Bulldog Spotlight Q&A: Senior Johnny Bladel
Stone Bridge's Johnny Bladel Is This Week's Bulldog Spotlight Feature Athlete From Stone Bridge High School. Bladel Talks About His Senior Season With StoneBridgeFootball.net's Valerie O'Dell
Photo By: Jan Johnson / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
ASHBURN, VA- Johnny Bladel, senior safety on Stone Bridge's varsity football team, had the weight of a shining legacy upon him coming into this season. Last year, the Bulldog's star safety, Jeron Gouveia, helped lead the team to a victory in the AAA State Championship and an overall record of 14-1, 7-0 in district play. He was also selected to numerous All-District, All-Region and All-State teams throughout his illustrious, high school career.
With Gouveia now wearing Virginia Tech colors, Bladel was faced with taking over the position of one of Stone Bridge's top dogs, but he's met the challenge head-on.
"Johnny's very good--he's really stepped up," head coach Mickey Thompson said. "To fill Jeron's shoes and do a tremendous job is saying something. He runs the show in the back and he's got flexibility--he does well at one of the hardest jobs on defense, and he makes good plays on offense."
However, there is more to Bladel than just a football jersey. He's a starting outfielder for the Bulldog's varsity baseball team, and one of the team's biggest hitters. Last season he was named Co-Player of the Year in the Liberty District, and just recently has signed to play baseball for James Madison University next fall.
To get to know this talented and multifaceted athlete, Gameday talked with Bladel one-on-one to catch a glimpse of him underneath the helmet.
Gameday: When did you start playing football?
Bladel: Back in 5th grade on the Wolverines in AYFL. Prince, Allen, and Stancik were
all on that team.
G: Who was your hero when you were younger?
B: Ken Griffy Jr. definitely--I just thought he was the best baseball player ever.
G: Who do you look up to the most?
B: Probably my brother. He used to play football for UVA, and I've just always
admired his work ethic.
G: What role has your brother played in your athletics?
B: I try to work as hard as he did, I mean, he started playing football only as a junior in
high school, and then was able to walk-on to the UVA team. I always really looked
up to him for that.
G: What are your goals coming into this season?
B: Win States again.
G: What's it like stepping into Jeron'shoes?
B: You can't--he was an amazing player. I'll try my best, but there's no way anyone can
be as good as he was. All I can do is work hard to play at that level.
G: Are you superstitious? Any pre-game rituals?
B: Yes-very. Before every game I do the exact same routine--I get Foster's and then
bring it home, then I watch two episodes of Friends, play NCAA football on XBOX,
then I watch the highlight reel of last year's playoffs from the DVD we got. Every
game--same thing.
G: What gets you pumped up before a game?
B: Being in the shed with the team. Also listening to music--rock and rap mostly. I only
really listen to country during baseball season, because it really doesn't pump you up
all that much.
G: What was your most embarrassing moment from high school?
B: I can't think of just one--probably all the times my mom's embarrassed me in front of
friends. I'm used to it now though, so it doesn't bother me anymore.
G: What's your best memory from high school football?
B: Definitely winning States.
G: It's your last year of football, are you going to miss it? What are you going to miss the
most?
B: Oh yeah--terribly. I'm going to miss playing with all my friends and just having that
tightness; it's been the best time of my life.
G: What are your plans for the future?
B: Well, I'm playing baseball at JMU in the fall, and hopefully keep going with that.
G: Which do you prefer--baseball or football?
B: To be honest, it depends on the season. Like, now, I love football and I don't even
want to think about baseball yet. But in the spring, I'll be so into the baseball season
that football won't even cross my mind.
