Stephens reflects on Greencastle career

As he prepares to guide his Greencastle football teammates into Friday's Class 2A Sectional 38 semi-final against South Putnam, Cole Stephens is taking a moment to reflect on a record-setting career. 

He said when he looks back, beating South Putnam, 51-49, his freshman season is something that always stands out. 

"That is a huge building block to what I am today. That was such an encouraging thing. It's a great program, and I knew how big of a deal it was. Competing with Linton-Stockton every year was big. That is a program in state contention every year. My sophomore year we did not have a conference to play in and we did not shy away from scheduling at all. We were injured and finished about .500. That record didn't show everything that team had to offer," Stephens told The Putnam County Post. 

As a freshman, Stephens was the starting quarterback and guided Greencastle to an 8-3 record and a second round showing in the sectional. 

"That was a different experience. I think something that helped me the most was we had two freshmen leaders at two dominant offensive and defensive positions in me and Parker Welker. Parker was playing middle and I was quarterback, and a lot was expected from both of us. I think it has led to him being my best friend, and we have a lot more experiences than anyone else at Greencastle. We have experienced a very similar high school career, and I don't think it is talked about enough," Stephens said. 

The Lehigh University commit surpassed the state's all time completions record last week in a 35-28 win over South Vermillion in the first round of the sectional. Through 10 games this season, Stephens has thrown for 2,879 yards and 29 touchdowns and has rushed for another 925 yards and nine touchdowns. For his career, he has thrown for 12,113 yards and 113 touchdowns and enters Friday 82 yards shy of the all-time passing yards record set by Evansville Mater Dei quarterback Jake Schiff over two decades ago. 

"It was weird experience. I have never gone into a game and had that on my mind where I've got to get this many yards. It was a weird thing to think about because I want my team to win. Once I started playing, I was fine. All the thanks in the world to my guys. My offensive line has stepped up and improved so much this year. We were asking young guys to do things that weren't natural to them and they are 14 and 15 year olds who have stepped up in a big way. I am thankful for all my teammates," Stephens said. 

The Tiger Cubs' offensive line this year features two freshmen and a sophomore, and Stephens said the improvement has been evident all season. 

"We have been able to find a balance. They are all big, strong, physical kids. They all have God-given strength and it has helped them. They have gotten stronger throughout the year. I have also helped them out and tried to take one thing off their plate. I have helped them communicate and I am so proud of them. It is such a great thing to see," Stephens said. 

The senior said it has been "great" to play for his dad, Dave Stephens, who is in his fourth year at the helm. 

"I think it has been great. I am going to play college football, and no one is harder on myself than me, and so is he. He is tough on me in practice. It was hard on me my first few years, as he was really hard on me in practice. I think it wasn't so much I was his son, but I am the quarterback and the quarterback has to be able to take that. If the quarterback can get that, the other position players have to straighten up," Stephens said. 

He admits he and his father have spent the last few weeks taking everything in. 

"It is hard when you get into the minutiae of the season, but since Week 9 on, we have been able to slow down and really enjoy this. We know we don't have much time left, even if we go on a run to state, that is only a few more weeks. We have been able to reflect and it has led to some good play ideas and talks," Stephens acknowledged. 

His father echoed those sentiments. 

"It truly has been a dream come true to come back home and watch my son put on the purple and gray. We live an incredibly blessed life, and feel fortunate for all the people who trusted us to come in and take over the program and all the great teammates and coaches who have been a part of our journey. We are thankful for everything everyone has put into this," Coach Stephens said. 

Stephens will graduate in December and head to Lehigh and is excited about the possibilities. 

"Lehigh is a special place. I was looking for great academics, great football and I got on campus there and it was just special. At Lehigh, I felt it and everyone really is working hand in hand together to be the best they can, and it shows on the field. I am going early because I want to get all the extra reps I can in spring practice, and I want to be as prepared as I can be going into next year," Stephens said. 

As he prepares for a date with South Putnam, Stephens isn't ready to take the Greencastle uniform off yet. 

He knows what is at stake Friday and he knows it will be a challenge against a defense that features one of the nation's top tacklers in Keenan Mowery-Shields. Earlier this season, the Eagles defeated Greencastle, 60-0.

"Their starting defense didn't allow a point until last week, so they haven't changed much. In all fairness, they don't need to change much. Neither of us has changed schematically, and our guys are so much better than when we played them week two. South Putnam is always tough, physical, fast, and they are everything you don't want to play against. It will be a good game," Stephens said. 

He will also have one more chance at the all-time passing yards record, something he said would be "huge" for the Putnam County community if he could achieve it. 

"It would mean the world to our community. It was not my ultimate goal. I don't think any kid enters varsity football and says that is their goal. I wanted to play football at the highest level I could, and I feel like I have been able to do that. I have been blessed to have a lot of really good teammates. These things could not happen without these people around me. It is a culmination of so many great things and God's will," Stephens said.