(Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) LAW ENFORCEMENT: Hun School star lineman John Law takes a break during action last fall. This Thursday, Law will be playing for the West squad in the 14th annual Sunshine Classic football all-star game at The College of New Jersey.

After Playing in Many Big Games for Hun, Law Primed for Sunshine Classic Football

Carrick O’Connor Porter

Attracting crowds of thousands and featuring the area’s top senior players from last fall, the annual Sunshine Classic all-star football game can be a pressure-cooker for its participants.

For recently graduated Hun School offensive lineman John Law, playing for the West squad in the Sunshine Classic this Thursday night at The College of New Jersey amounts to the latest test in a series of challenges he has faced in his football career.

Star lineman Law has vivid memories of his debut against Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) in his sophomore season.

“I didn’t expect to be a starter at all; I was not sure if I was ready to go up against some kids who were three years older and much stronger than me,” recalled Law, who played on the offensive line in his debut season.

“I felt sick to my stomach and very nervous about messing up. But the older guys made me feel comfortable and reminded me that it was a team game and that they had my back.”

That Hun team went on to win a lot of big games as it posted a 9-0 record. “It was a really tight-knit group of seniors who brought the younger players together and made us focus on going one game at a time,” said Law reflecting on that special fall.

A year later, Hun was unable to regain that focus as it went 4-4. “We had a lot of talent but we focused on being undefeated and not just playing our game,” said Law.

Despite the up-and-down season, Law was able to expand his game as he became a two-way player, starting on the defensive line in addition to his spot on the OL.

Law also took on a bigger leadership role for the Raiders. “Being a returning varsity player was a good experience for me because it meant I was in a leadership role to help the younger kids stepping up like I had to step up the year before,” said Law.

Last fall, Law had high hopes that he and his classmates would step up and lead Hun to another big campaign.

“We were really excited to have a huge group of seniors once again and hoped to produce another season like my sophomore season,” said Law.

While Hun had some big wins, including victories over Peddie and Lawrenceville, injuries and bad luck spelled another frustrating campaign as the Raiders posted a final record of 4-4.

“We really had trouble finishing at the end of games,” said Law. “But I had the opportunity to mature as a player and as a leader. I attempted to help the younger players breaking into the varsity lineup to not have the same worries that I had during my first season.”

For Law, playing in the West lineup at the Sunshine Classic is an opportunity he has been looking forward to for years.

“I am really excited to play in the Sunshine Classic,” said Law, whose father, John, is a longtime assistant coach at Hun.

“I have grown up watching the games as a kid because some of dad’s players would occasionally play in the game and I always dreamed of being down there with the stands so full around me.”

Law is determined to give the fans something to cheer about on Thursday evening.

“I had been keeping in shape by running and lifting but I was not sure if six practices would be enough to get me in football shape,” said Law.

“The practices so far have been pretty smooth and I am ready to play all four quarters.”

In addition, the Catholic University-bound Law is looking at the Sunshine Classic as a good way to prepare for the challenges he will face at the college level.

“I am so happy to have one more chance to play before I go off to play in college,” said Law.

“I see it as a reward for putting in so many hours of hard work over the years. It is a nice way to finish out a fun high school career.”

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