SENATE LEAGUE PREVIEW: John Marshall High School

When it comes to football, the Senate Athletic League (SAL) in Cleveland, Ohio is one of the oldest leagues in Ohio. Yet, nobody would know this because the Senate has been overlooked since the late 1990's. That changes today as we give you a team by team preview of the entire Senate League!





John Marshall High School

Nickname: Lawyers

Colors: Red and White

Head Coach: Terrance Cleggett  ( 6th year)

Key offensive players: WR Tavion Jackson (senior),  WR Ashawn Palmer (junior), RB Antonio Neuhoff (senior), RB Jamaree Pope (senior),

Key defensive players: LB Jaylin Cook (junior), LB Antiono Neuhoff (senior), FS Jamyis Williams (senior), LB Desmond Brown (senior) 



Overall Preview:  Coach Cleggett and the Lawyers are geared up and looking to return to form after a canceled 2020 season for the entire Senate league. The "CODE RED" defense is led by a veteran core of seniors and juniors. The Lawyers look to return back to the Senate League City Championship and possibly a state playoff appearance. Winning the Senate City Championship back in 2018, the Lawyers just missed a chance to repeat in 2019. Something they haven't done since 1988 and 1989. The Lawyers have a young offensive line, but that wont stop their high powered offense from attacking. The Lawyers will also have veteran presence on defense as well so don't expect moving the ball against them to be easy. If the Lawyers had a chance to make the state playoffs this is the team to do it. There's also some talk in some high school football circles that this Lawyer team may be the first Senate team to beat Glenville in over twenty years! If early Scrimmages in which we saw the Lawyers in action are any indication, this may be possible. We spoke with coach Cleggett earlier this week and here's what he had to say about his team and outlook on the season.



" I'm excited to be back on the field after our season was canceled in 2020 due to covid. We will be relying on a young offensive line, but we have the weapons to help balance everything out. We have many key players returning on defense and with our speed and size I think we will be ok."


FINAL PREDICTION: The lawyers have a strong defense which will keep them in games. The only question is how far will the offense take them. The Lawyers have a tough non-conference schedule, but don't expect them to lay down for anyone. The tell-tale game will be week 5 against Akron Firestone is what is the start of the "Cleveland/Akron Rivalry" series in which teams from the Senate league will take on Akron schools. Win or lose, if they have a good showing against Akron Firestone It would be hard pressed to bet against the Lawyers come the end of October.


FINAL 2021 RECORD: 8-4, I believe the Lawyers have a good chance to make the state playoffs and I won't be surprised if that prediction comes true.


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