Julani Graham has little time for breaks on the football field this season. Graham is Middletown’s featured running back and the team’s starting linebacker. He’s also added captain to his role.
The junior is one of Middletown’s most experienced players. Graham’s two rushing touchdowns helped defending champion Middletown to the Section 9 Class AA title his sophomore season.
“It’s been a lot to pick up,” Graham said of his leadership role. “Last year, we had a lot of leaders on the team. I just had to sit back, learn from them, and be a good example.”
“It’s different this year because now I have to speak up and I have to be the leader because everyone is watching.”
Middletown (4-6) aims for back-to-back Section 9 titles for the first time since 1993-94 when it plays top-seeded Monroe-Woodbury at 6 p.m. Friday at Dietz Stadium in Kingston. The third-seeded Middies received a bye into the final after No. 2 Newburgh Free Academy canceled its season due to code of conduct violations.
Graham has navigated Middletown through an 0-3 start and setbacks in five of its first six games.
“He has done everything we have asked during the season,” Middletown coach Tim Strenfel said. “He has grown into the young man I was hoping to see this year. He’s doing well in school, on and off the field. I’m very happy with his progress.”
Middletown’s last regular-season game was a 16-12 loss to Monroe-Woodbury on Oct. 8. Graham vows that the Middies will improve this time around.
“I need to have a better game than the last time we played them,” Graham said. “It’s going to be a different me this Friday. As a team, we have to execute better. The last time we played them, we held them to three points until the fourth quarter.”
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