FOOTBALL IN THE TRENCHES WITH BLAZ

By Robert Balajadia and Patrick Lujan

Guam’s stateside athletes continue to succeed and football’s right offensive tackle Joshua J. Blaz adds a bolster of strength to the front line of some of the nation’s rising football talent.

The 6’2” 250 lb. junior is attending Robinson Secondary School, the largest school in the Virginia and Washington, DC metro area. He’s the only returning starter from 2013 having played every single snap during the 2013 season proving his durability and toughness.

“Against other linemen in my area I feel I have a distinct advantage in experience, from starting as a junior last season, another advantage I have is the scheme my football team runs, we run a Wing-T offense, which is a hard-nosed, smash mouth, run heavy offense,” Blaz tells GSPN. “We run the ball about 80% of the time, and to me that’s a blessing,

“I love to play ball down in the trenches. In a Wing-T there is much emphasis on the pulling of guards and traps set up by the tackles, this benefits me because I play hard, low and aggressive.” 

Blaz was born on Guam but relocated to the East Coast with his family just a year later. He is the son of Guam Cable TV and KUAM sports/news anchor Tom Blaz and wife Shelane. He is the youngest Blaz sibling with his older brother Vince and sister Rachael who attended Robinson as well as their father.

Josh Blaz on the sidelines vs Westfield. (courtesy photo)

Josh is on the fast track to success in sports being the teams lead offensive tackle while also participating in Robinson’s wrestling program where the school is regarded as the top wrestling program in Virginia and one of the finest in the country.

Blaz’s achievements on the football field reflect his ability to perform in the classroom. The A/B student is already taking college prep courses at the IB/AP level combing a high level of academics to match his high motor on the football field.

Colleges like North Texas, Savannah State, Norfolk State, Cornell, James Madison, and Wofford have already reached out to Blaz.

Blaz has shown interest in attending the US Military Academy, Naval Academy, and even Coastal Carolina (one of the top programs in the FCS – 1AA in football, baseball, and basketball).

With a good head on his broad shoulders, the kid from Guam will be neutralizing defenders in 2014 which will in turn push him straight towards his bigger life goals.

“I carry much of Guam with me, although I have not returned since I was very young, it’s the birthplace of myself, my siblings, my dad and my grandfather. I look forward to visiting Guam in the future, bearing the stories that my dad and grandpa have told me all of these years.”

GRANDSON OF GUAM HISTORY

Josh is shown with grandfather Congressman Ben Blaz and his father Tom. (courtesy photo)

His grandpa is none other than former Guam Delegate to Congress Ben Blaz (1985-93), who taught Josh and his siblings many of life’s lessons before he passed away on January 8, 2014.

“My grandpa always taught me to never look down on anyone, no matter what you think of them, you should always try to respect them and treat them the way anyone deserves to be treated,” Josh said. “He also taught me to always keep a level head and always consider the consequences of your actions, which has always helped me to stay out of trouble, and keep my focus on my sports and my schoolwork.”

The youngster says his biggest goal right now is to receive a college football scholarship, no matter where it is, and venture into possible majors in either industrial engineering, business or pre-med.

NOTES: older brother Vince is an Auburn graduate and is working for a group that does historical military tours world wide; his dad Tom is also an Auburn graduate; Tom is a co-owner of DC Pro Sports Report, covering the Washington Redskins, Washington Nationals, Washington Capitals, and Washington Wizards, also the home of the original Mock Draft Databases for the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB drafts; Josh’s Godmother is Karen Flores.

JOSH BLAZ RECRUITMENT VIDEO: http://recruit-match.ncsasports.org/clientrms/profile/recruiting_profile/1492315

PHOTO GALLERY

Josh Blaz wrestling in the heavyweight division for Robinson. (courtesy photo)

The Blaz kids at the Washington Nationals game. From left to right: Rachael, Vince, and Josh Blaz and Joseph Meier.

A recent family outing at a Washington Nationals baseball game. (courtesy photo)