Justice Prevails

Winston Justice loves to dance, but not to the rap, rock or hip-hop tunes that typically turn on a teenager.

The music that inspires Justice is calypso, from his parents’ native Barbados. Except for a night spent slamming opposing linebackers to the turf, there’s nothing the 6-foot-7, 295-pound Long Beach Poly High senior would rather do than devour some of his grandmother’s fried flying fish, a Barbadian delicacy, and dance to calypso.

“Most offensive lineman don’t know how to dance,” he said. “I’m the best offensive lineman dancer.”

Many would say he is the best offensive lineman, period--at least among Southern California high school players.

Justice is so big he creates panic walking into line at a buffet restaurant. He’s so intimidating that you feel sympathy for the helpless defenders who try to get past him.

As an offensive guard, Justice is protector of Poly’s quarterback and running backs. He performs his job with the precision of a Secret Service agent.

“He’s a great pass blocker,” Poly line coach Tim Moncure said. “It’s pretty devastating for the defensive guys that have to take him on.”

In its long history of success on the football field, Poly, the defending Southern Section Division I champion, has had stronger, faster and even bigger linemen.

But Moncure said Justice has “the whole package--speed, power, intelligence.”

“He’s found a place he’s really comfortable with,” Moncure said.

Justice didn’t start playing football until his sophomore year. As a Jehovah’s Witness, he said his parents initially believed the church’s teachings wouldn’t permit him to play football.

“They found out it was up to them and not the church, so they made the decision I could play,” Justice said.

His size made him the ideal candidate for the offensive line and he dedicated himself to learning the position. He has come to love it even if he’ll probably never score a touchdown.

“My celebration is knocking people over,” he said.

Dealing with the anonymity that comes with playing offensive line was something Justice didn’t understand until midseason last year. He remembers his coach giving a talk.

“He told us we had to be like the father of the team,” he said. “It’s like a father is proud their son is going off to college and graduated. I’m proud that my running back scored a touchdown and I helped him.”

Of course, Justice can always dream that one day the coaches might call upon him to carry the ball. He saw a Loyola High offensive guard get the chance on a fumblerooski play in the Division I final last year.

“Deep inside, I was saying, ‘Why can’t they run that with me?”’ he said.

Justice knows where he belongs on the field. He’s the human shield for Poly’s offensive backs. His job is to create an opening so they can excel.

“Tiny guys try to use their speed [against me],” he said. “Big guys try to use their power, so that’s why you work for speed and power.”

UCLA, USC, Washington, Florida and Florida State are among the schools who have expressed recruiting interest in Justice, a senior who doesn’t turn 17 until Sept. 14.

Playing at Poly is like a mini-college experience because of the immense talent on both sides of the ball. In practice, he goes up against Manuel Wright, who is considered among the best defensive linemen in Southern California. There are fierce battles.

“You know how you slip and might hit him in the mouth and might want to fight? But afterward, we make up,” Justice said.

Justice has one small problem during games. He can’t see the scoreboard because he doesn’t wear his glasses during games.

“He’s always asking, ‘What’s the score?”’ Moncure said.

Not knowing only motivates Justice to try harder, so don’t expect Poly coaches to insist on him wearing glasses.

They might also want to consider piping in some calypso over the public address system.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

How They Rate

Ranking the top offensive linemen in the Southland

CITY SECTION

Name: 1. Alex Potasi

School: Harbor City Narbonne

Ht.: 6-6

Wt.: 320

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Committed to USC

*

Name: 2. Anthony Tanner

School: San Pedro

Ht.: 6-3

Wt.: 275

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Had 37 pancake blocks

*

Name: 3. Nate Weber

School: Dorsey

Ht.: 6-6

Wt.: 310

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Plays center aggressively

*

Name: 4. Victor Romero

School: Granada Hills Kennedy

Ht.: 6-5

Wt.: 315

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has excellent pass-blocking skills

*

Name: 5. Marco Guerra

School: Fremont

Ht.: 6-5

Wt.: 322

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Punishing run blocker

*

Name: 6. John Nevels

School: Washington

Ht.: 6-1

Wt.: 280

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Guard who will be three-year starter

*

Name: 7. Octavio Flores

School: Woodland Hills Taft

Ht.: 6-3

Wt.: 320

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Critical blocker for Toreadors’ offense

*

Name: 8. Hilario Mora

School: South Gate

Ht.: 6-2

Wt.: 315

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Tackle who does his job

*

Name: 9. Luis Solis

School: Sylmar

Ht.: 6-6

Wt.: 305

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Has the physique of an NFL player

*

Name: 10. Jose Naverette

School: Huntington Park

Ht.: 6-3

Wt.: 250

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: All-league three-year starter

*

Name: 11. Shawn Huntsinger

School: Van Nuys Grant

Ht.: 6-3

Wt.: 245

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Draws rave reviews from coaching staff

SOUTHERN SECTION

Name: 1. Winston Justice

School: Long Beach Poly

Ht.: 6-7

Wt.: 295

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Has talent to be the best

*

Name: 2. Chris Doyle

School: Santa Ana Mater Dei

Ht.: 6-3

Wt.: 280

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Committed to USC

*

Name: 3. James Bonelli

School: Ventura St. Bonaventure

Ht.: 6-5

Wt.: 280

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Committed to Notre Dame

*

Name: 4. Robert Chai

School: Newport Harbor

Ht.: 6-3

Wt.: 270

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Top blocker for Division VI runner-up

*

Name: 5. John Parada

School: Alta Loma

Ht.: 6-8

Wt.: 325

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: His size can’t be overlooked

*

Name: 6. Michael Keith Jackson

School: Inglewood

Ht.: 6-6

Wt.: 315

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Watch how well he moves

*

Name: 7. Carlos Romero

School: San Bernardino A.B. Miller

Ht.: 6-3

Wt.: 302

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Guard with good feet

*

Name: 8. Ryan Parks

School: Chino

Ht.: 6-3

Wt.: 270

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Powerful, devastating blocker

*

Name: 9. Spencer Hollison

School: Santa Margarita

Ht.: 6-5

Wt.: 270

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Compared to alumnus Kris Farris

*

Name: 10. Sam Baker

School: Tustin

Ht.: 6-5

Wt.: 275

Yr.: Jr.

Comment: Has plenty of potential

*

Name: 11. Ernesto Guerrero

School: Pico Rivera El Rancho

Ht.: 6-5

Wt.: 275

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Top lineman for 10-2 team

*

Name: 12. John Finneran

School: Santa Margarita

Ht.: 6-6

Wt.: 285

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Should have All-Southern Section season

*

Name: 13. Evan Lo

School: Riverside Poly

Ht.: 6-4

Wt.: 285

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Tackle can push around defenders

*

Name: 14. Rick Lewis

School: Anaheim Esperanza

Ht.: 6-2

Wt.: 285

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Strong, determined player

*

Name: 15. Marcus Bryar

School: Glendora

Ht.: 6-5

Wt.: 260

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Knows blocking fundamentals

*

Name: 16. Marc Villafuerte

School: Anaheim Canyon

Ht.: 6-4

Wt.: 240

Yr.: Sr.

Comment: Two-time all-leaguer

Compiled by Eric Sondheimer