MUTKA: St. Joseph’s running back Braxton Shelton shapes up for 1,000-yard repeat By JOHN MUTKA jmutkapt@gmail August 31, 2014 10:46PM Updated: September 1, 2014 2:06AM Physically fit? You betcha. St. Joseph’s running back Braxton Shelton has never felt better. “Best shape I’ve been in for three years,” he declared. The fifth-year senior’s offseason approach to conditioning was unorthodox, one that most coaches probably would not embrace. Working out in Kokomo with his high school teammates is conventional enough, but he added a personal touch. “I did a lot of physical work with my dad,” said Shelton. “Installing garage doors.” Now he hopes to duplicate last season’s performance, which would mean back-to-back 1,000-yard achievements. Five straight 100-yard games inspired his 1,057-yard body of work. “We developed an identity of running the football and that’s what we’ll try to do again,” said Shelton, only the fifth SJC back ever to reach that magic number. The grounded Pumas led the Great Lakes Valley Conference in rushing TDs with Shelton contributing 13 of the 23 touchdowns. All that pounding produced an 8-3 record. Asked to describe his running style in a sentence, he only needed three words. “Physical and nasty,” Shelton said. To keep him fresh, quarterback Tate Borlik can share the wealth with Kobi Cook, who rushed for 827 yards. Mike Anderson complements the terrific tandem. “They’ll spell me when I get tired,” said Shelton, who was quick to praise an offensive line that includes LaPorte’s Scott Vaughn, one of nine returning seniors on offense. “My hogs up front don’t get enough credit.” Early tributes were also dished out to tight end Tyler Callaghan, who was named a preseason Division II All-American. The senior tight end caught 12 passes, but considers blocking a priority. He helped the Pumas grind for an average of 225 rushing yards. “We’re an older team,” Callaghan said. “We’ve put in our work for four years and communicate well.” Veterans should compensate for the departure of bootlegging Billy VandeMerkt, who threw 13 touchdown passes and averaged four yards per carry, and All-American receiver Julian Walker (48 catches), who scored eight touchdowns. “We’ll miss Billy and Julian,” Callaghan said, “but we’ve got plenty of leaders.” Drew Byrd, Gary Yeoman, Joel Wimbley and Trent Hall spring to mind. Twenty-nine recruits are already on a quick learning curve, according to Callaghan. “I’m amazed at how quickly the younger guys are catching up.” Shelton’s looking forward to playing at Valparaiso Saturday. “It’s always our first game and one of our biggest rivalries. It will give us an idea what we need to work on. Playing under the lights also makes it special, like going back to high school.” Borlik is expected to call the signals. He prepped for the job as VandeMerkt’s understudy, passing for 646 yards in six games. Dating back to 2011, the senior from South Bend has fired nine touchdowns and started five times. If it’s as close as last year’s 34-31 victory for the Pumas, Gavin Voss could be a difference-maker. The Wheeler grad has kicked 18 field goals in two years, including a winning 29-yarder against VU in the final minutes. On a personal note the Callaghans temporarily will be a house divided. Tyler’s sister, Lainie, is a freshman softball recruit for VU. Which side will she be sitting on? “I have no idea,” he said.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:13:58 +0000
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