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Dusty Hess works over a defensive lineman in the all-star game at Welcome Stadium.
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June 2, 2003 – COVINGTON
Covington High School held their annual graduation ceremony this past weekend which means the high school careers are over for the majority of the athletes. However, two members of the Covington Buccaneers football team have the opportunity to extend their high school careers for one more game and then head off to the college level this fall.
Those two players are Jordan Shafer and Dusty Hess. Both have been selected to participate in the Miami Valley All-Star game sponsored by the Miami Valley Football Coaches Association on Friday, June 13 at Welcome Stadium in Dayton.
A three year starter for the Buccs, Jordan Shafer was a standout at wideout and defensive back. He set a school record with 45 catches and 766 receiving yards as a senior. In his four year career, Shafer amassed 96 catches for 1,455 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also averaged 15.2 yards every time he touched the ball.
Jordan also had an impact of defense and special teams as well. Shafer tallied 98 solo tackles, 69 assisted tackles and 5 interceptions in his three seasons as a starting corner. He returned 41 punts for 503 yards and a 12.3 yards per return throughout his career. As a senior Jordan punted 18 times for 632 yards for a 35.1 average.
Shafer was named 1st team All-Conference, 1st team Southwest District and Honorable Mention All–Ohio his senior season. At 6-2 and 185 lbs., Shafer ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.
Jordan has signed a letter of intent to continue his football career next season at Morehead State University this fall.
Dusty Hess was also a three year starter for the Buccs. He played on both sides of the ball as well, garnering statewide recognition as an offensive and defensive tackle. At 6-4, 260 lbs. Hess established himself as one of the most dominating lineman in the area, earning 1st team All-Ohio, 1st team Southwest District, Southwest District Player of the Year, and Conference Lineman of the year.
Over the past two seasons Hess recorded some impressive numbers on the defensive side of the ball. He amassed 105 solo tackles, 77 assisted tackles, 26 tackles for a loss and 9 quarterback sacks.
Along with his impressive credentials on the gridiron, Hess has put together some nice numbers in the weight room. He bench pressed 305 lbs., squated 500 lbs., power cleaned 275 lbs., and ran the 40 in 5.0 prior to his senior season.
Dusty will join last year's teammate, Mike Molesky at the University of Dayton this fall.
The game will be played on Friday June 13th at 7:30 pm at Dayton's Welcome Stadium. The game is a showcase for the best players in the Miami Valley. The North squad is coached by Graham head coach J.J. Ramsey and the South is coached by Fairmont head coach Rick Robertson.
Shafer, Hess Participate in All-Star Game...
June 13, 2003 – DAYTON
When the pads go on and the hits start flying, no one can tell the difference between a Division I player and a Division VI player, escpecially at the North-South All Star Game.
Jordan Shafer and Dusty Hess are two Division VI players that are proof that Division VI players belong on the same playing field as the "Big Boys" so to speak. These recent Covington grads more than held their own against players that receive more recognition because of the size of their school.
Both players played on the offensive side of the ball, Shafer at wideout and Hess at tackle. Both had an impact on the game, although their team was on the losing end, as the South squad came out on top 27-19.
Shafer had 4 catches on the night and a fifth catch was called back due to a holding penalty. That catch was Jordan's biggest catch of the game, going for over 50 yards. On the play, Shafer had to battle three South defenders for the ball and somehow came down with the reception inside the South 15-yard line. Instead of having the ball in scoring position, the South squad had to punt the ball away a couple of plays later.
Although pulling duty in the trenches, Hess made some plays as well…most notibaly on special teams. Hess recovered a South onside kick, showing excellent hands for a lineman. Hess also played virtually every snap on the offensive side of the ball. He made a key block on a touchdown pass that made the score 19-7 in North's favor.
Both players stressed the importance of the game and what it meant to be a part of it.
"I definetly look at this as an opportunity to show I can play against kids from bigger programs," commented Jordan Shafer. "Yes, they are faster and stronger, but we have some nice players in D-6 too."
Hess also look at this as an opportunity to showcase his skills and to have some fun. One look at his Converse basketball shoes was a sign of how Hess was approaching the game.
"This is fun," said Hess. "I wore these shoes because they actually have good traction. Plus, I'm here to have some fun. I also like the fact that we are playing here (at Welcome Stadium) because this is where I will be playing college ball."
In all, it was a memorable experience for not only Shafer and Hess, but the Bucc fans that made the trip to see them at the high school level one last time. Both will move on to play college football next season so one last memory will last a lifetime.
