McCray changed course of Shore’s season
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Khani McCray nearly intercepted the pass, his hands coming painfully close as visions of running downfield entered his mind.
Instead, the Shamokin tight end caught the ball and sprinted toward the end zone. Instead of trucking downfield, McCray now jetted upfield. Hustling from behind, McCray took a mighty swipe, jarred the ball loose inside the five-yard line and Nolen Pauling recovered, returning it 36 yards. A play later, Pauling found Carter Rhinehart for a 63-yard touchdown and Jersey Shore took a lead it never lost in a 26-6 District 4 Class AAAA semifinal win at two-time defending champion Shamokin.
"I got my hand on that ball when he caught it, but I don't give up on anything," McCray said. "I just took off and hustled, got the ball out and it turned the game around.
"Getting that early lead gave us the motivation to finish the game."
McCray's play not only changed the game, but changed the course of Jersey Shore's season. The Bulldogs (6-5) were heavy underdogs against a team which defeated it five straight times the past three years, including 35-14 seven weeks earlier. This time, McCray helped Jersey Shore shatter that streak and now it will play for the district title Friday at Shikellamy.
How ironic that a senior who never played high school football before played such a massive role in reversing the three-year Shamokin trend. Let's rephrase. How remarkable that a Bulldog who never played football, period, made such a huge impact.
McCray is a football rookie, but has played like a veteran as the season has progressed. He's become a reliable starting wide receiver and cornerback and played, arguably, his best game at Shamokin. In addition to the forced fumble, McCray caught two touchdowns, produced 74 yards and broke up five passes.
"Playing football is one of best decisions I've made in a very long time," McCray said. "Despite how well I'm doing this season for my first year of playing, I can't help but think what kind of potential I would have had, if I'd been playing since my freshman season."
Jersey Shore is not complaining. The Bulldogs simply are happy they have McCray for this one season. In a year filled with injuries, adversity and twists and turns, McCray coming on so strong has been crucial in this team staying the course.
"He never played football, not even Pee-Wee, but he's playing with some confidence," Jersey Shore coach Tom Gravish said. "He's kind of learning it every day. He talks with Nolen and our receiving crew and (receivers coach) Jordan Pauling is doing great job coaching him. He understands what we're trying to do; the routes and what coverage they're in. That's coming more crystal clear."
Gravish made it clear the last few years that he wanted McCray to give football a try. Yes, a big factor was McCray being 6-foot-4, possessing sprinter-like speed and seemingly being able to jump through the roof. But there was a big X-factor as well; one which no ruler or stop watch can measure.
Gravish saw it on the basketball court the past three seasons and then witnessed it up close when McCray competed at a Penn State 7-on-7 camp last summer. There, McCray went against a major Division I recruit. He gave up some catches, but also made some plays.
The common denominator through it all was McCray never backed down. That's when Gravish really believed McCray could definitely make an impact come fall no matter the experience level.
"I wasn't sure what we would get from Khani going into the summer, but we knew he was athletic," Gravish said. "There's good competition there (at Penn State) and he goes up against a kid from Malvern Prep and he's really battling. We like that competitiveness."
McCray likes competing. So, as he learned the game, McCray having that determined streak provided a strong foundation. At first, though, McCray was not sure if he would like the game. An initial primary motive was staying in shape for basketball, especially with McCray receiving college interest.
"I knew what position I was going to play and I felt like I had the abilities to play wide receiver," McCray said. "So, I thought I would give it a shot."
Now McCray loves two sports. Jersey Shore loves having him on the football field, too.
He has fit like a glove among a dangerous receiving group which includes Carter Rhinehart topping 1,000 yards and Connor Winters 700 yards. All three complement each other, with Connor Yingling and Dalton Rehrig also playing well.
McCray's strength has been stretching the field and/or the ability to turn a short pass into a bigger gain. He has caught 25 passes for 436 yards and 28 % of his catches (7) have gone for touchdowns. McCray showcased his speed on his first score against Shamokin, beating a defender down the left sideline for a 24-yard touchdown.
Less than three minutes later, McCray extended Jersey Shore's lead to 19-0 and made it three straight scores following his forced fumble. This time, McCray was blanketed, but Pauling made a super throw and McCray a fantastic catch, leaping and high-pointing the ball in nearly the same spot he had scored earlier.
"Really, just being in the playoffs, I felt like it unlocked something in me," McCray said. "Getting those two touchdowns felt great. It meant everything."
Still, whether scoring or helping create opportunities for others, McCray is grateful if it leads to Jersey Shore winning. He's a first-time player, but McCray quickly inherited the selfless mentality which has helped this program reach nine straight district finals.
A fierce commitment has been another Jersey Shore cornerstone and McCray quickly embraced that. Doing so helped him become a starting cornerback by midseason. Again, there was a learning curve but McCray quickly started connecting the dots.
The work continues and McCray hopes his best is still coming, but last Friday's semifinal perfectly showed just how far he has come in a short time. Because McCray also saved another potential touchdown with a terrific open field tackle when he looked like the last line of defense.
Then there were the pass break-ups while displaying strong coverage, including one where McCray perfectly timed his jump and knocked away a first quarter pass which would have gained big yards and given Shamokin another shot at an early score.
"He made some good plays on defense and, naturally, he made some good plays on offense," Gravish said. "He had that strip for the fumble which was a huge play, but he made a lot of other plays, too."
That included tackling well. Hitting and getting hit was one of the biggest adjustments for McCray but, again, he has proven a quick study. McCray delivered some quality hits against Shamokin and also continued showing the ability to run through contact.
"The coaches that I have for my first year of football, there's nothing more that I could have ever asked for," McCray said. "They taught me everything I need to know and kind of connected it for me during film and games. That's really what got me to where I am right now."
McCray made a one-year commitment to Jersey Shore. But he's had so much fun playing there that now he may want more. The football bug has infected McCray and a lifetime basketball player now wouldn't mind staying on the gridiron if the possibility presented itself.
College sports combine academics and athletics. McCray has proven he can excel there because he has aced his football exams thus far. Put the intelligence, athletic ability and drive together and McCray could make for an enticing college prospect.
McCray's high school sports book is still being written. But what a story he is producing. And, oh, the places he may go.
"I'm keeping my options open. Football is on the radar now. I didn't think going into it, it was going to be as good as it has been," McCray said. "I'm definitely open to looking around at a program that would be willing to coach me up and help me keep growing.
"I think I've only scratched the surface of my potential."