Collins returned to North with purpose

Friday, October 31, 2008

Transferring to a high school can be a difficult process for student-athletes, but not for Madisonville-North Hopkins defensive end J. Michael Collins, who made his second transfer this summer, one that brought him back home.

Collins returned to the Maroons team after playing his sophomore season at Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Lithonia, Ga., and said he has plenty of motivation for his final two years.

“I came back because I got records to beat,” Collins said. “I got family records, and I have to beat them.”

Family records might not be too difficult to beat for the average athlete, but Collins’ family isn’t just any family. His uncle, Sonny Collins, holds the University of Kentucky all-time rushing record and his father, John Collins, started on UK’s defensive line.

“Sonny Collins was the best running back, some people say that ever played in the state of Kentucky and to play at the University of Kentucky and then he went on to play pro ball,” North coach Will Weaver said. “(John) was a starter on their defensive line. I know he was strong as a house. He’s still got some of our weightlifting records here. You can look at them as you’re going out. He was just a brick house.”

Gazing up at the records posted across the walls of the Maroons’ weightroom, John’s name still sits atop the list in bench press and squat — the titles J. Michael wants for his own.

If J. Michael breaks those records, his dad will have only himself to blame.

That’s because, J. Michael has made the transition to defensive end from linebacker and has made an effort to add bulk. At 5-8, 210 pounds, J. Michael went to his dad for advice in adjusting to his new position.

“He told me basically to stay in the weight room every day and just do as much lifting and running as possible, keep my strength up and do the best I can do,” J. Michael said.

Weaver said with the junior’s work ethic, he’s got plenty of potential.

“He gets after it,” Weaver said. “Weightlifting wise, he’s probably up there with the strongest guy on the team. Powerlifting, I would say he’s got a chance to be a state champion this year in his weight limit.”

J. Michael said he hopes to combine the attributes of both his uncle and father into his own style of play.

“(I want to be) as strong as my dad, as fast as my uncle,” he said.

Saturday afternoon’s game against Covington Catholic will be just J. Michael’s fourth game this season with North because he did not join the team until late summer and had to work his way into the system.

Since his insertion into the lineup, Collins has already made an impact.

During the Maroons’ 35-14 victory over Graves County, Collins made two big fourth-quarter plays, recovering a loose ball and later collecting a sack for an 11-yard loss on third down.

Weaver, in his second season at North, said although J. Michael never played for him before this year, he was aware of his potential.

“I knew what type of kid he was and I knew what kind of worker he was,” Weaver said. “When he moved back in here, I didn’t actually talk to him until he moved back to Madisonville and started school here. I was tickled to death to have a chance to get him back and involved with us. He’s going to be a really good football player for us.”

J. Michael recounted his encounter with Weaver also and said the two met to discuss rejoining the team during the summer dead period.

“I just came up to coach, and I said ‘I’m back to stay,’ and I said ‘Let’s go win a championship,’ ” Collins said.

As for his friends on the team, it was a bit more of a surprise.

“I kind of just sprung it on them,” Collins said. “They were excited. Everybody was happy, I was happy. We’ve been having a good time, laughing about old times.”

Although J. Michael may still be adjusting to his new role, his leadership has made a significant impact on the team.

“He’s not a real vocal person, but he’s an action-type guy,” Weaver said. “He goes in and when he does speak, people listen.”

Being modest, J. Michael deflected North’s success to his defensive teammates.

“It’s probably the best defense I’ve played on since I’ve been playing football,” he said. “Our linebackers are real good, our safeties, corners, we’ve probably got the best ones in the state. That’s my opinion.”

One thing is for sure though, J. Michael enjoys the comforts of being in Madisonville.

“I like being back home,” he said. “I decided to come back home and play football for my original team. I do have a lot of history here at the school, so it feels pretty good being here.”