Doing it all

Perryville senior finds role all over the field

By Eric Moore

LITTLE ROCK — By the time a player makes it to his senior year in football, he usually has decided on one position to focus all his energy.

Not Greg Stivers. The senior, most known as the quarterback of the Perryville Mustangs, has seen his role expanded to cover a wide range of positions on the field. In addition to being the one taking snaps, he kicks field goals and extra points, plays strong side cornerback and returns punts.

On offense, Stivers knows the bane of any quarterback’s existence is the cornerback position. Perhaps that is why he enjoys his time on the defensive side of the ball as much as he does.

“I like defense,” Stivers said. “I’ve always been defensiveminded. I like to hit and get interceptions.”

As much as he likes defense, he knows his team is counting on him on offense. He originally started playing football in fourth grade when he moved to Perryville from Benton and his uncle suggested he start playing. At first he was a running back, but by the time he got to junior high school, he had made the switch to quarterback and has been an integral part of the Perryville offense ever since.

But at the end of his junior season, the Mustangs made acoaching change and Stivers had to learn a new offense. Perhaps a tribute to his versatility, Stivers has adjusted to the new system and has been part of the reason his team has started the season 4-0-1.

“I’m still looking for the game where we put it all together,” Stivers said. “We’re starting to pick it up.”

Stivers said the biggest key to his success is his knowledge of the field and by playing a multitude of positions, his knowledge has increased and he has a better appreciation for what his teammates do.

Coming into the season, he knew he would be looked upon to be the leader, and he has taken that challenge in stride. He has set goals for himself and his team, including going undefeated in conference and getting a bye in the 3A state playoffs.

Everything he does away from football has an impact on what he does on the football field. He is a member of the track team (which helps his speed and endurance), the weightlifting team (which increases his strength) and the basketball team (which increases his coordination and footwork).

“[Track] keeps me in shape,” Stivers said jokingly. “It’s a lot of running.”

Looking at him now, and as dedicated he is to his sport, it’shard to imagine that it almost didn’t happen. Before he moved to Perryville, he had not given any thought to playing sports. It wasn’t until his uncle, Jimmy Rankin, urged him to play football that he found his calling.

“I had watched football,” Stivers said. “But I had never had anyone push me to play organized ball.”

As much as he loves football, this year will likely be his last season, unless he finds a way to get an athletic scholarship. Walking on to a team is not an option for him; he would rather focus on his studies than have to prove himself all over again.

The location of his college is still up in the air, but he is set on what he wants to do with the rest of his life - sports therapy.

“I tried to think of something I love to do and that pays well,” Stivers said.

If this season is in fact his last, Stivers will leave with no regrets.

“I loved every minute of it and worked hard at it,” Stivers said. “I’ve tried not to have any regrets. You have to do it because you want to do it.”

Usually a player is judged on how his team does in his final year, and the Mustangs are well on their way to allowing Stivers to leave hismark at the school. But, Stivers wants to be known for more than just being on a good team.

“I want them to remember that I gave it my all and that I did well,” Stivers said. “I don’t want them to think I was average.”

River Valley Ozark, Pages 144 on 10/12/2008