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11/23/07-Football
This year, Semmes finally play together
St. Mary's brothers hoping to lead their school to state title
By KEITH DUNLAP of The Oakland Press
ORCHARD LAKE--Just before kickoff of the Division 3 state championship game on Saturday, Jason and Justin Semmes will likely be somewhere in the locker room immersed in a pregame routine they both have a passion for.
Hoping to get themselves pumped up for a 7:30 p.m. contest with East Grand Rapids, the brother probably will have earphones on listening to their favorite pregame song, "The Sky's The Limit" by Lil'Wayne, which is one major similarity between the two.
In fact, other than that Jason is 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior and Justin is a 6-foot-1, 220-pound junior, the two might as well be identical twins because they don't have many differences.
Well, except for one that might surprise you.
Until this year, the two had never played organized football on the same team. On any level.
Since Jason is a year older than Justin, the two were always on different-aged teams in youth football. When Justin was a freshman at St. Mary's two years ago, Jason was on JV.
When Jason was on varsity last year, Justin was on JV.
Finally, the two have been united on the field this year for the Eaglets, which has been a strange sight considering the two insist they always were on opposite teams even playing in the backyard with neighborhood kids growing up.
But while it's been a different experience playing with each other, don't think the brothers haven't enjoyed every minute of it.
"We play on the same side of the ball (on defense)," Jason Semmes said. "It's been exciting."
If not for the play of both Semmes brothers this year, it's possible the Eaglets would be sitting at home on Saturday watching the state final instead of playing in it.
"I think it's awesome that the brothers get to play together," St. Mary's head coach George Porritt said. "They're two outstanding kids. They're gentlemen, they're outstanding students and they're both good ballplayers. They're playing good football right now and it's neat to see the brotherhood between the two. They take care of each other."
Jason is a threat in the passing game on offense as a tight end/wide receiver, but has had an even better year on defense. It's been nearly impossible for opposing linemen to keep him out of the backfield all year long, given he's collected 6.5 sacks, a number which could be higher if St. Mary's hadn't been involved in so many blowouts this year.
Justin flanks Jason along the defensive line, but his biggest role might be as the starting fullback on offense. Not only is he in charge of blowing holes open for the likes of senior star running back Dominique White, but St. Mary's has always given fullbacks handoffs up the middle in hopes of loosening the defense.
If successful at bringing Justin down, opposing linebackers and linemen probably wake up the next morning with multiple bruises as a price for doing so.
"The offensive line, they did a great job this season," Justin Semmes said. "They're all tough guys. I trust my linemen to do a good job."
It goes without saying that there wouldn't be a better conclusion to their one year on the field together than to beat East Grand Rapids and win a state championship, which would no doubt forever be a source of pride for the two if they are to be a part of a team that adds another state title trophy to the long line of them in the trophy case at Dombrowski Fieldhouse.
"We're trying to get our own tradition," Jason Semmes said. "People before us here have done a great job and we're trying to build on it."
The only sad part is that it could be the only time in their lives they play organized football together, but if it is, it's something they'll always remember.
"It's too bad," Jason Semmes said. "It was so exciting this year and it went by so fast. It's too bad we don't get to spend more time together, but maybe we can play together in college."
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