[tps_title]Academy Park Knights [/tps_title]
PETE BANNAN DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA — Academy Park’s John Matthews takes out the tackle dummy during August football practice.
Knights’ search for identity starts with Martin cousins
SHARON HILL >> Jermal Martin always knew the moment would arrive. William Martin always knew it, too. Some fall, some year, they would play their final football season together.
And, so, it is here.
And, so, there is a plan.
“We are going,” Jermal Martin said, “to go out with a bang.”
Could happen.
Jermal Martin is the All-Delco defensive back with high pass-catching skill returning this season to Academy Park. William Martin, his cousin, will return to solidify the Knights’ offensive line, likely shifting from tackle to center. Together, they will try to win games and add one more set of memories. Already, that collection is heavy. 
“We’ve been playing with each other our whole lives, since we started playing football with the Sharon Hill Ramblers,” Jermal Martin said. “I started when I was 9. He started when he was about 7. We live right around the corner from one another in Collingdale.
“It’s just a fun ride with him because he is part of my family. And not too many players get to play with somebody in their family around the same age. It’s just been fun because we know each other so well. And we hang out a lot.”
That fun rose to a high last season when the Knights went 4-1 in the Del Val and 13-2 overall, including a postseason victory over Springfield.
So … now what?
“Every year is a new year and you have a new group of kids,” Knights coach Jason Vosheski said. “Sometimes you are playing new opponents. Sometimes you are playing the same old teams. But you know each other so well. So I wouldn’t say we are trying to double up from last year or compare this to seven years ago. We are trying to find our own identity.”
As for the Martin cousins, that will be a familiar one.
In addition to his defensive duties, Jermal will be the Knights’ primary pass-catching target for new junior quarterback Skylor Fillis.
“Jermal is a great player,” William Martin said. “He has a great, winning mentality. And he never gives up. He does not like losing.
“It’s been great just to see him play. And it is cool to be playing with my family. It’s always been fun. We may have lost, but I don’t remember that much. Very rarely did we lose, I’ll just say that.”
The Knights could be successful again. Senior running back Kareem Burton, senior linebacker Azeez Badmus and senior pass-rusher Issa Fox can be high among the reasons, along with Bryson Roberts, who could be a force at safety.
William’s father, Bill Martin, enjoyed basketball success at Academy Park. And Jermal is the son of Jermal Martin Sr., himself once a relentless AP pass rusher.
“He’s probably one of our best overall football players,” said Vosheski of Jermal. “He’s about 5-10, 165. He’ll be a two-way player for us. Good kid. He plays at a high level. He has that kind of ability. He has that natural athleticism, speed, tenacity. He plays angry.”
For this season, anyway, he will play with some joy. That’s because he is playing, perhaps for the final time, with his longest-tenured teammate.
“He’s an athlete,” Jermal said of William. “He plays all sports; basketball, baseball. He can play offensive line. Not many people his size can sustain in the trenches like he does. But he is one heck of a player, man.”
With that, the Knights can have a team to match.
“We have a lot of skill guys,” Vosheski said. “We have a decent number of players returning. Like most teams, we are hurting in certain areas. Right now, we are trying to find our way with some ‘O’ linemen and ‘D’ linemen. A lot of that is due to graduation.
“It’s a tough act to follow after last year. But every year is that way.”
At least the Knights still have not one, but two, Martins around.
“For me, it’s just another day, another dollar,” Jermal Martin said, “as long as my cousin is here.”
Youth Movement
As excellent as Academy Park has been, and as strong as the Knights seem this season, the best may yet to be to come.
Vosheski is excited about sophomores Malik Johnson, who may start at free safety, and Xavier Newman, a likely starter at offensive guard or tackle. Also, 6-1, 220-pound soph Alfred Manyeah should contribute on both lines.
In addition, 5-11, 165-pound freshman Tahriq Marrero is likely to win some shifts at wide receiver.
“Our sophomore class, from what I’ve seen, has a lot of talent,” Vosheski said. “And Tahriq Marrero will get a lot of playing time.”
Hot Prospect
Jermal Martin is drawing college recruiting attention.
“I am being looked at by a lot of colleges,” he said. “There is Stony Brook. I’ve been on visit to Villanova. I’ve talked to the Marshall coaches. I have talked to a lot of Division 1-AA coaches this year.”
Knights Notes
Kareem Burton, who played mostly at wide receiver last season, will be the Knights’ primary running back. … Issa Fox, who started last season at linebacker, could be shifted to defensive end. … Vosheski is also expecting production from senior defensive end John Matthews. … Senior wide receiver and defensive back Rob Long will add two-way value. … And at 6-8, 280 pounds, Naeem Feggans could be an offensive line force.
By Jack McCaffery; jmccaffery@21st-centurymedia.com
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