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Jordan Shafer leaps high in the air to knock down a pass.
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Saturday, September 6, 2003
Saturday in the fall means one thing, college football. It doesn't matter to this player where the venue, who the opponent, or what the conditions. He loves the game. The first play of the first game of his college career. Jordan Shafer was sprinting down the field in hopes of making the first tackle of the opening kick-off. Jordan Shafer is now a member of the Morehead State University football team.
The colors have changed from black and white to blue and gold. The screams from the crowd have changed from Go Buccs, to Go Eagles. The spirit of the game has stayed true to this Covington grad.
The Eagles played a great football game but came up short against The University of Dayton Flyers. 12 to 0 was the final score. A miscue from the snapper to the punter in the second half led to the Flyers winning touchdown. The Eagles mounted a rally but dropped a sure touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. That was the last chance the Dayton squad would give them.
"Everything moves so much faster" was the comment Jordan kept repeating after his first college game. It may be a little faster, but this Covington grad has already adjusted to what it takes to step up to the next level.
By Chris Harshbarger
Shafer's Lovin' Life...
It seems like yesterday when Jordan Shafer was a first-year starter for the Buccs as a sophomore. At the time he was a skinny kid who could barely fill out his uniform. Despite his fragile looking physique, Jordan gave us glimpses then that he was on the verge of becoming a pretty darn good football player.
Here we are three years later and that skinny kid has grown into his uniform and is now one game from completing his freshman season at Morehead State University. The Eagles, the top-ranked team in all NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major rankings, are 8-2 and will be playing in the Pioneer Football League Championship Game next weekend a Valparaiso, Indiana.
Although playing at the college level, Jordan hasn't left behind those he played with in high school. He tapes his wrists before games and writes the names of his coaches or numbers of some of his high school teammates as a reminder of those who inspire him to play harder. One week it may be #44 for Matt McCord or a simple message of Finny for coach Finfrock. Prior the Marion Local game it was Covington vs Marion Local.
Last night the Eagles completed the regular season with a 48-10 destruction over Charleston. Shafer, taped wrists and all, saw significant playing time on special teams and at Safety. There were times when Shafer should glimpses of what may lie ahead for the next three years.
On one play, as Charleston was in a punting situation, Shafer came off of the corner and got a fingertip on the ball, forcing a poor punt. Jordan also recorded three tackles on the night, one on special teams and two and the defensive side of the ball providing run support as a safety.
The experience of watching Jordan play at the college level is something special, especially for his parents, Chip a Janell. "It's hard to believe he's playing college football," said Chip. "It's really neat. He was on the field on the first play of his freshman season (on a kickoff) and now he's going to letter his freshman year."
Since that first play of the season, Shafer has played in every game and as the season has progressed, his playing time has increased. He is grasping the defensive schemes and becoming acclimated to the speed of the game.
It hasn't been easy, however.
"I remember that first play of the season," Chip said with a chuckle. "Jordan came flying down the field full speed and ran right by the kick returner. He learned pretty quickly that he needs to break down to make the tackle once he's there."
Even in last night's game, Shafer learned some lessons and just like Jordan, he has become his own worst critic. He never talked about the plays he made, but the ones he felt he let slip away.
"On the punt, I should have blocked it," said Jordan shaking his head. "I just got a fingertip on it, but dang, I should have had it. I also should have made that tackle on their running back when he got by me."
Shafer isn't the only local player playing at Morehead. One of his teammates is none other than Mike Poppa, a former Bethel standout. In his sophomore season, Poppa is a starting running back. He led the Eagles on their first scoring drive of the game by taking a ball on a sweep down to the one. Unfortunately an injury forced Poppa out of the game, but he claims he'll be back next week in the championship game.
Although in college, the Covington - Bethel rivalry is still something Poppa remembers and respects. This was never more evident when he realized I was taking pictures for a Covington website.
"Oh, no…don't put me on there," Poppa joked. "Coach Pytel (Bethel's coach) would never let me hear the end of it."
Regardless of the rivalry, Poppa and Shafer are now teammates and lovin' life as college football players. As Jordan puts it, "I'm having a blast."
Note: Morehead State faces Valparaiso in the Pioneer Football League Championship Game at Valparaiso on Saturday, November 22. Kickoff time is at noon (1pm EST) at Brown Field.
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