Jeff Harrison
The Edmond Sun
July 18, 2008 07:42 pm
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For most young football players, the dream will come to an end as a high school senior on a chilly November evening. Some hang up the cleats in college, but only a handful get a taste of the pros.
Among that elite group are Fred Shaw and Claude Davis. Both spent many Saturdays on Wantland Stadium turf, where they shined for the University of Central Oklahoma. Several years later, and the two are playing the game they love, this time it’s indoors with the Oklahoma Yard Dawgz.
“I like playing here, it’s out of the elements, out of the heat, and you can interact with fans more,” Davis said.
Shaw said he was a bit hesitant at first, but fell in love with arena football. But the Yard Dawgz defensive back/ wide receiver quickly learned AF2 is not all pleasure.
“It’s all about business, people think there’s no players in this league, but there’s a lot of good players here, and you need to come with that attitude to make plays and move up to the next level,” Shaw said. “It’s helped me grow and be responsible and take care of business.”
While both former Bronchos have found a way to extend their playing careers with the Yard Dawgz, the game means something different to each of them. Like many AF2 players, Shaw is hoping to make the leap up to the AFL. Davis also hopes to stay with the game of football, but has his sights set on a coaching career.
After a solid playing career at UCO, Davis graduated in 2000. The Yard Dawgz defensive lineman later signed with the New York Giants as a free agent, but his stay in the Big Apple proved to be a brief one, as he was later released due to medical reasons. After several years away from the game, the Lawton native got in contact with former Yard Dawgz coach Jeff Jarnigan in 2006, and joined the club shortly after.
Davis spent 2007 with the Yard Dawgz, and later began teaching at Arlington High School (Texas). He rejoined the Yard Dawgz after the recent school year ended, and has played a couple games this season.
While Davis said he still enjoys playing, he is hoping to get into college coaching.
“I’ve been coaching wrestling before, but I’m looking for a football team, and I want to focus on coaching,” Davis said. “I want to give back what’s given to me, and in the summer if my body permits I’ll still play.”
Shaw spent two years at Northeastern Oklahoma A & M, and later transferred to UCO, where he was second on the team in tackles as a senior. After graduation in 2005, Shaw also met up with Jarnigan, who helped him earn a spot with the Yard Dawgz.
Shaw, whose heart is set on playing at the next level, has made his case during three strong years with the OKC club. This year, he has spent the majority of his snaps on defense, and is third on the team with 40.5 tackles.
“I want to move up to Arena One that’s my goal, it’s the next thing to the NFL now,” said Shaw, who is also an assistant football coach at Victory Christian High School. “My coaches are talking about it, but it’s all up to me, just need to go up there and play.”
This year hasn’t been an easy one for the Yard Dawgz, who have gone through an early coaching change, and are sitting on a disappointing 4-10 record. While the playoffs are out of the picture this year, the team needs little motivation for their final two contests, especially tonight’s matchup with the defending AF2 champion Tulsa Talons.
The game against rival Tulsa features several familiar faces, including Tulsa quarterback John Fitzgerald, who coached the Yard Dawgz in ‘07. Fitzgerald replaces former UCO quarterback Justin Allgood, who led the Talons to the AF2 championship last year. Allgood was having a good year until he broke his collarbone, though he is expected to be back for the playoffs.
“A lot of the guys playing for Tulsa are guys that came into the league with me, it will be a reunion for us,” Davis said. “And I try to tell people new to us, that it’s a rivalry, I think they’ve lost a few games, and I know a lot of teams are watching us.”
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