Marshawn Lee stands just 5-feet-7 inches and weighs around 165 pounds.
Don’t let his size fool you.
The Detroit King senior wide receiver has come up big and done a little bit of everything for the Crusaders as they faced Livonia Franklin in the Division 2 district championship on Friday.
After an unusual 0-2 start the speedster made sure the group stayed together and has responded in different roles on the field.
As a receiver he has caught 26 passes for 625 yards and seven touchdowns.
As a rusher he has picked up 35 yards. As a kickoff returner he has accounted for 318 yards and a touchdown. In his role as punt returner he has 195 yards and accounted for two touchdowns.
“As an all-purpose guy he has accounted for 1,000 yards,’’ said head coach Tyrone Spencer, who led the team to a Division 3 title against Muskegon last season. “He has a lot of speed. Marshawn is a leader, but he is kind of a loner. He does his thing and he has been supported of DJ (freshman quarterback Dante Moore) like the entire team has. He’s a big play guy. He’s tough and he has bought into the program.
“We had seven guys who left the program. They just didn’t want to be a part of it.’’
Lee with Rashawn Williams (Indiana) give Moore two solid targets.
“To be honest teams have tried to double-team both of us,’’ said Lee. “That has opened things up for Peny (Boone). Peny got off to a slow start but he has picked it up in recent weeks. We got off to the slow start, but the seniors knew what it took to get things on track. We made sure no one started pointing fingers. We kept things together. DJ has been in so many big games in youth league.’’
Moore’s role became clearer when his competition decided to transfer, leaving the job to him.
“He has gotten better every week. Just like DQ (Dequan Finn) he’s a great athlete and can make plays with his arm and his feet. DQ (Toledo) was an incredible athlete and leader. We’ve had guys step up.
“I think I knew we could get it done after we beat Cass Tech. That gave us some confidence.’’
Even though Williams is the highest recruit to ever sign with Indiana, Lee doesn’t back down.
“When I’m on the field I believe I’m the best receiver on the field,’’ said Lee. “You have to feel that way. You have to be confident. Trouble (Williams) is a great player. Teams have to pay attention to both of us. I put in the work to get here. I had a good seven-on-seven summer. I put in the time and made sure I was ready.’’
Lee’s smile is infectious. He doesn’t back down and has put the team first as far as his recruitment.
“I have a visit this week to Ferris State,’’ said Lee. “But I’ve been focused on winning a state championship then I’ll start looking at those things.’’
Said Spencer: “Ferris is looking at him, but we’re looking at some Division 2 schools and some HBCUs. Marshawn can play at that level.’’
Since Spencer took over for the late Dale Harvel his teams had never started the season 0-2.
“It was a test, but we stayed positive. Our seniors stayed on the younger players and we just kept working.’’
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