Putting all of his cards on the table, senior quarterback Jermaine Henley plays football for T.F. North like an award-winning stage actor who understands the power of improvisation.
He never wants to limit himself to one way of attacking defenses.
“I’m a pocket passer first,” he said. “When that collapses, I still try to make something out of nothing. When I see all of those guys coming at me, I know I just have to make a move.”
Henley and T.F. North have been making big moves this season.
The Meteors remained undefeated in conference Friday night as Henley threw a touchdown pass to spark a statement-making 24-13 South Suburban Blue victory over Oak Forest.
Despite playing one fewer game due to a forfeit victory, Henley has accounted for more than 1,000 total yards for T.F. North (6-2, 5-0), highlighted by 697 yards passing and four TDs.
He’s averaging 6.9 yards a carry while scoring five TDs on the ground.
“Jermaine is a really good kid who does whatever we ask of him,” T.F. North coach Artie Rogers said. “He’s tough and will do whatever is necessary to get the job done.
“His running ability and his strong arm allows us to really open things up on offense.”
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Senior running back Tromaine Langham pointed to Henley’s composure and command of the offense for the Meteors going 6-1 after dropping a 34-7 decision in the season opener.
“Jermaine has many different talents, but what makes him elite is his running ability and how he trusts his blockers,” Langham said. “He has great communication skills and an ability to help others understand what’s going on, not only break down each play but stay calm and be a leader.”
Henley came to the QB position rather indirectly. The pandemic and its aftermath seriously disrupted opportunities to play, but something crucial also happened during that time.
“Up until about seventh grade, I was small, about 5-foot-2,” he said. “That summer, I sprouted up to about 6-foot. I’ve grown about an inch every year of high school.”
At the start of his high school career, Henley brought a blend of size, speed and agility. It seemingly made him a natural for receiver.
“I had never played quarterback before,” he said. “I used to throw the ball in the backyard to my older cousins. I was pretty decent at it. My freshman year, we’re doing a catching drill in practice.
“I threw the ball back to the JV coach and he said I had a nice arm.”
Henley then won the starting role on the lower levels that season and hasn’t looked back. As a sophomore on varsity, he started at safety and also played tight end and receiver.
That provided a unique perspective once he took over behind center.
“Last year, we played Argo the last game before the playoffs and we scored more than 40 points,” he said. “Honestly, it came from calming down, reading the field and finding the open receiver.
“That game helped me realize I could do this.”
Henley helped lead T.F. North to a berth last season in the Class 5A state playoffs. He was also the second-leading hitter who batted .375 playing multiple positions in baseball.
His father also played baseball, but Henley’s love for football is rooted in his family’s history.
“All of my uncles and older cousins played football,” he said. “Growing up, we’d always play in the yard, and my uncles would watch. It got very competitive. It’s the reason I’m how I am today.”
Now, Henley is his own standard-bearer, looking to make the right reads and choices.
“I play the game for my little brother and my little cousin,” he said. “They always want to be around me and they look up to me. It’s really important that I do well.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.