Whiz Kid of the Week: James Mullis

Whiz Kid: James Mullis

Age: 17

School:  Senior, Broadneck High School

Parents:  Don and Cheryl Mullis

Quarterback and captain of the football team and a two-time leading goal scorer and captain of the lacrosse team, James Mullis didn't always have it so good on the campus of Broadneck High School. 

He was a natural athlete with a family name that preceeded his arrival to Lawrence E. Knight Stadium. His sister Lauren was state-champion field hockey goalie and other sister Megan was a standout lacrosse player who went on play at Towson University. His brother Josh was a football player for the Bruins as well.

As a freshman, he fractured the L4 and L5 vertabrae of his back, costing Mullis his freshman football season and delayed the begining of his Bruin lacrosse career.

Mullis had to work through a six-month recovery period before he could begin to flourish on the athletic field. "When I broke my back. I thought, 'All I've done for 15 years is play sports and now I have no idea what I'm going to do'," Mullis said about the injury.

After splitting time at quaterback as a junior, Mullis took off this fall as a senior signal caller. His 18 career rushing touchdowns, 16 in his senior season, ranks 6th all-time in Broadneck football history.

A four-year varsity player for the lacrosse team, Mullis led the Bruins in scoring his sophomore and junior seasons. This season he eclipsed the 100-career goal mark.

This year Mullis captained both the football and lacrosse teams. "I'm a captain that practices what he preaches," Mullis said about his style of leadership. "I think that I'm a good teacher and people see that."

One thing that has been consistent in his playing days are Don and Cheryl Mullis, his parents. Mullis says they have been at just about every game in his high school career.

Next fall, Mullis will attend Stevenson University, where his family will be able to see him continue his playing days. In Division III athletics, the Mustangs men's lacrosse team are a top-ranked program.

"I think Stevenson is a better fit from a school perspective and a lacrosse perspective," Mullis said about his selection of Stevenson over Salisbury University.

Mullis plans to study elementary education in college, with hopes of obtaining a minor in business as well. "I could really see myself as a teacher," he said.

His mother, Cheryl, is first grade teacher at Belvedere Elementary School.

During the summer, Mullis is a camp counselor at Big Vanilla Athletic Club in Arnold.

While his competitive lacrosse days will likely come to an end after his time at Stevenson, Mullis would like to manage and run a summer lacrosse team. A member of T2 Storm lacrosse, he hopes that studying business will allow him to stay close to the game and work with kids in the future.

And if that future continues upward like the last four years have for Mullis, the future looks bright.