Bloomingdale

By Bryan Burns
Published August 31, 2007

Multiple Choice

Jahmaal Jones' greatest impact will be made at:

(A) Running back (B) Wide receiver

(E) All of the above

Answer: E. Jones, a senior, could rank as the county's most versatile player by the end of the season. The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder is the primary tailback in the Bulls' spread offense but will get a number of looks at receiver. On defense, Jones teams with talented junior Greg LaClair to form one of the top safety duos in the county. And on special teams, Jones is a dangerous kick and punt returner. "He has the potential to be one of the better players in the county," coach Corey Brinson said.

True-False

Bloomingdale's toughest player on defense stands only 5 feet 8 and weighs 165 pounds soaking wet.

Answer: True. Despite his small stature, junior linebacker C.J. Curran, generously listed at 165 on the team roster, is not shy about initiating contact. "Pound for pound, he's one of the toughest kids I've ever coached," Brinson said.

Yes or No

Will Bloomingdale's switch to the spread offense translate into more points?

Answer: It should. The Bulls averaged an anemic 7.4 points in '06. Brinson believes the increasingly popular spread is the best way to use his most athletic players. "We wanted to get all of our athletes on the field at one time," he said. But there is a learning curve. Brinson estimates he had installed only 25 percent of the offense after spring drills.

Essay

East Bay coach Brian Thornton on Bloomingdale:

"There are so many variables to building a winning program, and Bloomingdale, for whatever reason, just hasn't found the right combination of variables to put together a well-rounded program conducive to winning. It's not any one thing. However, they seem to be getting closer and Coach Brinson has them headed in the right direction."

Brinson on the Bulls:

"Last year was one of the worst years since I've been here. A lot of that is attributed to us having a lot of injuries early in the season, and we were forced to play a lot of kids that really weren't ready to play on the varsity level. ...Those kids have some experience now, and, if they do what we ask them to do - and we think they can - I feel like they can make a positive impact on the direction of the program."

Extra Credit

Bloomingdale lost four starters on the offensive line and three off the defensive line. ... Brinson feels good about the quarterback position with senior Shane Geyer returning. "He busts his butt in the offseason, doing the things he's supposed to do," Brinson said.

Bryan Burns, Times correspondent

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