Blanks playing with state's best at Shrine Bowl

Written by Sherrell McMillan

Sunday, 28 December 2008

by Robesonian.com

JoJo Blanks is the first Purnell Swett player selected for the Shrine Bowl since 2005. | Photo by Don Callahan

ROEBUCK, S.C. -- Forgive JoJo Blanks if he seemed a little overwhelmed.

In warm-up lines at practice for the 72nd annual Shrine Bowl, Blanks stood beside Hawatha Bell and Donte Moss, two players ranked among the best in the country at their positions.

They've also both verbally committed to play at North Carolina in the fall.

During individual drills, Blanks, a senior at Purnell Swett High School, had to shed a block from Travis Bond, a massive 6-foot-8, 320-pound offensive lineman who could play at any school in the SEC, ACC, Big 12 or Big 10 next year.

"When I walked on the practice field I saw all the competition and everyone is as big as me or bigger, I'm not used to that." Blanks said. "Then you got guys going to Carolina ��“ like 10 of them ��“ and some guys going to Penn State, ECU and N.C. State. Now, I know I need to push a little harder."

That's the level of talent displayed in a game that features the best high school seniors from North Carolina and South Carolina.

"To me this is the premiere highlight of high school football," Swett head coach Mark Heil said. "If you make this team, then you're among the best. This is as big an honor as you can get."

Despite the star rankings and prestige of the other players, Blanks isn't initimidated.

"I think I need a little work, but I think I can hang with these guys," Blanks said. "Everybody is pretty cool here and it's been a real good experience. I just want to put myself against these guys and see what the best linebackers in the state are like."

For Blanks, the game is an opportunity to not only show he belongs among the states elite following an injury-plagued senior campaign, but also to impress potential suitors.

Because of academic struggles during his freshman and sophomore years of high school, Blanks will go to junior college for two years.

"We could've jammed him up with a lot of courses, but it would have made his senior year really hard," Heil said. "A lot of kids do this and then they move on. He's grown up and matured and he understands what's important."

One of the schools at Shrine Bowl practice watching Blanks was Georgia Military College in Miledgeville, Ga.

Georgia Military had five linebackers graduate in 2008 and they all received Division I scholarships, according to Heil.

In just the last week, two Georgia Military alums, offensive linemen Rokevious Watkins and Steven Singleton, committed to play at the University of South Carolina.

"If he gets to a junior college and plays 18 months and gets his grades up, he'll get noticed by Division I schools," Heil said.

But Blanks isn't concerned with that right now, he just wants to get better, practice by practice.

"I try not to think about it," Blanks said of Georgia Military's presence at practice. "The more you try to impress someone the more nervous you get and then it goes downhill. So, I try to make it the last thing on my mind."

Blanks is manning the middle spot, in a linebacking core that includes Bell, Moss, Wake Forest commitment Justin Jackson, Spencer Shuey and Seventy-First's Lamar McClendon.

Blanks is the first Swett player to be named to the Shrine Bowl since Marquel Pittman in 2005.

"This experience will be huge for him," Heil said. "He will really see what it is to play with the best people in the state. It's a wonderful opportunity and he'll be better for it."

The 72nd annual Shrine Bowl will be played Saturday at 1 p.m. at Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C.

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JO JO BLANKS SHRINE BOWL 2008

Written by webmaster

Sunday, 21 December 2008

"JO JO BLANKS" THE 2008 SHRINE BOWL

Mr. Blanks is the 6th Ram in 24 years to have this honor!

Click here for the Shrine Bowl website

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T-Shirts Awarded to Prospect Football

Written by webmaster

Monday, 08 December 2008

T-Shirt Video

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Rams' Blanks again named top defender

Written by Matt Duffy

Monday, 08 December 2008

Rams' Blanks again named top defender

by Robesonian.com

Purnell Swett senior linebacker JoJo Blanks missed six of 11 games this season with an ankle injry. | Photo by Brian Faini

JoJo Blanks missed six of 11 games this season with an ankle injury, but the Purnell Swett High linebacker made enough of impression to repeat as Two Rivers 4-A Conference defensive player of the year.

The Rams senior was given the award by Two Rivers coaches, who released the league's all-conference selections this week.

"The purpose of this thing is to get the best people where they're supposed to be," Purnell Swett coach Mark Heil said. "I don't think there's any doubt that he's the best defensive player in the league. I'll be honest. He's the best defensive player i've ever coached.

"I've coached (NFL players) Donnell Woolford, Brad Edwards, and no one has had an impact on defense that JoJo has. He's so dominating. He can play the pass, he can blitz, and the way that he fills gaps. He's that good of a football player."

Purnell Swett had five players take six spots ��” junior Ethan Clark was named quarterback and athlete ��” on the first team, most in the county. Running back Marlin Locklear, wide receiver Robert Cole, offensive lineman John Locklear, defensive lineman Malachi Jacobs and defensive back D'Anteaus Williams were all-first team choices. Williams also received honorable mention at wide receiver.

Rams defensive lineman Steven Jacobs and linebacker Matt Locklear were second-team choices. Defensive back Zack Lowery and offensive linemen Mick Cumming and Robert Strickland received honorable mention....

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Chavis wins athletic director award

Written by Mark Locklear

Saturday, 06 December 2008

by The Pembroke Eagle

Chavis wins second state athletic director award

PEMBROKE -- Star athletes like Purnell Swett's JoJo Blanks and Fairmont's Michael Bass are not the only ones putting Robeson County athletics on the map.

Ronnie Chavis has been working behind the scenes promoting county athletics and physical education in the public schools for more than three decades.

Chavis, the county's athletic director, was recognized for his dedication at the North Carolina Alliance For Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Association's annual conference. It was held at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem on Nov. 21.

Chavis was named the 2008 North Carolina Association For Athletic Education Athletic Director of the Year.

Chavis is from Pembroke and a graduate of Prospect High School. He is the son of Wilson and the late Dora Dial Chavis.

This is Chavis' second state award since he was hired as the school system's athletic director in 1989. He was named athletic director of the year by the N.C. Athletic Directors' Association in 2000.

"I am honored for bringing the exposure to Robeson County," Chavis said. "I am honored from the standpoint that my peers selected me for this award. Anytime you receive a statewide award it makes you feel good. This is something I will cherish."

Chavis' is now eligible for the regional award.

Chavis was nominated by a statewide committee. A dozen physical education teachers from Robeson County attended the conference.

"Obviously we are doing something right with our county athletics," he said. "This is a tribute to the coaches and the athletes in Robeson County."

Dozens of county products have gone on to play at the college level and a handful like, Sean Locklear, Vonta Leach and Kenwin Cummings made it to the pros. But Chavis said many student athletes have gone overlooked.

"We have a lot of students who have gone on to college," he said. "Many have graduated and become productive citizens. Some have become doctors, lawyers and coaches. Athletics has a part to do with it. It teaches them discipline and the things they have to do to succeed."

Chavis graduated from Prospect High School in 1968. He attended Pembroke State University and played baseball for the school. In 1970, he led the team to the College World Series with a 9-3 record as a pitcher. He graduated with a degree in education in 1972. That same year he got a job at Magnolia. He taught school and was a coach. He continued in that role at Pembroke Senior High and the former West Robeson High School. He later earned two master's of education degrees in physical education, administration and supervision from Campbell University. He was named athletic director in 1989. Through the years he has served on various local and state committees including president of the North Carolina High School Athletic Directors' Association. He is a Certified Athletic Administrator, recipient of t he National Federation of High Schools Citation and member of the UNC Pembroke Athletic Hall of Fame.

Staff writer Mark Locklear may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (910) 522-2125.

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JO JO BLANKS by The Pembroke Eagle

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