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Stefawn Ross: Sky's the limit for VMI-bound prodigy
Barring a Samson situation of biblical proportion, the Virginia Military Institute will soon see why Stefawn Ross was recently named 2009 Fauquier Times-Democrat Boys Athlete of the Year from Liberty High School.
Ross planned to take one of the final steps in preparing to become a VMI Cadet by cutting his signature long, oft-braided hair this week. Even if that act were to rob Ross of his strength, as the story goes, he would retain the athleticism that is truly responsible for his success as a three-sport star during his senior year.
Ross had been solely devoted to basketball over the first three years of his high school career, but as a senior he added football to the fold and, amazingly, earned a scholarship to play the sport at VMI.
He also participated in track and field for the first time, and managed to qualify for state in three events. That has the VMI track and field coaches excited about Ross’ arrival in Lexington, too, Liberty Eagles track co-coach Dan Thompson said.
“I think I have a lot of upside for any sport I did this year: football, track and basketball. I was still young mentally. There’s still a lot I have to learn,” Ross said. “I just knew the basics. Once I get it mentally, I can go anywhere.”
Ross’ untapped potential in football and track was his greatest selling point to VMI, but the 6-foot-4 senior experienced plenty of success in high school despite his inexperience.
“What an athlete,” Liberty basketball coach Pat Frazer said. “Stefawn shows you can be successful in all the other sports, too. You just have to put the time and effort in. It’s a good example.”
In addition to averaging 10 points and eight rebounds for the Liberty basketball team, Ross developed into a disruptive pass rusher and quality wide receiver on a football team that advanced to the state semifinals. Plus, he competed in those three events at the state track and field meet and carried the Liberty boys team all season.
“It shows that I have that versatility to do just about anything I want to do, if I put my mind to it,” Ross said. “I knew I could do well in anything I did because I had the work ethic and knew I was athletic.”
To Ross’ disappointment, though, his success on the basketball court didn’t translate into a Division I scholarship. A three-year starter and centerpiece of Liberty’s front court, the 6-foot-4 Ross averaged 11 points and nine rebounds per game as a junior and posted impressive games like a 37-point, 16-rebound performance against Osborn, but only NCAA Division II and III schools showed interest.
So, Ross decided to dabble in some other sports as a senior.
“I had gotten burnt out just playing basketball,” Ross said. “You wake up every day and do the same thing over and over and over. Your mind gets tired and it wears on you mentally….You want more excitement.”
Football provided just that. Liberty (10-3) beat county-rival Fauquier High in the final game of the regular season, 28-21, and then went on a run in the AAA Division 5 playoffs. The Eagles beat William Fleming, 35-6, in the Northwest Region semifinals and then won the region championship with a 41-14 victory over George Washington in the final. They ended with a state semifinal loss to Dinwiddie, 42-21.
During that run, colleges began calling on Ross. Or, more accurately, colleges began answering.
Liberty football coach Tommy Buzzo first started working the phones following the Eagles’ win over Fauquier. He saw that, physically, Ross had an epiphany in that game.
From his defensive end position, Ross used his speed to rush off the edge and put constant pressure on Fauquier’s quarterback.
A 215-pound defensive end with a 35-inch vertical leap and 4.56 40-yard dash time, Ross was a difficult blocking assignment for any offensive lineman.
“It caused me to pick up the phone, call colleges and say, ‘This kid has it,’” Buzzo said. “He always had the ability. It just didn’t show up on the field until the Fauquier game.”
Ross also contributed as a wide receiver, especially in the playoff game against William Fleming. He made a couple big catches in that game, including a nine-yard touchdown reception to give Liberty an early 12-0 lead.
“He did some really good things at the end of the season, coming in off the edge against some spread teams, and blocking and running some routes,” Buzzo said. “He went from a player that makes contributions to an impact player...”See the Wednesday print edition of the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete story.
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