North receiver Emari Russell.

Jacqui Smith Watson photo

 

By Mike London

mike.london@salisburypost.com

SPENCER — Don’t let the big smile and the modest 5-foot-10, 160-pound frame fool you.

No. 6 in green and gold is a big play waiting to happen.

On a North Rowan football team loaded with athletes, senior newcomer Emari Russell has as much ability as anyone. While North Rowan basketball fans can’t wait for Russell, a Central Cabarrus transfer who was part of two dominant 3A state champs, to destroy opponents indoors this winter, he is currently making a massive impact for the football team as a receiver and defensive back.

“Leads 1A in receiving yards with 515,” North head coach Josh Sophia said. “And it’s not just the yardage. He’s made big plays at big times. He’s made spectacular catches. He’s helped our special teams. He’s a very good defensive back. Tough kid. Great kid. Huge addition for us.”

While Russell achieved a measure of fame as a quick, springy, relentless, defense-oriented sixth man on one of the best 3A high school basketball teams the state has ever seen, he also played football for Central’s Vikings, mostly cornerback.

The decision to transfer to North Rowan was a family one and was finalized  shortly after last school year ended.

Russell’s father is Quentin McDaniel, a former Salisbury High athlete who played high school ball for current North Rowan boys basketball coach Jason Causby. McDaniel is employed as North’s assistant AD, and he’s been a very recognizable basketball official in the area for years.

“My dad grew up in Salisbury, and I had a lot of ties to Salisbury and North Rowan — Amari McArthur (a record-breaking North receiver) is actually my cousin,” Russell said. “I didn’t really know the North guys, but I knew who they were, knew people who knew them. I hadn’t met Jeremiah Alford, but I knew who he was.”

Sophia and Russell remember that Russell’s first appearance at a North 7-on-7 summer football scrimmage went better than anyone had hoped. He not only excelled, more importantly, he fit right in.

“I connected with Jeremiah right away,” Russell said. “I made a couple of catches that day. The coaches and the guys accepted me.”

With the addition of Russell, North ripped through its summer basketball camps and tournaments, battering and bruising the egos of vaunted 4A programs along the way. North may be difficult to beat in 1A basketball this winter, but that’s still something that’s down the road.

For now, it’s all about football, and Russell is putting heart and soul into the gridiron. He has two interceptions and he’s averaged 21 yards on his 25 catches. He’s also a threat to run the ball on jet sweeps or end-arounds.

“People might be surprised, but football and basketball are really about equal for me,” Russell said. “I did have fantastic basketball experiences at Central (where he played for North Rowan Jim Baker). Playing with the Daniel twins was a great experience, just seeing how hard they worked every day, seeing how much they wanted to win.”

Russell’s experience of winning two state basketball championships gives him a unique perspective. He knows the level of commitment it takes to win high school titles and he knows what it’s like to expect to win every time you walk on the court or the field. He’s brought that mindset with him to North Rowan, and it could make a difference in the playoffs in both of his sports.

“I’ve got a competitive nature, definitely,” Russell said.

North won a tough Central Carolina Conference ballgame on Monday, beating Thomasville, 15-12. A big play by Russell provided the decisive  touchdown with an electrifying deep shot.

“When he’s got one-on-one coverage, we’ll take that shot every time,” Sophia said. “Jeremiah threw it up there for him. He went up and made the play.”

Russell had six catches for 128 yards against Thomasville.

Russell helped hold North’s receiving corps together when it was really banged up. North (4-2, 2-0) is getting healthier now and got another key receiver back on Monday when Dyaon Norman-Jackson returned from injury.

Besides Russell and Norman-Jackson, A’son Best, Mike Alford and Jaiden Brown are all dangerous pass-catchers, and in Jeremiah Alford, North has the county’s all-time leader in TD passes throwing to them. If you’re a defensive back, it’s starting to get scary.

As far as making the switch to a 1A classroom setting in Spencer from a bustling school, on the outskirts of Charlotte, Russell is adjusting comfortably.

“North is quiet, peaceful,” he said. “I can focus on my grades and get my work done.”

And when it’s time for athletics, he can be very special.