Class 2013: Jesse St John is pivot star of tomorrow (Video X 2)

Today, CFC features class 2013 star quarterback from the Pickering High Trojans, Jesse St John. Jesse started his football career with the Trojans in grade nine.

Jesse St John

Positions:
Quarterback

Teams:
Pickering Trojans (high school)
Ajax-Pickering Dolphins (junior varsity: OVFL)
Ajax-Pickering Dolphins (bantam: OMFL)

Commitment:
None

Consideration:
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Ottawa, Queen’s, California Berkeley (NCAA), Southern California (NCAA), Miami (NCAA), Michigan (NCAA)

Class:
2013

In the last three football seasons, Jesse has made a huge impact on the field. Halfway through his first season with the Pickering Trojans, he took over the starting quarterback role and guided the team to the Lake Ontario Secondary School Association (LOSSA) championship finals. The next year, the Trojans reached the finals once again, only to be denied by the same opponent they faced before in Donald A Wilson.

Among the honours Jesse has received include LOSSA championship offensive MVP, Pickering High School Athlete award (2010), Pickering High School Quarterback award (2010) and team MVP (2010). Furthermore, the pivot has been named to the GTA Rising all-star team (2011).

Jesse’s most memorable football experience came in the tenth grade. The Trojans played against Holy Trinity in a playoff game. However, the Trojans lost the services of running back Raekwon Grant a week earlier due to injury.

“The team’s morale went down but I told them that they can rally around me and we got to prove that we are not a one man team,” explains Jesse, who also played for the Ajax-Pickering Dolphins of the Ontario Minor Football League(OMFL) and of the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL). “It was game day we arrived at Holy Trinity really early and it was the senior team playing St. Mary’s versus Holy Trinity and that was an intense, live, fun, close game in which Holy Trinity ended up winning and going on to win Metro Bowl.”

After watching that game, the Trojans’ quarterback told his teammate that he wanted their game to be similar to that. The teammate thought he was crazy but ultimately, Jesse got the desired matchup.

“That was the most intense and close game ever and I ended up breaking a 40 yard run for the winning touchdown which put us up with a little bit left in the fourth quarter,” comments Jesse. “We ended up winning that game and the player that I told wanted our game to be like that said to me “don’t make any more wishes again” and we both had a good laugh.”

Josiah St John has been the biggest football influence on Jesse’s career. His brother and Fresno City College offensive lineman has been a source of inspiration and encouragement for him to be a better football player.

“He was always helping me when I made mistakes or even when I was good,” adds Jesse. “Even though he was my brother, he was the best coach and my biggest motivator.”

The starting pivot has had a lot of other key influences in his life on and off the field. They include his parents, his other brother Joel, Kasey Cuffy, Andrew Campbell, Mike Cummings, William Beattie, Kadeem Robin and Paul Blackwood.

Among his friends, there are two in particular who’ve been instrumental in his career.

“Especially Raekwon Grant and Matthew Boateng who continue to help me on this journey to greatness,” says Jesse, who also appreciates the support of his church family and thanks God because he would not be where he is today and been able to accomplish all his goals thus far.

Being a leader and teammate has given Jesse lessons on how to deal with football andl ife endeavours.

“The aspect that I take from football is the fellowship and bond that you build as if the guys are your blood brothers and your teammates,” says the Trojans quarterback. “Also, being the leader of the team because of the fact that I’m the quarterback and leader of these 50 guys that look to me to lead them to the championship.”

“I have to take responsibility win or lose and football is not just about football; it helps with grooming young kids in these communities into becoming the man of their family.”

Video of Jesse’s Football Highlights:

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