McFarland selected to play in All-American Bowl

Written by: the Site Administrator on November 18, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Chasity Monschein
Editor-in-Chief

Because of the blood, sweat and tears he puts on the football field and the outstanding character he possesses, defensive tackle JaMarkus McFarland was selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. The announcement came during second period on Monday in the gold gym.

“We select the top 90 players in the nation to play,” U.S. Army Staff Sergeant William Velez said, “and he is the second best national defensive player. It is a prestigious game and will bring him college opportunities by getting his name out there.”

However, before McFarland was formally told that he was selected to be a player in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, his coach informed him during the summer he had a choice rather or not to play.

“I found out during the summer that I could choose between being in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl or the Under Amour Senior Bowl from coach Brooke Stafford during practice,” McFarland said. “More professional football players have gone to the All-American Bowl, so I choose to play in it.”

According to McFarland, the chance to play with other elite high school football players and to be noticed by colleges is something he had to do.

“This is an opportunity I have to take because it is a fun and a once in a lifetime thing,” McFarland said. “Also, I want to meet other players that may go to the same school as me.”

McFarland will leave Dec. 30 for San Antonio and will be staying at a hotel for a week.

“That is when I will get to meet the other players,” McFarland said. “I do not know how they are distributing the players into teams, but hopefully I will know before I get there.”

For anyone interested in attending, the game will begin at noon and tickets cost $12.

“I will be attending but I do not have to pay because I was invited,” Stafford said. “He is the second person from LHS to get this and it is the second or third highest honor a high school football player may receive, so I will be there to support him.”

Along with Stafford, McFarland’s parents will be supporting him in the stands.

“I am excited that they will be attending,” McFarland said. “After receiving this honor, I think they realize more how well I play.”

Since he is a participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, McFarland is eligible to receive the Player of the Year Award, the Walter Payton Trophy or the Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard U.S. Army Awards.

“If I won something, it would be extra,” McFarland said. “I am not going in there expecting to win anything.”

Once the game is finished and the Panther football season is over, McFarland said he will relax a bit but still wants to continue football.

“I will go as far as football will take me,” McFarland said. “I want to play at either the University of Oklahoma or the University of Texas and receive my degree in physical therapy.”