It is the end of another hectic basketball season, and Eastern Wayne’s J.J. Murray does not have much time to stop and catch his breath.

The senior is jumping from basketball straight into football, which started this week.

Last season, Murray rushed for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 104.3 yards per game.

Murray said he is looking to have an even better senior season.

“I’m looking forward to having a great season, Murray said. “This is my last year, so I’m trying to make the best out of it.”

Coaches have been impressed by Murray’s leadership so far this year, and through hard work, he has transitioned into a varsity standout in multiple sports.

The Warriors finished the season with a 4-8 record on the basketball court, but the Warriors snapped a two-game losing streak against C.B. Aycock last Friday, and Murray said he was glad to win his last basketball game.

“Being senior this year was kind of hard because I didn’t get to have the year that everybody wants, but I’ve been maintaining and staying focused,” Murray said. “I don’t keep my head down. I just keep it up.”

For Murray, football started out as a way to simply hang out with his friends after school and exercise. When he began his high school football career, he had no idea what it would become for him.

He joined the varsity team as a sophomore, but as a junior, he had his breakout season, and when it comes to football, Murray used just to play. Now he has a deeper understanding of the game, which he said has helped a lot.

He is hoping to be play football in college, but he cannot wait to get on the gridiron this season.

“I’m going to attending North Carolina A&T University, and I’m going to major in physical therapy,” Murray said.

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