Football: Local players move closer to Super Bowl

Super Bowl XLVIII is getting close, and lots of Southern California products are still alive for this weekend’s conference championship games, causing excitement at their old high schools.

At Birmingham High, football Coach Jim Rose has been following Malik Jackson of the Denver Broncos. Jackson, who was a standout defensive linemen with his twin brother, Marquis, had a sack on Sunday against the Chargers.

“He’s still Malik to me,” Rose said of Jackson, who played on the Patriots’ 13-1 team in 2007. “Even though I’m not a Denver fan, I have to root for him.”

Jackson dropped by Birmingham last summer to talk to Patriot players.

Also on the Broncos is former Crespi lineman Sione Fua and former Gardena Serra safety Duke Ihenacho.

Former Valencia running back Shane Vereen has been a key contributor for the New England Patriots, as has been former Servite special teams player Matthew Slater. Former Newbury Park lineman Will Svitek is on the Patriots roster.

The Seattle Seahawks are filled with Southern California products, from linebacker Malcolm Smith (Taft) to defensive lineman Brandon Mebane (Crenshaw) to cornerback Richard Sherman (Dominguez).

There’s no NFL team in Los Angeles but lots of fans know players and will be rooting from their living rooms on Sunday.
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