Hey as you guys may now already i live about 15 minutes from Bradley Stephens High School so I'll try to assist Jiggs as much as possible with any news or talk I may hear thats not on the pay sites. Anyway, the local paper had a write up on Stephens this morning....man this kid sounds like ND material all the way....4.0 GPA, National Honor Society, humble, thankful, and a hell of a football player. Oh and by the way we all seem really excited about the potential of next year's class and a few the guys on the board have mentioned the importance of momentum on recruiting. It is very important to get off to a good start and this kid is looking to make an early decision......get him and Weis will have a great start and perhaps a part time recruiter ala James Aldridge. I went to the paper's online site
www.valleystar.com and got you guys the article...enjoy boys....
McAllen Memorial's Bradley Stephens made 2005 special
By ELADIO JAIMEZ
eladioj@valleystar.com
956-430-6285
"I'm not a numbers guy."
"I have to give all the credit to the offensive line."
"I just wanted to help the team win games and get in the playoffs."[/B]
For a guy who became the Valley's new single-season rushing king this season and is one good game away from becoming the Valley's career rushing leader next year, Bradley Stephens is a pretty humble fellow.
The McAllen Memorial running back lived up to and exceeded expectations in 2005.
Friday nights in McAllen quickly changed from being about just football to being about Stephens.
People came just to watch what he'd do next. Whether it was a one-yard gain or an 80-yard touchdown run.
The former were less likely. But on any given Friday, one could see Stephens slicing through opposing defenses for substantial gains.
In 10 games (nine regular season and one playoff), Stephens rushed for more yards than any other running back in Valley history.
Stephens rushed for 2,633 yards surpassing Harlingen High's Maurice Hunter's mark of 2,524 set in 1994 in 13 games.
The Mustang Express rushed for 34 touchdowns, caught three and returned a kickoff for another score. Stephens ended up with 38 touchdowns, just three shy of tying Hunters single-season record of 41 set in 1994, too.
And just like Hunter 11 years ago, Stephens was unanimously named the Valley Morning Star's 2005 All-Valley Football Most Valuable Player.
"It wasn't one of my biggest goals, but it's a great honor," Stephens said, always humble and always polite. "It's an honor to get recognized."
By the numbers
Stephens might downplay the numbers and his statistics. But it's easy to get caught up in the greatness that has become Stephens the last three seasons, especially '05.
Simply put, Stephens' numbers are hard to ignore.
In 10 games, Stephens rushed for 200 or more yards in seven straight games to end the season.
He also rushed for 300 or more yards in his last three games and four in the season.
He averaged a spectacular 263.3 yards per game and an amazing 10.8 yards per carry this season.
But who's counting.
Not Stephens.
"If you start playing the numbers game and start worrying about records you just end up putting more stress on yourself than you need," Stephens said. "I'm not a numbers guy. I just go out there and have fun. You let the numbers come to you."
This season, Stephens also became the Valley's career leader in touchdowns scored and points tallied.
Stephen's 75 career TDs edged out Brownsville Hanna's Tony Ellis' 73 scored from 1993-95.
In that span, the former University of Texas back scored 438 points. With a year left to play still, Stephens already has 457 points tallied.
With a little help from his friends
Stephens doesn't carry a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society for nothing.
He knows that every yard he's gained in the last three seasons wouldn't have been possible without the help of his buddies - the offensive line.
Robby Jasso, Rene Suprise, Roger Cantu, Albert Lozano and John Ray Dougherty made up the big-man group that opened up holes for Stephens on a weekly basis.
After rushing for 1,100 yards as a freshman and 1,500 last year, Stephens set his sights on gaining 2,000 this season.
After reaching 1,500 yards at midseason and putting together that string of 200-yard games, Stephens knew 2,000 was well within reach.
But as always, Stephens wasn't just thinking about himself.
"As a team we played well," Stephens said. "I have to give all the credit to the offensive line. We're all close friends on and off the field. We're always encouraging each other."
Stephens was also a major reason the Mustangs reached the postseason for the first time since 1995 and only the second time in school history.
Long known for it's football futility, Stephens and third-year head coach Bill Littleton took a big step in the direction of changing that attitude this year.
"I just wanted to help the team win games and get in the playoffs," Stephens said.
Memorial fell in bi-district contest to pass-happy Laredo Nixon, but a definite stepping stone was set.
"These kids at Memorial were hungry and they worked their tails off," Littleton said. "Bradley is a great leader and he knows how to handle all the attention. He's a very humble kid."
What now?
And to think, He's coming back for one more season.
When it's all said and done, Stephens will be the most prolific running back to ever come from this area.
He needs 279 yards to pass Ellis for first place on the career rushing record list. A feat very attainable on any given night for Stephens.
But as you might have guessed it, Stephens isn't too concerned about where he stacks up with past Valley greats.
Maybe because by this time next year, he will be The Greatest.
"I can't say I'm not aware of what's going on," Stephens said. "It's not a big deal, though. It's nice to see how I measure up with everyone else. It's good to be compared to them."
Stephens already has three scholarship offers from Iowa State, Texas A&M and the University of Houston. He's being highly recruited from other school like Ohio State, Notre Dame and Auburn. He hopes to make up his mind before the start of his senior year.
"It'll put less stress on me and I could just enjoy my senior season without knowing there's scouts in the stands," Stephens said.
The enjoyment should be mutual with Valley football fans.
