BREAKING: Charles Huff confirms major decision on Stone Earle and the team’s current inconsistency
Jonathan Marshall has transformed Randolph football into a winning program, with strong backing from the community. Since taking over in 2019, the team has gone from humble beginnings to Super Bowl champions and perennial contenders. When Marshall first arrived, he was concerned about the program’s future. During the shortened 2021 Fall II season, only 17 varsity players were clearing snow from the practice field with their pads and cleats. After a 1-5 season that spring and a 4-4 start in 2021, Randolph stunned everyone by winning four playoff games to secure their first Super Bowl title. Now, three years later, the program remains a force, entering a pivotal matchup against Carver, the top-rated team in the MIAA Division 8 Power Rankings, with a 4-1 record.
Marshall credits some key structural changes for the team’s resurgence. One significant move was the formation of a middle school team to develop consistency from the lower levels to varsity, which he sees as a hallmark of the best programs. This initiative was crucial after the local Pop Warner program folded, and with community support, Randolph’s middle school team was launched. Mekhi White, a standout eighth-grader on that first team, has followed in the footsteps of his older brother Malik, a star of Randolph’s 2022 Super Bowl run. Mekhi is having a breakout season after missing last year with a shoulder injury, stepping up when starting tailback Nate Gomes-Correia was sidelined with an ankle injury. In a recent game against Hull, White dominated with 227 rushing yards, three touchdowns, and two more scores on interceptions.
The success of Randolph football has also been a source of inspiration for students like junior captain Alan Norisca. After moving to Randolph from Haiti in 2019, Alan joined the football team at Marshall’s encouragement. Since then, he’s also taken up wrestling and track while maintaining a 2.9 GPA. He credits Marshall for teaching him discipline and helping him turn his life around.
In his dual role as head coach and athletic director, Marshall continues to dedicate himself to the team, even painting field lines before practice. With a new locker room unveiled in August 2023 and the largest roster of his tenure, the Blue Devils are thriving. Marshall, a former Marine, takes pride in the work ethic of his players, saying they don’t make excuses but instead find ways to overcome challenges. He’s inspired by their resilience, especially in a community that faces its own struggles but is united in its support of the team.