[Sly Fox]

Zach Johnson
Offensive Tackle
Fork Union Military Academu
6' 5" 290 lbs

Training benefits recruits
A prep year at Fork Union Military Academy makes five former area football stars more prepared for the college life.

By TAFT COGHILL JR.

Date published: 12/16/2006

Asa Chapman walked into Fork Union Military Academy weighing 400 pounds, determined to improve his academic standing so he could eventually play football for the University of Virginia.

Delano Green went to Fork Union on a mission to land a Division I-A scholarship.

Byron Allen, Zach Johnson and Dwayne Robinson all sought to improve their football skills with hopes that a Division I-A or I-AA college would take notice.

For the most part, the five former Fredericksburg area football standouts have accomplished their goals.

Johnson (Orange) has five Division I or II offers, with Liberty University the front-runner for the 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman.

Chapman, Green and Johnson all said FUMA has helped them just as they thought it would.

A dose of discipline

Fork Union is a Baptist military school in Palmyra, located in Fluvanna County near Charlottesville. It has been open since 1898. Its notable alumni include Heisman Trophy winners Vinny Testaverde and Eddie George.

In July, Fork Union was one of 22 prep schools subject to review by the NCAA because of the improved academic standing many athletes get while there. Fork Union was later cleared by the NCAA.

FUMA isn't tied to any branch of the armed forces, but it operates in a military style. Students must be up by 6 a.m. and in bed by 10 p.m.

Chapman and Johnson both said that type of structure was tough to get used to, but needed.

Johnson said while at Orange, he hung out with the "wrong crowd" and he admitted to skipping school. He didn't get involved in football until his junior year. He said that's when he realized what the sport could do for him.

"I definitely began to see the bigger picture," Johnson said. "I could see that you can use football to go to college. That's when I decided to step it up."

Johnson was a two-year starter at right guard for the Hornets. He said he decided to attend nearby FUMA partly because of the success that former Orange defensive back Brent Trice had there.

Trice attended FUMA in 2005-06. It helped land him a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University, where he appeared in every game for the Commodores this past season, with one interception. Shuman said FUMA has a "niche" in Orange.

"This military stuff is something that you have to buy into," Johnson said. "But [Trice's scholarship] was all the proof in the world of what this place can do for you."

Johnson overcame a back injury to become a solid left tackle for FUMA. In addition to Liberty, he has scholarship offers from Norfolk State, Hofstra, Wagner and Northern Michigan.

"He fought through a lot and he played pretty well," Shuman said. "It wouldn't shock me if he's very successful."

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2006 ... tml?page=1