La~Rod is Le' good
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THE CHOPS
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La~Rod is Le' good
LaRod rushes into
By MIKE MASTOVICH
THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT
LaRod Stephens' rush to the top of Greater Johnstown's scholastic football record book coincided with the Trojans' on-field revival in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference.
Stephens frequently found himself in the spotlight, and just as often deflected credit for his success to Johnstown's coaches, offensive linemen and blocking backs and receivers.
While Stephens preferred to downplay his individual accomplishments, the senior back's gaudy numbers and status as the only two-time Tribune-Democrat Offensive Player of the Year were impossible to ignore. Stephens' fancy footwork made him the third-biggest local sports story of the year as voted by The Tribune-Democrat Sports Department.
"Even people who aren't football fans went to games just to see LaRod run," said coach Bob Arcurio, whose Trojans won the District 6 Class AAA title this year and placed second during Stephens' junior season. "He was very exciting for the public to see. Any article you read about him, he talks about his teammates. He's such a humble individual."
Stephens verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh this fall. Recently hired Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt telephoned Stephens on Sunday and intends to visit the recruit's Woodvale home in the next few weeks.
"Things are good with Pitt," Stephens said on Thursday. "I talked with Coach Wannstedt on Sunday. He said I will have an in-home visit sometime in January and I'll find out where I stand in his plans. On the phone he told me I better be ready to run."
Stephens certainly ran at Greater Johnstown.
In three seasons, he gained a Johnstown career-record 4,597 rushing yards (8.9 a carry) and ran for 57 TDs.
As a senior this season, Stephens led the area with 1,875 yards, 28 rushing TDs and 192 points. As a junior, he broke school and LHAC single-season records with 2,226 rushing yards and had 23 touchdowns and 140 points.
"I've been reflecting on it a lot," Stephens said of his career at Johnstown. "You wish you had it back. I enjoyed all three of my varsity years playing for Johnstown. All the teams were good. We just had a good coaching staff that came in and took over the program. That was one of the best things that happened to the team.
"I share all of this with my linemen and my teammates. If they weren't there up front, I couldn't go anywhere. I can't go by myself."
"THE CHOPS".
By MIKE MASTOVICH
THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT
LaRod Stephens' rush to the top of Greater Johnstown's scholastic football record book coincided with the Trojans' on-field revival in the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference.
Stephens frequently found himself in the spotlight, and just as often deflected credit for his success to Johnstown's coaches, offensive linemen and blocking backs and receivers.
While Stephens preferred to downplay his individual accomplishments, the senior back's gaudy numbers and status as the only two-time Tribune-Democrat Offensive Player of the Year were impossible to ignore. Stephens' fancy footwork made him the third-biggest local sports story of the year as voted by The Tribune-Democrat Sports Department.
"Even people who aren't football fans went to games just to see LaRod run," said coach Bob Arcurio, whose Trojans won the District 6 Class AAA title this year and placed second during Stephens' junior season. "He was very exciting for the public to see. Any article you read about him, he talks about his teammates. He's such a humble individual."
Stephens verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh this fall. Recently hired Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt telephoned Stephens on Sunday and intends to visit the recruit's Woodvale home in the next few weeks.
"Things are good with Pitt," Stephens said on Thursday. "I talked with Coach Wannstedt on Sunday. He said I will have an in-home visit sometime in January and I'll find out where I stand in his plans. On the phone he told me I better be ready to run."
Stephens certainly ran at Greater Johnstown.
In three seasons, he gained a Johnstown career-record 4,597 rushing yards (8.9 a carry) and ran for 57 TDs.
As a senior this season, Stephens led the area with 1,875 yards, 28 rushing TDs and 192 points. As a junior, he broke school and LHAC single-season records with 2,226 rushing yards and had 23 touchdowns and 140 points.
"I've been reflecting on it a lot," Stephens said of his career at Johnstown. "You wish you had it back. I enjoyed all three of my varsity years playing for Johnstown. All the teams were good. We just had a good coaching staff that came in and took over the program. That was one of the best things that happened to the team.
"I share all of this with my linemen and my teammates. If they weren't there up front, I couldn't go anywhere. I can't go by myself."
"THE CHOPS".