H.S. FOOTBALL: USJ Bruins are younger than usual

Talking about how young his team is is nothing new for University School of Jackson head football coach Mickey Marley.

More times than not over the past 25 years, Marley has had small senior classes surrounded by younger players.

But it's probably not been very often he's had a team this young.

"We've got, I think, 54 players on the roster," Marley said. "About 27 of them are freshmen who have never played a down of high school football.

"I try not to use freshmen very often for anything more than special teams, but I think I can say we're going to be a young team this year."

But there are older guys that form a good nucleus for those young players to build around.

Running back Mitchell Bodiford was the 2013 All-West Tennessee Sophomore of the Year. Hollen Spencer is an athlete that can do just about anything coming out of the backfield USJ needs him to, similar to what his older brother Powers did when he was at USJ.

Linebacker Ben Brauss is back healthy after missing the second half of last year with a broken ankle. Center Michael Taylor has done so well at his position he's already committed to play at Ole Miss as a long snapper and a preferred walk-on.

"There's plenty to work with there, and our line is bigger than it usually is," Marley said. "But working with 17- and 18-year-old kids is already pretty unpredictable.

"Then half the team you put out there is more like 14 and 15 years old. It could get interesting one way or another. But that's OK because the best players that have come through here played as freshmen."

The Bruins have finished in the top two in their Division II district every year since they went to the private school division. They will probably battle St. George's for the top spot once again.

Brandon Shields, 425-9751

USJ Bruins

• 2013 record: 7-5

• Last year quarterback Easton Underwood split time with senior Jacob Denbrock. Underwood should get the majority of the snaps this year under center.

• Michael Taylor isn't the only USJ lineman with a possibility to play at Ole Miss. Sophomore Trey Smith has offers to play college ball in Oxford, Miss. and in Knoxville for the University of Tennessee.