All-star game one more chance for Lafayette Jeff's Steven Stephany to prove himself

INDIANAPOLIS — Steven Stephany couldn’t envision himself as an all-star.

Lafayette Jeff coach Pat Shanley, though, could think of no better representative when making his case for the Broncho safety.

Turns out, it wasn’t hard to convince those in charge of building a roster for Friday’s Indiana Football Coaches Association North-South All-Star Classic that Stephany should be included in the annual event.

“Sometimes have to bang the table pretty hard for guys,” Shanley said. “We didn’t have to bang the table very hard for Steven. He put together one of the most spectacular seasons that I’ve ever been a part of in all three phases.”

As Lafayette Jeff’s season progressed, Stephany became a player who didn’t leave the field.

The Bronchos played him on special teams, offense and defense.

And even after earning Class 6A senior all-state honors from the IFCA, Stephany still feels there’s more to prove before his high school football career officially concludes Friday at Ben Davis.

“I’ve always had some disadvantages in some areas like height,” said Stephany, a 5-foot-10 free safety. “But I’ve always wanted to live up to a higher standard. I wanted to make sure no matter what happens, even if people say I proved myself, I will always look at it like I haven’t proved enough. I am still always looking towards a higher goal and trying to prove myself to better content.”

That attitude is exactly why Stephany has thrived.

While playing junior high football at Tecumseh, Stephany stood out and Shanley knew he'd make an impact at the high school level.

Then you add in a never-ending desire to improve and you get an all-star player.

"He’s always had a chip on his shoulder. Some of that is probably fabricated in his own mind, but that is what helps make him special and what drives him each and every day in the weight room and on the field,” Shanley said. “He sends a strong message to all the underclassmen and all the people coming up through our program that no matter how talented you are, if you work really hard and are really driven, you can accomplish special things.”

Five blocked kicks, 114 tackles, four pass breakups, a 35-yard punting average, 38.4 yards per kickoff return and 27.4 yards per reception. That’s just last season.

The stats prove enough.

Stephany can play ball.

“He led 6A in punting average for awhile. He was leading 6A in kickoff returns. He probably led 6A in blocked punts,” Shanley said. “Some guys, it’s like pulling teeth to get them on special teams, but Steven was always the first guy running out there wanting to make an impact in that phase.

“He’s going to impact this game beyond just what he does on defense. I have no doubt in my mind.”

What Stephany can do on a football field impressed Butler University’s coaching staff.

Stephany will suit up for the Bulldogs at the college level, but first he wanted to represent Lafayette Jeff one more time.

“Thinking about it, it’s got my hairs lifted up right now giving me chills,” Stephany said. “Being able to represent this community and everybody around me and go down there and show that kids like myself can play. I never would have thought I was going to be able to play in the all-star game. To compete for this community and everyone around me and have one last game, for all the seniors that graduated, I am putting this towards them.”

It’s no surprise to Shanley that Stephany is playing for something more than just himself.

But rest assured, Stephany is playing for himself, too.

He’s playing to prove he belongs on the same field with several of the top senior football players in Indiana last fall.

Unlike a typical Friday night, there is no scouting report.

The all-star event is simply putting 11 against 11 and freestyling in a lot of ways, especially at the safety position.

“When you watch film, you watch what individual guys do and you study them like a test. (In the all-star game) You are kind of going out there knowing you have to wing it,” Stephany said. “You put your best effort first. You’re not going to do everything right. I am going to go out there and play 100 percent.

“As long as I give 100 percent and keep going, keep going, at the end of the day I am going to be satisfied. That is just how it goes. You don’t watch film. You just have to go out there and play ball.”

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking. 

North/South All-Star Classic

Friday, 7 p.m.

At Ben Davis High School

Local participants: JT Downey, linebacker, West Lafayette; Ky Risner, offensive line, Rensselaer; Colin Seymour, kicker, Twin Lakes; Steven Stephany, safety, Lafayette Jeff; Thomas Urban, defensive line, Harrison

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: All-star game chance for Lafayette Jeff's Stephany to prove himself