Aziah Johnson’s electric plays for TJ provides ticket to Michigan State Looking back at Coach Richard McFee’s talented Falcons

Johnson hit pay dirt 10 times via pass receptions, three times rushing, twice on interceptions and once each on punt and kickoff returns.

The head-spinning performance earned him first-team, All-State Class 2 honors as both a wide receiver and defensive back, and a full scholarship to Michigan State University.

“His achievements are a feather in the cap to TJ, to the City of Richmond and certainly to Aziah himself,” said Dr. William Holt, the Vikings’ activities director.

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Johnson transferred to TJ for his senior season from Huguenot High. He missed the first four games with an offseason injury, and then blasted off like a rocket.

He chose Michigan State of the Big 10 Conference over numerous other offers from Power 5, FBS schools. North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia Tech were among Johnson’s other finalists.

“They (MSU) are really genuine, and they showed a lot of love when I went up there,” he told the media after his campus visit.

“When I got there, there was just a vibe.”

The Spartans hope Johnson can do for them what he did for TJ.

In his one season as a Viking, Johnson caught 44 passes for 971 yards and rushed 22 times for 171 yards. Defensively the cornerback made 45 tackles and intercepted seven passes, including three vs. J.R. Tucker.

His brilliance and versatility helped coach Josef Harrison’s West Enders to an overall 8-4 record and to the second round of the Class 2 Regional playoffs.

At MSU, located in East Lansing, Johnson will play under head coach Mel Tucker, among the more successful Black coaches at Power 5 programs.

While he’ll be some 688 miles from his hometown, Johnson hopes his friends can keep close tabs on his progress.

“Almost all of Michigan State’s games are on TV,” he said. “That’s a dream. I will be living a lot of people’s dreams.”

The Spartans hope the college end zones will be as much to his liking as those around Richmond.

MSU opens Sept. 2 at Spartan Stadium vs. Central Michigan and then, coincidentally, will play an invading University of Richmond. on Sept. 9.

Henrico Baseball Classic dates announced

It’s about time for kids to start loosening up their throwing arms.

The inaugural Henrico Baseball Classic is set for May 26-29 at RF&P, Tuckahoe and Dorey Parks for ages U-8 to 8-14.

The event is a partnership of Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority and Glen Allen-based Premier Sporting Events of Virginia. This is an all-comers tournament with no geographical boundaries. It is for travel teams as well as rec-league teams. As of last week, there were already 50 entries.

For entry information, go to Premier Sporting Events of Virginia website.

Big-time football prospects are rare in Richmond now, but it wasn’t always that way.

Not so long ago, there was an abundance of talent in the city, with much of it on display at Huguenot High School on Forest Hill Avenue.

Under Coach Richard McFee, at least 16 Falcons signed with NCAA Power Five conferences with six advancing to the NFL.

McFee’s squads were 143-73 between 1988 and 2007 with three Central Region, Division 5 crowns.

HHS went to the State final in 1988 (losing to E.C. Glass) and 1998 (losing to Hampton) and to the semifinals in 1992 (losing to Bethel).

A native Richmonder, McFee had served as Lou Anderson’s assistant at Maggie Walker High and as defensive coordinator at Virginia Union before going to Huguenot.

Here’s at least a partial list of former HHS standouts who played for Power Five schools representing the ACC, Southeastern, Big 10, Big 12 and Pac 12.

• Corey Holliday, North Carolina

• Jerry Jerman, Georgia

• Carl Smith, Virginia

• Bryan Still, Virginia Tech

• Renard Cox, Maryland

• Bruce Branch, Penn State

• Marcus McFee, Penn State

• Eric Sturdifen, Penn State

• David Terrell, Michigan

• Dedrick Epps, Miami

• Ray McKenzie, Virginia

• Calvin Edwards, Wake Forest

• Wendell Taylor, Wake Forest

• Anthony Coles, North Carolina

• Rachard Crawford, Rutgers

• Trevor Robinson, Ohio State

• Also Jay Scott, Army Terrell, Still, Cox, Epps, Holliday and Branch all played in NFL.

Picking up trash and litter while hiking and backpacking trails throughout the United States may sound like a strange hobby. But Brian Bell said he has always felt compelled to do it from the time he was a Boy Scout.

“I was raised to believe that you don’t leave things worse than you found them,” he said. “I have always picked up trash myself because I wouldn’t feel good about myself if I could’ve done something and I didn’t.”

When friends joined him on hikes, they picked up the habit as well and Mr. Bell saw an opportunity to improve the health and appearance of trails. In 2017 he started Keep Virginia Cozy, an organization that schedules cleanups in different natural, outdoor areas around the state.

“It evolved into a fun way to get outside and be together with friends,” he said.

An avid hiker, Mr. Bell has backpacked all over the United States, including California, Oregon, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and Massachusetts. Last May, he joined friends in Scotland, traveling across the country from coast to coast.

“We started in a town called Shiel Bridge on the Atlantic side, and hiked 240 miles across the highlands, ending in Aberdeen on the coast of the North Sea.” The trip so inspired Mr. Bell that he plans to return to Scotland this year.

There is no one particular place that inspires Mr. Bell and fuels his passion for cleanup more than another, he said. “Everywhere I go lights up that spark a little bit. You go to Shenandoah National Park or places we go into the back country, and you are made aware of how important it is to preserve what we have.”

To date, Keep Virginia Cozy is responsible for more than 100,000 pounds of litter removal and recycling from parks, neighborhoods, forests and shared green spaces. Reusable gloves and bags are used by participants for each cleanup, so that no waste occurs. People are responsible for maintaining the beauty of green space, he said, and also must be willing to connect with it.

“I definitely think you should spend more time outdoors,” he said. “Walk around your neighborhood, or just sit outside for 10 minutes — there’s really no wrong way to do it.”

Meet a green space advocate and this week’s Personality, Brian Bell:

Occupation: Founder of Keep Virginia Cozy.

Date of birth: July 14.

Where I live now: Rich -