Published: October 15, 2009 12:13 am      

Jeffery closing in on Class 2A touchdown record

CADDO MILLS — Caddo Mills senior running back Nathan Jeffery has a knack for scoring touchdowns.

In fact, it doesn’t matter where the Foxes have the ball, whether it’s on their own four, eight, nine or 10-yard lines, Jeffery can score on any given play.

Jeffery, who’s scored on runs of 96, 92, 91 and 90 yards, has crossed the goal line 113 times in his four-year varsity career for the Foxes. That touchdown total puts Jeffery eighth on the all-time Texas High School career list and only two shy of the Class 2A record held by Rodney Thomas of Groveton. Jeffery’s scored 25 touchdowns this season, 43 last year, 41 in 2007 and four as a freshman in 2006 when he mostly played defense.

Jeffery will go after that 2A record and a District 13-2A victory when the 5-1 Foxes celebrate homecoming on Friday night against 1-5 Como-Pickton.

“I’m very fortunate to have good linemen over my three years as a starting tailback,” said Jeffery. “Give it (the credit) to my linemen. They deserve it. They don’t get that much recognition.”

He has a close bond with his linemen and the rest of the team.

“We’re all close,” he said. “Our team is one whole family.”

He certainly has the respect of his blockers.

“You give him a couple seconds of space and he’ll get the ball in the end zone,” said right guard Cody Shostrom.

“It’s amazing just to see him out there,” said Ryan Turney, who’s blocked for Jeffery as a fullback and tight end. “Basically you get your block and turn around and he isn’t there any more.”

“It’s really fun,” said Keegan Block, the Foxes’ center. “He makes us look good.”

Jeffery, who’s rushed for 1,577 yards and the 25 touchdowns on 129 carries this season, is shooting for his third straight 2,000-plus yard rushing season.

The 5-11, 188-pounder ran for 317 yards and five touchdowns on 34 carries during the Foxes’ recent 35-6 district victory over Cooper. Jeffery, who also passed for a 19-yard completion and ran for a two-point conversion was honored as the Built Ford Tough Class 2A Texas High School Player of the Week.

“I don’t know what to say about that,” he said. “Just being the only 2A player to get that award out of 200 something schools, that’s unbelievable.”

“Nate we feel like he had a tremendous game that night,” said Steve Sumrow, the Foxes’ head coach. “We somebody receives an individual award like that it’s always team oriented.”

Sumrow noted that the award also recognized Jeffery for his contributions both on and off the field. Jeffery owns a 3.0 grade point average, was an all-region selection in basketball, finished sixth at state in the long jump and was a regional qualifier in the sprints. He’s also a member of the Family Career Community Leaders of America and has given back much of his time to the community, reading to elementary school youngsters, serving at senior citizens dinners and coaching youth football.

“Nate’s been a pleasure to coach,” said Sumrow. “I’ve been fortunate to have him for four years. That whole time I don’t remember him missing a practice. In two summers I don’t recall him ever missing a workout.”

Sumrow attributes a lot of Jeffery’s success to the senior’s strong work ethic in practice and in the offseason. He also attributes much of Jeffery’s individual accomplishments to the Foxes’ strong team unity.

“I think it’s got a lot to do with our teams, the way they work together,” he said. “I think it’s something to be said for our other kids. They’re all part of this accomplishment. You can’t do it by yourself.”

When Jeffery reaches a career touchdown milestone he obviously won’t be the only Caddo Mills player smiling and feeling proud. Expect to see all of the Foxes smiling.