WINDSOR'S UNASSUMING KING:HOMECOMING VOTE SURPRISED SENIOR TEACHER CALLS SCHOOL'S 'MODEL STUDENT-ATHLETE'

Windsor High students see something in senior John McGriff that they like, appreciate and respect. This year, they showed it by choosing the thoughtful 17-year-old as their homecoming king.

He's not the most popular guy in school or the football quarterback. McGriff is a low-profile offensive lineman on the school's varsity team. So when the honor was announced at the game against El Molino High School, McGriff said, "I was floored. I didn't think the student body would pick me over the other guys."

He was one of three seniors nominated by his peers and the first African-American to win that honor in Windsor.

"I still don't know why I was chosen," McGriff said. "Maybe they can relate to me."

His coaches and teachers think there's more to it than that.

"John is a calming and thoughtful presence in my classroom," said humanities teacher Michael Kaufman. "He is bright, hard-working, conscientious and extremely humble. He takes his education seriously but doesn't take himself too seriously. He treats others with great respect and kindness, and is a model student-athlete."

The Jaguars are having their best varsity season since the school opened in 1995, winning the SCL Championship with a victory over Casa Grande High School. Humanities teacher Andrew Murdock thinks McGriff has a lot to do with the team's success.

"Look at him as an athlete, laboring in virtual anonymity like Michael Oher of 'The Blind Side' fame," said Murdock. "Why do the Windsor star quarterbacks and running backs have so much time and room to move? Look to John."

Head Coach Rob Gatrell agrees.

"John has been one of our leaders on the offensive line, playing the left tackle position," Gatrell said. "He possesses the ability to bring out the best in those around him. His hard work and determination without a doubt have been instrumental to the the success of our offense and our team."

McGriff is quick to point out the team's strengths rather than his own.

"This year we have a new coaching staff that brings a lot of fire and intensity to our practices and our games," he said. "We've come together as a family.

"Last year each person was an individual unit. It has made our bond stronger, and we know we can trust each other when it comes game time so that each person can execute his assignment."

The team has been on a roll since its first game against Montgomery High School, when the Jaguars beat the Vikings 42-0.

"Our first game against Montgomery really set the tone for the season," McGriff said. "The support from the crowd even at an away game really helped. That's the game where we made our opening statement for this season."

McGriff has been playing football for the past seven years and says that he is a San Francisco 49ers' fan. He comes from a family of athletes, including distant cousins Tyrone McGriff, who played with the Pittsburg Steelers, and Fred McGriff, who was a Major League baseball player in the 1990s.

McGriff also has interests off the field. At school, he particularly enjoys the classes in his Humanities Core, he said. "It's a great environment with great teachers. It makes learning fun for me. The humanities core is a focus area where you can really express yourself, get to know yourself and others."

Says Murdock, "John is a fitting homecoming king precisely because he normally shuns the spotlight. The high school environment can always use a McGriff-sized dose of authenticity. Look at him as a person: kind, gentle, smart and uniquely humble, all leavened with a healthy sense of humor.'

McGriff also takes a Leadership class in which students organize events intended to build community at the school.

"I'm on the senior committee, community outreach and clubs," he said. "I like the environment. We do a lot, and it feels good that we're helping others."

College is definitely in McGriff's future, probably at a four-year state school, but he's not sure yet whether he'll still be playing football.

"I'm currently looking into Arizona State, Oregon State and San Diego. I'll go wherever life takes me," he said.

McGriff is the youngest of five children and was born in Santa Rosa. After a few years in Windsor, he now lives in Larkfield.

"My family has influenced me a lot with the choices and decisions I've made," he said. "They've helped me become the person that I am. I'm very thankful for them."