wide receier high: 26- Clay Miller

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go Big Blue; The St Edmund Blue Jays of Eunice, La

By: Dan Martin Photos provided by: St Edmund Booster club

Within the heart of Cajun Country rests the small, 1A institution of St. Edmund’s Catholic School. The formation of St. Edmund’s can be traced back over a century, with the birth of the school arising from the old High School of Eunice. St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church pastor Celestin Chambon pushed for the opening of a Catholic institution, and after the land purchase of the old High School of Eunice, St. Edmund’s Catholic and it’s church grounds were established in the year 1911. A little over two decades later, St. Edmund’s banded together a small but eager group of students to bring forth the program’s first football team in the year 1938. Without enough players to form a full roster, St. Edmund’s contacted other small schools across the area, resulting in the creation of a six-man football program with hopes of garnering the attention and interest of more would-be players. Originally called the Cardinals, St. Edmund’s lacked the necessary funds to purchase the desired red and white uniforms for its football team. After searching for alternatives, Jesuit High School in New Orleans donated old football uniforms to the St. Edmund’s squad. The donated Jesuit uniforms, blue and white, would force St. Edmund’s to abandon the Cardinal moniker and thus the nickname of Blue Jays took flight.

As time went on, enrollment at St. Edmund’s increased. With the student body expanding, so did interest in the football program. The Blue Jays would eventually field a roster large enough to expand to eleven-man football. In today’s era of high school football, St. Edmund’s remains a small institution playing in class 1A. However, the success of the Blue Jay football program has been anything but miniscule.

The continued success of St. Edmund’s football is of utmost importance to the school, especially first year head coach James Shiver. With his hiring in July of 2019, Coach Shiver faced the impossible; field a winning team after missing spring ball and half a summer’s worth of practice. Being projected to win only two games in the 2019 season, the doubted Blue Jay squad defied all unbelievers, posting a season record of 6-5 and a birth in the playoffs. In fact, St. Edmund’s remains the only 1A school to never miss a playoff since the split, as told by Coach Shiver.

But first round playoff appearances are not enough for the first year head coach. Upon his arrival to St. Edmund’s, Shiver quickly got to work, bringing changes to the program to not only be competitive in 1A, but to be “the golden standard of 1A football,” according to the Blue Jay’s newest leader. Before James Shiver could propel St. Edmund’s into a new era of the sport, he first looked back to the past. By reviving former traditions and serving as herald to the history of the Blue Jay name, Coach Shiver recognized the importance of the sacred customs that made St. Edmund’s special. “I began by getting the alumni of St. Ed’s back and involved in the program. It’s important to show the current and future generations of Blue Jays that they have the support of the ones that came before them.” With the support of the St. Edmund alumni on board, his team quickly followed. Ask players like Junior signal caller and defensive back Henry Brown, who, like his fellow teammates, immediately recognized Coach Shiver’s passion for the school. “Coach Shiver loves being a Blue Jay and 24

is extremely passionate about the program. He’s bringing back a lot of the traditions that made St. Edmund’s special and wants the students to be proud of their school.” says Brown. When bringing up what Coach Shiver means to the Blue Jay faithful, the answer is unanimous. “He knows what it means to be a Blue Jay. He is St. Edmund’s”

But history and tradition alone do not guarantee success, and James knows it. While culture and ritual are eternal, some things are not. Facilities, equipment, and uniforms all have a shelf-life. Shiver’s next plan of attack focused on a facelift for the St. Ed’s football program. “Another change I made once I took the job was making sure we upgraded. I upgraded the locker rooms with things I knew would boost player morale. Not only do I want the best locker-room in 1A, I want the best in 5A. That goes for everything down to our pads to the uniforms. I’m a firm believer that if you look good, you feel good. I want my players, and the rest of the student body to feel good about St. Edmund’s, to take pride in being a Blue Jay.”

With the infrastructure improved, another Blue Jay upgrade was on the to-do-list for Coach Shiver. It was time to modernize the offense and bring the spread to St. Ed’s. “When I first got here, the offense was antiquated, we were running the split-back veer.” After his playing career as a Blue Jay ended, James Shiver went on to play wide receiver for the University of Louisiana, followed by both a playing and coaching career in the AFL. With a history of playing and coaching in modernized offenses, adopting the spread was the next logical step for Shiver’s Blue Jays. “I was one of the first guys in Louisiana to be an advocate of the spread offense. In the sport of football it’s evolve or die. In our first season I got away from the veer and put our offense out of the gun. Being the team was so run-heavy in the pass, I knew we still had to focus on a strong rushing attack as we eased into the new scheme. But next year, we’re going to air it out more and really incorporate those spread concepts into the offense.” The players responded to the rejuvenated offensive plans with excitement and confidence. Junior quarterback Clay Miller was vocal about his support of Shiver’s new offense, stating, “Coach Shiver brought in an entirely new offense this year that really works well for our team. This past season we were very run heavy, but Coach Shiver has made it clear he wants to incorporate more of the pass coming into next season which is really exciting.” The incorporation of the spread starts with teaching the proper fundamentals when throwing the ball, Shiver explained. “That means doing things these guys might not be comfortable with, but so far they’ve responded well and really are buying into what I’m selling.” Not only have the players bought in, but the coaching staff as well. Shiver made it a point to bring in a coaching staff comprised of guys with college and NFL experience. By surrounding himself with educated coaches and committed players, James knows that the transition will be a success, especially with athletes like Kieran Davis, who rushed for over 700 yards in St. Edmund’s 2019 campaign. The future of St. Edmund’s football leaves room for much excitement. A new offense, upgraded facilities, and a fresh culture change has both the fans and players revitalized for what is to come. Coach Shiver appears to be the perfect fit for the program going into the future, and under his wing the St. Edmund Blue Jays look to soar to new heights the program has yet to see.

With the players, coaches, and student body bought into his vision, Coach Shiver then focused his attention on the local community, as well as the media. Whether it be a fundraiser, parent meeting, athletic clubs, or any other community event, Coach Shiver was there. He explained the need to be involved in the community in order to do what was necessary in garnering excitement for his program. For Coach, it was time to put St. Edmund’s football on the map, and not just at the local level. “I want everyone in the state to know the name St. Edmund’s. That’s why I’m constantly reaching out to the media as much as I can. As a coach, it’s my job to do my best in order to get my kids to the next level, the same way a teacher’s job in the classroom is to make sure their students are passing and moving up in their class. By getting the guys the media coverage they deserve, we can increase the likelihood of sending them to college.” The strive for excellence, not only for the program, but for each individual on the team, is certainly not lost on the players. When speaking about James Shiver and the new outlook on St. Edmund’s football, sophomore offensive lineman, Connor Diaz, had this to say about their new leader. “Coach Shiver came in and immediately set the goal for us to compete in district. He really has brought an incredible amount of energy to the program and for me, has helped tremendously in showing me how to grow as a person. He’s really focused on every player whether they’re seniors or freshman and wants to ensure the success of each new generation of Blue Jays.”

Clay Miller St Edmund high

Class of 2021 Quarterback ht: 5’8” wt: 155

By: dan Martin

Clay Miller is a 5’8”, 155lb junior quarterback out of St. Edmund’s High in Eunice, LA. Miller posts a squat of 320 lbs, a bench press of 240 lbs, and a 40 yard dash time of 5.0. Miller has great power as a runner, with the ability to break multiple tackles while keeping his legs constantly moving to fight for extra yardage. With St. Edmund’s run-happy offense, Miller is frequently involved in the rushing game, but also possesses the accuracy to throw deep and intermediate routes. Clay is excellent in zone reads, with great play recognition, knowing the appropriate times to read defensive ends in order to keep or pull. Miller has been around the game of football his whole life as both a fan and player. At what age did you first begin to get involved in the game of football? It started just playing backyard football until eventually I began playing for my city when I was in the 4th grade. Once I was in 5th grade I began playing for my school and have been apart of a team ever since. What about playing the sport do you love most? It’s a great way to take your anger or frustrations out due to how physical football is. I love the contact aspect of the sport and that was one of the first things I grew an appreciation for. You said you were a multi-sport athlete, so tell me which other sports you play and how participating in those other sports have translated onto the football field. I play basketball in the wing position and I’m also on the track team where I do the 4x1 and 100 meter. Playing basketball, we’re a small group of guys, so we really have to focus on teamwork and how vital that is to our performance. I think that translates well onto the football field where no one can be a one-man show. What are some of the immediate impacts you have noticed with Coach Shiver joining the staff as your new head coach? Coach Shiver brought in an entirely new offense this year that really works well for our team. This past season we were very run heavy, but Coach Shiver has made it clear he wants to incorporate more of the pass coming into next season which is really exciting. As a quarterback, how would you describe your style of play? Are there any specific plays that you always look forward to getting called during game time? I consider myself a dual-threat QB. Obviously with our offense you have to be an effective runner, but I’m also extremely comfortable in the pocket. The play I love the most is essentially a zone read, where we come out empty and our slot will motion in, giving me the choice to keep or give depending on the read I get. In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge of playing quarterback or the biggest misconception people may have about the position? A lot of times people don’t realize the level of accountability a quarterback has. I essentially have to know every position on the field, including my own. I need to know which routes the receivers are running and where the linemen are blocking. It’s more than just being a leader, it’s having the knowledge of all everyone’s assignments as well. Is there any quarterback, college or NFL, that you look up to the most as a role model? For me it’s Drew Brees. You never see him complaining or blaming someone else. He shows a lot of humility and always gives credit to his teammates and coaches. Finally, what are some words of advice you would give to younger athletes coming up in the sport? No matter how hard or tough things get you have to push through. Adversity is a part of life, not just football. Overcoming that will make you not only a better player, but a better person.

Connor Diaz St Edmund high

class of 2022 offensive line ht: 6’ wt: 245

By: dan Martin

Connor Diaz is a 6’0 245 lb sophomore offensive lineman from St. Edmund High School in Eunice, LA. Diaz is a 2nd Team All District/Parish lineman with a current GPA of 3.14. Diaz posts a bench press of 240, a squat of 330 and a 40 yard dash time of 5.0. Diaz possesses great speed at the offensive lineman position, while being equally effective at both the guard and tackle roles. As a multi position athlete, playing on both offense and defense, Diaz maintains a high football IQ with ability to read both offense and defense. Along with the knowledge of playing defensive line, Diaz also has experience as a long snapper, making Connor a do-itall, multi-purpose athlete on the football field. When did you first get involved with football and what immediately stood out to you regarding the sport? I began playing football around the 5th grade. What I immediately grew to appreciate were the bonds you begin forming as soon as you become a member of a team. What are some things that began to really keep you motivated in the sport? What were your favorite aspects of the game? I love how physical everything about football is. I really loved pushing myself past my limits, breaking personal physical and mental barriers to keep improving on my game. What are some valuable skills and lessons you have learned from your time playing football? Really the whole process of working together with others and knowing what it’s truly like to be a part of a team. The amount of leadership experience and abilities I’ve honed throughout my playing career has been extremely helpful. With the addition of Coach Shiver as the new Head Coach for you guys, explain to me what he has brought to St. Edmunds and what he has meant to you in his first year as HC. Coach Shiver came in and immediately set the goal for us to compete in district. He really has brought an incredible amount of energy to the program and for me, has helped tremendously in showing me how to grow as a person. He’s really focused on every player whether they’re seniors or freshman, and wants to ensure the success of each new generation of Blue Jays. Are there any players, past or present, that you would consider your favorite athletes and why? I really love Quenton Nelson, OG for the Colts, and JJ Watt from the Texans. The physicality they play with is really inspiring and I love watching those guys on Sundays. With the off-season now in full swing, what are some things you would like to focus on in preparation for the 2020 season? Mainly just focusing on getting stronger and faster. Putting in the proper time in the gym, or doing things like working on my speed and agility is a must. Are there any other sports you play outside of football, and if so what do you believe they have taught you? I’m on my school’s track team where I throw shot-put. I think it’s helped in areas such as my discipline and strength, allowing me to keep working my technique and following the rules of sport. When not playing football or other sports, what do you enjoy doing in your free time? I like to eat, go fishing, ride my four wheeler and play with my dogs. I enjoy the mental relaxation those provide and it is a good way to combat fatigue from games and practice. How would you best describe yourself as an offensive lineman? I’m pretty versatile on the line, as we switch up guards and tackles a lot in our offense. It requires us to be really speedy since we have lots of counters and pulling within our scheme. I’m definitely more of a run-blocker since we weren’t a very pass heavy team this season, but I’m looking forward to getting better in pass protection as we move to a more balanced attack next season.