Corvallis High junior J.J. Manning has already made an impact for Spartans

By Steve Gress
Mid-Valley Sports

J.J. Manning and Cory Dickson may have discovered a new routine before each game.

Manning and Dickson tossed the football around before their game against West Salem last Friday, and it just might have made the difference for Manning. The Corvallis High junior intercepted a West Salem pass in the closing minutes and rumbled 48 yards for a touchdown that sealed the Spartans' win.

"We don't usually do that so we are going to have to make a tradition of doing that because I don't know, maybe it improved my hands a little bit," Manning said earlier this week. "I just stuck my hands out, I got it and went.

"It was real exciting. It was really just the blockers blocking downfield, our guys just made big plays, and our guys went until the whistle went off. That's really what did it for us."

The interception return was the second score of the game for Manning, who plays fullback and linebacker. He also tied the game with a 38-yard run in the third quarter.

"I didn't get to see it very well, but he made an incredible return," second-year coach Chris McGowan said. "He probably broke three or four tackles. It was just kind of a mob over there, and he just kept going. We didn't see it very well on film either, but that is typical of him. He is that kind of a competitor."

Manning will be called on to make similar plays all year, beginning with Friday night's game against South Albany. The Spartans (1-0) are looking for their first 2-0 start since 1990.

Manning saw significant time last year as a fullback and linebacker, and McGowan knew he had to have him on the field.

"We needed him to play, it was a spot we were thin at and he stepped right into the spot really well," McGowan said. "He is a guy who really tries to put into action the things you talk about as a coach. He learns the game, he is a competitor and he is positive. He will do what you ask him to do with a good attitude, and that goes so far when you're trying to bring a team together and do some things successfully."

Manning switched to linebacker after playing most of his younger days on the defensive line. The switch was a little different at first, but he has adjusted. Manning has had to adjust even more this year. After being used more as a blitzer last season, he has moved to an inside linebacker position and is responsible for making the defensive calls and reading the play.

"I feel like I have become more of a student of the game," Manning said. "I feel like I can deal with that now."

Despite being a junior, Manning has taken on a leadership role, mostly by his actions. Manning said he leaves most of the leadership to the seniors, but will do whatever it takes to help his team.

That includes working during the offseason. After playing significant minutes as a sophomore, Manning didn't rest on his laurels. He hit the weight room, played some basketball and participated on the track team in the spring to build up his speed.

"I admire everything he is doing to be the best he can be," McGowan said. "He is a good listener, very coachable, and I can't say enough good things about him."

Manning was excited for the start of the season and the Spartans' chances for a winning season. They haven't had a winning campaign since going 6-4 in 1992.

"It felt real good because I came in with a lot of confidence," he said. "Last year I was playing with a really good defense, and knowing we had most of those guys back, that really kept the confidence. We went in Friday night and we wanted to have a swagger because we needed that attitude to be contagious. I guess we fed off of that."

While Manning has always played defense — he wasn't able to be on offense before high school because of the weight limit — he said he knew he would be needed at fullback last year. So far, playing offense has been fun.

"Scoring a touchdown, there is nothing like that," he said.

Now that he knows what it feels like, Manning doesn't want the feeling to stop. Nor does he want the Spartans to let up.

"Looking at the scores from Friday night, it looks like the Valley League is wide open, and it looks like anyone has a good shot," he said. "So we are just going to give our best and stay confident on offense and defense."

And you can bet he and Dickson will be playing a little catch before Friday night's game.