Jeff Lafferty Shadle Park Year: Senior Sport: Football Position: Lb/Rb

Jeff Lafferty didn’t realize how good his football coaches are at Shadle Park.

This past summer head coach Mark Hester had a message for Lafferty, a returning linebacker.

“(Hester) started telling me I’ll probably be carrying the football,” Lafferty said. “I was pretty excited, I like a chance to help out any way I can.”

Besides leading a defense that held Gonzaga Prep to one late touchdown, Laffety rushed for 105 yards on 20 tries in the 10-7 season-opening win.

“They just kept giving me the ball and I kept running,” Lafferty said. “I didn’t even think I was close to 100.”

Hester said, “He was all over the place. He is a key cog in our defense and offense. He ran hard … and he was able to get something out of nothing. … Jeff has a great nose for the ball.”

The win was a big boost for a team that struggled on defense a year ago.

“It’s a lot better, especially since I’m a defensive captain,” Lafferty said. “It’s a lot more fun to be able to say you did your part.”

Hester added, “I don’t know (if we’re) a defensive power but we have confidence (because) Prep a is measuring stick in this league. Anytime you can beat Prep you can feel pretty good.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo