Hudson’s Bay preview: Standing tall at QB

2012 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 Washougal

Sept. 7 at M. Morris

Sept. 14 at Hockinson

Sept. 21 at Ridgefield

Sept. 28 Kelso*

Oct. 5 at Prairie*

Oct. 12 at Mtn. View*

Oct. 19 Col. River*

Oct. 26 Ft. Vancouver*

• — 3A GSHL game

Home games played at Kiggins Bowl

Coming Monday: Fort Vancouver

T.J. Brumfield has been playing out of position for much of his career at Hudson’s Bay High School.

Not that he knew it, though.

In fact, he wanted nothing to do with being the quarterback.

“I thought I wasn’t good enough to play the position, to remember all the plays, to have all that pressure on me,” Brumfield said. “After last season, forget that. My team needs me.”

After his junior year as a wide receiver, he approached new coach Sylvester Green with his plan. It is not as if it was far-fetched. Brumfield played quarterback as a freshman and had some time there as a sophomore, too, when Green was an assistant.

Green loved the idea, knowing that Brumfield would make a fantastic leader. On and off the field.

Just like that, Brumfield was no longer a wide receiver and he was set to become the signal caller for his senior year.

“I knew last year we didn’t have a quarterback. This year wasn’t going to be any different unless I came forward,” Brumfield said.

Hudson’s Bay, because of injuries and such, used four quarterbacks last year.

Brumfield will certainly be easy to spot in his team colors. At 6-foot, 4-inches and 220 pounds, he towers over most of his teammates.

“It’s an advantage. You can see over the linemen and find your receivers,” he said.

He also should be tough for defenders to bring down. Not too many starting quarterbacks also play defensive end. Yeah, that Brumfield guy is one strong dude.

His size alone makes him a candidate to play college football — a goal of his. He also knows that playing at Hudson’s Bay has led to very few headlines. Brumfield has been on the field for three wins in his career at Bay.

Yet, he never considered taking his talents to a different school.

“It’s just adversity. You have to fight through the losses,” Brumfield said. “I could have easily gone to a Skyview or a Mountain View. I chose to stay at my home school. I wouldn’t give up this school for nothin’. I wouldn’t want to be a LeBron James and switch to a better team. I’m a leader. I want to stick with this team through thick and thin.”

If Brumfield has anything to do with it, things will start to get better this season.

“I’ve had coaches tell me winning isn’t everything. But to me, winning is everything,” Brumfield said.

He said he and his teammates appreciate victories more than players in programs who expect to win every game. At the same time, Brumfield is not thinking about making the Eagles more competitive this year. He wants more than just to be close.

“I don’t believe in moral victories at all,” he said. “I just believe in the ‘W.’ “

He does not believe in waiting around too long.

He acknowledged the team might start off a bit slow this year, getting used to a new system. But by league play, he said the Eagles will challenge.

“I believe it this year,” he said. “We want to shock the whole district and shock the world. We’re here to take the lunch money and do the pushing around.”

Nothing wrong with the quarterback being confident, Green said.

In fact, for any football team to succeed, the QB better have faith.

“I see leadership. I see intensity,” Green said.

The coach saw that the day Brumfield sought him out, wondering about taking over as quarterback.

It is a role T.J. Brumfield wasn’t too sure about only a year ago.

He is very sure it is his job — his duty — now.