WASHINGTON 鈥� Plenty of high school kids play multiple sports. Some are even recruited by a coach from the sport they grew up playing because of a certain size, speed or skill set. And a number of soccer players have made the successful conversion to the football field.
Northwest High School鈥檚 J.J. Funez is a little different. After playing for D.C. United鈥檚 academy team the last couple of years, he began working out in the spring with some friends on the football team. Going into his senior year, he wanted a chance to play the sport he had loved and excelled at growing up in Florida. So he went to Mike Neubeiser, head coach of the school in Germantown, Maryland, and asked.
鈥淚 said, 鈥楽ure, you can kick for us,鈥欌�� explains Neubeiser. 鈥淏ut he was like, ‘No, I want to play play.'”
At 5-feet-10-inches, 175 pounds, Funez may look more the part of a soccer player. But he played running back and receiver when he was younger, and his athleticism still translates to the gridiron. Coach Neubeiser fit him into a defending 4A state champion team at the slot receiver position, and all Funez has done is deliver 18 receptions for 256 yards and three touchdowns, each mark the second-highest in the team鈥檚 receiving corps.
鈥淚 adjusted pretty quickly,鈥� says Funez of the return to football. 鈥淭he coaches took the time, had the patience to get me adjusted.鈥�
That patience appears to be netting exponential dividends, with Funez catching four balls for 74 yards and a pair of scores last week in a 29-12 win over Richard Montgomery. Heading into a (5-1) team coming off five straight big wins, the Jaguars (4-2) will need every bit of help they can get.
鈥淓very week I鈥檓 starting to get more and more experienced,鈥� says Funez. 鈥淓very Friday night I seem to improve a little more.鈥�
In case you were wondering, yes, Funez is also the team鈥檚 kicker, both on kickoffs and for field goals. The transition from the round ball to the oblong one has been smooth as well for Funez, which has allowed him to focus fully on developing as a receiver.
鈥淭he kicking is something that is brand new, (but it) just came to me,鈥� he says. 鈥淐oach gives me the time to practice my kicking, but I鈥檇 rather take that time to run routes.鈥�
You might think such a versatile player would intrigue college recruiters, but the cycle of offers largely happens during players鈥� junior years, making Funez perhaps a diamond in the rough for a school with scholarships still open. His coach is confident that he could contribute at the next level.
鈥淗e came in a little late in the game, but could really play at the D-II, D-III level,鈥� says Neubeiser.
While Funez plans to go back to the academy after football season, he鈥檇 be open to the offer to playing at the next level, if it comes.
鈥淚f I get the chance to play in college, I鈥檓 going to take it.鈥�
