There’s a certain mythology attached to the position of middle linebacker.
Filling the role more than adequately for the Kennedy football team is Chimso Okoji. The senior is 6-foot-3, 228 pounds, runs 40 yards in 4.6 seconds and in his words, likes to “read quickly and attack downhill.” In the Ibo language of his native Nigeria, his given name means, “God is with me.”
Last month during two-a-days, however, Okoji had to defer to a another authority. During practice, his mother, Naya, strode across the field to deliver an important message. Okoji stepped away from his duties to intercept her and head coach Gunard Twyner soon intervened.
“She said that she understood football was a game of discipline,” said Twyner. “But that her son first had to be disciplined at home. That morning he left the house without cleaning his room.”
With that, Twyner excused Okoji from practice.
The slightly embarrassing incident makes Okoji chuckle still.
“She came right out on the field, right in the middle of practice,” said Okoji. “I just kept saying, ‘OK, OK. Just please get off the field.’ ”
Okoji has learned lessons well from his mother and father, an internist who moved his family from Nigeria 15 years ago. In addition to excelling at football, Okoji has a 3.4 grade-point-average and has drawn interest from schools such as Virginia and Northwestern.
With his team mired in a 26-game losing streak and Okoji playing out of position at tackle, the three-year starter flew under the recruiting radar in his sophomore and junior seasons. But that’s changing quickly.
On Friday, Kennedy broke the streak with an emphatic 47-25 victory over backyard rival Einstein as Okoji forced two fumbles and at tight end had five catches for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Okoji said he believes the Cavaliers can complete with Montgomery County’s top teams and credits first-year coach Twyner, a former NFL wideout.
“We’ve always had talent, but he’s given us a swagger,” said Okoji. “There’s just something about him. He’s confident, not cocky. He told me I have to believe that no one in the county can tackle me when I get the ball.”
Feeling Cavalier
» Kennedy first-year QB Melvin Scott completed 9 of 13 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns vs. Einstein. He also ran three times for 31 yards and a score.
» Tailback Phillip Shaw
carried eight times for 67 yards and three touchdowns.
» No. 3 tailback Mike Henly
added three carries for 77 yards and a score.
