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PREP FOOTBALL DYNAMITE DOZEN: Sherman Stephens

• At one point, Monroe quarterback Sherman Stephens could be defined by his numbers: a combined 4,676 passing yards in two seasons. But by trading his personal statistics in favor of a power running game this season, his maturity made him …

The Tornadoes’ sacrificial leader

Paul Dehner Jr.

During the past three years, the Monroe Tornadoes have asked a lot of Sherman Stephens.

They asked him to take over at quarterback as a fresh-faced sophomore. He responded by throwing for 2,510 yards.

They asked him to take on an expanded leadership role as a junior. Stephens not only threw for 2,166 yards and 20 touchdowns, but earned the respect of a talented core of teammates and that year’s seniors while helping deliver the school’s first region title.

His accomplishments created a powder keg of anticipation and talent, as one of the most identifiable faces of recent Southwest Georgia football approached a senior season where his star power was expected to intensify from bright to blinding.

But as the season began, Monroe coach Charles Truitt approached Stephens with the most difficult task yet.

He asked his pedigreed quarterback to selflessly take a back seat to a punishing running game. Truitt knew in order to ascend to the ultimate goal of a state championship with his most talented team, the Tornadoes would need to lean on a dominating defense and ball-control offense.

Now, Stephens spends more Friday nights carrying out fakes than carrying the Tornadoes on his back. He’s on pace to throw for half as many yards (1,068) and touchdowns (10) as last season.

But in perhaps his most outstanding play yet, Stephens has done nothing. No complaining. No dirty looks at the sideline. Just patience.

“I have people coming up to me asking, ‘Where is the last-year Sherman?’ ” said Stephens, whose highest number of attempts this year was 21 against Lee County, and only threw nine times against Crisp County last week. “I just tell them this year it’s not really about all that.”

With one call setting off his cell phone’s ringtone, what it’s all about sounds clear as the chorus in Lil’ Wayne’s “Poppin’ Bottles’: “We poppin’ bottles like we won the championship game. Look, I got on the championship ring.”

Make no mistake, by actions, words or ringtones, Stephens’ senior campaign platform revolves solely around winning the state championship.

He says even if he only threw for 10 yards, but the Tornadoes won the Class AAA title game, it wouldn’t make any difference.

Indeed, it’s not really about all that.

“Oh no. I don’t care how the game goes, even if we steal it by one point,” he said.

Stephens then added: “As long as we win that state championship ring that’s all I really care about, because I have always told myself growing up, I was going to get a ring no matter what.”

But Stephens, Truitt and every opponent which takes the field with the 6-foot-1, 185-pound playmaker knows, Monroe will not be winning a title without a big game from its QB.

The gliding steps, scrambling ability, lanky build and booming right arm evoke memories of another former No. 12: Randall Cunningham. But so far this year, his opportunities to produce the electrifying highlights such comparisons are rooted in have only popped in flashes. Whether setting the tone early against undefeated Thomas County Central with a buzzing 27-yard bullet TD pass between two defenders or running for two scores while throwing another to put away Lee County, it’s clear Stephens didn’t forget how to play quarterback.

“He is getting faster, his arm is getting stronger,” wideout Sam Spurling said. “There is any time that you can score. Sherman is always on the run trying to get away from somebody, so you just have to always be on the run.”

A knowing smirk flashes across Truitt’s face when discussing Stephens, almost as if the coach’s master plan may be about to unfold just in time for the playoffs.

“He never came to us talking about ‘I’m not throwing for 200 yards,’ ” Truitt said, exuding a palpable pride in his signal caller. “He just wants to win, and that goes a long way. Everybody knows Sherman can throw the football. Nothing has changed this year. We’ve been able to do something a little different and run the football. But we are going to open up our offense and people will see Sherman throw the ball before the end of the year.”

The same smile covers Stephens’ face when speaking of the next month and a half that will, in many ways, define his career. The Tornadoes play city rival Westover on Saturday as the first of three crucial region games in its search for a second consecutive 1-AAA title.

Sooner or later, teams will be forced to key on a Monroe running game now averaging about 180 yards a game.

When that happens, Stephens will once again be called upon.

“All our running backs are fantastic, but there is going to come a game where I am back,” Stephens said. “And I feel it coming. It might be this week.”

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