KFDM COOP Posted September 9, 2009 Report Posted September 9, 2009 Veteran Jordan paves way for WO-S Van Wade The Orange Leader WEST ORANGE — When a young and inexperienced West Orange-Stark offensive line is looking to gain some sound advice, they just turn to “The Stabilizer†in senior center Van Jordan. Jordan has been a superb mainstay for the Mustang offensive front wall and has made a smooth transition after starting 11 games at tackle last year and moving to center this season. “There’s no question, Van is our quarterback up front,†said Mustang head coach Dan Hooks. “He’s not only an excellent player, he’s extremely smart. When you look at our whole team, he’s the guy we simply can’t afford to lose. He brings so much stability and lines people up in the right spots and tells them what to do.†Making the shift to center has been smooth for Jordan as the Mustangs prepare to take on Kirbyville Friday night in a non-district tilt at Hooks Stadium. “At first, it was tough because you’re so much more involved in everything playing center,†said Jordan. “You have to make sure everyone is lined up just right and of course, there’s getting the ball to the quarterback. I felt like I adjusted pretty quick because I did play center my freshman year.†Jordan has enjoyed the progress that fellow linemen Laramie Phillips, Robert Gooding, Brandon Richard, Justin Petry, Evander Guillory, Donovan Rubin and Lawrence Gilmore have made thus far this season. “What really has helped us out is playing four straight (Class) 4A teams, including our scrimmages,†said Jordan. “We’ve played against some pretty big defensive front lines. Everyone is picking up the different schemes and if they ever have any questions, they know I’m always here for them.†Jordan is there to lend a helping hand because he was once learning the ropes, switching from Thursday nights to Friday night lights. “It’s not an easy transition, things happen so much quicker at the varsity level,†said Jordan. “I was fortunate enough to have some seniors step up and help me along my way and I gladly like to pass a long the things that I’ve learned.†Nothing makes Hooks prouder than to have a senior leader like Jordan. “Van is a tremendous young man and is one of those kids that sets such a great example for everyone,†said Jordan. “He’s a nice kid, but he can flat turn it up a notch when he lines up at center. He’s so supportive of all of his teammates and is someone that is so involved with everything at school. He’s in so many different activities and makes good grades.†Jordan and his Mustang line mates have graded out pretty well as three non-district games are ahead before the District 21-3A opener at Silsbee Oct. 9. “Our schedule definitely gets us ready for district,†said Jordan. “We’ve got three more games to help us get prepared for Silsbee in the first game of district. There is always plenty of things to work on. We’re off to a 2-0 start but there are many areas that we can improve on. Everyone is going to try to knock us down because we’ve never lost a district game in 3A (29-game district win streak). We just want to get better from week to week and see where that can lead us, which, hopefully, is far in the playoffs.â€
Sportsman5 Posted September 11, 2009 Report Posted September 11, 2009 What a great Kid, It's good to see him get some pub.
skipper Posted September 11, 2009 Report Posted September 11, 2009 this young kid is something to watch ,he is a leader always has been.jprden, will not let his teammates down and he expects the same out of the rest of his young team,he is like be a coach on on the field
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