. We hang out together every weekend. The Prep is like a family.
On playing for Roman and Reardon:
They demand a lot from us during the season and the offseason. It's a
pleasure playing for them. They are two of the best coaches I'll
probably ever have in my life. I look forward to coming to practice
every day. They can be strict, but most of the time they're fun guys.
They joke with us as much as possible. It's a fun atmosphere.
On the possibility of playing a North Jersey parochial power in the state Non-Public IV playoffs:
I think we're right with them this year, and that's my honest opinion.
This team will make a run at the title. People can doubt all they want.
But as a team, we know what we're capable of. Last year, we gave Don
Bosco a very good fight. We had a turnover that didn't go our way, and
that's why that score (42-21 loss) was what it was. This year, I think
we're a more sound football team.
Contact: 609-272-7185
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