Menchville RB Javoni Hales (Photo: Lance Hinton/recruit757)

Menchville needs a hero, can RB Javoni Hales answer the call?

by Brandon Mitchell, recruit757

The Inova Sports Performance Center at Redskins Park was the site for Saturday’s festivities that allowed 100 of the top prospects located in Virginia to continue to build their resume with the summer approaching. The event, held by recruit757 and Sparta Science, allowed prospects to have certain measurable obtained as well as perform against one another by the end of the showcase. Although the running back position was led by Eric McDaniels (Henrico), Rodney Hammond (BTW), and C.J. Beasley (Maury), there were a handful of other running backs not too far away from the top tier.

Menchville starting running back Javoni Hales (2021 RB 5-10 205) isn’t well known across the region. However, his name is one that is definitely prevalent within the Peninsula District. The Monarchs running back has played a multitude of positions over his first two seasons under Ray Savage including linebacker and defensive end. With that being said, running back seems to be the position where Hales has been able to make the biggest difference for the Menchville offense.

Last season, Hales was one of the top running backs in the Peninsula District rushing for 1,048 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 142 carries. Savage did a great job of changing up offensive sets to disguise Hales with handoffs coming from shotgun, wildcat, and pistol formations. For his troubles, Hales was handed First Team All-Peninsula District honors alongside D’onte Chesson (Woodside) and Jaylen White (Phoebus).

It’ll be a long crawl from the depths of the Peninsula District for Hales and Menchville as the Monarchs have only been able to muster just six wins in the last five seasons. Menchville hasn’t sniffed playoff competition since the 1993 season and will have to do so without its former head coach Ray Savage. The Monarchs skipper stepped down prior to the conclusion of last season and former Heritage assistant Rodney Taylor has stepped in. Look for Hales to be a huge contributor for Menchville moving forward.

– Brandon Mitchell