When Josh Ford enrolled at St. Anthony High School three years ago, he initially had hopes and aspirations to be a basketball star, like most boys who head to the tiny school on Eighth Street in downtown Jersey City.
“I played football and baseball my whole life, but every kid dreams about playing basketball for St. Anthony,” Ford said.
And when Gianni McLaughlin first attended St. Peter’s Prep, the Weehawken resident wondered if he would just get a chance to play football for the mighty Marauders.
“To be honest, when I was a freshman, I was talking to my dad and I told him that I would be lucky just to see some playing time my senior year,” McLaughlin recalled.
Now these two most unlikely of football stars will get a chance to represent their respective schools one last time and represent Hudson County as the only two participants in this year’s New Jersey Scholastic Football Coaches Association’s North-South All-Star Classic Monday night at Kean University. The two local products will play for the North squad, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.
McLaughlin, who developed into a standout linebacker for the Marauders, eventually earning All-State honors last fall, will don Prep colors one last time before heading off to Springfield College in the fall.
“It means everything to me,” McLaughlin said. “I can wear that silver dome [the Prep helmet] one more time and for the last time. When we last played [in the state championship game against Don Bosco Prep at Giants Stadium last December], it wasn’t the way that I wanted to leave high school football. Now, I get another chance. It’s a nice opportunity to go out on top. It’s one of the greatest feelings of my life.”
McLaughlin continues a rich tradition of Prep football players who ended their careers playing in the North-South Classic, which has been part of the New Jersey football culture for the last 32 years.
“It’s an indescribable feeling and such an amazing honor,” McLaughlin said. “I remember being a freshman and looking up to the guys from Prep who went to play in the game. Now, I’m getting the same chance. It’s really amazing.”
St. Peter’s Prep head football coach and athletic director Rich Hansen, who has been part of the coaching staff at the North-South game eight times, thinks that McLaughlin is a deserving participant.
“It’s always a good game and was a fun game to coach in,” Hansen said. “To be selected, the player has to be a great player and has to be someone who represents themselves and their school the right way. Gianni is a player like that. He’s a great reflection of the school and will carry the Prep banner well.”
Ford grew up in the Bergen-Lafayette section of Jersey City and participated in all three sports (football, basketball and baseball) growing up.
But when Ford decided to go to St. Anthony, the school didn’t have a football program. So Ford, who will play tight end in the All-Star Classic, decided to give football a try when the school initiated football two seasons ago.
Last fall, Ford led his team to the school’s first-ever NJSIAA state playoff berth.
Ford had no idea that he would develop into becoming an All-Star.
“I just thought I’d be a regular player,” Ford said. “I never thought I’d get this far. It means a lot for me to get this honor, to go out with a bang and make a name for myself.”
Ford is obviously the first-ever St. Anthony football player to ever play in the North-South Classic.
“It’s a great honor for him,” St. Anthony head coach Sean Fallon said. “It’s a great game and a great opportunity for him. I’m glad he got chosen to play. We’re going to bring the whole team to support him. It’s also a great compliment to the school and our program. A lot of people don’t know that we have a football program. I can’t wait to watch him play.”
It will also be a bit of a head start for Ford, to get used to the surroundings at Kean, because Ford will play football at the school in the fall.
McLaughlin and Ford were heading to the pre-game training sessions Friday at Kean that were to continue all weekend.
“It’s going to be exciting,” Ford said. “I’m playing with and against all that talent. I can’t wait to see how it goes. I’m just really pleased to be a part of the game. It’s really amazing when you consider everything.”
Sure thing. It’s not every day that a kid who didn’t even play high school football until two years ago gets a chance to be a state All-Star.
In years past, there were several Hudson County players who went to the game. Some years, there were as many as eight or nine local participants. This year, only McLaughlin and Ford represent the county.
“It’s unfortunate that there aren’t as many players from Hudson County this year,” McLaughlin said. “I hope we represent the county well this year.”
And it’s safe to say that McLaughlin has come a long way since he was worried about getting playing time as a freshman.
“My father definitely reminded me of that,” said McLaughlin, whose father, Dr. Joseph McLaughlin, is a professor of sociology and urban studies at St. Peter’s College and who recently published a book about the history of SPC. “I guess this is a sign that with dedication and commitment, good things can happen.”
Both players said that they have been working out regularly in order to get ready to play football in college, so getting in shape for training camp won’t be a problem. Ford recently completed a standout baseball season for the Friars, earning All-Conference honors. McLaughlin also wrestled for the Marauders, competing at heavyweight, although weighing just 195 pounds.
“I feel good,” McLaughlin said. “I feel better than I did at this time last year.”
Getting a chance to be an All-Star will do that for you. – Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.