J.B. Lageman looks to make a statement in North-South game

INSTITUTE, W.Va. -- Huntington High's J.B. Lageman is the lone representative for the Highlanders in the North-South All-Star Football Classic, and he plans to put his hometown and school on the map with a breakout performance.

The teams square off at 7 p.m. Saturday at Laidley Field in Charleston. Media Day activities were conducted Tuesday during training camp at West Virginia State University.

At 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds Lageman packs a mean punch and Saturday evening he wants the North to feel the wrath of his power-hitting ability. In high school Lageman was known for his punishing hits and fierce presence on the field.

"J.B. will play a large role for us on both sides of the ball," said South head coach Steve Stoffel from Herbert Hoover High School. "He is just a great kid and I can tell that he's a player that likes contact."

Lageman will line up at defensive end and fullback for the South Cardinals.

But, his football career won't end Saturday. Lageman said he accepted a walk-on invitation to play either defensive end or middle linebacker at West Virginia University.

"It's great to get the opportunity to play Division I football and I'm going to Morgantown and work as hard as I possibly can," Lageman said.

Off the field Lageman is a soft spoken gentle giant.

But, when he steps on the field the beast is unleashed.

"When I get on the field it's like I flip a switch and a whole new side of me comes out," Lageman said. "I live for the big hit and wrapping up somebody in the backfield for a loss."

Lageman proved what a nice guy he truly is Tuesday afternoon by hanging out with members of the North Bears squad.

It would be hard to find someone who doesn't like Lageman, except for when he drills them into the ground on the field.

"I don't trash talk off the field, but when I'm on the field I'm looking to punish the opposition and break their spirits," Lageman said. "This a big game and I don't want to walk off the field with a loss."

Some people might consider it risky business, but Lageman said he sometimes leads with his face mask when making a tackle. That aggressiveness has resulted in two broken noses.

Come game time the North offense might want to keep one thing in mind. Stay away from Lageman, or it could be a long painful night.