Re: Early James
ELLISVILLE - Solid quarterbacking is a key to success for any football team.
The Jones County Junior College Bobcats are in excellent shape when it comes to the quarterback slot heading into the 2008 season.
Early James (6-2, 191) of Hahnville, La., High School returns to trigger the Bobcat offense. James posted some impressive numbers last year as a freshman, as he guided Jones to a 9-2 record, a runnerup finish in the MACJC state playoffs and in the South Division regular season, and a No. 5 ranking in the final NJCAA/JCfootball.com poll.
“Having Early back is a big plus,” said Bobcat offensive coordinator Brad Griffin, who also coaches quarterbacks and receivers. “He seems to be real comfortable with everything. We have tried to challenge him with the mental part of the game more so this year. For the most part, he has really answered that.
“He makes very few mistakes in terms of run-checks, where to go with the ball and that type of thing. He makes it a pleasure to coach that position.”
James, a Killona, La., native, was named the MACJC South Division Offensive Player of the Year last year. He completed 132-of-270 passes for 1,569 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Backing up James is highly-touted Laurel High School freshman Akeem Davis. Davis (6-2, 174) led the Golden Tornadoes to the Overall 4A State Championship last season. The Bobcats are using him similar to the way they used Pieri Feazell last season. Feazell started in the secondary, but served as James’ backup.
Davis will be in the mix as a free safety on defense, but will serve as JCJC’s No. 2 quarterback.
“Akeem has been primarily working on defense, but we have a plan for him at quarterback,” said Griffin. “We worked with him some this summer and he seems to be really attuned to what we do. I think he is going to be very sound and able to help us at that position.”
A third quarterback, freshman Ricky Chisum of Pearl River Central, will be a practice player this year, but Griffin has been very pleased with his play.
“Ricky is a walk-on and has really helped us in terms of allowing Early to sit back and teach some,” said Griffin. “He has really improved. He works hard and has done everything we’ve asked him to do.
“I wish we were just a little sounder with our depth at quarterback, but I think we are going to be fine. We have high expectations at that position.”
