Over the summer, Brother Rice’s Jameson Davis committed to continue his football career at Army.
While the prospects of attending a service academy might be intimidating for a lot of people, the senior running back is quite comfortable with his future.
“My dad served in the military,” Davis said. “My aunt served. My grandad was a drill sergeant for 25 years. I grew up in a military household, so I’m used to everything they do.
More Top Picks Best Jitterbug Flip Phone Alternatives
“I’m excited to go there, and playing Division I football is a blessing. Not a lot of people get to do that.”
For now, Davis is still serving the Crusaders. He caught two of the four touchdown passes by freshman quarterback Sam Holcomb as host Brother Rice rolled to a 49-6 Catholic League Blue win over Marist in Friday night’s Battle of Pulaski in Chicago.
Holcomb completed 9 of 11 passes for 138 yards for the Crusaders (7-2, 2-1), who earned a share of the league title with Mount Carmel and Loyola.
Sophomore running back Aydan Yarbrough added a 50-yard TD run and a 55-yard TD catch, while Kameron McGee finished with two sacks and Damari Thigpen had an interception.
Jack Bullington threw a 7-yard TD pass to Brendan Tomkins for Marist (5-4, 0-3). Conor Fleming finished with four catches for 38 yards and added a fumble recovery.
Davis, meanwhile, set the tone when he scored on an 8-yard TD catch to give the Crusaders the lead under two minutes into the game.
“It felt great,” Davis said. “We knew coming into this game that we wanted to put them to bed pretty early. Getting that first touchdown, running someone over at the goal line, that meant everything, especially against these guys.”
Davis has worked his way into the passing game, turning into a trustworthy option out of the backfield for Holcomb.
“I put a lot of pride into catching the ball,” Davis said. “I work on it pretty much every day.
“The game has shifted now to where a running back has to catch the ball, so being able to go from running someone over or juking someone out to being able to catch a long touchdown out of the backfield, it feels good to add that to my game.”
Davis has waited his turn to be the go-to running back for the Crusaders, sharing time the last two seasons with Tyler Lofton — who is now at Illinois State — and St. Ambrose’s Jaylin Green.
“I learned a lot from the guys above me and I try every day to instill into the younger guys now what those guys instilled in me,” Davis said. “Just work hard every day.
“I still remember the first day in the weight room with the older running backs. They were pushing me hard and I was struggling. Now, I’m pushing these younger guys the same way.”
Brother Rice coach Casey Quedenfeld certainly appreciates that.
More Top Picks Best Digital Picture Frames For Grandparents
“That’s why he’s a captain,” Quedenfeld said. “He learned from older guys who were really good role models, and now he’s kind of taken these guys under his wing. He’s just an excellent communicator. He loves his craft. He loves learning and these young guys love learning, too, so it’s like a relationship with a good give and take.
“Jameson’s parents expect a lot from him and they’ve raised him the right way. We need more parents like them.”
Yarbrough is one of the beneficiaries of Davis’ mentorship.
“I’ve been watching Jameson since my freshman year before I was even playing running back,” Yarbrough said. “I used to be a quarterback. This kid, he was a dog. He was really good. Just seeing him work, work, work is making me want to work just as much as him.
“I really appreciate him for that.”